Manly - Lota

An assessment of population growth drivers in Manly - Lota reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Manly - Lota's population is approximately 8,416 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 526 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 7,890. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,254 in June 2024 and an additional 75 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 2,003 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Manly - Lota's growth rate of 6.7% since the 2021 census exceeds that of the SA3 area (6.6%), indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 using 2022 data as the base year. Future population trends suggest a slight increase below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with an expected growth of approximately 500 persons to reach around 8,916 by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of about 4.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Manly - Lota recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Manly - Lota has seen approximately 41 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 206 homes were approved, with an additional 218 approved so far in FY26. On average, each dwelling constructed over these five years accommodated about 1.7 new residents per year. However, this figure has increased to 4.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply.

The average construction value of new properties is $645,000, indicating a focus on premium market segments. This financial year alone, $8.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Manly - Lota has experienced slightly more development activity, with 17.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balance supports buyer choice while maintaining current property values, although recent periods show some moderation in development activity.

The new developments consist of 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% medium to high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering options across different price points. This shift reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements, marking a significant change from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses at 77.0%. With around 286 people per dwelling approval, Manly - Lota exhibits a developing market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add approximately 338 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Manly - Lota has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may affect this region. Notable projects include Royal Far West (RFW) Neighbourhood Development, The Wellington Collection, Manly Hotel Refurbishment, and Breeze On Berrima. The following details those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Manly - Lota performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Manly-Lota has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 1.9% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.5%.

As of that date, 4,842 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, lower than Greater Brisbane's 4.0%. Workforce participation was similar to Greater Brisbane's 70.8%. Census responses showed 26.3% of residents worked from home.

Key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and professional & technical services. However, health care & social assistance had lower representation at 13.3%, compared to the regional average of 16.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In the 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 6.5% and labour force grew by 6.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8%, labour force growth of 3.3%, with unemployment falling 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Manly-Lota's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch reports median taxpayer income in Manly - Lota SA2 was $65,035 and average income was $85,178 in financial year 2023. These figures are among the highest nationally, compared to Greater Brisbane's median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. By September 2025, estimated median income is approximately $71,480 and average income is around $93,619, based on a 9.91% increase since financial year 2023. Manly - Lota incomes cluster around the 69th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows 27.5% of residents (2,314 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually. Surrounding regions also exhibit this pattern, with 33.3% in the same income bracket. High weekly earnings exceed $3,000 for 33.1% of households, indicating strong consumer spending. Housing costs account for 14.4% of income. Residents rank at the 72nd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Manly - Lota is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Manly - Lota's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 76.7% houses and 23.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Brisbane metro's 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Manly - Lota stood at 36.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.9% and rented ones at 27.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Brisbane metro's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Manly - Lota was $410, compared to Brisbane metro's $380. Nationally, Manly - Lota's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Manly - Lota has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.4% of all households, including 31.8% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 29.6%, with lone person households at 27.5% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

Manly - Lota shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 33.1%, higher than the SA4 region average of 23.7% and Queensland's state average of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 34.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.6% and certificates at 22.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.0% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Manly-Lota has 41 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 29 individual routes that facilitate 1,942 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 197 meters to the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the dominant mode at 84%, while 10% use trains. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 26.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 277 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 47 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Manly - Lota is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Manly - Lota faces substantial health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (5,184 people), compared to 55.8% in Greater Brisbane and 55.7% nationally.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.8 and 8.8% of residents respectively. However, 66.7% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.2% across Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 20.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,722 people), higher than the 15.0% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Manly - Lota ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Manly-Lota has a lower than average cultural diversity, with 76.2% of its population born in Australia, 88.3% being citizens, and 94.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Manly-Lota, comprising 53.1%, compared to 47.8% across Greater Brisbane. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.2%), Australian (22.9%), and Irish (11.5%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry is overrepresented at 9.9%, New Zealand at 1.1%, and French at 0.8%.

Manly - Lota hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Manly - Lota's median age is 45, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and the national norm of 38. The 55-64 age group makes up 14.9% of Manly - Lota's population, compared to Greater Brisbane's figure. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort comprises only 7.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group increased from 6.2% to 8.0%, while the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 10.3% to 11.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in Manly - Lota's age profile. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 123%, reaching 441 people from the current figure of 197. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 75% of this projected growth, while the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.