Berala

Berala is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population for the Berala statistical area (Lv2) is around 9,055, reflecting an increase of 298 people since the 2021 Census when it reported a population of 8,757. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 9,017 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 12 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 4,251 persons per square kilometer, placing it within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.0% to overall population gains in recent periods. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021.

Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Berala (SA2) is expected to grow by 892 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of approximately 9.6% in total over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Berala, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Berala saw around 28 new home approvals per year from 2017 to 2021. This totals an estimated 140 homes over the past five financial years. As of FY-26, 13 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $475,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. In FY-26, $4.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting Berala's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Berala has significantly less development activity (67.0% below regional average per person). This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, which is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New building activity shows 81.0% standalone homes and 19.0% attached dwellings, preserving Berala's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (61.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. With around 276 people per dwelling approval, Berala shows characteristics of a low density area. Future projections show Berala adding 868 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Berala has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that could affect the area. Notable projects include Aura by Crown Group, Lidcombe Town Centre Public Domain Plan, The Concourse at Lidcombe - DOOLEYS Regeneration Project, and Lidcombe Infrastructure Upgrade. Below is a list of those likely to be most 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 assessment indicates Berala faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Berala has an educated workforce with varied sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 7.1% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 1.1%.

As of September 2025, 4,359 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.9% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Berala is lower at 47.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Manufacturing employment is particularly high, at 1.7 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical employment is lower at 7.7% versus the regional average of 11.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 1.1%, labour force by 3.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 2.0 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1% and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National projections forecast employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth rates may differ based on industry-specific projections applied to Berala's employment mix.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Berala had a median taxpayer income of $42,262 and an average income of $53,625. Nationally, the median was $60,817 and the average was $83,003. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $46,006 (median) and $58,376 (average), based on an 8.86% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census reported individual incomes at the 11th percentile ($595 weekly) and household incomes at the 38th percentile. Income analysis indicates 32.3% of Berala's population falls within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range. Housing affordability is severe, with only 82.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 37th percentile.

Berala displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Berala, as per the latest Census, 61.1% of dwellings were houses while 38.9% consisted of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Sydney metropolitan area's figures of 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Berala stood at 33.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.9% and rented ones at 41.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Berala was $380, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Berala's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Berala features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 74.3% of all households, including 37.6% couples with children, 20.8% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 25.7%, with lone person households at 19.4% and group households comprising 6.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.8.

Educational outcomes in Berala fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 27.6%, significantly lower than the SA3 area average of 39.9%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational pathways account for 23.1% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.7% and certificates at 13.4%. Educational participation is high, with 30.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.5% in primary education, 7.3% in tertiary education, and 6.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Berala shows that there are 55 active transport stops currently operating. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. A total of 20 individual routes serve these stops, collectively facilitating 4113 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 116 meters from the nearest transport stop on average. Across all routes, service frequency averages at 587 trips per day, which equates to approximately 74 weekly trips per individual stop.

Berala's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Berala, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 4,364 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

Diabetes and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 5.4% and 4.7% of residents respectively. Approximately 80.2% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 83.5% across Greater Sydney. Berala has 15.8% of residents aged 65 and over (around 1,430 people), which is higher than the 11.1% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

Berala is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Berala's population is predominantly diverse, with 62.3% born overseas and 77.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, accounting for 36.2%. Buddhism is notably higher at 13.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 7.5%.

The top three parental ancestry groups are Chinese (34.6%), Other (20.5%), and English (7.6%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Croatian at 2.8% (regional average 0.7%), Korean at 3.1% (vs regional 7.7%), and Vietnamese at 5.2% (vs regional 2.6%).

Berala's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Berala has a median age of 37, which matches Greater Sydney's figure and is comparable to Australia's 38 years. The 25-34 age group makes up 18.4% of Berala's population compared to Greater Sydney, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 3.9% to 4.8%, whereas the 5-14 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 9.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Berala's age structure. Notably, the 45-54 group is expected to grow by 24%, reaching 1,356 people from 1,095. The aging population trend is evident with those aged 65 and above comprising 51% of projected growth. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.