Boolaroo

Boolaroo lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

By May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Boolaroo was around 2,075. This represented a growth of 439 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 1,636. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,063 following examination of ABS data released in June 2025 and an additional 189 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 765 persons per square kilometer, roughly inline with averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 26.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.2%) and the Rest of NSW, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch's projections for Boolaroo are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a 2021 base year are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, the suburb is expected to increase its population by just below the median of locations outside capital cities, with an anticipated expansion of 214 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 9.7% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Boolaroo among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Boolaroo recorded approximately 19 residential property approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 95 homes. As of FY26, 16 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, an average of 2.8 new residents were gained per dwelling built annually. The average construction cost value of new homes is $608,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $5.4 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Rest of NSW, Boolaroo has 150.0% more new home approvals per person. Recent construction comprises 80.0% standalone homes and 20.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature. There are approximately 41 people per dwelling approval in the location.

Population forecasts indicate Boolaroo will gain 202 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Boolaroo 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 seven projects likely affecting the area. Notable ones are McCloy Group Brush Creek Estate, Speers Point Transport Improvements, Weemala at the Lake, and Munibung Road Boolaroo Residential Precinct (Cockle Creek TOD). The following list details those 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 positions Boolaroo ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Boolaroo has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.9% as of the past year. Employment growth was estimated at 4.7%.

As of December 2025, 1,125 residents were employed and the unemployment rate was 1.0% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Boolaroo was 66.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, 21.7% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Health care & social assistance showed strong specialization with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 0%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 4.7% and labour force increased by 5.8%, resulting in a 1.0 percentage point rise in unemployment. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Boolaroo's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Boolaroo has a median taxpayer income of $52,133 and an average income of $69,121 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is slightly above the national average, contrasting with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $57,513 (median) and $76,254 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Boolaroo rank modestly, between the 36th and 42nd percentiles. The earnings profile shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 32.9% of residents (682 people), similar to the metropolitan region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Boolaroo, with only 80.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 32nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Boolaroo is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Boolaroo, as per the latest Census, 89.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 10.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Boolaroo stood at 31.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.8% and rented ones at 30.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,907, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Boolaroo was $400, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Boolaroo's mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Boolaroo features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 67.9% of all households, including 24.9% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 13.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.1%, with lone person households at 27.5% and group households comprising 4.2%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average for Regional NSW.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.8%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 44.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (32.3%). Educational participation is high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.2% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 4.3% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.2% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Boolaroo has 19 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 27 individual routes, collectively facilitating 1,192 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 248 meters from the nearest stop. The area being primarily residential, most commuters travel outward using cars, which remain the dominant mode at 94%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, some 21.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 170 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 62 weekly trips per stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Boolaroo. AreaSearch's assessment shows high mortality rates and prevalent chronic conditions across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 54% (~1,125 people) have private health cover, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (12.1%) and arthritis (9.8%), with 62.1% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (458 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Boolaroo is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Boolaroo, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index of below average with 91.1% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (90.1%), and speaking English only at home (94.9%). Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 51.9%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.9%), Australian (31.5%), and Scottish (9.0%).

Notably, Welsh (1.3%) and South Australian (0.6%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Boolaroo compared to Regional NSW (Welsh: 0.5%, South Australian: 0.2%). Samoan ethnicity was also higher than the regional average at 0.5%.

Boolaroo's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Boolaroo is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 but essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Boolaroo has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 years (14.0%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 years (10.1%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 7.5% to 9.2%, while the population aged 85 and above increased from 1.7% to 2.8%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 decreased from 15.1% to 14.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Boolaroo's age structure. Notably, the population aged 25 to 34 is expected to grow by 26%, reaching 365 people from 290. Conversely, the populations aged 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 are projected to decrease.