Brookvale

Population growth drivers in Brookvale are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Brookvale's population is estimated at around 3,841. This reflects an increase of 452 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,389. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,810 residents following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and additional 44 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,745 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Brookvale's growth of 13.3% since the 2021 census exceeded both SA4 region (3.2%) and SA3 area, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Brookvale is expected to grow by 78 persons to 2041, reflecting a decline of 3.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Brookvale has experienced around 27 dwellings receiving development approval per year. An estimated 138 homes were approved over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, with a further 13 approved so far in FY-26.

On average, 0.9 new residents have been added per year per dwelling constructed during this period. This suggests that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new dwellings is $1,054,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. Compared to Greater Sydney, Brookvale records 172.0% more development activity per person.

This should provide buyers with ample choice, although construction activity has eased recently. New building activity shows 53.0% standalone homes and 47.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating an expanding range of medium-density options across various price brackets. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (18.0% at Census), suggesting continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. At around 211 people per approval, Brookvale reflects a developing area with population projections showing stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures and benefit potential buyers.

Brookvale 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 identified seven projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Brookvale Structure Plan Implementation, Warringah Mall Mixed Use Redevelopment, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Centre of Excellence, and Northern Beaches Bus Network Improvements. 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.

The employment environment in Brookvale shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Brookvale has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.3%, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of June 2025, 2,358 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.9% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Brookvale is high at 72.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and professional & technical services, with a notable specialization in other services (1.7 times the regional level). Public administration & safety has limited presence (4.1% vs regional 5.7%).

The area hosts more jobs than residents (2.5 workers per resident), acting as an employment hub attracting workers from nearby areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Brookvale's labour force increased by 0.2%, while employment declined by 0.5%, leading to a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a smaller increase in unemployment (0.3 percentage points). Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brookvale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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

Brookvale had a median taxpayer income of $61,202 and an average income of $109,466 according to AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. Based on a 12.61% increase from the Wage Price Index since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $68,920 (median) and $123,270 (average). Census data shows that Brookvale's household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly nationally, between the 74th and 86th percentiles. The earnings profile indicates that 38.9% of the population (1,494 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, which aligns with regional levels where this cohort represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 22.5% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 63rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Brookvale features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Brookvale's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 18.4% houses and 81.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 57.6% houses and 42.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brookvale was at 16.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.3% and rented ones at 45.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,600, below Sydney metro's average of $3,000. Median weekly rent in Brookvale was $550, compared to Sydney metro's $592. Nationally, Brookvale's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Brookvale features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 62.7% of all households, including 25.7% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 37.3%, with lone person households at 32.4% and group households comprising 5.1%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 37.4% of residents aged 15+, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and NSW's rate of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (21.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 25.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 6.5% in primary education, 5.4% in tertiary education, and 4.5% pursuing secondary education. The area's educational provision includes Brookvale Public School and St Augustine's College Sydney, serving a total of 1,902 students. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA value of 1097. The educational mix consists of one primary school and one K-12 school. Functioning as an education hub, the area offers 49.5 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 16.2, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Brookvale has 26 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a total of 89 different routes that facilitate 8,731 weekly passenger trips combined. The accessibility of these transport services is considered good, with Brookvale residents on average located 316 meters away from the nearest transport stop.

On an average day, there are 1,247 bus trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 335 weekly trips per individual stop.

Brookvale's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Brookvale. Younger cohorts particularly have low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 70% of Brookvale's total population (2,690 people) has private health cover, higher than the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 8.5 and 6.8% of residents respectively. 74.4% of Brookvale's residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to Greater Sydney's 74.7%. The area has 12.8% (491 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Sydney's 17.8%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention despite being above average.

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

Brookvale has a high level of cultural diversity, with 31.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 42.4% born overseas. The predominant religion in Brookvale is Christianity, comprising 46.1% of the population. Buddhism is notably overrepresented in Brookvale compared to Greater Sydney, with 3.8% versus 1.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (23.8%), Australian (16.7%), and Other (16.3%). The Australian figure is lower than the regional average of 22.1%, while Other is substantially higher at 10.6%. Some ethnic groups with notable divergences include French (1.3% vs regional 1.1%), Spanish (1.1% vs 0.6%), and South African (1.2% vs 0.9%).

Brookvale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Brookvale's median age is 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely resembling Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 21.2% of Brookvale's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage but lower than the national average of 14.5%. Meanwhile, the 5-14 cohort comprises 5.9%, which is less prevalent compared to Greater Sydney. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 10.3% to 12.4%, while the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 7.9% to 5.9%. The 45-54 group has also dropped from 12.5% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Brookvale's age structure. Notably, the 85+ group is expected to grow by 127%, reaching 209 individuals from its current 92. This growth will be primarily driven by an aging population, with those aged 65 and above accounting for 99% of projected growth. Conversely, the 5-14 and 45-54 age cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.