Calala

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

Calala's population, as of November 2025, is estimated at approximately 5,027 people. This figure reflects a growth of 450 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,577. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 4,870 in June 2024, based on ABS ERP data, and an additional 196 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 78 persons per square kilometer. Calala's growth rate of 9.8% from 2021 to 2025 exceeded both the SA4 region (4.6%) and non-metro areas, indicating it as a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 44.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all migration factors also being positive contributors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for Calala, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2-level projections are utilized, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections indicate that the Calala statistical area is expected to increase its population by approximately 561 persons to reach 5,588 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 6.9% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Calala had approximately 39 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 196 homes. As of FY26, seven approvals have been recorded. The average population growth per dwelling built in the area between FY21 and FY25 was 1.2 people per year, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. Developers targeted the premium segment with an average dwelling construction cost value of $514,000.

In FY26, Calala registered $3.5 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Rest of NSW, Calala had 81% more construction activity per person as of the latest data. The current new development mix consists of 64% detached dwellings and 36% attached dwellings, including townhouses and apartments, offering diverse housing options from family homes to compact living. This shift reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. With around 246 people per dwelling approval, Calala's population is projected to increase by 349 residents by 2041, according to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate.

At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Calala has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that may impact this area. Notable ones include Calala Battery Energy Storage System, Goonoo Goonoo Commercial Precinct, The Outlook Estate, and Redbank Estate (Calala). Details about these projects can be found below.

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 exceptional employment performance in Calala places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Calala has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 0.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.5%.

As of September 2025, 2,863 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, below Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation is high at 65.6% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Education & training shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.9% compared to 5.3% regionally.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.8, indicating above-normal local employment opportunities. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 1.5%, labour force by 1.4%, keeping unemployment broadly flat. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.5%, labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections suggest Calala's employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The suburb of Calala had a median taxpayer income of $58,006 and an average income of $69,882 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is slightly above national averages, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income could be approximately $63,145 and the average income around $76,074, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023. Census data indicates that incomes in Calala cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. Income analysis shows that 38.5% of the community (1,935 individuals) falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band, which is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region at 29.9%. After housing costs, 86.5% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Calala is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Calala's dwelling structures, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 96.1% houses and 3.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 89.5% houses and 10.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Calala stood at 30.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.6% and rented dwellings at 26.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,600, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,500. Median weekly rent in Calala was $350, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Calala's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,600 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $350 compared to the national figure of $375.

Calala has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 75.6% of all households, including 34.0% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.4%, with lone person households at 21.7% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Calala exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 19.9%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas account for 11.2% and certificates for 31.0%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 34.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.6% in secondary education, 11.2% in primary education, and 3.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Calala shows that there are currently 113 active transport stops operating within the city. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 39 individual routes providing service to these stops. Collectively, these routes offer 270 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Calala is rated as excellent, with residents typically located an average of 107 meters from the nearest transport stop. Across all routes, the service frequency averages 38 trips per day, which equates to approximately 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

Calala's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Calala's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, showing a typical distribution of common health conditions among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 55% (~2742 people) have private health cover, compared to 49.8% across the Rest of NSW.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (10.2%) and mental health issues (9.4%). A total of 66.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in the Rest of NSW. Calala has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 14.8% (743 people), compared to 19.9% in the Rest of NSW. Overall, Calala's health profile is largely representative of the general population.

The latest Census data sees Calala placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Calala had a cultural diversity below average, with 92.2% citizens, 93.2% born in Australia, and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 64.4%, compared to 63.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.9%), English (29.5%), and Scottish (8.0%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 7.7% in Calala versus 9.4% regionally, Welsh at 0.5% versus 0.3%, and South African at 0.3% versus 0.2%.

Calala's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

The median age in Calala is 33 years, which is considerably lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and substantially under the national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.9% in Calala, while the 55-64 year-olds are under-represented at 8.8%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 14.4% to 15.9% of the population in Calala. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 10.9% to 9.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Calala. Leading this shift, the 25 to 34 group is expected to grow by 21%, reaching 964 people from 799. Meanwhile, both the 5-14 and 55-64 age groups are forecasted to see reduced numbers.