Canley Heights

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

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Canley Heights is around 13,274. This represents an increase of 954 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,320. The current resident population estimate by AreaSearch is 12,792, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and validation of additional 50 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 5,125 persons per square kilometer, placing Canley Heights in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth of 7.7% since the 2021 Census exceeded the SA3 area average of 4.4%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in Canley Heights.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, Canley Heights is expected to increase by 1,648 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 8.8% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Canley Heights according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Canley Heights has recorded approximately 69 residential properties approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 348 homes were approved, with an additional 33 approved so far in FY-26. The average construction value for new properties is $349,000.

In terms of commercial development, $94.4 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year. Compared to Greater Sydney, Canley Heights has slightly more development per person over the past five years, balancing buyer choice with property values support. Recent construction activity shows 46.0% detached houses and 54.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 78.0% houses. This change reflects decreasing developable sites availability and evolving lifestyles preferences for more diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 305 people per dwelling approval, suggesting room for growth.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Canley Heights is expected to grow by 1,166 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond projections.

Canley Heights 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 17 projects that could affect the area. Notable projects include Canley Heights and Canley Vale Special Entertainment Precincts, Canley Vale High School Upgrade, 37-45 Arbutus Street Development, and 19-25 Ascot Street Development. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Canley Heights shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Canley Heights has a skilled workforce with prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.6% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 6.3%. As of December 2025, 5,510 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.7%, which is 1.5% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation was at 54.5%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's 70.2%. According to Census responses, 24.3% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in manufacturing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing has a strong presence with an employment share 2.9 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services have limited presence at 5.2%, compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. In the 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 6.3% and labour force grew by 5.1%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Canley Heights' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates Canley Heights' median taxpayer income is $41,063 and average is $48,980. This is lower than national averages of $56,740 (median) and $85,858 (average). Greater Sydney's figures are $60,817 (median) and $83,003 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated current incomes for Canley Heights would be approximately $44,701 (median) and $53,320 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 data shows individual incomes at the 2nd percentile ($481 weekly), while household incomes are at the 34th percentile. Income distribution in Canley Heights is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, with 31.7% of residents (4,207 people). This aligns with regional levels where this cohort represents 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 30th percentile nationally.

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

Canley Heights' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.5% houses and 22.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Canley Heights stood at 30.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.8% and rented ones at 40.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Canley Heights was $400, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Canley Heights' mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Canley Heights features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 82.8% of all households, including 42.8% couples with children, 14.7% couples without children, and 22.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 17.2%, with lone person households at 14.9% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size is 3.4 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7 people.

Canley Heights faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 16.5%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (0.7%). Vocational pathways account for 21.1% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 7.9% and certificates 13.2%. Educational participation is high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.4% in secondary education, 9.3% in primary education, and 7.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Canley Heights has 38 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 18 different routes that together facilitate 962 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living 209 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 85%, while trains are used by 8%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 24.3% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 137 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per stop.

Canley Heights's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Canley Heights. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover was found to be extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~6,156 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area were diabetes and arthritis, impacting 5.7 and 5.0% of residents respectively. 79.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents had low chronic condition prevalence. The area had 17.0% of residents aged 65 and over (2,256 people), higher than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Canley Heights has a population where 60.7% were born overseas, with 80.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion is Buddhism, practiced by 40.5% of residents, compared to the regional average of 4.1%. In terms of ancestry, Vietnamese people make up 34.9%, significantly higher than the regional average of 1.8%.

Other groups comprise 20.4%, while Chinese ancestry stands at 19.6%, also notably higher than the regional average of 8.4%. There are notable differences in representation for Serbian (1.1% vs regional 0.5%), Samoan (1.4% vs regional 0.5%), and Macedonian (0.5% vs regional 0.4%) groups.

Canley Heights's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Canley Heights has a median age of 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and remaining comparable to Australia's 38 years. The 15-24 age group constitutes 16.2%, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage, while the 35-44 cohort makes up 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 65-74 age group has increased from 7.9% to 10.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 12.7% to 11.5%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Canley Heights' age structure. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 76%, reaching 1,148 people from 650. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 72% of the population growth. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 5-14 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.