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 May 2026, the estimated population of Canley Heights is around 13,414. This represents an increase of 1,094 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,320. The latest estimate by AreaSearch, following examination of the June 2025 ABS ERP data release and validation of new addresses, is 13,396 residents. This results in a population density ratio of 5,179 persons per square kilometer, placing Canley Heights in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth of 8.9% since the 2021 Census exceeds the SA3 area (2.0%) and the state, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, 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. By 2041, Canley Heights is projected to increase by 1,610 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 11.9% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Canley Heights when compared nationally

Canley Heights recorded approximately 69 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 348 homes were approved, with an additional 44 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, 1.6 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years. However, this increased to 5.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $349,000. This year alone, $94.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Canley Heights has seen slightly more development, with 20.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balance between buyer choice and property value support is evident, though construction activity has recently eased. New building activity shows a split of 46.0% detached houses and 54.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 78.0% houses.

This skew towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The location has approximately 313 people per dwelling approval, indicating room for growth. Looking ahead, Canley Heights is projected to grow by 1,592 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current 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 likely affecting this region. Notable initiatives 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 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.

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

Canley Heights has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 5.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 9.1%. As of December 2025, 6,220 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 in Canley Heights was 58.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 24.3% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in manufacturing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. The area has a strong specialization in manufacturing, with an employment share 2.9 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services have limited presence, at 5.2% compared to the regional average of 11.5%. Over the past year, employment increased by 9.1%, while the labour force grew by 7.8%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate of 1.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.2% and unemployment rise marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment 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 and does not account for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Canley Heights' median income among taxpayers is $41,063. The average income is $48,980. This is lower than national averages. Greater Sydney has a median income of $60,817 and an average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Canley Heights are approximately $45,301 (median) and $54,035 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows individual incomes lag at the 2nd percentile ($481 weekly), while household income performs better at the 34th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 31.7% of residents (4,252 people). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 30th percentile.

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

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

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 17.2%, with lone person households at 14.9% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 3.4 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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 make up 21.1% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 7.9% and certificates at 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

Transport analysis indicates 38 operational public transport stops in Canley Heights, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 18 individual routes, facilitating 962 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically situated 209 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most residents commute outward, with car being the primary mode at 85%, and train at 8%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 24.3% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 137 trips daily across all routes, translating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual 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 (~6,221 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions 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 has 16.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,240 people), higher than the 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, broadly in line with national rankings for 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, as per the 2016 Census, has a population where 60.7% were born overseas and 80.9% speak languages other than English at home. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Canley Heights with 40.5%, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 4.1%. The top three ancestry groups are Vietnamese (34.9%), Other (20.4%), and Chinese (19.6%).

These percentages are notably higher compared to Greater Sydney's averages of 1.8% for Vietnamese, 17.5% for Other, and 8.4% for Chinese. Additionally, Serbian (1.1%) is overrepresented in Canley Heights compared to the regional average of 0.5%. Samoan representation stands at 1.4%, higher than Greater Sydney's average of 0.5%. Macedonian also shows a higher percentage in Canley Heights with 0.5% compared to the region's average of 0.4%.

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 closely resembling Australia's median age of 38. The 15-24 age group comprises 16.4%, higher than Greater Sydney, while the 35-44 cohort stands at 11.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 65 to 74 age group has increased from 7.9% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 12.7% to 11.4%, and the 45 to 54 group has fallen from 13.6% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Canley Heights' age structure. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 81% (523 people), reaching 1,167 from 643. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 64% of the population growth. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.