Cliftleigh

Cliftleigh lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Cliftleigh is around 2,726, reflecting an increase of 417 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents an 18.1% rise from the previous population count of 2,309 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,715, based on their examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 642 persons per square kilometer. Cliftleigh's growth exceeded that of both Rest of NSW (4.9%) and the state average, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 68.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with other factors such as natural growth and overseas migration also being positive contributors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, with a base year of 2021. According to these aggregated projections, the suburb is forecasted to increase by 1,167 persons by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 42.4% over the 16-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Cliftleigh has recorded approximately 22 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 111 homes were approved, with an additional 15 approvals so far in FY-26. This indicates an average of about 8.5 people moving to the area each year for each dwelling built over these years.

The demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $351,000. This financial year has seen $129,000 in commercial development approvals recorded, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Comparatively, Cliftleigh has 14.0% less new development per person relative to the Rest of NSW.

Nationally, it places among the 91st percentile of areas assessed, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. New development consists of 75.0% detached dwellings and 25.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature while attracting space-seeking buyers. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing, which is currently 94.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. Cliftleigh reflects a developing area with around 71 people per approval. Looking ahead, Cliftleigh is expected to grow by approximately 1,156 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Cliftleigh has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects likely to impact the area. Key projects are The Loxford Estate, Avery's Rise, Heddon Greta South Road and Drainage Improvements, and Heddon Greta - Cliftleigh Corridor Structure Plan. Below is a list of those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Cliftleigh significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Cliftleigh has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment. Essential services sectors are well represented in the area. The unemployment rate was 2.8% as of December 2025.

There was an estimated employment growth of 2.5% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,496 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 1.1% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was at 78.9%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. A moderate 16.5% of residents worked from home, according to Census responses, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. There is particularly strong specialization in administrative & support services, with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.5% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 2.5% while labour force increased by 2.4%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment contracted by 1.2%, the labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Cliftleigh's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Cliftleigh is extremely high nationally. The median assessed income is $68,662 and the average income stands at $80,492. This contrasts with Regional NSW's figures of a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $75,748 (median) and $88,799 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Cliftleigh cluster around the 68th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 45.5% of locals (1,240 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category. High housing costs consume 19.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 61st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Cliftleigh, as evaluated at the latest Census, consisted of 94.0% houses and 6.0% other dwellings. In Regional NSW, this was 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cliftleigh was 12.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.6% and rented ones at 47.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Cliftleigh was $435, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Cliftleigh's mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 82.2% of all households, including 37.6% couples with children, 26.7% couples without children, and 17.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 17.8%, with lone person households at 14.7% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This indicates a need for targeted educational initiatives in the region. Bachelor degrees are the most common type of university qualification held by residents at 10.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15 and above, with 47.2% holding such qualifications.

Advanced diplomas account for 9.8% of these credentials while certificates make up 37.4%. The area has high educational participation, with 33.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.5% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 13 active transport stops operating within Cliftleigh. These are served by a mix of buses along 25 individual routes, collectively offering 279 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 468 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily due to its residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 98%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, some 16.5% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 39 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 21 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cliftleigh is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Cliftleigh faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% of Cliftleigh's total population (1600 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, impacting 13.2% and 12.2% of residents respectively. 65.9% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Only 4.7% of Cliftleigh's residents are aged 65 and over (128 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, aligning broadly with national rankings for the general population.

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

Cliftleigh's population showed low cultural diversity, with 90.9% born in Australia, 93.9% being citizens, and 92.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 42.4%. Judaism, however, had a slightly higher representation at 0.1%, compared to Regional NSW's 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian (35.6%), English (28.8%), and Australian Aboriginal (8.4%) were the top groups. Notably, Filipino (2.7% vs regional 0.6%), Macedonian (0.2% vs 0.4%), and Korean (0.2% vs 0.1%) groups had higher representations than the regional averages.

Cliftleigh hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

At 26 years, Cliftleigh's median age is younger than Regional NSW's average of 43 and lower than Australia's national average of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, Cliftleigh has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (29.2%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (3.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Post-2021 Census data shows that younger residents have lowered Cliftleigh's median age by 1.2 years to 26. Key changes include the growth of the 25 to 34 age group from 26.8% to 29.2%, and an increase in the 35 to 44 cohort from 13.2% to 15.1%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 6.9% to 5.3%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 5.0% to 3.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that Cliftleigh's age profile will significantly change by 2041, with the strongest growth projected in the 25 to 34 cohort at 51%, adding 404 residents to reach a total of 1,200.