Collaroy (NSW)

Collaroy is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Collaroy (NSW) is around 8,106, reflecting a 2.0% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 7,944 people. This growth can be attributed to an additional 11 validated new addresses since the Census date and an estimated resident population of 8,061 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024. The population density ratio is approximately 3,024 persons per square kilometer, placing Collaroy in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area. According to ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021, the suburb is expected to grow by 8 persons to 2041, reflecting a reduction of 0.5% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, lower quartile growth of national areas is anticipated, with the area expected to grow by 8 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting with a reduction of 0.5% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Collaroy, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Collaroy recorded around 18 residential properties granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 93 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY-26. Despite a falling population, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $1,197,000, indicating developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This year, there have been $322,000 in commercial approvals, reflecting Collaroy's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Collaroy has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person. Nationally, it places among the 37th percentile of areas assessed, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings.

This is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 73.0% detached dwellings and 27.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving Collaroy's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests at Census (42.0%), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. At around 446 people per approval, Collaroy indicates a mature market. With population projections showing stability or decline, Collaroy should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Collaroy has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects expected to influence the area. Notable projects include Montecito Collaroy, 1129-1131 Pittwater Road Mixed Use, 1010-1014 Pittwater Road Mixed Use Development, and Cromer Village Green (Proposed Mixed-Use Precinct). The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Collaroy has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Collaroy has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 4.5%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 4,554 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 4.6% compared to Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation stands at 68.1%, lower than Greater Sydney's 70.2%. Census data shows 46.0% work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant sectors include professional & technical, construction, and health care & social assistance. Construction is notably high at 1.4 times the regional average.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 12.0%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Over December 2024 to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.3%, employment by 1.3%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.0 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's May-25 forecasts suggest national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Collaroy's mix suggests local employment could increase by 7.0% in five years and 14.0% in ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Collaroy had a median taxpayer income of $62,591 and an average income of $102,469 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. These figures are exceptionally high nationally, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since the financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $68,137 (median) and $111,548 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Collaroy rank highly nationally, between the 84th and 86th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 29.5% of the community (2,391 individuals), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 30.9% in the same category. A substantial proportion of high earners, at 39.3%, indicates strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. High housing costs consume 16.4% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 85th percentile nationally, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Collaroy features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Collaroy, as per the latest Census, 41.7% of dwellings were houses while 58.3% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Sydney metropolitan area's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Collaroy stood at 37.7%, with mortgaged properties at 31.6% and rented dwellings at 30.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Collaroy was $2,800, exceeding Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in the area was $600, higher than Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Collaroy's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,800 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Collaroy has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 71.7% of all households, including 31.0% couples with children, 29.7% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.3%, with lone person households at 24.9% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.5 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Collaroy demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 37.8%, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and that of NSW at 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 32.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 13.1% and certificates at 19.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 26.7% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes secondary education (7.6%), primary education (7.4%), and tertiary education (6.0%).

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

Collaroy has 35 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 55 different routes that collectively facilitate 4768 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 189 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 84%, while bus usage stands at 8%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling in Collaroy.

According to the 2021 Census, 46% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 681 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 136 weekly trips per stop.

Collaroy's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Collaroy, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 67% of the total population (5,456 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.7 and 6.5% of residents respectively, while 72.9% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney.

Collaroy has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,791 people), higher than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Collaroy was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Collaroy, as per the data, has a higher than average cultural diversity with 13.4% of its residents speaking languages other than English at home and 27.3% born overseas. Christianity is the dominant religion in Collaroy, comprising 53.9% of the population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented in Collaroy at 0.2%, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

In terms of ancestry, English (29.8%), Australian (22.8%), and Irish (10.2%) are the top three groups, each substantially higher than regional averages of 19.0%, 17.8%, and 5.4% respectively. Additionally, French (0.8%), Hungarian (0.4%), and New Zealand (1.0%) ethnicities show notable overrepresentation compared to regional figures of 0.5%, 0.3%, and 0.5% respectively.

Collaroy hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Collaroy is 43 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 years make up 14.2% of the population, while those aged 35-44 years comprise 10.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.1% to 14.5%, and the 75-84 age cohort has grown from 6.3% to 7.8%. Conversely, the 35-44 age group has decreased from 12.3% to 10.3%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 10.0% to 8.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Collaroy's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow by 425 people (159%), from 267 to 693. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for all total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 45-54 and 55-64 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.