Collaroy Plateau

Collaroy Plateau 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 May 2026, the population of the suburb of Collaroy Plateau is estimated at around 4,791 people. This reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census figure of 4,805 people, representing a drop of 14 individuals (0.3%). The current population estimate is based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 3,927 persons per square kilometer, placing Collaroy Plateau among the top 10% of locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.0% of overall population gains during recent periods for this suburb.

For projections until 2041, AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia data 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 for areas not covered by the former. According to these projections, Collaroy Plateau's population is expected to decline by 295 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group which is projected to increase by 141 people over this period.

The level of residential development activity in Collaroy Plateau is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Collaroy Plateau shows an average of around 10 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY21 and FY25, approximately 50 homes were approved, with another 7 approved so far in FY26.

The population has been declining recently, suggesting that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good options for buyers. The average construction cost value of new properties is $1,197,000, indicating a focus on the premium market by developers. Compared to Greater Sydney, Collaroy Plateau has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, and it ranks among the 23rd percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. This level reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity comprises 62.0% detached houses and 38.0% medium and high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering diverse price points from family homes to compact living.

This shift indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles seeking more affordable options. With around 690 people per approval, Collaroy Plateau is a mature, established area. Given stable or declining population forecasts, housing pressure may be less intense, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Collaroy Plateau has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Five projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Cromer Village Green (Proposed Mixed-Use Precinct), East Quarter Collaroy (Stage 1 - Eastbank / White Rock), Cromer Heights Estate, and Seahaven Apartments.

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

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The employment environment in Collaroy Plateau shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Collaroy Plateau has a well-educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 2,734 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.7% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation is at 73.5%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 68.8%. Census responses show that 44.6% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment among residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Construction is particularly prominent with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing has limited presence at 3.0%, compared to the regional average of 5.3%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the ratio of working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, labour force decreased by 0.4% and employment decreased by 1.4%, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 0.9 percentage points, compared to Greater Sydney's marginal rise in unemployment despite employment growth of 2.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Collaroy Plateau's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, the suburb of Collaroy Plateau had a median income among taxpayers of $62,416. The average income stood at $102,183. This places Collaroy Plateau in the top percentile nationally. In comparison, Greater Sydney's median and average incomes were $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates for Collaroy Plateau would be approximately $68,857 (median) and $112,728 (average) as of March 2026. From the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Collaroy Plateau rank highly nationally, between the 84th and 98th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 39.5% earning $4000+ weekly (1,892 residents), differing from the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 30.9%. Collaroy Plateau's affluence is evident with 55.7% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. Housing accounts for 15.0% of income. Strong earnings rank residents within the 98th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

As per the most recent Census data, dwelling structures in Collaroy Plateau were composed of 94.2% houses and 5.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Collaroy Plateau stood at 38.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.0% and rented ones at 12.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,467, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent in Collaroy Plateau was $800, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 87.3% of all households, including 55.8% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 12.7%, with lone person households at 11.6% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 3.2 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Collaroy Plateau's residents aged 15+ have 32.7% university degrees, compared to the SA4 region's 41.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 34.1% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 13.0% and certificates at 21.1%. Educational participation is high, with 33.5% currently enrolled in formal education: 12.2% in primary, 10.1% in secondary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.2% in primary education, 10.1% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Collaroy Plateau has 40 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 18 different routes that collectively facilitate 1,502 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 147 meters from the nearest transport stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation, used by 89% of residents. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling in Collaroy Plateau, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 44.6% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 214 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 37 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Collaroy Plateau's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 67% of the total population (3,219 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9%. Nationally, it stands at 55.7%.

The most common conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 6.1% and 5.5% respectively. A total of 78.1% reported no medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 74.6%. There are 713 residents aged 65 and over, comprising 14.9% of the population. Health outcomes among seniors align with national rankings, mirroring those of the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Collaroy Plateau records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Collaroy Plateau's population, as of the 2016 Census, showed higher cultural diversity with 11.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 23.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 57.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 49.2%. The top three ancestry groups were English (29.0%), Australian (26.0%), and Irish (8.5%).

Notable differences included Serbian (1.0%), New Zealand (1.1%), and French (0.7%) groups, each higher than regional averages.

Collaroy Plateau's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Collaroy Plateau is 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38. In comparison to the Greater Sydney average, the 45-54 age group is notably over-represented at 15.5% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.2%. Between 2021 and the present day, the 15-24 age group has increased from 14.0% to 16.3%, and the 75-84 age group has risen from 4.3% to 5.6%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 17.1% to 15.5%, and the 35-44 age group has dropped from 13.9% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Collaroy Plateau's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to expand by 132 people (49%), growing from 268 to 401. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 100% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 45-54 and 55-64 age cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.