Cooranbong

Cooranbong 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 February 2026, the estimated population of Cooranbong is around 9,011, reflecting an increase of 1,934 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 27.3% increase from the previous population count of 7,077. The current resident population estimate by AreaSearch is 8,247, which was determined following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 873 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 127 persons per square kilometer for Cooranbong. The suburb's growth rate exceeded that of both Rest of NSW (5.9%) and its SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader in the area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 90.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is using 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the former data. Future population trends predict exceptional growth, placing Cooranbong in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally. By 2041, the suburb is expected to grow by an additional 3,978 persons, reflecting a total increase of 32.9% over the 17-year period based on aggregated SA2-level projections.

The level of residential development activity in Cooranbong was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Cooranbong shows around 171 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, FY20-FY24, a total of 857 homes were approved. In the current financial year, FY26, up to July 2023116 approvals have been recorded. On average, over these five years, each new home has resulted in an additional 1.6 residents annually, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions.

The average expected construction cost of new dwellings is $373,000. This year, there have been $23.1 million worth of commercial approvals, suggesting moderate commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Cooranbong has 69% more new home approvals per capita, offering buyers ample choice and reflecting strong developer interest in the area. Recent construction comprises 76% detached houses and 24% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 42 people for each dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

AreaSearch forecasts Cooranbong to gain 2,962 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially facilitating population growth that exceeds current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones are Watagan Park Central, Watagan Park, Trinity Point Marina & Resort Development, and Highland Green Estate. The following details those expected to have the most relevance.

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.

The labour market in Cooranbong demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Cooranbong has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.4%. As of September 2025, 3697 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.6% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation was broadly similar to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses, 24.8% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.1% of Cooranbong's workforce compared to 5.3% in Rest of NSW. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 3.4% alongside labour force increasing by 3.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of NSW recorded employment decline of 0.5%, labour force decline of 0.1%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Cooranbong. These projections estimate local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific growth rates against the local employment mix.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Cooranbong had a median income among taxpayers of $54,402 and an average income of $67,097. Nationally, the median was $52,390 and the average was $65,215. By September 2025, estimates suggest Cooranbong's median income will be approximately $59,222 and the average will be around $73,042, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%. Census 2021 data shows household incomes in Cooranbong rank between the 34th and 44th percentiles, with family incomes ranking similarly. Personal incomes also fall within this range. The largest income segment comprises 32.4% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 41st percentile. Cooranbong's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

Cooranbong is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Cooranbong's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 85.9% houses and 14.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cooranbong stood at 31.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.9% and rented ones at 23.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,058, exceeding Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Cooranbong was $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Cooranbong's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Cooranbong has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 73.8% of all households, including 33.7% couples with children, 29.6% couples without children, and 10.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.2%, with lone person households at 23.4% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Cooranbong aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Cooranbong's educational qualifications trail regional benchmarks, with 24.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This gap indicates potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 41.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 29.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 6.4% in secondary education, and 5.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cooranbong has 47 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 37 different routes that together offer 312 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility in the area is rated as moderate, with residents typically living 420 meters away from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 95% of residents. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 24.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 44 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 6 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cooranbong is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Cooranbong faces significant health challenges as assessed by AreaSearch.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is higher than average at approximately 53% of the total population (~4,818 people). The most common medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 9.3% of residents and arthritis impacting 9.2%. A total of 63.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Rest of NSW. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 19.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,739 people), lower than the 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings generally inline with the general population.

Cooranbong ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cooranbong, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 84.1% of its population born in Australia, 92.3% being citizens, and 93.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 63.0%, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestral groups were English (32.3%), Australian (29.7%), and Scottish (7.6%).

Notably, New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.1% versus 0.4% regionally, Samoans at 0.5% versus 0.1%, and South Africans at 0.6% versus 0.2%.

Cooranbong's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Cooranbong's median age was 38 as of the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 but equivalent to the national norm. The 25-34 age group constituted 14.4% of Cooranbong's population compared to Rest of NSW, while the 65-74 cohort was less prevalent at 9.1%. Between the 2016 and 2021 Census periods, younger residents caused a decrease in median age by 1 year to 38. Specifically, the 35-44 age group grew from 11% to 12.9%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 10.9% to 9.6% and the 65-74 group dropped from 10.4% to 9.1%. By 2041, Cooranbong's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 25-34 cohort is expected to grow by 45%, adding 586 residents and reaching a total of 1,884.