Copacabana

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

The population of the suburb of Copacabana is estimated at around 2,847 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 38 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,809 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,817 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional one validated new address since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,423 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's 1.4% growth since the census positions it within 1.2 percentage points of the SA3 area (2.6%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. Considering the projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is anticipated. The suburb is expected to increase by 25 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a decrease of 0.2% in total over the 16 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Copacabana shows around 5 residential properties granted approval annually over the past 5 financial years ending FY26, totalling an estimated 28 homes. As of FY26, 3 approvals have been recorded. The average expected construction cost value of new properties is $1,064,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In comparison to Greater Sydney, Copacabana records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 26th percentile nationally, suggesting limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties.

Recent construction comprises 60.0% detached houses and 40.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a growing mix of townhouse and apartment options to cater to different price points. This change from the current housing mix, which is currently 94.0% houses, addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With around 622 people per approval, Copacabana shows a mature, established area with stable or declining population forecasts, potentially experiencing less housing pressure and favourable conditions for buyers.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Copacabana may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Copacabana has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

No factors influence a region's performance more than changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could potentially impact this area. Key projects include the Gosford Private Hospital redevelopment, Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney rail line upgrades, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, and Sydney Metro Program. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Copacabana places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Copacabana has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 1.8% as of December 2025, with estimated employment growth of 3.3% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of this date, 1,565 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 2.4%, below Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation was on par with Greater Sydney's 68.8%. Census responses indicated that 40.1% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction had an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level, while professional & technical employed just 7.9% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 3.3%, and labour force grew by 3.4% in Copacabana, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In Greater Sydney, employment rose by 2.2%, the labour force grew by 2.3%, and unemployment rose marginally during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years for national employment. Applying these projections to Copacabana's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and not accounting for localised population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that Copacabana's median income among taxpayers is $55,915. The average income for the suburb was $82,741 during this period. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to other suburbs. In Greater Sydney, the median income was $60,817 with an average of $83,003 in financial year 2023. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since then, current estimates would be approximately $61,685 for the median and $91,280 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census 2021 income data, Copacabana's household, family, and personal incomes cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 31.8% of residents (905 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 weekly earnings bracket, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 30.9% occupy this range. The suburb demonstrates significant affluence with 34.7% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 15.8% of income, however strong earnings place disposable income at the 75th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

In Copacabana, as per the latest Census evaluation, dwelling structures consisted of 94.5% houses and 5.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Copacabana stood at 35.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.7% and rented ones at 23.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,300, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Copacabana was recorded at $510, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Copacabana's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,300 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 80.2% of all households, including 37.4% couples with children, 28.6% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for 19.8%, with lone person households at 16.9% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.8 people, higher than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Educational attainment in Copacabana is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. In the area, 33.1% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 20.8% in the SA4 region and 25.7% in the SA3 area. This educational advantage positions Copacabana strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.9% and graduate diplomas at 3.3%.

Trade and technical skills also feature prominently, with 37.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (24.9%). Educational participation is notably high in Copacabana, with 30.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Copacabana shows that there are 18 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 19 individual routes providing service. The combined weekly passenger trips across all routes amount to 285. Residents have good access to these transport services, with an average distance of 235 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from Copacabana, which is predominantly a residential area. Car remains the primary mode of transportation for residents, used by 94%.

The average vehicle ownership per dwelling in Copacabana is 1.7, higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census data, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions, 40.1% of residents work from home. The service frequency across all routes averages 40 trips per day, translating to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Copacabana's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 60% of Copacabana's total population (1,696 people) have private health cover, which is exceptionally high. Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 7.4 and 6.8% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 73%, declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.8% (563 people) compared to Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Copacabana, surveyed in the period from June 2016 to August 2017, showed low cultural diversity with 81.7% of its population born in Australia. Citizenship was high at 92.4%, and English-only speakers at home constituted 93.9%. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 47.5% of Copacabana's population.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%. In terms of ancestry, English parents made up 30.8%, Australian parents 28.7%, and Irish parents 9.9% of the population, all higher than regional averages. Notably, Welsh (0.9%), French (0.8%), and South Australian (0.7%) ethnicities were also overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney's figures of 0.4%, 0.5%, and 0.5% respectively.

Copacabana hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Copacabana is 43 years, considerably higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and substantially exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 55-64 years make up a prominent 16.4%, while those aged 25-34 years constitute only 4.9%. This concentration of individuals aged 55-64 years is well above the national average of 11.2%. Since 2021, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 12.3% to 14.4%, while those aged 75-84 have increased from 4.2% to 5.9%. Conversely, the population aged 25-34 has declined from 7.0% to 4.9%. By 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Copacabana's age structure. The number of individuals aged 85 and above is projected to grow exceptionally, increasing by 78 people (131%) from 59 to 138. Notably, the combined population aged 65 and above will account for 100% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the populations aged 25-34 and 15-24 are expected to experience declines.