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

As of Feb 2026, the population of Copacabana is estimated at around 2,845 people. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,809 people. The current resident population estimate of 2,811 by AreaSearch, following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and validation of four new addresses since the Census date, indicates this increase. This results in a density ratio of 1,422 persons per square kilometer, higher than average national levels assessed by AreaSearch. Copacabana's 1.3% growth since census is competitive with its SA3 area's 3.2% growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the suburb.

AreaSearch uses 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 necessary, with a base year of 2021. Projected demographic shifts suggest lower quartile growth, with Copacabana expected to increase by 39 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 0.2% over the 17 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 approximately 5 residential properties granted approval annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 28 homes. So far in FY-26, 1 approval has been recorded. The average construction cost value of new properties is $1,064,000, indicating a focus on premium segment upmarket properties. In this financial year, $867,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential nature.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Copacabana records roughly half the building activity per person and places among the 26th percentile of areas assessed nationally, suggesting limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. This is under the national average, indicating an established area with potential planning limitations. New development consists of 60.0% detached houses and 40.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding medium-density options across price brackets. This shows a considerable change from the current housing mix (currently 94.0% houses), reflecting reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands. The location has approximately 625 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

Future projections show Copacabana adding 5 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

No changes can influence a region's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, significant projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Gosford Private Hospital redevelopment, Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney Rail Line Upgrades, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, and Sydney Metro. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Copacabana performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Copacabana has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 1.7% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.6%.

This is lower than Greater Sydney's unemployment rate of 4.2%, but similar to its workforce participation rate of 70.2%. A high proportion, 40.1%, of residents worked from home as per Census responses in December 2025. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction is particularly prominent with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services employ only 7.9% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 3.6%, while labour force grew by 3.7%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Sydney where employment rose by 2.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Copacabana's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released on 1st July 2023 for financial year 2023, the suburb of Copacabana's median income among taxpayers is $55,915. The average income in Copacabana during this period was $82,741. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to the Greater Sydney median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Copacabana would be approximately $60,869 (median) and $90,072 (average) as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, incomes in Copacabana cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 31.8% of residents (904 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 30.9% similarly occupy this range. The suburb demonstrates considerable 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 still 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

As of the latest Census evaluation in Copacabana, dwelling structures comprised 94.5% houses and 5.5% other dwellings such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Sydney metropolitan area'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 the Sydney metro average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Copacabana was $510, higher than the Sydney metro figure of $470. Nationally, Copacabana's median mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,300 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while median rents were substantially higher at $510 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 the remaining 19.8%, with lone person households at 16.9% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger 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

Copacabana's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 33.1% have university qualifications, compared to 20.8% in the SA4 region and 25.7% in the SA3 area. University graduates include 22.9% with bachelor degrees, 6.9% with postgraduate qualifications, and 3.3% with graduate diplomas. Vocational credentials are held by 37.9% of residents aged 15 and above, including 13.0% with advanced diplomas and 24.9% with certificates.

Educational participation is high, 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 shows that Copacabana has 18 operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 19 different routes, offering a total of 285 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to public transport is considered good, with residents on average living 235 meters away from the nearest stop. Most residents in this predominantly residential area commute outwards, with cars being the primary mode of transportation at 94%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per household, higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a significant 40.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 40 trips per day, translating to roughly 15 weekly trips per 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 according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence across all age groups.

Approximately 60% of Copacabana's total population (1,695 people) has private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma at 7.4%, and mental health issues at 6.8%. A significant majority, 73.0%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Copacabana has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 20.2% (574 people), than Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with national rankings for 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's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population comprised 81.7% born in Australia, 92.4% as citizens, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 47.5%.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%. In ancestry, Copacabana had notably higher percentages of English (30.8%), Australian (28.7%), and Irish (9.9%) origins than regional averages. Other ethnic groups with notable divergences included Welsh (Copacabana: 0.9%, regional: 0.4%), French (Copacabana: 0.8%, regional: 0.5%), and South Australian (Copacabana: 0.7%, regional: 0.5%).

Copacabana hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Copacabana 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 are particularly prominent at 16.6%, while the 25-34 year-olds make up only 4.9% of the population, both figures being higher than the national averages of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.3% to 14.3%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 4.2% to 6.2%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 7.0% to 4.9%, and the 5 to 14 age group has dropped from 14.5% to 13.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Copacabana's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow by 83 people, increasing from 62 to 146, a rise of 133%. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 98% of total population growth, reflecting Copacabana's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.