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 Copacabana, as estimated by AreaSearch using ABS ERP data from June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date, is around 2,809 people as of November 2025. This figure remains unchanged from the 2021 Census population count of 2,809 people, indicating no growth in the suburb's population between these periods. The estimated resident population density for Copacabana is 1,404 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Comparing Copacabana's growth rate since the census with that of its SA3 area shows a difference of 2.3 percentage points, reflecting competitive growth fundamentals within the suburb. Overseas migration contributed approximately 64% of overall population gains in recent periods for Copacabana. For population projections, AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area covered by this data.

For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Copacabana is expected to increase by 31 persons to reach a total population of 2,840 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 1.7% over the 17-year period.

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

Copacabana recorded approximately seven residential approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling about 39 homes. As of FY26, zero approvals have been recorded. The area's population has declined recently, yet development activity has been adequate relative to its size. New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,064,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment.

In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $520,000, reflecting Copacabana's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Copacabana has about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks in the 17th percentile nationally for development activity, suggesting limited property choices and supporting demand for existing properties. New development consists of equal parts detached houses and townhouses/apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This shift from the current housing mix (94% houses) reflects reduced development site availability and changing lifestyle demands. The area has approximately 938 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Future projections estimate Copacabana will add 49 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand and potentially supporting population growth beyond projections.

Future projections show Copacabana adding 49 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 very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

No changes can significantly influence an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are anticipated 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 expected to be most relevant:.

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

Copacabana has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 1.8% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2% over the past year based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

In June 2025, 1,540 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 2.3% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was at 65.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area had particular employment specialization in construction, with 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%.

Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.2% and labour force increased by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points in Copacabana. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.6%, labour force grow by 2.9%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Copacabana. These projections estimate local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific growth rates against the local employment mix.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates Copacabana's median income among taxpayers is $55,915 with an average of $82,741. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Copacabana would be approximately $62,966 (median) and $93,175 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Copacabana cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The earnings profile reveals that 31.8% of residents (893 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 locality 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, though 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 ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The latest Census evaluation showed that Copacabana's dwelling structure was 94.5% houses and 5.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 74.2% houses and 25.9% 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, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,150. The median weekly rent in Copacabana was $510, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Copacabana's mortgage repayments were significantly 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 account for 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 constitute 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 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Copacabana is notably high, with 33.1% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications compared to the broader SA4 region's 20.8% and the SA3 area's 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 37.9% of residents aged 15 years and over holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (24.9%). Educational participation is high, with 30.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.3% in primary, 9.1% in secondary, and 5.0% in tertiary education.

Copacabana Public School serves the area, enrolling 262 students as of a recent date. The school focuses on primary education, with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) score of 1069, indicating above-average socio-educational conditions. Secondary educational options are available in nearby areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 9.3, lower than the regional average of 15.9, suggesting some students may attend schools outside Copacabana.

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

The Copacabana public transport system operates 15 active stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 19 routes that together facilitate 300 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy good accessibility to transport, with an average distance of 235 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 42 trips per day across all routes, translating to around 20 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 shows excellent health outcomes with very low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. About 60% (1,673 people) have private health cover, higher than Greater Sydney's 54.7%.

The most frequent issues are asthma and mental health problems, affecting 7.4 and 6.8% respectively. Around 73.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.8% in Greater Sydney. As of 2021, about 19.1% (536 people) are aged 65 or over, lower than Greater Sydney's 24.5%. Seniors' health metrics exceed those of 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 showed low cultural diversity, with 81.7% born in Australia, 92.4% being citizens, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated at 47.5%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.2%.

Top ancestral groups were English (30.8%), Australian (28.7%), and Irish (9.9%). Welsh, French, and South African ethnicities showed notable divergences: Welsh at 0.9% vs regional 0.7%, French at 0.8% vs 0.5%, and South African at 0.7% vs 0.5%.

Copacabana hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

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 those aged 55-64 years are particularly prominent, making up 16.6% of the population, while the 25-34 year-olds make up only 4.8%, which is smaller than in Greater Sydney. This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is well above the national average of 11.2%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 12.3% to 14.3% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 4.2% to 5.7%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 year-olds have declined from 7.0% to 4.8%, and the 5 to 14 age group has dropped from 14.5% to 13.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Copacabana's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow exceptionally, expanding by 91 people (172%) from 53 to 145. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 96% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. On the other hand, the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.