Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Copacabana is $1.58m, with units at $1.31m. House values have moved -2.3% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Copacabana has an estimated 2,847 residents, up from 2,809 at the 2021 Census — a change of 38 people, or 1.4%. That puts 1,424 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to evaluations of ABS demographics for the region and address monitoring by AreaSearch post-Census, the population of the suburb of Copacabana is approximately 2,847 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 38 people (1.4%) since the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 2,809 people. The update is derived from a resident figure of 2,817 calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP data and 1 validated new addresses confirmed after the Census. The density stands at 1,423 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical level of national locations monitored by AreaSearch.
This 1.4% Census-to-date expansion is within 1.2 percentage points of the wider SA3 area (2.6%), showing solid expansion. The gains were mostly driven by overseas migration, which made up approximately 64.0% of the overall population rise in recent times. ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied to SA2 areas. In instances where SA2 figures are missing, NSW Government SA2 projections from 2022 with a 2021 baseline are substituted. Age-specific growth rates from these datasets are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these demographic patterns, the suburb of Copacabana is expected to track in the lower quartile of areas studied by AreaSearch, with a projected rise of 25 persons by 2041 using regional SA2 projections, translating to a total decline of 0.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
39 new dwellings have been approved in Copacabana over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 2.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
AreaSearch assessment of ABS building approvals shows the suburb of Copacabana averaged approximately 7 new home approvals annually, with a total of 39 homes approved over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 3 approvals have been logged. As the population has trended downwards recently, this volume of building activity is relatively balanced, which benefits buyers, and new builds average $1,064,000 in value, pointing to developers focusing on high-end, premium residences. Furthermore, commercial approvals amounting to $867,000 were logged this financial year, emphasizing that the locality is primarily residential.
Copacabana registers roughly three-quarters of the per-capita residential construction volume of Greater Sydney, ranking in the 17th percentile of spots analysed nationwide, which restricts options for buyers and underpins demand for established properties. This rate is also below the nationwide norm, highlighting the established profile of the locality and pointing to possible zoning restrictions. Recent building approvals consist of 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% townhouses or apartments. This even split toward denser housing styles provides lower price points and caters to downsizers, investors, and those purchasing a first home. This marks a major shift from the present dwelling profile (where houses constitute 94.0%), reflecting a scarcity of development sites as well as adapting to evolving lifestyle choices and budget constraints. With 939 people per approved dwelling, the suburb of Copacabana displays the features of a fully developed, mature locality. With demographic forecasts pointing to flat or contracting numbers, the suburb of Copacabana could see reduced pressure on housing, creating positive conditions for buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Copacabana
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 25 current infrastructure and development projects close to Copacabana, worth an estimated $394 million. 4 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans sports & recreation, environmental & disaster management and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major construction, and urban planning changes are key drivers of regional performance. No projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are expected to directly impact the immediate area. Major regional initiatives include the Gosford Private Hospital redevelopment, Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney Rail Line Upgrades, the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, and the Sydney Metro Program, with details provided on those of relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Green Point Shopping Village Expansion
Approved expansion and refurbishment of Green Point Shopping Village including additional retail tenancies, upgraded public amenities, improved parking and site improvements. No evidence of construction commencement was identified from official sources as of July 2026.
Frost Reserve Upgrades
Central Coast Council is delivering major sports and community recreation upgrades at Frost Reserve in Kincumber. The project includes a modern 750sqm regional skate park, a new 370sqm sports amenities building with accessible changerooms, canteen, and storage, upgraded car parking facilities, and enhanced sports field lighting.
12 Kurrawyba Avenue Shop Top Housing
Four-storey mixed-use shop-top housing proposal comprising ground-floor retail (5 premises), 10 residential apartments over three levels, basement parking (~19 spaces) and a communal rooftop terrace at the western gateway to Terrigal village. DA lodged for 12 and 12A Kurrawyba Avenue and currently under assessment by Central Coast Council.
92-98 Terrigal Esplanade Shop-top Housing (Mixed Use)
Four-storey shop-top housing development opposite Terrigal Beach with 12 apartments above ground-floor retail (approx. 364 sqm), basement parking for 28 vehicles, and demolition of existing two-storey retail strip at the corner of Campbell Crescent.
Wamberal Community Park Upgrade
Major upgrade to Wamberal Community Park including new playground equipment, improved sports facilities, additional parking, and enhanced landscaping. The project aims to provide better recreational facilities for the growing local community.
Terrigal Boardwalk and Rockpool Restoration
The Terrigal Boardwalk is a 277-metre-long raised walking platform providing improved pedestrian access between Terrigal Beach promenade and The Haven. The project includes restoration of the adjacent rockpool with a new access ramp, pathways, and environmental protection measures. It delivers social, health, and economic benefits to the community.
Terrigal Public School Upgrade
Upgrade to provide the latest education facilities and accommodate the growing community, including a new building with 10 flexible learning spaces, upgraded administration facilities, disability car park with ramp access, and lift installation.
Aria Terrigal
Integrated mixed-use precinct delivered in stages in the heart of Terrigal, originally envisaged for around 108 residential/tourist apartments with retail and commercial space. Following the GFC the concept was split into multiple projects including Aria Building 1 (14 units) fronting Painters Lane/Campbell Crescent and the Avanti Terrigal building, plus beachfront retail along Terrigal Esplanade. Core buildings are completed and occupied.
1,572 residents of Copacabana are employed, from a labour force of 1,601. Unemployment sits at 1.8%, with participation at 69.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,258, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb of Copacabana has a highly educated workforce with a strong presence in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of only 1.8% and an estimated 3.0% expansion in employment over the prior year, based on AreaSearch regional data. Work opportunities were held by 1,572 residents as of March 2026, with unemployment sitting 2.3% lower than the Greater Sydney mark of 4.1%, while workforce participation matches the Greater Sydney level of 69.1%. Census records show a high proportion of residents (40.1%) working from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.
Health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training stand as the primary employment sectors for residents. The suburb of Copacabana has a distinct concentration in construction, with its employment share reaching 1.5 times the wider regional benchmark. Conversely, the professional & technical sector accounts for only 7.9% of the local workforce, which is lower than the Greater Sydney average of 11.5%. The heavily residential character of the area suggests limited local employment, as indicated by comparing the census working population with the resident count. Based on AreaSearch tracking of SALM and ABS data for the broader region, the year ending March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 3.0% and the labour force expand by 3.1%, keeping unemployment levels steady. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 1.9% and the labour force grow by 1.9%, while unemployment decreased slightly. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts from May-25 offer additional perspectives on future labor demand. These projections, looking ahead five and ten years, have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates vary widely by industry. Projecting these industry rates onto the local workforce mix suggests employment for residents of the suburb of Copacabana should grow by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted calculation for demonstration and does not incorporate local demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Copacabana is $2,143 a week (about $111,000 a year), with median personal income at $893 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,915 a year against an average of $82,741. The average runs 48% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics released for the financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Copacabana have a median income of $55,915 and an average income of $82,741. This represents a very high level nationally, compared to a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated current earnings would be around $61,685 for the median and $91,280 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Copacabana sit around the 70th percentile nationwide.
The earnings profile is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which contains 31.8% of residents (905 people), matching the surrounding region where 30.9% are in this bracket. The area exhibits high affluence with 34.7% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, which supports upmarket retail and services. Housing expenses take up 15.8% of income, yet strong earnings keep disposable income in the 75th percentile, and the SEIFA income index ranks the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Copacabana had 991 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 3% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 35% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $510 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,300 a month, a total housing cost higher than 78% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 23.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Housing types in the suburb of Copacabana at the time of the latest Census consisted of 94.5% houses and 5.5% other options (such as semi-detached homes, units, or alternative dwellings), compared to the Sydney metro profile of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other options. Home ownership levels in the suburb of Copacabana were significantly higher than the Sydney metro rate, standing at 35.2%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (41.7%) or rented (23.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment was lower than the Sydney metro average at $2,300, while the median weekly rent was $510, compared to Sydney metro figures of $2,427 and $470.
On a national scale, mortgage commitments in the suburb of Copacabana are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also well above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Copacabana counted 991 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.8 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 17% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 80.2%, consisting of couples with children (37.4%), couples without children (28.6%), and single-parent homes (13.1%). The remaining 19.8% are non-family households, with single-person homes making up 16.9% and group households accounting for 3.4%. The median household size of 2.8 people is slightly larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
33.1% of adults in Copacabana hold a university qualification, including 22.9% with a bachelor degree and 6.9% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 85% of areas nationally. A further 24.9% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 262 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,069 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational qualifications in the suburb of Copacabana are higher than regional averages, with 33.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 20.8% in the SA4 region and 25.7% in the SA3 area. This strong educational profile positions the community well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 37.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (24.9%). School enrollment is quite high, with 30.8% of the population participating in formal study.
This includes 10.3% of residents in primary school, 9.1% in high school, and 5.0% in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Copacabana reaches 18 stops on 19 routes, timetabled for about 290 services a week. The typical home sits about 240 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in the suburb of Copacabana include 18 active stops, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 19 distinct routes, delivering 285 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is rated as good, with residents living an average of 235 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, the majority of workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles being the main mode of travel at 94%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.7 cars, which is higher than the regional average. A high portion of residents (40.1%) work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era arrangements).
Service frequency averages 40 runs per day across the network, translating to roughly 15 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
73.0% of residents in Copacabana report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 87% of areas nationally. 3.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics reflect positive outcomes throughout the suburb of Copacabana, based on AreaSearch analysis of mortality and chronic disease rates, which shows low rates of typical medical conditions across all age bands, alongside a high level of private health insurance covering approximately 60% of the population (1,696 people). Asthma and mental health issues were the most frequently reported conditions, affecting 7.4 and 6.8% of the population, respectively, while 73.0% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. The working-age cohort is healthy with a low rate of chronic disease.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 19.8% of the local population (563 people), which is higher than the Greater Sydney figure of 15.5%. Senior health outcomes are strong, with national rankings aligning with the broader population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Copacabana is largely Australian-born, at 81.7% of residents, with 6.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.8%) and Australian (28.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Copacabana has lower cultural diversity indicators compared to average locations, with 81.7% of the population born in Australia, 92.4% holding citizenship, and 93.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the main religion, followed by 47.5% of residents. The most notable statistical variance is in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.7% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney. In terms of parent country of birth, the three most common ancestries in the suburb of Copacabana are English at 30.8% (well above the regional average of 19.0%), Australian at 28.7% (well above the regional average of 17.8%), and Irish at 9.9%.
Other ancestral backgrounds show distinct concentrations, with Welsh representing 0.9% of the population (compared to 0.4% regionally), French at 0.8% (compared to 0.5%), and South Australian at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Copacabana is 43. 19.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 43 in the suburb of Copacabana is older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. The demographics show a high concentration of residents in the 55 - 64 age bracket (16.4%), whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller (4.9%) than the Greater Sydney average. The proportion of 55 - 64 year-olds is higher than the national figure of 11.2%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age range has increased from 12.3% to 14.4% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket rose from 4.2% to 5.9%.
Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 age bracket declined from 7.0% to 4.9%. Looking toward 2041, forecasts suggest shifting demographics. The 85+ cohort is expected to rise by 78 people (131%) from 59 to 138. The combined 65+ age groups will account for 100% of the overall population growth, showing an aging trend, while the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Copacabana
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,809 at the 2021 Census → 2,847 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL11056). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.