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 Copacabana statistical area (Lv2) is estimated to be around 2,813 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 4 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,809 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,811 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 1 validated new address since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,406 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area 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, with the Copacabana (SA2) expected to increase by 31 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Copacabana, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Copacabana recorded around 5 residential properties granted approval annually over the past 5 financial years to FY26. This totals an estimated 27 homes. So far in FY26, 0 approvals have been recorded. The population has declined recently, but development activity has been adequate relative to this decline, benefiting buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,064,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. 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 49th percentile nationally, suggesting limited choices for buyers but supporting demand for existing properties. Development activity has picked up recently.

New development consists of 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. The location has approximately 331 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. AreaSearch estimates Copacabana will grow by 45 residents through to 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

No changes can influence a region's performance more than alterations to its local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to significantly impact this area. Notable projects include the redevelopment of Gosford Private Hospital, upgrades to Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney Rail Lines, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, and Sydney Metro. The following list details those projects 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.

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 1.8% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.9% over the past year.

This is lower than Greater Sydney's unemployment rate of 4.2%, while workforce participation stands at 65.4%. Key industries for residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction is particularly specialized, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services employ only 7.9% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%.

Over the year to September 2025, Copacabana's employment increased by 2.9%, while its labour force grew by 3.2%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.1% and unemployment increase by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from NSW as of 25-Nov shows employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Copacabana's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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 shows Copacabana's median income among taxpayers is $55,915. The average income in the suburb is $82,741. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for Copacabana would be approximately $60,869 (median) and $90,072 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data indicates that incomes in Copacabana cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 31.8% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week (894 people). This pattern is also seen in the surrounding region where 30.9% of residents occupy this income bracket. Copacabana demonstrates affluence with 34.7% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 15.8% of income, but 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 ownership patterns similar to the broader region

As per Copacabana's latest Census evaluation, 94.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 5.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Sydney metropolitan areas' 74.2% houses and 25.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Copacabana stood at 35.2%, similar to Sydney metro's rate, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.7% and rented ones at 23.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Copacabana was $2,300, higher than the Sydney metro average of $2,150. Weekly rent median was $510 compared to Sydney's $400. Nationally, Copacabana's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,300 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while 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 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, 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+ holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds the SA4 region's average of 20.8% and the SA3 area's average of 25.7%. The most common university qualifications are bachelor degrees (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+ holding such qualifications.

Advanced diplomas account for 13.0%, while certificates make up 24.9%. 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

Transport analysis indicates 18 active stops operating in Copacabana, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by 19 individual routes, offering 285 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 235 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 40 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 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 data shows impressive results with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 60% of the total population (1,676 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 55.3%.

Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions in Copacabana, affecting 7.4% and 6.8% of residents respectively. Notably, 73.0% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than Greater Sydney's 64.8%. As of June 2021, 19.1% of Copacabana's residents are aged 65 and over (537 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 24.5%. Health outcomes among seniors in Copacabana are particularly strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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, with 81.7% of its population born in Australia, 92.4% being citizens, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Copacabana, comprising 47.5% of its population. Notably, Judaism was found to be overrepresented in Copacabana compared to Greater Sydney, with 0.7% versus 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups based on country of birth of parents are English at 30.8%, Australian at 28.7%, and Irish at 9.9%. Some ethnic groups show notable divergences in representation: Welsh is overrepresented at 0.9% compared to the regional average of 0.7%, French at 0.8% versus 0.5%, and South African at 0.7% against a regional average of 0.5%.

Copacabana hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Copacabana is 43 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 make up 16.6%, a notably high figure compared to Greater Sydney and well above the national average of 11.2%. Meanwhile, those aged 25-34 constitute only 4.8% of Copacabana's population, a smaller proportion than in Greater Sydney. Between 2021 and present, the age group of 15 to 24 has increased from 12.3% to 14.3%, while those aged 75 to 84 have risen from 4.2% to 5.7%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group has decreased from 7.0% to 4.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Copacabana's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow exceptionally, expanding by 91 people (171%) from 53 to 145. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 94% of total population growth, reflecting Copacabana's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.