Cranebrook

Cranebrook 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 estimated population of the suburb of Cranebrook is around 16,035. This figure reflects an increase of 256 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,779. The latest estimate by AreaSearch, based on examination of ERP data from June 2024 and additional validated new addresses, is 15,954 residents. This results in a density ratio of 1,072 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 74.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch projections for the suburb are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by ABS data. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb is projected to grow by 279 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 1.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Cranebrook has seen approximately 20 residential properties granted approval each year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Around 102 homes were approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, and another 5 have been approved in FY-26 so far. The average value for new dwellings is $393,000.

This year alone, there have been $737,000 worth of commercial approvals registered, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cranebrook has significantly less development activity, with 79.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. The area's new building activity comprises 88.0% detached houses and 12.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving its suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an approximate population of 1000 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Cranebrook will gain 198 residents by 2041, suggesting that current development rates should comfortably meet demand and provide good conditions for buyers while potentially supporting growth beyond current projections.

Population forecasts indicate Cranebrook will gain 198 residents through to 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.

Cranebrook has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Nepean Business Park, located at 14-278 Old Castlereagh Road in Cranebrook, and Penrith Lakes Employment Lands. The Cranebrook Retail Development and Laycock Street Residential Subdivision are also key initiatives. 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.

While Cranebrook retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.8%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Cranebrook's workforce spans white and blue collar jobs, with notable representation in construction. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%, as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, 8,733 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Cranebrook is similar to Greater Sydney's at 70.2%. Census responses indicate that 30.7% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include construction, healthcare & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction has a particularly high share of employment at 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 4.6% compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The area's predominantly residential nature suggests limited local employment opportunities, with Census data showing fewer working residents than total population. Between May-24 and May-25, Cranebrook experienced a labour force decrease of 4.8%, accompanied by an employment drop of 4.4%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point reduction in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's employment growth of 2.2% during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cranebrook's employment mix suggests local job growth could be 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Cranebrook has a median taxpayer income of $57,400 and an average of $68,051 based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is comparable to national averages, differing from Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $62,486 (median) and $74,080 (average), accounting for an 8.86% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Cranebrook fall around the 70th percentile nationally. The earnings profile indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 income band encompasses 38.5% of the community (6,173 individuals), similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 71st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Cranebrook is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Census data from Cranebrook showed 89.8% houses and 10.3% other dwellings in the area's dwelling structures, compared to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cranebrook was 23.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.8% and rented ones at 26.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, below Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Cranebrook was $410, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Cranebrook's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $410 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 81.3% of all households, including 41.5% couples with children, 23.3% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 18.7%, with lone person households at 17.1% and group households making up 1.6%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in Cranebrook fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.7%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (30.6%). Educational participation is high, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 11.8% in primary, 8.6% in secondary, and 3.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.8% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cranebrook has 124 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 59 different routes that together facilitate 1,271 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Cranebrook is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 178 meters away from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outwards, primarily using cars, which are owned at an average rate of 1.7 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 30.7% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 181 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

A map accompanies this data, illustrating the locations of the 100 nearest stops to the area's centerpoint.

Health performance in Cranebrook is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Cranebrook faces significant health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notably high across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover stands at approximately 54% of the total population (~8,633 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9%. Mental health issues affect 9.4% of residents, while asthma impacts 9.1%. A total of 68.4% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents exhibit a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. The area has 13.0% of residents aged 65 and over (2,084 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally in line with the broader population nationally.

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

Cranebrook had a cultural diversity below average, with 84.2% of its population born in Australia, 91.0% being citizens, and 89.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Cranebrook, comprising 58.2% of people, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (29.4%), English (26.2%), and Irish (7.3%).

Notably, Maltese (3.5%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 1.0%, Samoan at 0.6% versus 0.5%, and Australian Aboriginal at 4.8% versus 1.3%.

Cranebrook's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Cranebrook's median age is 33, which is younger than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cranebrook has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (14.2%). Between the 2021 Census and present day, the population aged 75-84 has grown from 2.6% to 3.9%, while those aged 65-74 have increased from 6.8% to 7.9%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group has declined from 15.2% to 14.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Cranebrook. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow by 24%, adding 472 residents to reach a total of 2,413. This growth will be driven primarily by demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing 61% of the anticipated population increase. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 55-64 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.