Cromer (NSW)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Cromer reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Cromer (NSW) has an estimated population of around 8,299 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 269 people (3.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,030 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 8,279, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on Jun 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,338 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, from Feb 2016 to Feb 2026, Cromer has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 0.7% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 77.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in Jun 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 Dec 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. As we examine future population trends, over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the suburb's population expected to contract by 13 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 85 and over age group, which is projected to expand by 386 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Cromer according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Cromer shows approximately 11 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 59 homes. In FY26 so far, one approval has been recorded. On average, 3.5 new residents are associated with each home built between FY21 and FY25. This demand exceeds supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction value of new homes is $238,000, reflecting more affordable housing options. In the current financial year, $91,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating Cromer's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cromer has 51.0% fewer construction approvals per person, suggesting potential planning limitations and strengthening demand for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 64.0% standalone homes and 36.0% attached dwellings, offering a mix of medium-density options across price brackets. The location has approximately 785 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market with stable or declining population expected in the future, potentially reducing housing pressure and creating buying opportunities.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Cromer should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Cromer has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Twelve projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Wakehurst Parkway Improvements from Frenchs Forest to Narrabeen, Cromer Village Green proposed mixed-use precinct, Northern Beaches corridor capacity improvement from Seaforth to Mona Vale, and Northern Beaches bus network improvements. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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While Cromer retains a healthy unemployment rate of 4.0%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Cromer's workforce is highly educated, with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 4.0% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of September 2025, 4,386 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Cromer was 68.0%, slightly below Greater Sydney's 70.0%. According to Census responses, 43.4% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and professional & technical services. Construction shows a notable concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing has lower representation at 3.0% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.5%, while employment declined by 1.9%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1.4 percentage points, unlike Greater Sydney's growth in employment (2.1%) and labour force (2.4%). Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Cromer's employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Cromer's employment mix.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on June 30, 2023, Cromer had a median taxpayer income of $60,774 and an average income of $91,617. These figures are among the highest in Australia, compared to Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $66,159 (median) and $99,734 (average), based on an 8.86% Wage Price Index growth since June 2023. As per the 2021 Census, Cromer's median household income ranks at the 90th percentile ($2,483 weekly). In terms of income distribution, 28.9% of Cromer residents earn over $4,000 weekly, compared to 30.9% in the broader region earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. Reflecting this affluence, 42.5% of residents earn over $3,000 weekly, supporting premium retail services. High housing costs consume 17.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 88th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Cromer is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Cromer's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.5% houses and 21.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cromer stood at 39.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.9% and rented ones at 16.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,142, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent in Cromer was $650, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Cromer's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 78.8% of all households, including 46.6% couples with children, 22.3% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.2%, with lone person households at 19.4% and group households making up 1.6%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 30.3%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 41.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (22.5%). Educational participation is high, with 31.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.7% in primary, 10.0% in secondary, and 4.2% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary education, 10.0% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cromer has 62 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 41 different routes that collectively facilitate 2,060 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as excellent, with residents typically living within 140 meters of the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commutes from Cromer are outward-bound, with cars being the dominant mode of transport at 89%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling in Cromer, which is above the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 43.4% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages at 294 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 33 weekly trips per individual stop.

Cromer's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance across Cromer. AreaSearch's assessment shows very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 63% of the total population (5,233 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.7% and 6.3% of residents respectively. A total of 74.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Cromer has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.4%, with 1,692 people falling into this age group, compared to 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Cromer was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cromer had a cultural diversity level above average, with 13.5% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 25.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Cromer, comprising 55.9% of people. However, Judaism showed significant overrepresentation at 0.3%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 0.8%.

For ancestry, English was the most represented group at 29.4%, Australian at 25.2%, and Other at 7.7%. These figures were substantially higher than regional averages for English (19.0%) and Australian (17.8%), but notably lower for Other (16.0%). Notably, Serbian was overrepresented at 1.0% compared to the region's average of 0.5%, Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.3%, and Welsh at 0.8% against 0.4%.

Cromer's median age exceeds the national pattern

Cromer's median age is 41 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cromer has an over-representation of the 75-84 age cohort (8.2%) and an under-representation of the 25-34 age group (7.5%). Post-2021 Census, the 15-24 age group increased from 12.4% to 14.6%, while the 85+ cohort rose from 2.7% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort decreased from 9.1% to 7.5%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 14.9% to 13.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Cromer's age profile. The 85+ cohort is expected to grow by 84%, adding 328 residents to reach 719. All growth will be among residents aged 65 and older (100%). Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 55-64 age cohorts.