Crows Nest (NSW)

Crows Nest has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, as of May 2026, the estimated population of Crows Nest (NSW) is around 5,511. This reflects a growth of 537 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,974. AreaSearch estimated this population following examination of ERP data released by ABS in June 2025 and validation of additional addresses. This results in a density ratio of 7,251 persons per square kilometer, placing Crows Nest among the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 10.8% since the 2021 Census exceeded both its SA4 region (5.9%) and SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration primarily drove this population growth, contributing approximately 69.0% of overall gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2-level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth for Australian statistical areas. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Crows Nest is expected to expand by 215 persons to reach approximately 5,726 by 2041, reflecting an increase of about 3.7% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Crows Nest when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Crows Nest has seen around 37 new homes approved per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 188 homes. So far in FY-26, nine approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY-21 and FY-25.

Commercial approvals this financial year total $376.1 million. Crows Nest shows 243.0% higher building activity per person compared to Greater Sydney. New development consists of 6.0% detached houses and 94.0% townhouses or apartments. Around 113 people per dwelling approval were recorded in Crows Nest, indicating growth area characteristics. Future projections estimate Crows Nest will add 204 residents by 2041 based on current development patterns.

Future projections show Crows Nest adding 204 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 46 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Falcon & Alexander (Five Ways), Hume Place, Western Harbour Tunnel, Warringah Freeway Upgrade, and The Collective. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Crows Nest exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Crows Nest's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate was 3.7% as of December 2025, showing a 1.4% employment growth over the preceding year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. By December 2025, there were 3695 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

The workforce participation rate was 79.7%, exceeding Greater Sydney's 68.8%. Census responses indicated that 65.5% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical (1.9 times the regional level), finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance sectors. Construction has limited presence with 4.4% employment compared to the regional average of 8.6%.

The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.7 at the Census, indicating higher-than-average local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.4%, labour force grew by 2.1%, causing a 0.6 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Crows Nest's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.7% over five years and 15.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The suburb of Crows Nest had a median taxpayer income of $85,220 and an average income of $130,035 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This places it among the top percentile nationally, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,030 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $94,015 (median) and $143,455 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Crows Nest rank highly nationally, between the 92nd and 99th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 33.3% of locals (1,835 people) fall into the $4000+ category, differing from surrounding regions where the dominant income range is $1,500 - 2,999 with 30.9%. Higher earners make up a substantial presence, with 45.9% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consume 18.2% of income, however, strong earnings still place disposable income at the 90th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Crows Nest features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Crows Nest, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 11.2% houses and 88.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Sydney metro's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Crows Nest stood at 20.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.6% and rented ones at 55.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,033, significantly higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure for Crows Nest was recorded at $550, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Crows Nest's mortgage repayments were considerably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Crows Nest features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 56.8% of all households, including 20.6% couples with children, 29.3% couples without children, and 6.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 43.2%, with lone person households at 38.5% and group households making up 4.7%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Crows Nest demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Crows Nest, a substantial 64.3% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, significantly surpassing the broader Australian benchmark of 30.4%. Compared to New South Wales' (NSW) average of 32.2%, Crows Nest's educational attainment is notably higher. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 40.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 19.4% and graduate diplomas at 4.5%. Vocational pathways account for 18.4% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 8.4%.

Furthermore, a significant 23.3% of the population is actively pursuing formal education. This includes 6.6% in tertiary education, 6.3% in primary education, and 4.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 38 active public transport stops in Crows Nest, offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are served by 60 individual routes, collectively providing 10,552 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 129 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Car remains the dominant mode at 48%, with 22% walking and 14% using public transport. Vehicle ownership averages 0.4 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 65.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,507 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 277 weekly trips per stop.

Crows Nest's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results for Crows Nest based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 78% of the total population (4,303 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, impacting 7.6 and 7.4% of residents respectively. A total of 76.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents show low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 12.3% of residents aged 65 and over (677 people), lower than the 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

Crows Nest was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Crows Nest has a significant cultural diversity, with 25.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 41.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Crows Nest, accounting for 38.4% of people. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented in Crows Nest compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 1.2% versus 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups based on country of birth of parents are English (23.7%), Australian (17.7%), and Other (12.0%). There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: French is overrepresented at 1.4%, compared to 0.5% regionally, Polish at 1.1% versus 0.6%, and Hungarian at 0.4% versus 0.3%.

Crows Nest's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Crows Nest's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, which is slightly below Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Crows Nest has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (24.0%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.1%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is notably higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 2.8% to 4.4%, while the proportion of those aged 35 to 44 has declined from 21.4% to 20.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Crows Nest's age profile. The 85+ cohort is expected to grow by 120%, adding 92 residents to reach a total of 170. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 66% of population growth, highlighting aging trends. Conversely, the 25-34 and 5-14 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.