Curl Curl

Curl Curl is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of 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 Curl Curl's population is estimated at around 2,549 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 185 people (7.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,364 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,534, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,976 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Curl Curl's 7.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.3%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 65.0% 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, lower quartile growth of national areas is anticipated, with the suburb expected to grow by 75 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 2.4% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Curl Curl has approximately one residential property granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around six homes were approved, with one more in FY26 so far.

This results in an average of 14.3 people moving to the area annually for each dwelling built during this period. The demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $1,054,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Curl Curl shows substantially reduced construction activity, 83.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties in the area. Population forecasts indicate Curl Curl will gain 60 residents by 2041, according to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Curl Curl has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified nine projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are The Alba, Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Campus Expansion, Curl Curl-Freshwater Connectivity and Streetscape Upgrade, and Queenscliff Affordable Housing Redevelopment (Former Community Health Centre). Relevant projects are listed below.

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 assessment positions Curl Curl ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Curl Curl has an educated workforce, with the technology sector prominently represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.1%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,474 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate at 1.1% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation stands at 73.7%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 70.2%. According to Census responses, 54.0% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area has a notable concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Health care & social assistance employs 11.1% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 14.1%. As of the Census, there are 0.6 workers per resident, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.1%, while employment dropped by 1.0%, leading to a 0.9 percentage point increase in unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Curl Curl's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Curl Curl has one of the highest income levels nationally, according to latest Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Curl Curl is $69,285, with an average income of $123,924. These figures compare to Greater Sydney's median and average incomes of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Curl Curl are approximately $75,424 (median) and $134,904 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Curl Curl rank highly nationally, between the 93rd and 99th percentiles. The data shows that 49.1% of individuals earn $4000 or more per week (1,251 individuals), which differs from surrounding regions where the dominant earnings band is $1,500 - 2,999 with 30.9%. This indicates a substantial proportion of high earners (60.7% above $3,000/week) in Curl Curl. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Curl Curl, as per the latest Census, consisted of 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Curl Curl stood at 36.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.1% and rented ones at 23.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,775, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure in Curl Curl was $705, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Curl Curl's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 83.0% of all households, including 48.8% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 7.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 17.0%, with lone person households at 14.2% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Educational attainment in Curl Curl is notably high, with 46.0% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds national and state averages, with Australia at 30.4% and New South Wales at 32.2%. The area's educational advantage is particularly evident in Bachelor degrees, which are held by 31.3% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational pathways account for 24.5% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and over, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 14.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes secondary education (11.8%), primary education (10.8%), and tertiary education (6.3%).

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

Transport analysis shows 31 active public transport stops in Curl Curl, all bus stops. These are served by 32 different routes, offering a total of 2050 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is high, with residents typically living 117 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily. Cars are the primary mode at 85%, followed by buses at 6% and walking at 4%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, above the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 54% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 292 trips daily across all routes, equating to around 66 weekly trips per stop.

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

AreaSearch's assessment of health outcomes data shows excellent results for Curl Curl. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups. Private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 76% of the total population (1,929 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were asthma and mental health issues, affecting 6.9% and 5.9% of residents respectively. 76.2% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Curl Curl has 14.5% of residents aged 65 and over (369 people). Health outcomes among seniors are strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Curl Curl records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Curl Curl's cultural diversity, as per the census conducted on 28 August 2016, showed 9.0% of residents speaking a language other than English at home. Additionally, 24.9% of its population was born overseas. Christianity was found to be the predominant religion in Curl Curl with 47.4%.

However, Judaism's representation was higher than average, standing at 0.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.9%), Australian (24.3%), and Irish (10.3%). Notably, Welsh (0.9%) and French (1.0%) were overrepresented in Curl Curl compared to regional averages of 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. New Zealanders also showed higher representation at 1.3%.

Curl Curl's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Curl Curl has a median age of 40, which is somewhat higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 years, and marginally higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Greater Sydney average, the 45-54 cohort is notably over-represented in Curl Curl at 17.9%, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.4%. This concentration of the 45-54 age group is well above the national average of 12.0%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 14.5% to 16.2%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 3.7% to 4.9%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 15.5% to 13.8%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 19.2% to 17.9%. Demographic modeling suggests Curl Curl's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 75 to 84 age cohort projected to grow significantly, expanding by 69 people (55%) from 124 to 194. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 89% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 and 45 to 54 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.