Dapto

Dapto lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of November 2025, Dapto's population is estimated at around 201,406, reflecting an increase of 6,622 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 194,784 for the suburb. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses using ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and an estimated resident population of 10,896. Dapto's population density as of November 2025 is approximately 27,253 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Over the past decade, Dapto has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%, outpacing its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during this period.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Considering these projections, an above median population growth is expected outside capital cities, with Dapto projected to grow by 12,870 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 11.0% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Dapto among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Dapto shows around 338 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 1,693 homes from FY-20 to FY-25. As of FY-26204 approvals have been recorded. On average, 5 new residents arrive per dwelling constructed annually between FY-21 and FY-25.

Supply is lagging demand, indicating heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $1,257,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In commercial development, $1714.4 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, showing strong momentum. Compared to the Rest of NSW and national averages, Dapto has reduced construction activity, reflecting its maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 64.0% detached dwellings and 36.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments. This shift marks a departure from existing housing patterns, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs.

Dapto has around 818 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. With stable or declining population forecasts, housing pressure may ease, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects likely impacting the region. Key projects include WestPoint Dapto, Cleveland Road Upgrade - Stage 1 (Fowlers Road South), West Dapto Urban Release Area, and M1 Princes Motorway South-Facing Ramps at Dapto. 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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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Dapto performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Dapto has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 3.4%.

This is 0.3% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Dapto is high at 105.4%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance has a particularly high share of employment, at 2.2 times the regional level.

Mining, however, has limited presence with 1.4% employment compared to 2.5% regionally. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.7, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.2%, alongside a 3.8% employment decline, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.1%, the labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dapto's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not consider localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Dapto had a median income among taxpayers of $89,360 with the average level standing at $117,268. This is slightly above national averages of $49,459 and $62,998 across Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% from financial year ended June 2022 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $100,628 (median) and $132,055 (average). According to the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Dapto, between the 34th and 34th percentiles. The data shows that 56.2% of individuals in Dapto earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range (113,190 individuals), which is similar to the surrounding region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Income distribution demonstrates clear polarization with 62.4% in lower brackets (<$800/week) and 29.6% in higher brackets (>$3,000/week). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 163.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 30th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

In Dapto, as per the latest Census evaluation, 132.6% of dwellings were houses while 67.6% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 85.5% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dapto stood at 86.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 63.0% and rented ones at 50.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,744, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Dapto was $800, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $365. Nationally, Dapto's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,744 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Dapto features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 135.2% of all households, including 49.8% couples with children, 59.6% couples without children, and 24.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining -35.2%, with lone person households at 57.6% and group households comprising 7.2% of the total. The median household size is 4.8 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Dapto is notably high with 43.0% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, compared to 16.9% in the broader SA3 area and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 30.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.8%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 81.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas comprise 23.6% and certificates make up 57.4%. Educational participation is high at 55.4%, including 20.0% in primary education, 15.8% in secondary education, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Dapto's four schools have a combined enrollment of 2,310 students as of the latest data point. The area has typical Australian school conditions with an ICSEA value of 985, indicating balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with three primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. As of recent statistics, Dapto functions as an education hub with 28.5 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 12.9, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Dapto's public transport analysis indicates 3,080 operational stops, consisting of both train and bus services. These stops are supported by 368 unique routes, facilitating a total of 8,782 weekly passenger journeys. The accessibility of these services is deemed good, with residents on average situated 324 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 1,254 trips daily, equating to roughly two weekly trips per individual stop.

Dapto's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Dapto's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age groups at a standard level. The rate of private health cover is approximately 99% of the total population (~198,546 people), leading that of the average SA2 area, compared to 51.4% across Rest of NSW.

Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 21.0 and 16.8% of residents respectively. Notably, 128.4% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.9% across Rest of NSW. Dapto has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 52.2%, with 105,214 people falling into this age group, compared to 19.0% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Dapto, as per data from the 2016 Census, had a higher than average cultural diversity with 10.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 33.2% born overseas. Christianity was the dominant religion in Dapto, comprising 102.6% of people. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented in Dapto at 0.4%, compared to 0% across the Rest of NSW.

In terms of ancestry, English was prominent at 65.0%, substantially higher than the regional average of 26.1%. Australian ancestry also stood out at 54.4%, exceeding the regional average of 26.3%. Irish ancestry was notably high at 20.6%, surpassing the regional average of 6.1%. Other ethnic groups with notable representation in Dapto included Scottish at 17.4% (vs regional 6.4%), Welsh at 1.2% (vs regional 0.6%), and French at 1.0% (vs regional 0.3%).

Dapto ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Dapto's median age is 93 years, notably exceeding the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and substantially exceeding Australia's average of 38 years. The population distribution by age matches regional norms for Rest of NSW, with a concentration in the 65-74 age group that is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has grown from 19.0% to 20.9% of Dapto's population, while the 0-4 cohort increased from 9.4% to 10.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 28.8% to 25.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Dapto. The 85+ age cohort is projected to increase solidly by -8,623 people (-59%), from 14,702 to 6,079. In contrast, the 85+ and 0-4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.