Dee Why

Population growth drivers in Dee Why are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of November 2025, Dee Why's population is estimated at around 25,248, reflecting an increase of 1,894 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS ERP estimate for surrounding areas applied to Dee Why by AreaSearch was 25,079 as of June 2024, with an additional 99 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to the population growth. This results in a population density ratio of 8,197 persons per square kilometer, placing Dee Why in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population grew by 8.1% between the 2021 Census and November 2025, exceeding both the SA4 region (3.2%) and the SA3 area growth rates. Overseas migration contributed approximately 68.0% of Dee Why's overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, to project future trends.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilizes the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Future population growth for Dee Why is projected to be above median national statistical area levels. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to increase by 3,593 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 12.3% in total over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Dee Why experienced approximately 116 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending FY25, totalling around 584 homes. As of FY26 to date, seven approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 1.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built. However, this figure increased to 4.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting Dee Why's growing popularity and potential supply constraints. New homes are approved at an average construction cost value of $1,069,000, indicating a focus on premium properties.

In FY26, $515,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting a predominantly residential focus compared to Greater Sydney where Dee Why records 68.0% more building activity per person. New developments consist of 18.0% detached houses and 82.0% attached dwellings, providing accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. With around 190 people moving to the area per dwelling approval, Dee Why exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Dee Why is expected to grow by approximately 3,110 residents through to 2041. Current development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Looking ahead, Dee Why is expected to grow by 3,110 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Dee Why 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 14 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Northern Beaches Coast Walk, Casa Delmar, Lighthouse Precinct Dee Why, and 154-158 Pacific Parade Mixed Use Development. The following list details those most 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.

Dee Why has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Dee Why has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 4.5% as of June 2025, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In this month, 15,620 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.3% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. The workforce participation rate in Dee Why was 72.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and professional & technical services. Dee Why has a particular specialization in accommodation & food services, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.

However, transport, postal & warehousing has limited presence, with only 3.4% employment compared to the regional average of 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.0% while employment declined by 1.2%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.2 percentage points in Dee Why. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in its unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer insights into potential future demand within Dee Why. These projections estimate that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Dee Why's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Dee Why had a median taxpayer income of $58,928 and an average income of $88,762 according to AreaSearch's aggregated postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This was among Australia's highest incomes, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. By September 2025, estimates based on a 12.61% Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $66,359 (median) and $99,955 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, Dee Why's incomes ranked highly nationally, between the 72nd and 84th percentiles for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis showed that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominated with 37.6% of residents (9,493 people), aligning with regional levels where this cohort also represented 30.9%. High housing costs consumed 20.7% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 65th percentile nationally, and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

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

In Dee Why, as per the latest Census evaluation, 15.3% of dwellings were houses while 84.7% consisted of semi-detached units, apartments, and other types. In contrast, Sydney metropolitan area had 57.6% houses and 42.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dee Why was at 21.5%, lower than Sydney's 70.9%. Mortgaged dwellings comprised 30.0% and rented ones made up 48.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Dee Why was $2,457, below Sydney's average of $3,000. Median weekly rent in Dee Why stood at $550 compared to Sydney's $592. Nationally, Dee Why's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Dee Why features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 64.6% of all households, including 25.6% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.4%, with lone person households at 29.5% and group households comprising 5.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The area's educational profile stands out regionally, with university qualification rates at 40.1% of residents aged 15+, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and that of NSW (32.2%). Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 27.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 32.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.7%) and certificates (18.5%).

Educational participation is notably high at 26.6%, including 6.8% in primary education, 5.9% in tertiary education, and 5.1% pursuing secondary education. Dee Why's four schools have a combined enrollment of 2,212 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1083. The educational mix includes two primary schools and two K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.8, falling below the regional average of 16.2, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Public transport analysis shows 66 active transport stops operating in Dee Why. These are served by a mix of buses on 90 individual routes. Together, these provide 8,532 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 106 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 1,218 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 129 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Dee Why shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions. The private health cover rate is notably high at approximately 62%, affecting 15,638 people, compared to Greater Sydney's 71.5%. Nationally, the average stands at 55.3%.

Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions in Dee Why, impacting 6.1% and 5.8% of residents respectively. A total of 78.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 74.7%. The area has 13.5% of residents aged 65 and over, comprising 3,408 people, which is lower than Greater Sydney's 17.8%. Health outcomes among seniors in Dee Why are particularly strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

Dee Why is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Dee Why has a high level of cultural diversity, with 35.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 46.2% born overseas. The predominant religion in Dee Why is Christianity, comprising 43.5% of the population. However, Buddhism is notably overrepresented, making up 5.0% compared to the Greater Sydney average of 1.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English at 22.9%, Other at 18.3%, and Australian at 17.0%. These figures differ from regional averages: English is lower than the regional average of 27.9%, Other is higher than the regional average of 10.6%, and Australian is lower than the regional average of 22.1%. There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups, with Serbian at 1.5% (regional average 0.6%), Spanish at 1.1% (regional average 0.6%), and French at 0.9% (regional average 1.1%).

Dee Why's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

At 36 years, Dee Why's median age is nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37, which is modestly under Australia's median of 38. Relative to Greater Sydney, Dee Why has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (20.6%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.6%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 3.7% to 4.5%, while the population aged 5 to 14 has declined from 8.7% to 7.6%. Demographic modeling suggests that Dee Why's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 78%, adding 880 residents to reach a total of 2,017. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 58% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the populations aged 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 are projected to decline.