Fairlight

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

As of November 2025, Fairlight's population is estimated at around 6,607 people, reflecting an increase of 466 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 7.6% increase from the previous census figure of 6,141 people. AreaSearch estimates this population based on ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density is estimated at 5,647 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Fairlight's growth rate of 7.6% since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA4 region (3.2%) and SA3 area, indicating it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in Fairlight.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a 2022 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. These projections indicate that Fairlight is expected to expand by 836 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 13.4% over the 17-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Fairlight has seen around 6 new homes approved annually. Over the past 5 financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), approximately 30 homes were approved, with another 7 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of 5.3 new residents per year for every home built during this period.

Consequently, demand significantly outpaces supply, putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers. The average construction value of new properties is $1,006,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $5.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited commercial development focus compared to residential. Fairlight has significantly less development activity than Greater Sydney (60.0% below regional average per person), which generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. However, recent construction activity has intensified. Fairlight's population density is around 657 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. Recent development has been entirely comprised of medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 26.0% houses), suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles. Looking ahead, Fairlight is expected to grow by 887 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects expected to impact this region: Two Tides (Manly), Le Onde, and Stockland Balgowlah Shopping Centre Expansion & Residential.

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Fairlight ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Fairlight has a highly educated workforce, with the technology sector being particularly prominent. Its unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Over the past year, there has been relative employment stability based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of June 2025, 4,046 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.7% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Fairlight stands at 70.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical services (1.9 times the regional average), health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance.

Retail trade employs just 5.9% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 9.3%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.3%, while employment declined by 0.3%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. 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 unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.9% over ten years. Applying these projections to Fairlight's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.5% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

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

Fairlight's income level is among the top percentile nationally according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Fairlight's median income among taxpayers is $74,226 and the average income stands at $139,618, which compares to figures for Greater Sydney of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $83,586 (median) and $157,224 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Fairlight, between the 97th and 98th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows the $4000+ bracket dominates with 41.2% of residents (2,722 people), contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. Economic strength emerges through 53.6% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 15.4% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 97th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Fairlight features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Fairlight's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 26.4% houses and 73.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 36.7% houses and 63.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fairlight was at 33.9%, similar to Sydney metro's level. Mortgaged dwellings constituted 30.5%, while rented dwellings were 35.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,467, lower than Sydney metro's average of $3,800. Median weekly rent in Fairlight was $720, matching Sydney metro's figure but significantly higher than the national average of $375. Nationally, Fairlight's median monthly mortgage repayments were notably higher at $1,863.

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

Family households constitute 69.9% of all households, including 32.4% couples with children, 29.7% couples without children, and 7.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.1%, with lone person households at 23.8% and group households comprising 6.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

Fairlight has a notably high level of educational attainment, with 56.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds the national average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. The most common university qualification is a Bachelor degree, held by 36.4% of residents in this age group, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.7%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational pathways account for 22.6% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 11.8% and certificates accounting for 10.8%.

Educational participation is high in Fairlight, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.8% in primary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 5.7% pursuing tertiary education. However, educational facilities appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Fairlight has 36 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 33 different routes that collectively facilitate 2,647 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility in Fairlight is rated excellent, with residents typically located 89 meters from the nearest transport stop.

The service frequency averages 378 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 73 weekly trips per individual stop.

Fairlight'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 throughout Fairlight, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 82% of the total population, which consists of 5,407 people. This compares to 85.6% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are asthma and arthritis, affecting 6.5% and 6.1% of residents respectively. A total of 77.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.4% across Greater Sydney. Fairlight has 16.5% of its population aged 65 and over, comprising 1,090 people. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Fairlight 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

Fairlight was found to have a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 10.8% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 33.9% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fairlight, comprising 44.1% of the population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented in Fairlight at 0.4%, compared to 0.4% across Greater Sydney.

The top three ancestry groups are English (32.3%), Australian (20.8%), and Irish (10.7%). Other ethnic groups show variations: French is equally represented at 1.4%, Welsh is slightly overrepresented at 1.1%, and Spanish is equally represented at 0.8%.

Fairlight's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Fairlight is 39 years, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Fairlight has a notably higher proportion of individuals aged 55-64 (12.5% locally vs. 10.6% in Greater Sydney) and a lower proportion of individuals aged 5-14 (9.9% vs. 14.7%). According to post-2021 Census data, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 9.2% to 11.2%, while the 45-54 age group has decreased from 13.9% to 12.6%. By 2041, Fairlight's population is forecasted to undergo significant demographic changes. Notably, the 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 58%, reaching 617 individuals from 389. This growth is part of a broader trend of demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing 63% of anticipated population growth. Conversely, the 35-44 and 25-34 age groups are projected to experience population declines.