Freshwater (NSW)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Freshwater reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of the suburb of Freshwater (NSW) as of Nov 2025 is around 9,690. This reflects an increase of 504 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,186 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 9,640 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional three validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 5,633 persons per square kilometer, placing Freshwater in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 5.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (3.2%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 186 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 2.1% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Freshwater recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Freshwater recorded around 16 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 83 homes. In FY26 so far, 8 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.1 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating demand significantly outpacing supply. New homes are being built at an average value of $1,054,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $27.8 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Sydney, Freshwater records about 60% of building activity per person and ranks among the 39th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. New development consists of 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Freshwater indicates a mature market with around 436 people per approval.

Population forecasts suggest Freshwater will gain 200 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Freshwater 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 ten projects that may impact this region. Notable ones include Freshwater Beach Masterplan, The Alba, Harbord Hotel Planning Proposal (37-Room Hotel Wing), and Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Campus Expansion. Below is a list of 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.

Employment conditions in Freshwater demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Freshwater has an educated workforce with high representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 2.3%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, there are 5,930 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Freshwater is 72.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries for employment among residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and construction. Professional & technical jobs are particularly concentrated, at 1.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation, at 10.8% compared to the regional average of 14.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, labour force decreased by 0.0% and employment decreased by 0.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points in Freshwater. This compares to Greater Sydney where employment grew by 2.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Freshwater's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.3% 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

Freshwater's median income among taxpayers was $74,509 in financial year 2022, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The average income stood at $133,268 during this period. This compares to Greater Sydney's median and average incomes of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Freshwater would be approximately $83,905 (median) and $150,073 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Freshwater rank highly nationally, between the 94th and 96th percentiles. Distribution data shows that 32.0% of residents (3,100 people) fall into the $4000+ bracket, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. Freshwater demonstrates considerable affluence with 46.4% earning over $3,000 per week. High housing costs consume 17.1% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 93rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

In Freshwater, as per the latest Census, 41.8% of dwellings were houses while 58.2% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 57.6% houses and 42.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Freshwater stood at 28.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.2% and rented ones at 37.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,055, higher than Sydney's average of $3,000. Median weekly rent was $600 compared to Sydney's $592. Nationally, Freshwater's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 69.8% of all households, including 32.8% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 30.2%, with lone person households at 24.9% and group households comprising 5.2%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Freshwater has a notably high educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 48.6% holding university qualifications compared to the national average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. This is particularly evident in bachelor degrees, which are held by 34.1% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 28.1% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (15.9%). The area's educational participation is high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.1% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education. Two primary schools serve the area: St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School and Harbord Public School, collectively educating 1,068 students. The Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) for Freshwater is 1135, indicating significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement. Both primary schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. The school places per 100 residents (11.0) are lower than the regional average (16.2), suggesting some students may attend schools outside Freshwater.

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

Freshwater has 57 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 27 individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 1,254 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Freshwater is rated excellent, with residents typically located just 105 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 179 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Freshwater recorded exceptional health outcomes, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover was notably high at approximately 79% of the total population (7,689 people), surpassing Greater Sydney's 71.5% and the national average of 55.3%. Asthma and arthritis were the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 6.0 and 5.4% of residents respectively.

Notably, 79.2% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.7% in Greater Sydney. Freshwater had 14.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,356 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 17.8%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, mirroring the general population's health profile.

Freshwater 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

Freshwater's population was found to be more linguistically diverse, with 12.8% speaking a language other than English at home as of 2016 data. Born overseas, 30.4% of Freshwater residents were recorded in the 2016 Census. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 45.0%.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.3%. In terms of ancestry, English (30.7%), Australian (23.3%), and Irish (9.8%) were the top groups in Freshwater as per 2016 data. French (1.1%), Welsh (0.9%), and Spanish (0.8%) were also notable for their higher representation compared to regional averages.

Freshwater's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Freshwater's median age is 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely resembling Australia's 38 years. The 45-54 age group constitutes 13.7% of Freshwater's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 10.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 9.7% to 11.5%, but the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 10.3%, and the 45-54 group has fallen from 15.0% to 13.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Freshwater's age structure. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 66%, reaching 739 people from its current 445. This growth is part of a broader trend where those aged 65 and above will comprise 92% of the population increase. Conversely, the 45-54 and 15-24 age groups are expected to experience population declines.