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, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the estimated population of Freshwater NSW is around 9,591 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 405 people (4.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,186 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 9,588, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 2 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 5,576 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, making land in the area a highly-sought resource. Freshwater's 4.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.7%), 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. Moving forward with demographic trends, lower quartile growth of Australian statistical areas is anticipated, with the suburb expected to grow by 131 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.3% in total over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Freshwater has recorded around 20 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 101 homes between FY-21 and FY-25. So far in FY-26, 19 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five financial years, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, recent data shows this has intensified to 16 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,054,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This year alone, $47.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Freshwater records about three-quarters the building activity per person and places among the 24th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice that supports interest in existing dwellings. This reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

New building activity shows 62.0% standalone homes and 38.0% townhouses or apartments, offering options across different price points from family homes to more affordable compact living. New construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (42.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. The location has approximately 656 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Population forecasts indicate Freshwater will gain 128 residents through to 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Freshwater has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include the Freshwater Beach Masterplan, The Alba project, Harbord Hotel Planning Proposal for a 37-room hotel wing, and Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Campus Expansion. 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Freshwater well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Freshwater has a highly educated workforce with a notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%. As of December 2025, 5848 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% below Greater Sydney's rate.

Workforce participation stands at 75.5%, higher than Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 55.3% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and construction. Freshwater has a particularly high concentration in professional & technical jobs, with levels 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 data comparing working population to local population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Freshwater's labour force decreased by 0.7%, with employment declining by 1.5% leading to an unemployment rise of 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.2%. 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, though these are simple extrapolations 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 Freshwater has an exceptionally high income level nationally, according to the latest Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Freshwater is $74,509, and the average income stands at $133,268. These figures compare with those for Greater Sydney, which are $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $82,198 (median) and $147,021 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Freshwater all rank highly nationally, between the 94th and 96th percentiles. Distribution data shows that the $4000+ bracket dominates with 32.0% of residents (3,069 people), 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, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 17.1% of income, though strong earnings still 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

As of the latest Census, dwelling structures in Freshwater comprised 41.8% houses and 58.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Freshwater was at 28.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (34.2%) or rented (37.4%), similar to Sydney metro's figures. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Freshwater was $3,055, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent in Freshwater was $600, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Freshwater's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,055 versus 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 constitute 69.8 percent of all households, including 32.8 percent couples with children, 28.4 percent couples without children, and 8.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.2 percent, with lone person households at 24.9 percent and group households comprising 5.2 percent of the total. 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's residents aged 15+ show higher educational attainment compared to broader benchmarks. Specifically, 48.6% hold university qualifications, surpassing Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 34.1%, 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%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.1% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Freshwater has 69 active public transport stops, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 27 different routes, facilitating 1,670 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is high, with residents on average located 104 meters from the nearest stop. The area, being predominantly residential, sees most commuters traveling outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 81%, while buses account for 6% and walking for another 6%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 55.3% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 238 trips per day, equating to approximately 24 weekly trips per stop.

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

Freshwater's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 79% of the total population (7,611 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 6.0 and 5.4% of residents respectively. 79.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Freshwater has 14.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,381 people), lower than the 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

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

Freshwater's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 12.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 30.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Freshwater, comprising 45.0%. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (30.7%), Australian (23.3%), and Irish (9.8%), each higher than regional averages of 19.0%, 17.8%, and 4.5% respectively. Other ethnic groups with notable divergences included French at 1.1% (vs region's 0.5%), Welsh at 0.9% (vs 0.4%), and Spanish at 0.8% (vs 0.6%).

Freshwater's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Freshwater's median age is 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely aligning with Australia's median age of 38. The age group of 45-54 years has a strong representation in Freshwater at 13.5%, compared to Greater Sydney. However, the 5-14 age cohort is less prevalent in Freshwater at 10.4%. From 2021 onwards, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.7% to 11.8% of Freshwater's population. Conversely, the 5-14 age cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 10.4%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 15.0% to 13.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Freshwater's age structure. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 57%, reaching 693 people from the current 441. This growth is largely driven by an aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 96% of the projected growth. Meanwhile, the 45-54 and 25-34 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.