Glendale (NSW)

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

The suburb of Glendale's population is estimated at around 3,431 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 171 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,260 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3,372 following examination of ABS data released in June 2024 and validation of 33 new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 888 persons per square kilometer. Glendale's growth rate of 5.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.1%. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all migration drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from these aggregations for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics project an above median growth for regional areas nationally, with the suburb expected to expand by 611 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 16.1% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Glendale averaged around 6 new dwelling approvals each year over the past 5 financial years to FY25, totalling an estimated 33 homes. In FY26 so far, 5 approvals have been recorded. Over these years, an average of 4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built, indicating demand significantly exceeded supply. New properties were constructed at an average value of $395,000, slightly above the regional average.

There have also been $3.0 million in commercial approvals this financial year. Compared to Rest of NSW, Glendale shows substantially reduced construction activity (52.0% below regional average per person). New development consists of 62.0% detached houses and 38.0% attached dwellings. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 397 people, reflecting a quiet development environment. Future projections show Glendale adding 552 residents by 2041.

Future projections show Glendale adding 552 residents by 2041 (from 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.

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

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 15 projects potentially impacting the area. Major initiatives include Glendale City Centre Expansion, Cardiff Strategic Planning Framework, Vida - 2 Turrug Street Whitebridge, and North West Lake Macquarie Catalyst Area (Glendale). 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.

Employment performance in Glendale has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Glendale has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 5.3% as of December 2025. Employment stability over the past year was relative.

As of December 2025, 1,771 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.4% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Glendale was 67.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, 20.6% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Glendale had a notable concentration in health care & social assistance, with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 0.3% of Glendale's workforce compared to 5.3% in Regional NSW. The area functioned as an employment hub with 1.1 workers for every resident, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels increased by 1.5% while employment declined by 0.2%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.6 percentage points. In comparison, Regional NSW recorded an employment decline of 1.2%, a labour force decline of 0.8%, and an unemployment increase of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Glendale. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Glendale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Glendale's median income among taxpayers was $49,513 and average income stood at $58,902 in financial year 2023. These figures are lower than Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215 respectively. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $53,900 (median) and $64,121 (average), based on a Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023. According to Census 2021 income data, Glendale's household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly, between the 35th and 36th percentiles. In Glendale, 34.6% of individuals (1,187 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to the surrounding region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Glendale, with only 82.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 35th percentile.

Glendale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Glendale's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.0% houses and 13.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glendale stood at 30.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.4% and rented ones at 33.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, matching Regional NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $360, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Glendale's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Glendale has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.8% of all households, including 29.1% couples with children, 23.5% couples without children, and 15.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.2%, with lone person households at 28.4% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Glendale aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 18.6%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (31.3%). Educational participation is high, with 27.9% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.8% in primary, 6.4% in secondary, and 4.5% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in primary education, 6.4% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Glendale has 77 active public transport stops, serviced by 83 routes offering 3,167 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop is 132 meters. Most residents commute outward daily using cars, which are dominant at 94%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 20.6% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 452 trips daily across all routes, resulting in approximately 41 weekly trips per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 452 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 41 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Glendale is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Glendale faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across a range of conditions affecting both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~1,724 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 12.3% and 10.2% of residents respectively. However, 59.9% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Glendale has 15.6% of residents aged 65 and over (535 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Glendale is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Glendale, as per the census data from June 2016, showed lower cultural diversity with 90.8% of its population born in Australia, 92.6% being citizens, and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Glendale, accounting for 51.6% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestral groups were Australian (32.0%), English (29.6%), and Scottish (7.6%).

Notably, Welsh (0.9%) was overrepresented in Glendale compared to the regional average (0.5%), as were Australian Aboriginal (5.8% vs 4.6%) and Polish (0.9% vs 0.5%).

Glendale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Glendale's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below Regional NSW's average of 43 and somewhat younger than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, Glendale has a notably higher proportion of 25-34 year-olds (17.8%) and a lower proportion of 65-74 year-olds (8.4%). Post the 2021 Census, younger residents shifted the median age down by one year to 35. The 35-44 age group grew from 13.4% to 15.3%, while the 25-34 cohort increased from 16.4% to 17.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 11.2% to 9.6%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 10.0% to 8.4%. Demographic modeling suggests Glendale's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 33%, adding 204 residents to reach 815. Conversely, the 75-84 and 15-24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.