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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Grasmere is $2.51m. House values have moved 6.0% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Grasmere has an estimated 2,089 residents. That puts 384 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Analysis of ABS population figures for the surrounding region, combined with address details verified by AreaSearch subsequent to the Census, estimates the population of Grasmere at approximately 2,089 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 16 residents (0.8%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 2,105 residents. The calculation is derived from a resident count of 2,088, which AreaSearch calculated using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside subsequent address verification. With this population level, the density stands at 384 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and capacity for potential development.
The main source of population growth in the locality was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 66.0% of the overall population gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 with a baseline of 2022. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are implemented. Age cohort growth trends from these datasets are applied to all localities for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Future demographic forecasts point to population growth exceeding the national median, with the locality projected to gain 361 individuals by 2041 according to collective SA2 data, representing an overall expansion of 17.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
An evaluation of ABS building permit data assigned from broader statistical boundaries reveals that Grasmere averages approximately 1 new dwelling approval annually, accumulating to an estimated 8 residences over the previous 5 financial years. Thus far during FY-26, no approvals have been registered. As the population has contracted during the preceding timeframe, the volume of housing has remained sufficient to meet local needs, resulting in a balanced market offering ample options for buyers. Furthermore, commercial building approvals worth $509,000 have been logged during the current financial year, highlighting a focus that is primarily residential.
Relative to Greater Sydney, Grasmere exhibits significantly reduced construction activity, sitting at 83.0% below the regional per capita average. This minimal flow of new housing typically supports demand and valuations for existing stock. The level of activity also tracks below the national benchmark, indicating a mature market and highlighting possible development restrictions. Current construction comprises 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% semi-detached or multi-unit dwellings. This orientation toward denser housing provides affordable purchasing options and draws in buyers looking to downsize, investors, and first-time buyers. This represents a distinct departure from the existing housing stock, which is currently 70.0% houses, due to the declining availability of building sites and changing preferences around lifestyle and affordability. Long-term forecasts indicate that Grasmere will grow by 360 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. If the current rate of construction persists, the supply of homes may fall short of population gains, which could intensify competition among buyers and foster elevated price appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Grasmere
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Grasmere, worth an estimated $200 million. A further 77 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $25.2 billion. 28 are already under construction and 32 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major planning decisions, and development initiatives are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified a total of 3 major projects that are expected to influence the local area. The most relevant initiatives include the Camden Community Nursery, the West Camden Water Recycling Plant Upgrade (which services Gledswood Hills), the Spring Farm Riverside development, and the Camden Civic Centre Renewal, with details on the most significant projects provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
West Camden Water Recycling Plant Upgrade (servicing Gledswood Hills)
Sydney Water has completed the upgrade of the West Camden Water Recycling Plant, doubling capacity to 32 ML/d to serve approximately 176,000 people and support growth across the catchment, including temporary flows from the South West Growth Area until the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre is operational. Delivery partners were Downer and BMD. Commissioning commenced in late 2024 with construction completion in mid-2025.
Camden Community Nursery
The Camden Community Nursery is a purpose-built facility designed to support local biodiversity through the propagation of native plants. It serves as an educational hub providing workshops on sustainable gardening, environmental conservation, and local flora management for the community and schools.
Camden Town Centre Enhancements
Revitalization of Camden's historic town centre with improved streetscapes, public spaces, heritage conservation, and enhanced retail and dining precincts. The project aims to strengthen Camden's role as a regional centre while preserving its historic character and community identity.
Camden Lakeside Stage 3 & 4 (Elderslie)
Final stages of the established Camden Lakeside golf course community, delivering premium residential lots overlooking the lake and fairways.
Spring Farm Riverside
A flagship masterplanned community by Cornish Group comprising 1,100 residential lots alongside the Nepean River, featuring elevated positions with views over Springs Lake and Razorback Mountain. The precinct includes 185 hectares of parklands with boardwalks, BBQ areas, playgrounds, and 24km of bike paths and walkways.
Elderslie Village Centre
The Elderslie Village Centre is a proposed neighbourhood retail hub designed to serve the Elderslie Urban Release Area. The project includes a maximum gross floor area of 2,500m2 for business and retail premises, featuring a supermarket, specialty shops, and medical facilities. Development is currently contingent upon the finalisation of the Elderslie E1 Local Centre Masterplan by Camden Council. The vision includes a vibrant civic square, pedestrian-friendly links, and potential shop-top housing to create a community focal point.
Camden Civic Centre Renewal
A $9.9 million renewal and upgrade of the Camden Civic Centre to modernise the facility and improve its amenities for community and cultural events. The project is funded by the NSW Government and Camden Council.
Camden Town Centre Urban Design Framework
A framework to guide the future development of the Camden Town Centre, focusing on enhancing its unique heritage character while accommodating growth. The plan addresses building design, public spaces, and traffic management.
915 residents of Grasmere are employed, from a labour force of 935. Unemployment sits at 2.1%, with participation at 50.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Grasmere is home to a qualified workforce, with the building sector showing particularly strong representation, a low unemployment rate of 2.1%, and an estimated job growth rate of 7.0% over the previous year, according to AreaSearch regional aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 915 employed residents, and the unemployment rate sits 2.0% lower than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, whereas labor force participation is notably lower, recording 50.6% compared to 69.1% in Greater Sydney. Census responses show that a significant 39.1% of residents worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are construction, education & training, and health care & social assistance. The community exhibits a strong specialization in construction, employing workers at a rate 2.2 times higher than the regional average. Conversely, the finance & insurance sector accounts for only 2.0% of the local workforce, which is below the 7.3% average for Greater Sydney. The mostly residential nature of the locality suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat restricted, as demonstrated by the comparison between the Census working population and resident counts. Based on AreaSearch calculations of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from the surrounding region, the year ending March 2026 saw employment expand by 7.0% and the labor force grow by 7.2%, causing the unemployment rate to tick up by 0.2 percentage points. During the same timeframe, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 1.9% and labor force growth of 1.9%, alongside a minor decrease. National occupational forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand in Grasmere. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce profile to model future growth. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary significantly by sector. Mapping these industry-specific projections onto the Grasmere workforce mix suggests local jobs will rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, noting that this is a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Grasmere is $1,652 a week (about $86,000 a year), with median personal income at $543 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $32,336 a year against an average of $39,640. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to tax data at the postcode level from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, the suburb of Grasmere records a median taxpayer income of $32,336 and an average taxpayer income of $39,640. These figures are below the national benchmarks, contrasting with a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would sit at roughly $35,673 for the median and $43,731 for the average as of March 2026.
Census statistics indicate individual incomes are situated in the 6th percentile ($543 weekly), whereas household incomes are higher, sitting in the 44th percentile. Income distribution statistics show that 26.2% of the population (547 individuals) earn between $400 - 799, whereas the wider region is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 band at 30.9%. The population shows distinct economic tiers, ranging from 36.2% in lower brackets to 31.5% in high-earning brackets. Financial pressure from housing is significant, leaving just 82.8% of income after housing costs, placing the area in the 44th percentile, and the local SEIFA income rank is in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Grasmere had 629 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 70% detached houses and 2% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 7% rented and 51% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $116 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,831 a month. Rent absorbs 7.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 39.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Grasmere consisted of 70.1% standalone houses and 29.8% alternative dwellings, such as townhouses and units, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metro Sydney. The rate of outright home ownership in Grasmere was significantly higher than the Sydney metro average, standing at 50.8%, with mortgaged properties making up 42.3% and rented properties accounting for 6.9%. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was recorded at $2,831, which is higher than the Sydney metro average of $2,427, while the median weekly rent was $116, compared to $470 for metro Sydney.
Compared nationally, Grasmere's mortgage commitments are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, while rental costs are lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Grasmere counted 629 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 28% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise the majority of local households at 71.1%, consisting of couples with children at 33.7%, couples without children at 31.0%, and single parent households at 5.9%. Non-family households make up 28.9% of the total, with single person households accounting for 28.4% and group living situations representing 1.1%. The average household size of 2.6 residents is slightly below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.0% of adults in Grasmere hold a university qualification, including 15.2% with a bachelor degree and 3.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 24.0% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment in the area is lower than regional averages, with university graduation rates of 21.0% compared to 38.0% across Greater Sydney. This represents a notable gap as well as an opportunity for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 15.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 33.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificate level qualifications at 24.0%. A total of 21.8% of the local population is enrolled in formal studies.
This figure includes 7.0% attending high school, 6.6% in primary school, and 4.5% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Grasmere reaches 13 stops on 15 routes, timetabled for about 170 services a week. The typical home sits about 480 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport networks in Grasmere include 13 active transit stops, which are served by bus routes. There are 15 different routes operating, providing a total of 174 weekly passenger services. Accessibility is moderate, with residents living an average of 480 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, the vast majority of commuters travel outside the area, with private vehicles remaining the main mode of travel for 96% of residents. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.9, which is higher than the regional average.
A significant 39.1% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect the impact of pandemic conditions. Bus services run at an average frequency of 24 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 13 weekly trips per transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
55.4% of residents in Grasmere report no long-term health condition. 24.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 42.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 10.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Grasmere point to notable challenges, based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality and chronic disease rates, which are somewhat common overall and elevated within older age brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is low, sitting at approximately 43% of the population (~892 people). This compares to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues reported in the locality are arthritis and heart disease, affecting 12.0% and 7.4% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 55.4% of residents reported having no chronic health conditions, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney.
The working-age population is generally healthy with a low occurrence of chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and older make up 43.7% of the community (912 people), which is significantly higher than the 15.5% share in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes for older residents present challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Grasmere is largely Australian-born, at 83.1% of residents, with 8.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.9%) and Australian (26.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Grasmere exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 83.1% of the population born in Australia, 94.0% holding citizenship, and 91.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, representing 83.4% of the local population, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups in Grasmere are English at 30.9% of the population (well above the regional average of 19.0%), Australian at 26.9% (well above the regional average of 17.8%), and Irish at 7.9%. Other notable ethnic representations include Maltese at 3.3% of Grasmere (compared to 1.0% regionally), Welsh at 0.9% (compared to 0.4%), and Serbian at 0.9% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Grasmere is 59, older than 98% of areas nationally. 17.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Grasmere has a median age of 59, which is significantly older than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, the area has a high proportion of residents aged 85 and over (15.3%) and a low proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (4.5%). The concentration of residents aged 85 and older is much higher than the national average of 2.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 10.4% to 12.8% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket has grown from 14.4% to 16.0%, while the cohort aged 85 and over has decreased from 17.2% to 15.3%.
Demographic projections for 2041 point to major shifts in Grasmere's age distribution. The cohort aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 86% (276 people), rising from 319 to 596. This aging trend is prominent, with people aged 65 and over accounting for 89% of the total projected growth. Conversely, the cohorts aged 65 to 74 and 0 to 4 are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Grasmere
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,105 at the 2021 Census → 2,089 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL11746). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.