Lakelands (NSW)

Lakelands is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

The population of the Lakelands (NSW) statistical area (Lv2), as estimated by AreaSearch, was around 1,635 in November 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 190 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,445. The increase is inferred from the resident population estimate of 1,568 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,993 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Lakelands (NSW) (SA2) saw a growth rate of 13.1% between the 2021 Census and November 2025, surpassing both the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.0% and the non-metro area's growth rate. Interstate migration contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the Lakelands (NSW) (SA2), with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors.

AreaSearch is utilising ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, for covered areas. For uncovers areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Lakelands (NSW) (SA2) is expected to increase by 181 persons to reach a population of 1,816 in 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 2.0% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Lakelands when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Lakelands averaged approximately 7 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 36 homes. As of FY-26, 6 approvals have been recorded. Each new dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25 resulted in an average of 2.8 new residents per year, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. The average expected construction cost value for these dwellings was $608,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In FY-26, there have been $15.6 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Lakelands shows moderately higher building activity, approximately 20.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years, while maintaining good buyer choice and supporting existing property values. The new building activity consists of 60.0% detached dwellings and 40.0% attached dwellings, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges from spacious family homes to more accessible compact options. This shows a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently 94.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.

With around 185 people per dwelling approval, Lakelands exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Lakelands is projected to add approximately 32 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

No changes can significantly influence a region's performance like modifications to local infrastructure, large-scale projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are anticipated to affect this area. Notable projects include Speers Point Transport Improvements, Lake Macquarie Bridge Replacement Program, Lake Macquarie Modular Social Housing, and Costco Lake Macquarie Warehouse. The following list specifies those projects likely to be most pertinent.

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The exceptional employment performance in Lakelands places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Lakelands has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.4% as of the past year, with estimated employment growth at 3.2%.

As of September 2025865 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.5% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Lakelands is higher at 67.8%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food sectors. Lakelands specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.0% compared to the region's 5.3%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 3.2%, labour force by 3.5%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 estimate national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lakelands' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023 shows Lakelands' median income among taxpayers is $63,741, with an average of $84,512. This is among the highest in Australia, compared to Rest of NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. As of September 2025, current estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% would be approximately $69,388 (median) and $92,000 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Lakelands rank highly nationally, between the 72nd and 84th percentiles. Income distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 29.7% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (485 residents), aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort also represents 29.9%. Lakelands demonstrates considerable affluence with 35.7% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 88.5% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Lakelands is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

As evaluated in the latest Census, dwelling structures within Lakelands comprised 94.3% houses and 5.7% other dwellings such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Non-Metro NSW had 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lakelands stood at 45.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.6% and rented properties at 10.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure for Lakelands was recorded at $450, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Lakelands' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Lakelands features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 81.4% of all households, including 44.8% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.6%, with lone person households at 17.4% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

Lakelands' residents aged 15+ have a higher proportion with university qualifications (31.5%) compared to the Rest of NSW (21.3%) and the SA3 area (23.5%). Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.8% and graduate diplomas at 4.4%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 35.5% of residents holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.2%) and certificates (22.3%). Educational participation is high, with 28.0% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising primary (10.0%), secondary (9.4%), and tertiary education (4.3%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Lakelands indicates that there are currently twelve operational transport stops. These stops facilitate a variety of bus routes, totaling sixteen individual services. The combined weekly passenger trips across all these routes amount to three hundred and twenty-five.

The accessibility of transport in the area is considered excellent, with residents typically residing one hundred and sixty-six meters away from their nearest transport stop. On average, each route provides forty-six trips per day, which equates to approximately twenty-seven weekly trips per individual stop.

Lakelands's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Lakelands's health metrics are close to national benchmarks. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical, but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (985 people), compared to 54.4% across Rest of NSW. The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, impacting 9.0 and 8.8% of residents respectively, while 68.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.6% across Rest of NSW. Lakelands has 16.3% of residents aged 65 and over (266 people), which is lower than the 21.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges requiring more attention than the broader population.

Lakelands ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Lakelands had a lower-than-average cultural diversity, with 86.7% of its population born in Australia, 94.9% being citizens, and 91.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 55.1% of Lakelands' population. The most significant overrepresentation was in the 'Other' category, comprising 1.4% compared to 0.4% across the rest of NSW.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (30.3%), Australian (29.2%), and Scottish (9.2%). Notably, Welsh (1.5%) was overrepresented in Lakelands compared to the regional average of 0.8%. Similarly, Polish (1.1%) and Hungarian (0.4%) were also more prevalent than their respective regional averages of 0.7% and 0.2%.

Lakelands hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Lakelands's median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of NSW's average of 43 but considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that 55-64 year-olds are particularly prominent at 16.5%, while the 65-74 group is smaller at 8.3% compared to Rest of NSW. This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is higher than the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 0-4 age group has grown from 4.1% to 5.1% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 17.6% to 16.5%, and the 65-74 group has dropped from 9.4% to 8.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Lakelands. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow strongly at 22%, adding 27 residents to reach 155. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 15-24 age cohorts.