Lakemba

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of Lakemba is around 17,954, reflecting a growth of 862 people since the 2021 Census. This increase corresponds to a 5.0% change from the previous population count of 17,092. The current resident population estimate of 17,756 by AreaSearch, following an examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and validation of additional 163 new addresses since the Census date, supports this growth. This results in a density ratio of 8,198 persons per square kilometer, placing Lakemba within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth since the census is competitive with its SA3 area, differing by only 0.2 percentage points (5.0% vs. 5.2%).

Overseas migration contributed approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in Lakemba. AreaSearch uses 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the former data. Applying growth rates by age group from these aggregations to all areas, Lakemba is projected to have an above median population growth nationally by 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to expand by 2,236 persons by 2041, reflecting an increase of 11.3% in total over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Lakemba is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Lakemba had approximately 29 residential property approvals per year over the past five financial years ending June 2021, totalling around 146 homes. As of July 2021 in FY-26, there have been 19 approvals recorded. Lakemba's population has declined recently but housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, indicating a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $242,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year, there have been approximately $13.4 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lakemba shows around 60% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 11th percentile nationally, indicating limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing homes. This level is below the national average, suggesting an established area with potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises approximately 73.0% detached dwellings and 27.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining Lakemba's traditional suburban character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

New construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (26.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 1344 people per dwelling approval, Lakemba reflects a highly mature market. Looking ahead, AreaSearch estimates Lakemba's population will grow by approximately 2,038 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

The area's performance is significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure projects. AreaSearch has identified a total of 23 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Lakemba Station Sydney Metro Upgrade, Lakemba Transport Oriented Development Masterplan, Mixed Use Development at 677 & 687 Canterbury Road Belmore, and development at 754-774 Canterbury Road Belmore. 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 drivers in Lakemba are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Lakemba's workforce is highly educated with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate in Lakemba was 8.7% as of December 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 4.0% over the past year. There are 7,164 residents currently employed, which is a 4.5% increase from Greater Sydney's unemployment rate of 4.2%.

However, workforce participation in Lakemba lags at 57.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. A significant portion of Lakemba residents work from home, with 25.3% reporting such arrangements based on Census responses. The key industries employing residents are retail trade, health care & social assistance, and transport, postal & warehousing. Lakemba has a particular employment specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share of 2.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services employ only 7.3% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.0%, while labour force grew by 5.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lakemba's employment mix indicates a potential local employment increase of 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Lakemba had a median taxpayer income of $34,243 and an average income of $43,895 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Sydney having a median income of $60,817 and an average income of $83,003 during the same period. As of March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $37,777 (median) and $48,425 (average), based on a 10.32% growth in wages since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census figures show that household, family, and personal incomes in Lakemba fall between the 4th and 15th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 32.5% of locals (5,835 people) predominantly earn between $800 and $1,499, unlike the metropolitan region where earnings between $1,500 and $2,999 dominate at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Lakemba, with only 76.7% of income remaining after expenses, ranking at the 10th percentile nationally.

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

As per the latest Census evaluation in Lakemba, 25.6% of dwellings were houses while 74.4% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Sydney metropolitan area's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lakemba stood at 20.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.2% and rented ones at 59.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lakemba was $1,712, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure for Lakemba was recorded as $350, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Lakemba's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Lakemba features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 71.5% of all households, consisting of 44.5% couples with children, 14.6% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for 28.5%, with lone person households at 19.5% and group households comprising 8.9%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 39.5%, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA3 area rate of 31.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 14.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational pathways account for 20.3% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 10.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 39.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.9% in primary education, 7.9% in tertiary education, and 7.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Lakemba has 79 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 26 different routes that collectively facilitate 3,789 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 109 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Lakemba's primarily residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 66%, followed by trains at 20% and walking at 4%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.8, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 25.3% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. On average, there are 541 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 47 weekly trips per individual stop.

Lakemba's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Lakemba's health data shows positive outcomes with mortality rates and health conditions similar to national averages. Common health conditions are less prevalent among the general population but higher among older cohorts. Only 44% (~7969 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9% and Australia's average of 55.7%.

Diabetes (5.5%) and arthritis (4.6%) are most common conditions. 81.3% report no medical ailments, higher than Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Lakemba has 11.0% (1974 people) aged 65+, lower than Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Lakemba is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Lakemba has one of the highest levels of cultural diversity in Australia, with 65.2% of its residents born overseas and 81.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Lakemba is Islam, practiced by 68.3% of people, significantly higher than the Greater Sydney average of 6.8%. In terms of ancestry, the most represented groups are Other (49.8%), Indian (10.5%), and Australian (8.2%).

These figures differ from regional averages: Other is substantially higher in Lakemba compared to the region's 16.0%, Indian is significantly higher than the regional average of 3.6%, and Australian is notably lower than the regional average of 17.8%. There are also notable disparities in the representation of other ethnic groups, with Lebanese at 6.3% (regional average: 2.6%), Vietnamese at 3.5% (regional average: 1.8%), and Greek at 2.8% (regional average: 1.9%).

Lakemba hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Lakemba's median age is 32 years, which is younger than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and significantly lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Lakemba has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (19.5%) compared to Greater Sydney but fewer residents aged 55-64 (7.6%). According to post-2021 Census data, the percentage of residents aged 65-74 increased from 5.4% to 6.4%, while the percentage of those aged 0-4 decreased from 9.4% to 8.7%. By 2041, Lakemba's age profile is projected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 75-84 is expected to grow by 78%, adding 463 residents to reach a total of 1,056. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 50% of the population growth, while the number of those aged 35-44 is expected to decrease by 43%.