Lakemba

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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Lakemba's estimated population is around 18,062. This reflects a growth of 970 people since the 2021 Census, which reported 17,092 residents. The increase is inferred from an AreaSearch estimate of 17,613 following June 2024 ABS ERP data release and additional validated addresses since the Census date. Lakemba's population density is 8,247 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% nationally. The area's 5.7% growth since census is within 1.8 percentage points of its SA4 region (7.5%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 78.0% to recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2-level projections from 2022 (base year 2021) are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Lakemba is projected to increase by 2,433 persons, reflecting an 11.0% total growth over the 17-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Lakemba averaged approximately 29 new dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25, around 146 homes were approved, with an additional 19 approved so far in FY-26. Despite population decline, the supply of new dwellings has likely kept pace with demand, offering good choice to buyers.

The average construction cost value for new homes is approximately $242,000, which is under regional levels, indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. In FY-26, there have been around $13.4 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Comparatively, Lakemba shows approximately 59% of the construction activity per person relative to Greater Sydney. Nationally, it places among the 11th percentile of areas assessed, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes.

This is lower than national averages, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development in Lakemba consists of approximately 73% standalone homes and 27% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (26% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. With around 1344 people per dwelling approval, Lakemba reflects a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate Lakemba will gain approximately 1984 residents by 2041, according to 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.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely to affect the region. Notable projects include Lakemba Station Sydney Metro Upgrade, Lakemba Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Masterplan, Mixed Use Development at 677 & 687 Canterbury Road Belmore, and Mixed Use 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.

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Employment drivers in Lakemba are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Lakemba has an educated workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 8.6% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.9% over the past year.

There are 7,108 residents employed, but the unemployment rate is higher than Greater Sydney's at 4.4%. Workforce participation lags behind Greater Sydney at 42.7%. Employment is concentrated in retail trade, health care & social assistance, and transport, postal & warehousing, with a strong specialization in the latter (2.2 times the regional level). However, professional & technical employment is lower than average at 7.3%.

Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 1.9% while labour force rose by 3.8%, leading to a 1.7 percentage point unemployment rate rise. In comparison, Greater Sydney's employment grew by 2.1%, labour force expanded by 2.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted slightly at 0.03% with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts suggest employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary between sectors. Applying these projections to Lakemba's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest data for Lakemba in financial year 2023 shows a median income among taxpayers of $34,243 and an average of $43,895. This is lower than the national average. In Greater Sydney, the median was $60,817 and the average was $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $37,277 (median) and $47,784 (average). The 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in Lakemba falling between the 4th and 15th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 32.5% of locals earn between $800 - 1,499, differing from the metropolitan region where the predominant category is $1,500 - 2,999 at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Lakemba, with only 76.7% of income remaining, 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

Lakemba's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 25.6% houses and 74.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 48.7% houses and 51.3% other dwellings. Lakemba's home ownership rate was 20.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.2% and rented ones at 59.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,712, below Sydney metro's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent figure was $350, compared to Sydney metro's $390. Nationally, Lakemba's mortgage repayments were lower than 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 account for 71.5% of all households, including 44.5% couples with children, 14.6% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.5%, with lone person households at 19.5% and group households making up 8.9%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.9.

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

The area's university qualification rate of 39.5%, among residents aged 15+, exceeds the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA3 area's rate of 31.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.0%) and graduate diplomas (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 served by 26 different routes that together facilitate 3,789 weekly passenger trips. Lakemba's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average being located 109 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes averages 541 trips per day, which equates to approximately 47 weekly trips per individual stop.

Lakemba's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Lakemba's health outcomes data shows notable results, with younger age groups having a low prevalence of common health conditions. The private health cover rate stands at approximately 44%, covering around 8,017 people, compared to Greater Sydney's 50.0% and the national average of 55.7%. Diabetes and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in Lakemba, affecting 5.5% and 4.6% of residents respectively, while 81.3% report being free from any medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 77.7%.

Lakemba has 11.0% of its population aged 65 and over (1,986 people), lower than the 15.8% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of 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 a population where 65.2% were born overseas, with 81.5% speaking languages other than English at home. The predominant religion is Islam, practised by 68.3%, compared to the Greater Sydney average of 24.7%. In terms of ancestry, the top groups are Other (49.8%), Indian (10.5%), and Australian (8.2%).

Notably, Lebanese (6.3%) and Vietnamese (3.5%) populations are higher than regional averages while Greek (2.8%) is lower.

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 lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lakemba has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (15.6%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (7.6%). According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 has increased from 5.4% to 6.1%, while the proportion of those aged 25-34 has decreased from 20.0% to 19.0%. Demographic projections suggest Lakemba's age profile will significantly change by 2041, with the strongest growth expected in the 75-84 cohort (81%), adding 499 residents to reach a total of 1,114. The population is projected to decline for those aged 35-44 and 25-34.