Malabar

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population for Malabar is around 4820 people. This reflects an increase from the 2021 Census figure of 4714 people, marking a rise of 106 individuals (2.2%). The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on ABS ERP data released in June 2024, is 4791 people, with an additional five validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 1350 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Malabar has shown consistent growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.2%, surpassing that of its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods for the suburb.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilizes NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to population projections, Malabar is expected to experience above median growth across statistical areas nationwide, with an anticipated increase of 608 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 13.7% over the seventeen-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Malabar, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Malabar has received approximately 11 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending FY26. A total of 57 homes have been approved during this period, with two approvals recorded so far in FY26. The area's population decline suggests new supply has kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $722,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Malabar has similar development levels per capita, maintaining market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas despite recent acceleration in building activity. This activity is below national averages, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development comprises 14.0% detached houses and 86.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns of 62.0% houses. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Malabar has around 269 people per dwelling approval, characteristic of a low density area.

By 2041, AreaSearch projects Malabar's population to grow by 658 residents, with construction maintaining a reasonable pace despite potential growing competition among buyers as the population increases.

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

Seven projects are identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Key projects include Malabar Ocean Pool Accessible Amenities Building, Jennifer St, Little Bay, Yorktown Parade and Fitzgerald Avenue Affordable Housing Redevelopment, Meriton Little Bay Development. The following list details those likely to be 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.

The labour market performance in Malabar lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Malabar has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 8.7% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 4.1%.

As of June 2025, 2,017 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 4.5%, higher than Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Workforce participation is lower at 39.1% compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Dominant employment sectors include education & training, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Education & training has a particularly high share of employment, at 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, manufacturing shows lower representation at 3.1% versus the regional average of 5.7%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the past year, employment increased by 4.1% while labour force grew by 2.4%, reducing unemployment by 1.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Sydney where employment rose by 2.6%, labour force grew by 2.9%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Malabar's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localized population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 indicates that Malabar had a median income among taxpayers of $52,024 and an average of $72,885. This is higher than the national averages. Greater Sydney's median income was $56,994 with an average of $80,856 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Malabar would be approximately $58,584 (median) and $82,076 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Malabar cluster around the 52nd percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 26.9% of residents earn over $4000 weekly (1,296 people), which differs from regional trends where 30.9% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. Malabar exhibits income diversity with 31.3% earning under $800 weekly and 36.2% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating a mixed socioeconomic profile. High housing costs consume 16.5% of income in the area. However, strong earnings place disposable income at the 52nd percentile nationally, and Malabar's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Malabar displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The latest Census evaluation of Malabar's dwelling structures showed 62.0% houses and 38.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 26.9% houses and 73.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Malabar was 37.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.9% and rented dwellings at 35.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Malabar was $3,900, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,033. The median weekly rent in Malabar was $150, lower than Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Malabar's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,900 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $150 compared to the national figure of $375.

Malabar features high concentrations of lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.7% of all households, including 35.9% couples with children, 20.4% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.3%, with lone person households at 29.9% and group households making up 1.7%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 38.6%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 54.6%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 36.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (12.4%) and certificates (23.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 45.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.1% in secondary education, 14.8% in primary education, and 8.0% pursuing tertiary education. The area has two schools: St Andrew's Catholic Primary School and Malabar Public School, serving a total of 673 students. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1081). Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 14.0 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 11.1, indicating that the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Transport analysis shows 36 active stops in Malabar, served by a mix of bus routes. These are covered by 11 individual routes, offering 1,722 weekly passenger trips collectively. Residential accessibility to transport is rated excellent, with residents typically located 127 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 246 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 47 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Malabar is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Malabar faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~2,686 people), compared to 70.6% across Greater Sydney.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.6% and 7.9% of residents respectively. 68.1% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 76.0% across Greater Sydney. As of June 2021, 22.3% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,074 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Sydney. This aligns broadly with the general population's health profile.

Malabar was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Malabar's population showed high cultural diversity, with 27.1% born overseas and 20.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Malabar, accounting for 64.4% of its population. Notably, Judaism had a higher representation in Malabar at 1.8%, compared to Greater Sydney's 4.4%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (23.5%), Australian (20.9%), and Irish (10.5%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: French was slightly overrepresented at 1.6% in Malabar, Hungarian was at 0.7%, and Russian was also at 0.7%.

Malabar hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Malabar is 46 years, which is notably higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and also exceeds the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, the 45-54 age cohort is significantly over-represented in Malabar at 16.1%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 10.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 10.4% to 12.6% of Malabar's population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort has decreased from 9.4% to 8.5%. Population forecasts for Malabar in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 65 to 74 age cohort is projected to expand by 199 people, from 559 to 759, representing a 36% increase. This aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 67% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.