Manilla

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, Manilla's population is estimated at around 2,548 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 162 people (6.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,386 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,457 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 19 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 36 persons per square kilometer. Manilla's growth rate exceeded that of its SA4 region (4.6%) and the non-metro area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 66.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth for locations outside capital cities, with Manilla expected to grow by 379 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 13.7% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Manilla recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Manilla has averaged around 7 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 39 homes. As of FY26, 9 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 2.7 people moved to the area per new home constructed, reflecting robust demand that underpins property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $390,000. In FY26, there has also been $1.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Manilla has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, placing it among the 62nd percentile of areas assessed nationally. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years. This level is similarly under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations.

New development consists of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 95.0% houses). At around 238 people per approval, Manilla reflects a transitioning market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Manilla is expected to grow by 349 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Manilla has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

No factor influences an area's performance more than changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 0 projects that could impact this area. Key projects include New England REZ Transmission Project, New England Highway - Willow Tree to Uralla Safety Upgrade, Corridor Preservation For East Coast High Speed Rail, and Regional NSW Road Network Safety Improvements. 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 conditions in Manilla remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Manilla's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.2%, reflecting stability over the past year according to AreaSearch aggregated data.

As of September 2025, Manilla has 1,169 residents employed at an unemployment rate of 0.6% lower than Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation in Manila is significantly lower at 44.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Residents are primarily employed in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Mining shows strong specialization with an employment share 2.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services are under-represented at 2.0% compared to Rest of NSW's 5.1%. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population data. Over the 12 months ending September 2025, Manilla experienced a 0.2% employment increase and a 1.0% labour force increase, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.8 percentage points. Rest of NSW saw a 0.5% employment decline and a 0.1% labour force decline, with a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rate rise. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Manilla's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does 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 Manilla's income level is lower than average on a national basis according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Manilla was $35,406 and the average income stood at $41,978. These figures compare to Rest of NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% from financial year ended June 2023 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $38,543 for median income and $45,697 for average income as of September 2025. Census data reveals household incomes in Manilla fall between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that the $400 - $799 bracket dominates with 33.4% of residents (851 people), differing from patterns across the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 29.9%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (41.3% under $800/week) indicates constrained household budgets across much of the area. After housing expenses, 85.9% of income remains, though this ranks at only the 5th percentile nationally.

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

Manilla's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.8% houses and 5.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 89.5% houses and 10.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Manilla stood at 44.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.5% and rented dwellings also at 27.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,500. The median weekly rent in Manilla was recorded as $260, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Manilla's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 62.3% of all households, including 18.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 16.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.7%, with lone person households at 34.8% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Manilla faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is significantly lower than the NSW average, at 10.1% compared to 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 7.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (0.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent among residents aged 15+, with 40.9% holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (32.6%). Educational participation is high, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (11.1%), secondary (7.5%), and tertiary (1.4%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.1% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 1.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Manila has 88 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These are covered by 10 different routes that together offer 180 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 142 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, services run 25 times a day across all routes, translating to about two weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Manilla is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Manila faces significant health challenges, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 44% (around 1,111 people), compared to 49.8% in the rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (11.7%) and asthma (11.6%).

About 54.1% report no medical ailments, lower than the 63.4% in the rest of NSW. The area has 27.9% (710 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 19.9% in the rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging, generally mirroring the overall population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees Manilla placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Manilla was found to have a cultural diversity below average, with 90.1% of its population being Australian citizens, 94.2% born in Australia, and 98.3% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Manila as of the latest data (2016) is Christianity, which comprises 64.5% of people in Manila, compared to 63.6% across Rest of NSW. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups in Manila are Australian (35.0%), English (31.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (10.8%).

Notably, Hungarian is overrepresented at 0.2% of Manilla's population compared to the regional average of 0.1%, Russian also stands at 0.2% versus the regional 0.1%, and Maltese remains at 0.3%.

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

Manilla's median age is 48 years, which is notably older than Rest of NSW's median age of 43 and significantly higher than Australia's median age of 38. The age profile indicates that individuals aged 65-74 make up a substantial portion of the population at 15.4%, while those aged 25-34 constitute a relatively smaller percentage at 9.2% compared to Rest of NSW. This concentration of individuals aged 65-74 is significantly higher than the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the proportion of individuals aged 0-4 has increased from 4.9% to 5.6%, while the percentage of those aged 45-54 has decreased from 12.0% to 11.2%. Demographic projections suggest that Manilla's age profile will undergo significant changes by 2041. The number of individuals in the 25-34 age group is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 74 people (32%) from 234 to 309. Conversely, the population in the 15-24 age range is expected to decrease.