Monterey

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

As of Feb 2026, the population of Monterey is estimated at around 4,592, a decrease of 27 people from the 2021 Census figure of 4,619. This decrease is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population as 4,582 in June 2024, following examination of ABS data releases and validation of new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio of approximately 3,993 persons per square kilometer places Monterey in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed around 86.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts 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.

Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projected demographic shifts suggest lower quartile growth for statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with Monterey expected to expand by 140 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections. This reflects a total gain of approximately 2.7% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Monterey according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Monterey shows approximately 21 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years ending June 2026. This totals an estimated 105 homes. As of June 2026, 10 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

Developers target the premium market segment with new dwellings averaging $604,000 in construction cost value. In the current financial year, commercial approvals amount to $22.1 million, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Sydney, Monterey has 19.0% less new development per person but ranks among the 70th percentile nationally. Recent construction comprises 44.0% detached dwellings and 56.0% medium and high-density housing, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

With around 187 people per dwelling approval, Monterey is considered a low density area. AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects Monterey will gain 122 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

No factors influence a region's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Sydney Metro West, St George Hospital Redevelopment Stage 3, Brighton RSL Memorial Club Redevelopment, and Northern Georges River Submain Upgrade. The following list details those considered 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 employment environment in Monterey shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Monterey has a well-educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate was 3.3% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 3.5%. As of September 2025, 2,689 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.9% lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation was similar to Greater Sydney's 70.0%. According to Census responses, 38.4% of residents worked from home. Key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area had a particular employment specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services had limited presence with only 8.5% employment compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 3.5% while labour force increased by 4.1%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1%, labour force growth of 2.4%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggested that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Monterey's employment mix, local employment was estimated to increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

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

The suburb of Monterey has an average national income level according to recent Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Monterey is $53,070 and the average income stands at $67,189, compared to Greater Sydney's figures of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ended June 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $57,772 (median) and $73,142 (average). Census data from 2021 shows income levels in Monterey cluster around the 55th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates that the largest segment comprises 29.5% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with 1,354 residents falling into this category, aligning with the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Monterey, with only 81.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 49th percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Monterey, as evaluated at the latest Census, consisted of 43.5% houses and 56.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Monterey was higher at 38.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (30.6%) or rented (31.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,600, above Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $480, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Monterey's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Monterey has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.9% of all households, consisting of 31.6% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 31.1%, with lone person households at 28.6% and group households making up 2.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational achievement in Monterey places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

In Monterey Trail regional benchmarks, 31.8% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to the SA3 area's 38.7%. This discrepancy indicates potential for educational development and skill enhancement. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 23.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 30.8% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (12.4%) and certificates (18.4%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.3% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Monterey has 32 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by three different routes that collectively facilitate 1,025 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these stops is rated excellent with residents typically located just 125 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents in this primarily residential area commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transport for 84% of residents while train accounts for 8%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 38.4% of residents work from home which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 146 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 32 weekly trips per individual stop.

Monterey's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Monterey's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is approximately 54% of the total population (~2,456 people), leading that of the average SA2 area but trailing Greater Sydney's 59.9%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (7.5%) and diabetes (5.2%), with 74.8% reporting no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Monterey has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.1% (1,014 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Monterey has a high level of cultural diversity, with 40.3% of its population born overseas and 52.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Monterey, accounting for 70.9% of the population, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups in Monterey are Other (20.6%), Greek (18.7%), and Australian (11.9%).

Notably, Greek ancestry is substantially higher than the regional average of 1.9%, while Australian ancestry is lower than the regional average of 17.8%. There are also significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Spanish (1.8% vs regional 0.6%), Serbian (2.0% vs regional 0.5%), and Macedonian (3.6% vs regional 0.4%) are notably overrepresented in Monterey.

Monterey hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Monterey's median age is 44, surpassing Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and significantly exceeding the national average of 38. The 75-84 age group comprises 8.9% of Monterey's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 11.6%. Post the 2021 Census, the 55 to 64 age group grew from 12.6% to 13.9%, while the 35 to 44 cohort decreased from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate Monterey's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 26%, reaching 515 people from the current 408. The population aged 65 and above is projected to comprise 94% of this growth. Conversely, the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups are anticipated to experience population declines.