Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Palm Beach (NSW) is $4.55m. House values have moved -0.2% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Palm Beach (NSW) has an estimated 1,890 residents, up from 1,652 at the 2021 Census — a change of 238 people, or 14.4%. Growth has averaged 3.0% a year over five years, faster than 83% of areas nationally. Overseas migration accounts for 97.0% of that increase. That puts 708 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Palm Beach (NSW) has a residency size projected to be near 1,890 for May 2026, calculated from ABS demographic updates alongside address checks by AreaSearch post-Census. This represents an addition of 238 individuals (14.4%) from the 1,652 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment stems from an estimated population of 1,887 calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ERP dataset from the ABS, plus 3 verified new addresses registered after the Census. This count yields a density ratio of 707 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages found in other surveyed localities.
The 14.4% expansion rate of Palm Beach (NSW) since the 2021 census outstripped the SA3 area (2.5%) and the SA4 region, making it a regional growth leader. Population increases were mostly driven by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 97.0% of the total demographic gains during recent timeframes. Projections for each SA2 zone published in 2024 (using 2022 as a starting point) by the ABS and Geoscience Australia are utilized by AreaSearch. In cases where SA2 figures are absent, NSW State Government projections released in 2022 (using 2021 as a base year) are implemented. Age cohort expansion rates from these datasets are applied to all locations for the timeframe spanning 2032 to 2041. Based on these expected changes, Palm Beach (NSW) is projected to align with the lower quartile of national expansion, growing by 71 persons by 2041 and recording an overall increase of 3.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
28 new dwellings have been approved in Palm Beach (NSW) over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That places the area in the 70th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 39, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
According to building approval statistics from the ABS allocated to local levels, Palm Beach typically logs about 5 home approvals annually, with approximately 28 houses approved over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 36 approvals registered during FY-26 so far. An average of 9.4 individuals entered the area annually for each completed dwelling during the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, showing demand is running ahead of supply, which generally drives up prices and intensifies buyer competition. Meanwhile, newly built properties carry an average construction valuation of $2,536,000, indicating developers are concentrating on high-end, premium housing.
Additionally, commercial building approvals of $48,000 have been logged during this financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the neighborhood. Palm Beach exhibits a similar volume of construction approvals per resident when compared with Greater Sydney, retaining a market equilibrium consistent with the broader metropolitan area. This level of activity is below the national average, reflecting local maturity and suggesting potential planning constraints. Furthermore, all recent construction projects have consisted of detached houses, maintaining the low density character of the neighborhood and attracting buyers seeking space. The area records approximately 169 people per residential approval, indicating a growing market. Demographic predictions suggest Palm Beach will add 68 residents by 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. Based on current construction trends, new dwelling additions should easily satisfy this demand, creating favorable buying conditions and potentially supporting population increases above current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Palm Beach (NSW)
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Palm Beach (NSW), worth an estimated $69 million. A further 60 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.72 billion. 13 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure, major projects, and planning changes have a significant impact on local real estate dynamics. AreaSearch has identified 3 projects likely to affect the local area. The key developments include Snappermans, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Shop-Top Housing (Former General Store site), Palm Beach Rock Pool Renewal, and Mona Vale Hospital Reconfiguration, with details on the most relevant works listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Snappermans, Palm Beach
Luxury residential and retail shop-top development named 'Snappermans' by IPM Property, designed by Koichi Takada Architects. The NSW Land and Environment Court approved the four-storey mixed-use development, which includes five luxury apartments and two ground-floor retail tenancies.
Palm Beach Shop-Top Housing (Former General Store site)
Court-approved mixed-use (shop-top housing) replacing the former Palm Beach General Store site opposite Palm Beach Wharf. Final scheme reduced during proceedings from 7 to 5 apartments above ground-floor retail with basement parking. Community opposition focused on height, heritage setting next to Barrenjoey House, and streetscape impacts. As of early 2025, works had not commenced.
Palm Beach Rock Pool Renewal
Renewal and upgrade of the historic Palm Beach rock pool including structural improvements, accessibility enhancements, and safety upgrades. Community consultation completed.
Northern Beaches Local Strategic Planning Statement - Towards 2040
The Northern Beaches Council's strategic planning document outlining the land use vision, principles, priorities, and actions for housing, employment, transport, recreation, environment, and infrastructure across the Northern Beaches Local Government Area over the next 20 years. It guides future development and informs local planning instruments.
Avalon Beach Bike Facility
New bike parking and maintenance facility at Avalon Beach to support cycling infrastructure and encourage sustainable transport options. Community consultation completed with construction expected to begin in 2025.
100 Hilltop Road House Construction
Construction of a new house at 100 Hilltop Road, Avalon Beach. Development application DA2025/0448 with construction value of $1,003,997.
Newport Surf Life Saving Club Alterations and Additions
Alterations and additions to the heritage-listed surf club building, including a new contemporary northern extension to improve amenity and functionality, and coastal protection works in the form of a buried seawall along the length of the building to mitigate erosion risk. The project will provide increased storage, a new internal lift, dedicated training rooms, and enhanced community and club spaces.
Coast Newport
An exclusive collection of eight three-bedroom apartments designed by PopovBass Architecture, offering luxury coastal living just metres from Newport Beach and the village. All apartments are reported as sold, with one sale recorded in late 2023.
810 residents of Palm Beach (NSW) are employed, from a labour force of 836. Unemployment sits at 3.2%, with participation at 48.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Palm Beach features a workforce with high levels of education, particularly in the tech sector, accompanied by a low unemployment rate of 3.2% and steady employment levels over the last year. As of March 2026810 residents are employed. The jobless rate sits 0.9% below the 4.1% recorded in Greater Sydney, though local workforce participation is notably lower at 48.5% compared to the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census records show that a substantial 50.6% of working residents performed their duties from home, although the influence of pandemic restrictions should be kept in mind.
The primary employment categories for residents are professional & technical services, finance & insurance, and accommodation & food. Technical and professional fields are highly represented locally, showing an employment share 1.6 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, healthcare and social assistance has a minor footprint, employing 8.2% of workers compared to 14.1% regionally. Although some jobs exist locally, comparison of Census worker counts to resident totals suggests a major portion of the workforce travels outside the area for employment. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month period, the volume of employed residents rose by 0.1% while the labour force expanded by 0.7%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment expansion of 1.9% and labour force expansion of 1.9%, with a slight decline in joblessness. National employment forecasts from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future local demand. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry breakdown to project expansion paths. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates differ by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local mix suggests employment for residents will rise by 7.1% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Palm Beach (NSW) is $2,807 a week (about $146,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,295 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $68,415 a year against an average of $154,182. The average runs 125% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023, taxpaying residents in Palm Beach earn a median income of $68,415 and an average income of $154,182. This represents an exceptionally high level nationally, contrasting with the median of $60,817 and average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $75,475 for the median and $170,094 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows that local household, family, and personal incomes rank between the 94th and 95th percentiles nationally.
The largest cohort includes 35.6% of residents, representing 672 people, who earn in the $4000+ bracket, differing from the wider metropolitan area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is largest at 30.9%. Financial strength is evident as 47.7% of households earn weekly incomes above $3,000, enabling high consumer spending. Housing costs represent 13.6% of earnings, while high incomes place local residents in the 95th percentile for disposable income, and the area is positioned in the 8th decile for the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Palm Beach (NSW) had 665 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 10% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 17% rented and 58% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $895 a week and the median mortgage repayment $4,000 a month, a total housing cost higher than 89% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 31.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 32.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Palm Beach at the time of the last Census consisted of 89.3% houses and 10.7% other dwellings, including apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across the Sydney metro area. The home ownership rate was notably high at 58.1%, with remaining properties being mortgaged (24.9%) or rented (17.0%). The median monthly mortgage cost was recorded at $4,000, which is higher than the Sydney metro average of $2,427, while median weekly rent was $895, compared to $470 for the wider metro area. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Palm Beach are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Palm Beach (NSW) counted 665 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 761 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 77% of areas nationally, against 42% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 73.2% of households, consisting of 22.9% couples with offspring, 41.8% couples without children, and 7.5% single parents. The remaining 26.8% are non-family households, with single-person households at 24.5% and group households at 1.7%. The median household size of 2.3 people is lower than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
45.8% of adults in Palm Beach (NSW) hold a university qualification, including 31.6% with a bachelor degree and 11.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 93% of areas nationally. A further 15.9% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational profiles in Palm Beach are notably higher than broader benchmarks, with 45.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 32.2% in NSW. This educational trend positions the community well for professional services. Bachelor degrees are held by 31.6% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational skills are also well represented, with 28.8% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 12.9% and certificates at 15.9%. A total of 21.0% of residents are enrolled in formal education, comprising 6.4% in high schools, 5.7% in primary schools, and 5.0% studying at tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Palm Beach (NSW) reaches 32 stops on 8 routes, timetabled for about 3,100 services a week. The typical home sits about 140 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in Palm Beach include 32 active stops, offering a combination of ferry and bus connections. These stops are serviced by 8 distinct routes, which accommodate 3,125 weekly passenger trips. Access to transport is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 135 meters from their nearest stop. Being primarily residential, most workers commute out of the area. Private cars remain the primary transport method at 92%, while 5% of residents walk to work. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 cars per household, which is higher than the regional average.
A high 50.6% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions. Service frequency averages 446 runs per day across all transport routes, representing approximately 97 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.2% of residents in Palm Beach (NSW) report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 98% of areas nationally. 3.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 87.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 1.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indices for Palm Beach show highly positive results, with low mortality rates and minimal chronic illness across age groups. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, covering approximately 88% of the population, or 1,654 people. This compares to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 8.6% and 6.2% of residents respectively, while 70.2% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Working-age residents display strong health profiles with minimal chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 39.1% of the population, representing 738 people, compared to 15.5% in Greater Sydney.
Health status among these senior residents is strong, with national rankings aligning with the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Palm Beach (NSW) is largely Australian-born, at 77.5% of residents, with 5.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (36.6%) and Australian (21.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures in Palm Beach are below average, with 77.5% of the population born in Australia, 91.1% holding citizenship, and 94.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 53.0% of the community. However, Judaism is notably overrepresented at 1.1% of the population compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney. Looking at parental birthplaces, the most represented ancestral backgrounds are English at 36.6% of the population (well above the regional average of 19.0%), Australian at 21.2%, and Irish at 11.1% (well above the regional average of 6.1%).
Other groups show notable overrepresentation, including Scottish ancestry at 10.3% compared to 4.8% regionally, French at 1.1% compared to 0.5%, and Spanish at 1.1% compared to 0.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Palm Beach (NSW) is 57, older than 98% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 17.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age in Palm Beach is 57 years, which is higher than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 cohort is highly represented at 19.3% locally, compared to the Greater Sydney average, while the 25 - 34 cohort is underrepresented at 5.1%. The local concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is well above the national level of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 8.4% to 11.9% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket rose from 14.6% to 16.3%.
Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 18.6% to 16.6% and the 65 to 74 bracket decreased from 20.6% to 19.3%. Significant demographic shifts are expected by 2041, with the 75 to 84 cohort expanding by 34% (adding 104 people) to reach 413 from 308. This aging trend is clear, as residents aged 65 and over account for 100% of the projected growth. Conversely, the 55 to 64 and 0 to 4 brackets are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Palm Beach (NSW)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Dec 2025 8 months ago all 4 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Dec 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 3 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,652 at the 2021 Census → 1,890 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL13143). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.