Sanctuary Point

Population growth drivers in Sanctuary Point are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Sanctuary Point statistical area (Lv2) is around 7,771 people. This reflects a decrease from the previous count of 7,874 people recorded in the 2021 Census, marking a reduction of 103 individuals or approximately 1.3%. The current population estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), which indicates a resident population of 7,632 people. This level of population results in a density ratio of 1,297 persons per square kilometer, surpassing the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, from 2011 to 2021, Sanctuary Point (SA2) exhibited resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming the non-metro area during this period. Overseas migration was the primary driver for population growth in the area, contributing approximately 77.0% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest an above median population growth for non-metropolitan areas nationally. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Sanctuary Point (SA2) is expected to expand by 1,880 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of approximately 26.2% over the 17-year period from 2025 to 2041.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows that Sanctuary Point has received approximately 21 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 107 homes. As of FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 1.9 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. However, this figure has eased to -0.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. Development projects in Sanctuary Point have an average construction value of $471,000, indicating a focus on premium market segments with higher-end properties.

In FY-26, commercial approvals valued at $898,000 have been registered, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of NSW, Sanctuary Point has lower building activity, 61.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes, although recent figures show an increase in construction activity. The area's new development consists of 79.0% standalone homes and 21.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining its traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes. However, this represents a shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 95.0% houses. With around 225 people per dwelling approval, Sanctuary Point exhibits characteristics of a low-density area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by 2,034 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Sanctuary Point has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 8 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Sanctuary Point Library, Tahnee Street Residential Development, Paradise Beach Road Multi Dwelling Housing, and Revitalise Sanctuary Point. 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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Sanctuary Point shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Sanctuary Point's workforce comprises a mix of white and blue-collar jobs with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.6% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0% over the preceding year.

In this period, 2,964 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 0.8% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Sanctuary Point was lower at 45.6%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Notably, the area had a high concentration in construction, with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 0.6% of Sanctuary Point's workforce compared to 5.3% in Rest of NSW. The 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 levels increased by 2.0%, while the labour force increased by 3.2%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced a decline in employment of 0.5% and labour force of 0.1%, with an unemployment rate rise of 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from NSW as of 25-Nov showed employment had contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. This compared favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggested that national employment was projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sanctuary Point's employment mix, local employment was estimated to increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Sanctuary Point is lower than average nationally. The median income is $41,743 and the average is $52,619. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where the median income is $52,390 and the average is $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Sanctuary Point would be approximately $45,441 (median) and $57,281 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Sanctuary Point fall between the 5th and 7th percentiles nationally. In Sanctuary Point, 29.7% of the population earns between $400 and $799, unlike the surrounding region where earnings predominantly fall within the $1,500 to $2,999 range at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Sanctuary Point, with only 80.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

Sanctuary Point is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Sanctuary Point, as assessed at the latest Census, consisted of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sanctuary Point was at 43.0%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (28.1%) or rented (28.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,545, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $350 and the national figure of $375.

Sanctuary Point has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.7% of all households, including 19.5% couples with children, 32.3% couples without children, and 14.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 29.1% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of NSW.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 10.5%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (34.7%). Educational participation is high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.3% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Sanctuary Point has 87 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 15 different routes that together offer 195 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is high, with residents on average living just 151 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 27 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about two trips per week for each individual stop.

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

Sanctuary Point faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 48% (~3,714 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.9%) and mental health issues (11.2%). Conversely, 55.5% report no medical ailments, compared to 59.4% in Rest of NSW. As of 2021, 25.4% (~1,973 people) are aged 65 and over, slightly lower than the 27.8% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors largely mirror those of the general population.

Sanctuary Point ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Sanctuary Point's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 85.9% of its population born in Australia, 90.3% being citizens, and 94.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Sanctuary Point, comprising 51.2% of people, compared to 52.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (31.0%), and Irish (7.5%).

Notably, Hungarian (0.4%) was overrepresented in Sanctuary Point compared to the regional average of 0.2%. Similarly, Australian Aboriginal (6.0%) and Maltese (0.8%) were also more prevalent than their respective regional averages of 4.4% and 0.6%.

Sanctuary Point hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Sanctuary Point has a median age of 46, which is slightly higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly greater than the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 14.1% of Sanctuary Point's population, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 10.2%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 10.4% to 11.8%, and the 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 10.6% to 11.8%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 age group has decreased from 15.9% to 14.1%. By 2041, Sanctuary Point's age composition is expected to change significantly, with the 35 to 44 group projected to grow by 44%, reaching 1,324 people from its current total of 916.