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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 Telopea is $1.97m, with units at $775k. House values have moved 3.9% 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.
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Telopea has an estimated 5,284 residents, down from 5,356 at the 2021 Census — a change of 72 people, or 1.3%. The population has thinned by an average 1.0% a year over five years, slower than 96% of areas nationally. That puts 3,619 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
According to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS population updates and post-Census validated address counts, the suburb of Telopea has an estimated population of around 5,284 as of Aug 2026. This marks a reduction of 72 people (1.3%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 5,356 people. The demographic adjustment draws upon an estimated resident population of 5,264 from the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025), alongside 31 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census. With 3,619 persons per square kilometer, the suburb of Telopea ranks in the top quartile for density nationally across AreaSearch benchmarks.
Net overseas migration has served as the core growth driver, generating roughly 82.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Telopea incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 (benchmarked to 2022), supplemented where necessary by NSW State Government SA2 forecasts released in 2022 (benchmarked to 2021). Age-bracket growth trends from these series are extended across all locations from 2032 to 2041. Based on these combined SA2 projections, the suburb of Telopea is positioned within the top quartile nationwide for future demographic expansion, with headcounts projected to rise by 1,464 persons to 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 27.3% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
145 new dwellings have been approved in Telopea over the past five years, an average of 29 a year. That is 4.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 24 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 25% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 22, broadly in line with 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
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch indicates that residential authorizations in Telopea have averaged around 29 dwellings annually, accumulating to approximately 145 homes over the last 5 financial years. During FY-25 to date, 22 approvals have been lodged. Given recent population contractions, building volumes appear sufficient to meet local housing requirements, providing adequate options for buyers while new dwellings register an average construction value of $1,087,000, underscoring developer emphasis on higher-end, premium residential projects. Concurrently, $1.5 million in commercial building approvals have been logged during the current financial year, reinforcing the predominantly residential profile of the locality.
Per capita residential development in Telopea sits substantially below Greater Sydney standards, lagging regional activity by 64.0%. This restrained building pipeline helps preserve pricing strength and demand across established dwellings. Current construction consists of 25.0% detached houses alongside 75.0% medium and high-density housing types. Such a pronounced orientation toward higher-density formats creates accessible pricing options while catering to downsizers, property investors, and first-home purchasers. A ratio of approximately 365 people per approval highlights the area's mature urban status. Latest quarterly projections from AreaSearch indicate Telopea will expand by 1,444 residents by 2041. If residential construction remains at prevailing levels, future additions to the housing stock could struggle to match demographic growth, heightening buyer competition and underpinning upward pressure on property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Telopea
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Telopea, worth an estimated $1.9 billion. A further 132 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $92.1 billion. 36 are already under construction and 60 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Major infrastructure delivery, urban renewal strategies, and planning schemes play a decisive role in shaping local growth trajectories. AreaSearch has pinpointed 11 major projects poised to impact the surrounding area. Prominent developments include 25 Station Street Childcare Facility, 47-71 Stewart Street Development, Telopea Renewal Project, and 18-22 Sophie Street Telopea, with key initiatives outlined 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
Telopea Renewal Project
A major urban renewal of the 13.4-hectare Telopea estate focused on creating an integrated community with a mix of modern housing and green spaces. Following the 2024 transition to sole leadership by Homes NSW, the project is accelerating delivery of social and affordable housing. Key components include the completed refurbishment of the Wade Street Towers (Three Sisters) and the progressing Polding Place development, which features 423 new homes and a 6000 sqm community plaza adjacent to the Parramatta Light Rail.
47-71 Stewart Street Development
Residential development project in Dundas Valley. Part of the new off-the-plan developments responding to growth demand in the area near light rail infrastructure.
20-22 Evans Road Telopea
Residential development in Telopea's core precinct area, aligned with master plan vision for mixed-use development near light rail station and retail precinct.
18-22 Sophie Street Telopea
Residential apartment development as part of broader Telopea urban renewal. Located in transition area near light rail corridor with planned medium-density housing.
Carlingford West Public School and Cumberland High School Upgrade
A major 230 million dollar redevelopment delivering 56 new permanent classrooms at Carlingford West Public School and 77 new or upgraded classrooms at Cumberland High School. The project replaces over 130 demountables with modern facilities including new libraries, multipurpose halls, canteens, and specialist workshops. As of April 2026, many new buildings are complete and occupied, with remaining landscaping and internal refurbishments on track for total project finalization in mid-2026.
The Carling by Meriton
A major mixed-use precinct featuring seven luxury residential towers reaching up to 29 storeys, providing 629 apartments. The development includes a retail plaza with a national supermarket, cafes, and restaurants, as well as an onsite childcare centre. A significant feature is the $20 million, three-storey Carlingford Community Centre and Library (3,000 sqm) delivered in partnership with the City of Parramatta. Residents have access to a 4,700 sqm Central Park and resort-style facilities including a pool, spa, sauna, gym, and rooftop BBQ areas.
New Social Housing - Sophie Street
21-unit social housing building approved by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel in Nov 2022 and part of the broader Telopea renewal. The scheme provides 7 x 1-bed and 14 x 2-bed apartments over basement parking, with communal open space and landscaping. Works have been flagged to support decanting and renewal across the precinct, alongside a sister project at 20-22A Evans Road.
Thallon Street Towers (9-11 & 11-17 Shirley Street)
Two 12-storey towers delivering 178 apartments combined, with ground-floor retail, food and beverage precincts, childcare centre and communal recreational facilities.
2,791 residents of Telopea are employed, from a labour force of 2,936. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, with participation at 66.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,120, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Telopea maintains a well-educated labor pool with significant participation across professional service sectors, an unemployment rate of 4.9%, and an annual employment growth rate of 1.3% based on statistical aggregation by AreaSearch. In March 2026, 2,791 residents were gainfully employed, while local unemployment registered 0.8% above the 4.1% recorded for Greater Sydney. Workforce participation stands slightly behind the metropolitan benchmark at 66.6% compared to 68.9%. Census records reveal that 45.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure reflects the impact of Covid-19 restrictions at the time. The primary industry sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and retail trade.
However, local jobs in professional & technical fields represent only 9.5% of working positions, trailing Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Comparing the resident labor pool to the localized workplace count demonstrates that this residential suburb offers relatively few local employment positions. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM series across broader statistical zones, local employment and total labor force both expanded by 1.3% over the 12-month period, resulting in a steady unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment and labor supply expansions of 1.9%, accompanied by a slight decrease in joblessness. Long-term outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future workforce requirements in Telopea. Mapping these five-year and ten-year national trajectories against the local industry profile indicates future demand dynamics. Nationwide employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across sectors. Extrapolating these industry trends to Telopea's current workforce base yields an estimated local job growth of 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model without local demographic adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Telopea is $1,465 a week (about $76,000 a year), with median personal income at $699 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,479 a year against an average of $62,536. 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
ATO taxpayer records aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place the median income in Telopea at $45,479, alongside an average of $62,536. These figures track below the Australian benchmarks and compare against respective Greater Sydney medians and averages of $60,817 and $83,003. Applying a 10.32% increase in line with Wage Price Index movement since financial year 2023 produces estimated March 2026 levels of approximately $50,172 for median earnings and $68,990 for average earnings. According to the 2021 Census, Telopea's personal, family, and household earnings align modestly within the 28th to 33rd percentiles.
The single largest income bracket contains 30.1% of residents (1,590 people) earning $1,500 - 2,999, which aligns with the regional distribution of 30.9%. Affordability constraints remain pronounced, with residents retaining only 76.8% of income after housing expenses (placing in the 23rd percentile), while the area falls into the 6th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Telopea had 2,069 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 35% detached houses and 34% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 48% rented and 21% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $370 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,300 a month, a total housing cost higher than 79% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 25.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 36.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census data, the residential makeup of Telopea consisted of 34.9% houses and 65.1% other dwellings, which includes semi-detached units, apartments, and other types of housing, whereas the Sydney metro area had a composition of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership rates in Telopea were lower than those in the Sydney metro, standing at 21.4%, with the remaining properties either mortgaged at 30.7% or rented at 47.9%. The median weekly rent in Telopea was recorded at $370, compared to the Sydney metro average of $470, and the median monthly mortgage repayment was below the Sydney metro average of $2,300.
On a national level, Telopea's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Telopea counted 2,069 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 33% are couples with children, against 20% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 65.9% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 32.6%, couples without children at 20.4%, and single parent families at 12.0%. Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 34.1%, consisting of lone person households at 31.0% and group households at 3.0%. The local median household size is 2.5 people, slightly below the 2.7 recorded across Greater Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
40.0% of adults in Telopea hold a university qualification, including 25.3% with a bachelor degree and 12.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 15.3% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 128 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 962 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the locality is substantial, with 40.0% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary qualifications, surpassing both the NSW benchmark of 32.2% and the national figure of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees form the largest tertiary category at 25.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 12.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Technical and trade capabilities are likewise well represented, with 26.1% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (15.3%). Formal learning engagement is elevated across the community, with 30.7% of the population actively enrolled in study.
This includes 10.1% attending primary schools, 6.9% in secondary education, and 6.6% enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Telopea reaches 31 stops on 12 routes, timetabled for about 2,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 230 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.0 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 transit coverage in Telopea encompasses 31 dedicated stops spanning bus routes and lightrail links. A total of 12 distinct routes service these locations, generating 2,515 passenger trips per week. Local transit connectivity is strong, with typical walking distances to the nearest stop averaging 225 meters. Commuting patterns reflect an outward flow from this residential setting, with private vehicles accounting for 81% of travel, trains carrying 10%, and buses taking 5%. Private vehicle ownership sits below metropolitan benchmarks at an average of 1.0 per dwelling. In addition, 45.3% of the workforce indicated working from home in the 2021 Census during COVID-19 related conditions.
Transit services maintain an average operating schedule of 359 trips per day across all active routes, representing approximately 81 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
73.4% of residents in Telopea report no long-term health condition. 6.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Telopea compare favorably with broader standards, as AreaSearch assessments of mortality figures and chronic disease incidence show low levels of illness across both younger and older cohorts. Meanwhile, private health insurance uptake is comparatively constrained, covering approximately 52% of the local population (~2,730 people) relative to 59.9% across Greater Sydney. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent health concerns locally, diagnosed in 7.3 and 6.1% of residents respectively, whereas 73.4% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health metrics for residents under 65 are particularly favorable.
Senior residents aged 65 and over comprise 17.6% of the population (929 people), exceeding Greater Sydney's 15.5%, with elderly health profiles performing strongly and aligning with nationwide percentiles.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
54.1% of Telopea residents were born overseas and 61.4% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 95% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Chinese (25.1%) and English (13.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Telopea ranks among the highest in the country, with 54.1% of residents born abroad and 61.4% using a primary language other than English at home. Christianity forms the largest religious affiliation at 47.6% of the population. Notably, Buddhism shows significant concentration, representing 5.6% of local residents compared to 4.1% across Greater Sydney. Looking at parental lineage, the top ancestral backgrounds in Telopea are Chinese at 25.1% (well above the regional level of 8.4%), Other at 14.2%, and English at 13.2% (substantially below the wider Sydney average of 19.0%).
Other distinct demographic variations include an overrepresentation of Korean ancestry at 8.7% (compared to 1.1% regionally), alongside Russian at 0.7% (vs 0.4%) and Lebanese at 2.8% (vs 2.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Telopea is 40. 23.8% 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
Age structures in Telopea align closely with the Greater Sydney profile, showing a maximum divergence of 3.8 percentage points across the four primary age categories. AreaSearch assesses the median age at 40 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census finding and 3 years older than the Greater Sydney median of 37 at that time. The middle aged and early retirement demographic (45 - 64) has receded from 27.8% at the Census to an estimated 26.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, senior cohorts (65+) will drive most expansion, projected to add 535 residents (58%) to reach 1,465.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Telopea
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 6 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 31 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,356 at the 2021 Census → 5,284 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 Aug 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 (SAL13797). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.