Unanderra

Unanderra has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of May 2026, the estimated population of Unanderra is around 5,615, reflecting an increase of 139 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5,476. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate based on latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2025) and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is approximately 863 persons per square kilometer, in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Unanderra's 2.5% growth since census positions it competitively with other SA3 areas, demonstrating strong fundamentals for growth which was primarily driven by overseas migration. Population projections for the suburb are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data 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, indicating a decline in overall population by 10 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 25 to 34 group are projected to grow by 95 people during this period.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to shrink by 10 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 25 to 34 age group, which is projected to grow by 95 people. <i>See the age section for more details.</i>

The level of residential development activity in Unanderra is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Unanderra recorded approximately 15 residential properties granted approval per year. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25, around 77 homes were approved, with an additional 9 approved in FY-26 to date. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas.

Developers focus on the premium market, with new homes averaging $502,000 in construction cost value. This year, Unanderra registered $5.8 million in commercial approvals, suggesting its residential character. Compared to Rest of NSW, Unanderra shows reduced construction activity (55.0% below regional average per person), which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 50.0% standalone homes and 50.0% attached dwellings, marking a departure from the current housing pattern of 78.0% houses. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 604 people in the area. Population projections indicate stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures in Unanderra.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Unanderra should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects likely to affect the area. Notable ones include Stockland Forest Reach - Huntley, Unanderra Liquid Waste Treatment Facility, Western Suburbs Preschool Kitchen Upgrade, and 19-21 Tannery Street Residential Flat Building. 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 drivers in Unanderra are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Unanderra has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 8.5% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 0.6%. As of December 2025, 2,286 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 4.5% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, indicating room for improvement.

Workforce participation lags at 53.3%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, 22.4% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade, with a strong specialization in the former (1.3 times the regional level). Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.2%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.7, suggesting local employment opportunities are above average. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 0.6% while labour force grew by 0.8%, leading to a slight unemployment rise of 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Unanderra's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released in financial year 2023 shows Unanderra had a median taxpayer income of $41,738 and an average of $52,514. These figures are lower than the national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated median and average incomes in Unanderra as of March 2026 are approximately $46,045 and $57,933 respectively. Census 2021 data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Unanderra fall between the 7th and 14th percentiles nationally. In income distribution, 29.1% of Unanderra's population (1,633 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the broader area at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Unanderra, with only 79.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile nationally.

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

In Unanderra, as per the latest Census, 78.3% of dwellings were houses, with the remainder being semi-detached, apartments, or other types (21.8%). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Unanderra stood at 28.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.6% and rented ones at 44.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Unanderra was $285, lower than Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Unanderra's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,950 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $285 versus the national figure of $375.

Unanderra features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 65.5% of all households, consisting of 23.8% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 16.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.5%, with lone person households at 31.8% and group households making up 2.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the Regional NSW average.

Educational attainment in Unanderra aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 16.8%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 12.3% of residents holding such qualifications, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15 and above, with 39.3% holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (30.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 8.8% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 3.2% in tertiary education.

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

Unanderra has 76 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 51 individual routes that collectively facilitate 2,073 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 155 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commutes are outward-bound, with car being the dominant mode at 92%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 22.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 296 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 27 weekly trips per stop.

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

Unanderra faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A variety of health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,681 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.3% and 10.6% of residents respectively. However, 57.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 24.6%, compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are generally in line with national rankings.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Unanderra was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Unanderra's cultural diversity was above average, with 22.0% of its population born overseas and 16.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Unanderra, comprising 57.0%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (27.2%), English (25.8%), and Other (7.4%).

Notably, Croatian, Serbian, and Macedonian ethnicities had higher representations in Unanderra than regionally: Croatian at 1.6% vs 0.3%, Serbian at 1.2% vs 0.2%, and Macedonian at 2.0% vs 0.4%.

Unanderra's median age exceeds the national pattern

Unanderra's median age in 2021 was 42 years, comparable to Regional NSW's average of 43 but higher than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile showed that those aged 85+ were prominent at 4.6%, while the 55-64 group was smaller at 10.0% compared to Regional NSW. Between 2021 and the present, the 35-44 age group grew from 11.3% to 13.1%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 11.5% to 12.8%. Conversely, the 85+ cohort declined from 5.8% to 4.6%, and the 55-64 group decreased from 11.1% to 10.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Unanderra. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 12%, adding 85 residents to reach 782. Meanwhile, population declines are forecasted for the 5-14 and 65-74 cohorts.