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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 Wahroonga is $2.88m, with units at $1.18m. House values have moved 2.8% 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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Wahroonga has an estimated 18,064 residents, up from 17,853 at the 2021 Census — a change of 211 people, or 1.2%. That puts 1,857 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
Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with fresh address listings confirmed by AreaSearch post-Census, the suburb of Wahroonga is calculated to have approximately 18,064 residents in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 211 individuals (1.2%) since the 2021 Census, which registered a count of 17,853 people. This trend is derived from a resident base of 18,037, computed by AreaSearch utilizing the June 2025 ABS ERP data release alongside an extra 48 validated new addresses detected since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 1,856 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio recorded across national locations analysed by AreaSearch.
In recent times, population gains were almost entirely attributable to international migration. AreaSearch incorporates regional projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For localities not covered by these datasets, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are implemented. Age cohort expansion rates from these sources are projected forward from 2032 to 2041. Based on these anticipated demographic transformations, the suburb of Wahroonga is projected to achieve population growth exceeding the median of areas monitored by AreaSearch, adding 2,244 residents by 2041 and representing a 12.3% total rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
348 new dwellings have been approved in Wahroonga over the past five years, an average of 69 a year. That places the area in the 53rd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 74 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 54% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 199, 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 figures compiled by AreaSearch from ABS data, the suburb of Wahroonga has averaged approximately 69 residential approvals each year, totaling 348 approved homes during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and adding 183 approvals during the current FY-26. As the population trended downwards recently, this volume of new supply has likely satisfied market demand, maintaining choices for prospective buyers. The average estimated value of these new dwellings is $963,000, which indicates developers are focusing on the higher-end market. Furthermore, local commercial approvals reached $137.0 million this financial year, pointing to a high degree of business investment.
Of the recent residential approvals, 54.0% consist of detached houses while 46.0% comprise medium and high-density options. This growing proportion of medium-density formats offers a diverse range of alternatives across price levels, bridging the gap between traditional family dwellings and smaller, more economical units. This marks a shift from the current housing stock, which is 75.0% houses, reflecting a scarcity of vacant land, changing occupant requirements, and demand for varied, affordable options. The ratio stands at roughly 161 people per dwelling approval, showing a low density market. Projections indicate the suburb of Wahroonga will add 2,217 residents by 2041 compared to the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Looking at established building patterns, the pipeline of new housing is anticipated to satisfy demand comfortably, creating favorable purchasing conditions and potentially allowing population numbers to expand beyond current models.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wahroonga
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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 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Wahroonga, worth an estimated $350 million. A further 43 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $46.8 billion. 11 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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 projects, planning choices, and development initiatives are key drivers of local changes. A total of 35 projects have been identified as having a potential impact on the locality. Notable developments include The Residences at Wahroonga Estate, Twin Towers Hornsby, Eastwood Gardens (Waitara), and the Braeside Street Road Upgrade.
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
The Residences at Wahroonga Estate
Stage 1 of the $1.5 billion Wahroonga Estate masterplan, delivering 128 premium apartments across three six-storey buildings on the 66-hectare Seventh-day Adventist Church precinct. Developed by Capital Corporation in a joint venture with the Church and built by DASCO, the project features curved brick facade design by Group GSA, bespoke interiors by Coco Republic, and landscaped communal spaces with direct access to Coups Creek bushland. Targeting downsizers and owner-occupiers on Sydney's Upper North Shore, adjacent to the Sydney Adventist Hospital.
Braeside Street Road Upgrade
Ku-ring-gai Council is preparing the first stage of upgrades to Braeside Street in Wahroonga (between Eastern Road and Westbrook Avenue). Works include new drainage infrastructure, kerb and gutter construction, pavement rehabilitation and targeted tree management with replanting. The first construction phase is scheduled for early 2026, subject to environmental approvals and Council tendering.
Sydney Adventist Hospital Redevelopment
Major hospital redevelopment delivering new 12-storey Clinical Services Building (Clark Tower), 5-storey car park, and expanded facilities. Largest redevelopment in the hospital's history, enhancing health services for Upper North Shore community.
Hammondcare Hospital And Seniors Housing Development
The project involves the demolition of existing hospital building and kiosk and the construction of two buildings up to five-storeys, including 57 self-contained units, 12 aged-care beds, and 18 palliative care beds.
Hornsby Park
Transformation of the 60-hectare former Hornsby Quarry site into a major regional bush parkland in Sydney's upper north shore. The first stage opened to the public in late March 2026, comprising the Crusher Plant Precinct (lawns, picnic shelters, electric BBQs, accessible toilets, free parking), the Southern Lookout providing fully accessible sweeping views into the volcanic quarry void, and the upgraded Heritage Steps linking the Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre down into the precinct. Construction continues in stages, with future works including the Quarry Loop walking and cycling track, additional scenic lookouts, a bike jump and pump track, and the Old Mans Valley field of play.Longer term masterplan elements feature a freshwater quarry lake, wetlands cascade, lakeside amenities and an accessible lift to the quarry base. The masterplan was designed by Clouston Associates with Hornsby Shire Council. Stage 1 has been supported by the NSW Government through the Stronger Communities Fund.
Finlay House
A boutique collection of 37 luxury apartments featuring 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments with spacious floorplans. Located 600m from Turramurra Station, Finlay House offers a blend of modern architecture and timeless heritage, set among Turramurra's green estates.
The Gilroy
42 luxury apartments with 3 or 4 bedrooms, featuring oversized balconies, personal yoga studios, home cinemas, and wine tasting rooms, designed with house-like proportions in Turramurra.
Railway Avenue Stormwater Drainage Upgrade
Ku-ring-gai Council upgrade to stormwater drainage system along Railway Avenue between Redleaf Avenue and Millewa Avenue. Aimed at reducing flooding risk and improving stormwater management in the local area.
9,063 residents of Wahroonga are employed, from a labour force of 9,414. Unemployment sits at 3.7%, with participation at 62.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 16,498, about 91% 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
The local workforce exhibits high levels of education, with a notable concentration of workers in technology roles. The unemployment rate sits at 3.7%, with job growth estimated at 2.1% over the preceding year based on AreaSearch datasets. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 9,063, while the unemployment rate was 0.4% lower than the 4.1% recorded for Greater Sydney. However, the participation rate of 62.7% is below the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census responses indicated that 59.8% of workers operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.
The major employment categories for residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and finance & insurance. Specialization in professional & technical fields is clear, with its share of the workforce reaching 1.5 times the Greater Sydney benchmark. Conversely, construction is underrepresented, employing only 4.9% of the local workforce compared to 8.6% across Greater Sydney. Comparing the Census count of local jobs with the resident worker population suggests limited local employment opportunities within the immediate residential area. Analysis of SALM and ABS figures indicates that over the 12 months ending March 2026, the local workforce grew by 1.7% and total employment expanded by 2.1%, causing the unemployment rate to drop by 0.4 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 1.9% and workforce growth of 1.9%, leading to a negligible change in unemployment. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide a basis for assessing future local demand. When these national projections, which estimate five-year growth of 6.6% and ten-year growth of 13.7%, are weighted against the local industry profile, employment for the suburb of Wahroonga is projected to rise by 7.7% over five years and 15.4% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wahroonga is $2,998 a week (about $156,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,042 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,112 a year against an average of $103,753. The average runs 70% 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
Tax statistics from the ATO aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place local incomes near the top of national rankings. Taxpayers in this area report a median income of $61,112 and an average income of $103,753, compared to Greater Sydney metrics of $60,817 and $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, local incomes are estimated at $67,419 for the median and $114,460 on average as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and personal incomes rank within the 82nd to 96th percentiles nationwide.
The largest single income cohort consists of the 38.2% of residents earning $4000+ per week (6,900 residents), whereas the dominant bracket for Greater Sydney is the $1,500 - 2,999 range at 30.9%. High-earning households receiving more than $3,000 weekly make up 49.9% of the total, indicating solid local purchasing power. Housing costs absorb 14.8% of income, disposable income ranks in the 96th percentile, and the SEIFA index places the area in the 10th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wahroonga had 5,785 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 75% detached houses and 20% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $600 a week and the median mortgage repayment $3,467 a month, a total housing cost higher than 95% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 20.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals the local dwelling profile consists of 74.6% detached houses and 25.3% multi-dwelling formats like townhouses and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates are high at 40.0%, with the remaining properties being purchased via a mortgage (41.5%) or rented (18.5%). The median mortgage repayment is $3,467 per month and the median weekly rent is $600, both exceeding metropolitan averages of $2,427 and $470. These figures also exceed national benchmarks, where the average mortgage repayment is $1,863 and the average rent is $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wahroonga counted 5,785 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 47% are couples with children, more than in 92% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 17% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 81.6% of households, consisting of couples with children at 47.0%, couples without children at 25.0%, and single parent families at 8.8%. Non-family households represent 18.4% of the total, with single person dwellings making up 17.1% and group houses comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.9 individuals, compared to the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
54.5% of adults in Wahroonga hold a university qualification, including 33.7% with a bachelor degree and 17.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 8.8% hold a vocational qualification. 16 schools serve the area, with 8,682 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,149 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
The level of formal education is high, with 54.5% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to national and state averages of 30.4% and 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are held by 33.7% of this cohort, postgraduate degrees by 17.0%, and graduate diplomas by 3.8%. Vocational education accounts for 19.4% of qualifications, divided between advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificate courses (8.8%). Active enrollment in education is substantial, with 32.8% of residents currently studying. This student population includes 10.3% in primary schools, 10.3% in high schools, and 7.6% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Wahroonga reaches 134 stops on 70 routes, timetabled for about 5,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 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
A network of 134 transit stops, including bus and rail services, operates locally. These stops accommodate 70 separate routes, delivering 5,595 passenger services each week. Access to transit is convenient, with an average distance of 176 meters to the nearest stop. The outward commute is dominated by private vehicles at 79%, followed by train travel at 11% and walking at 6%. Household car ownership averages 1.5 vehicles, which is above the metropolitan average. At the time of the 2021 Census, 59.8% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.
Local routes generate an average of 799 daily trips, which translates to roughly 41 weekly services per transit stop. The mapped information indicates the location of the 100 closest stops relative to the center of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.5% of residents in Wahroonga report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 82% of areas nationally. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 67.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics show positive outcomes, with low rates of chronic conditions among younger cohorts and a high proportion of residents holding private health insurance, at approximately 68% of the population (12,249 people). This exceeds the Greater Sydney average of 59.9% and the national rate of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 6.7% and 6.2% of residents. A total of 72.5% of the population reported having no chronic health issues, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.5% of the population (4,245 people), higher than the Greater Sydney average of 15.5%.
While senior health outcomes are favorable, they rank lower relative to national averages than the younger cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
39.3% of Wahroonga residents were born overseas and 29.8% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 79% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (23.6%) and Australian (19.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is present, with 29.8% of residents using a non-English language at home and 39.3% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation at 52.8%. Judaism is represented by 0.8% of the population, matching the 0.8% proportion found across Greater Sydney. The primary ancestries reported are English at 23.6%, Australian at 19.1%, and Chinese at 12.9%. Specific backgrounds showing higher concentration than regional averages include South Australian at 1.4% (compared to 0.5% regionally), Korean at 1.6% (compared to 1.1%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wahroonga is 44, older than 76% of areas nationally. 20.7% 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 of 44 is higher than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is well represented at 8.9% of the population, while the 25 - 34 group is smaller at 5.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 13.0% to 15.1%, and those aged 75 to 84 increased from 7.6% to 8.9%. In contrast, the 0 to 4 group decreased from 4.5% to 3.4%, and the 35 to 44 cohort declined from 12.6% to 11.5%.
Long-term projections to 2041 suggest significant shifts, with the cohort aged 85 and over expected to rise by 109% (adding 1,021 people) to reach 1,961 from 939. This older group of 65+ represents 80% of the projected growth, while declines are expected in the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wahroonga
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 | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 10 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 Jun 2026. | ||
| 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 — 48 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (17,853 at the 2021 Census → 18,064 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 (SAL14103). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.