Wakeley

Wakeley is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

According to evaluations of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region alongside newly verified addresses from AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Wakeley has a projected population of approximately 4,895 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 2 individuals, representing no percentage growth, compared to the 2021 Census data of 4,893 residents. This adjustment is derived from the estimated resident count of 4,895 calculated by AreaSearch, which analyzed the June 2025 ERP release from the ABS and incorporated 6 extra confirmed new addresses since the date of the Census. A population of this size translates to a density of 3,003 individuals per square kilometer, which ranks in the top quartile of all Australian locations analyzed by AreaSearch. The flat rate of growth for the suburb of Wakeley since the census is within 2.0 percentage points of the wider SA3 area, which stood at 2.0%, showing competitive expansion metrics. Overseas migration acted as the primary driver of demographic gains, serving as almost the exclusive source of population increases in recent times.

Projections published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline from the ABS and Geoscience Australia are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. In instances where SA2 regions lack this coverage, projections compiled by the NSW State Government in 2022 using a 2021 baseline are implemented. Age-specific growth velocities from these datasets are projected forward for all sectors in the suburb of Wakeley between the years 2032 and 2041. Looking at long-term demographic shifts, the methodology forecasts a contraction in the overall population, with a projected reduction of 131 residents by 2041. Conversely, positive movement is expected within particular age brackets, particularly the cohort aged 75 to 84, which is expected to expand by 182 residents. Further details can be found in the section detailing age demographics.

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

According to building approvals compiled by the ABS and analyzed by AreaSearch, development permits have been granted for approximately 4 dwellings each year, amounting to an estimated 23 new residences across the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far during FY-26, approvals have reached 7. With the local area seeing a demographic contraction, this pace of building development has remained relatively sufficient to benefit prospective purchasers, while the expected construction cost for these new dwellings averages $244,000, which sits below regional averages and offers more economical options. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $258,000 have been logged during the current financial year, pointing to an urban planning focus that is mostly residential.

Development activity in the area lags substantially behind Greater Sydney, registering at 80.0% lower than the regional per capita benchmark. This restricted volume of new housing construction generally bolsters demand and supports valuations for existing properties. This construction rate also falls below the national average, highlighting the mature state of the local market and hinting at potential planning limitations. In addition, all recent construction projects have consisted exclusively of detached houses, preserving the local low-density character with spacious family residences. The community exhibits a ratio of roughly 1222 residents for each residential building approval, indicating a highly mature real estate market.

As the local population is projected to stabilize or contract, the demand pressure on local residential real estate is likely to ease, which could open up favorable options for prospective purchasers.

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

Local infrastructure modifications, major developments, and urban planning changes have a significant influence on a community's trajectory. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 9 projects expected to affect the local area. Principal works consist of the 239 Canley Vale Road Development, Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment, EVO Fairfield, and the Fairfield Showground Community and Events Centre, with details on the most significant initiatives provided below.

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.

Wakeley shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Wakeley boasts a skilled and varied workforce, with an estimated employment growth of 5.3% over the last year and an unemployment rate of 5.5%, according to AreaSearch aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, 2,053 residents were employed, yet the local unemployment rate stands at 1.4% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce participation remains notably lower at 52.7% versus 69.1% in Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that a substantial 32.5% of residents worked from home, though these figures should be interpreted with caution due to the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns.

The primary sectors employing local residents are healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. A particularly high density of workers is found in manufacturing, where employment is 1.9 times the metropolitan benchmark. Conversely, the professional & technical sector is underrepresented, accounting for 6.1% of local jobs compared to 11.5% across the wider region. As a heavily residential district, the local market offers few jobs within its borders, as shown by comparing the number of locally employed residents against the total working-age population at the Census.

According to AreaSearch's compilation of SALM and ABS statistics, the 12-month period witnessed a 5.3% rise in total jobs concurrent with a 4.7% expansion in the active workforce, which reduced the local unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. This performance outpaced Greater Sydney, where employment and labor supply both grew by 1.9%, resulting in only a minor drop in joblessness. Further indications of future labor demand can be sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia's national forecasts released in May-25. These five and ten-year outlooks have been analyzed against local workforce statistics to model potential trends. Although aggregate national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely across sectors. Extrapolating these sector-level projections onto the local industrial distribution suggests employment in the area could rise by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, representing a basic weighted calculation for demonstration that excludes local demographic projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Wakeley features income levels below the national average. For local taxpayers, the median income is $47,132 and the average is $60,357, compared to Greater Sydney metrics of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current figures are estimated at roughly $51,996 for the median and $66,586 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the Census 2021 indicates that personal earnings sit at the 4th percentile, representing $502 weekly, whereas household earnings rank higher at the 38th percentile. The largest earnings segment contains 30.9% of residents, representing 1,512 people, within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, matching the wider region where 30.9% fall into this bracket. Mortgage and rent costs create significant financial strain, leaving only 82.8% of household income after housing costs, which ranks at the 38th percentile.

Wakeley is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Residential property types in the area at the time of the most recent Census consisted of 85.7% detached homes and 14.3% alternative housing types, such as semi-detached options or apartments, compared to Sydney metro where standalone dwellings make up 55.9% and alternative styles represent 44.1%. Rates of fully owned homes reached 42.6%, far exceeding the Sydney metro average, with remaining properties held under a mortgage at 32.4% or occupied by tenants at 25.0%. Typical monthly home loan payments were $2,058, tracking below the Sydney metro standard of $2,427, while typical weekly rent payments stood at $450, compared to $470 across the metropolitan area. On a national level, home loan costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and local rental rates also sit above the national average of $375.

Wakeley features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 85.9%, which includes 46.6% consisting of couples with offspring, 21.9% representing couples without children, and 16.2% comprising single parents. The remaining 14.1% are non-family residences, where sole occupants account for 13.2% and shared homes make up 1.2% of the total. The typical home occupancy of 3.2 individuals is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Educational attainment levels present some obstacles, with university degrees held by 17.8% of the population, which is considerably lower than the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This discrepancy highlights a clear need for focused school and training programs. Among university level qualifications, Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.8%, followed by postgraduate studies at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 0.5%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 25.5% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade qualifications, divided between advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 15.7%.

Enrolment in schools and higher learning is elevated, with 29.7% of the local population actively participating in study. Of this cohort, 9.3% attend high schools, 9.1% are in primary schools, and 5.3% are enrolled in higher education programs.

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

Analysis of transport infrastructure shows 30 active bus stops serving the area. Commuters have access to 38 different routes, which together provide 1,183 weekly passenger journeys. Commuting options are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 170 meters from their nearest transit stop. Reflecting local commuting patterns, most workers travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles serving as the primary method at 88%, while 6% travel by train. Household car ownership stands at 1.6 per household, exceeding the metropolitan average. Additionally, a high proportion of 32.5% of working residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may show the effects of COVID-19 restrictions.

Daily services average 169 trips across the network, which provides roughly 39 weekly departures from each individual stop.

Wakeley's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Assessments of local medical metrics reveal positive outcomes across Wakeley, with AreaSearch noting low rates of mortality and a low incidence of chronic illnesses among both younger and older residents, while the uptake of private health insurance is moderate at roughly 51% of the population, which translates to about 2,488 individuals. In comparison, coverage across Greater Sydney stands at 59.9%.

Arthritis and diabetes represent the most frequent diagnoses locally, each affecting 7.2% and 7.2% of the population, whereas 74.9% of residents reported having no ongoing health conditions, slightly higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 74.6%. The workforce demographic is generally robust with minimal chronic health issues. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 22.7% of the local population, totaling 1,111 individuals, which exceeds the Greater Sydney proportion of 15.5%. Older residents experience favorable health outcomes, with overall metrics comparing well to national standards.

Wakeley is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

The area ranks as one of the nation's most multicultural localities, with 60.8% of the population having arrived from overseas and 77.7% communicating in a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, representing 62.7% of local residents. Notably, Buddhism shows a very high relative concentration at 20.1% of the population, which is far greater than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%.

Regarding parental ancestry, the three most common backgrounds locally are Other, representing 38.3% of the population compared to a regional benchmark of 16.0%, Vietnamese, representing 15.7% of residents compared to a regional average of 1.8%, and Chinese at 11.7%. Furthermore, unique concentrations exist for several other groups: Croatian heritage accounts for 3.0% locally versus 0.7% across the region, Serbian heritage stands at 2.4% versus 0.5%, and Spanish ancestry is at 1.2% versus 0.6%.

Wakeley's median age exceeds the national pattern

With a median age of 41 years, local residents are older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national median of 38. Relative to metropolitan averages, the bracket aged 65 - 74 is disproportionately large at 12.2%, while young adults aged 25 - 34 are underrepresented at 12.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the cohort aged 75 to 84 expanded from 6.1% to 8.4% of the local population, and the group aged 15 to 24 rose from 12.9% to 14.4%. On the other hand, the demographic aged 55 to 64 decreased from 13.6% to 12.1%, and the segment aged 45 to 54 fell from 12.2% to 11.0%. Long-range demographic projections indicate a shifting age distribution by 2041, with the 75 to 84 group set to grow by 38%, gaining 154 individuals to total 566. This aging trend is highlighted by residents aged 65 and older accounting for 100% of the projected growth, whereas the demographics aged 45 to 54 and 65 to 74 are expected to experience population contractions.