Wamberal

Wamberal has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of Feb 2026, Wamberal's population is estimated at around 7,117. This reflects an increase of 126 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,991. The change is inferred from the resident population of 7,106, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), and an additional 3 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 811 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Wamberal has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median of Australian statistical areas is expected, with the suburb expected to increase by 506 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 7.0% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Wamberal according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Wamberal has averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 72 homes. As of FY-26, 8 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to around 2.4 new residents per year gained for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $741,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments.

In this financial year, $3.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited commercial development focus compared to residential. When measured against Greater Sydney, Wamberal shows approximately half the construction activity per person and places among the 26th percentile of areas assessed nationally. This results in relatively constrained buyer choice, supporting interest in existing dwellings due to limited new supply. Recent construction comprises 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, currently at 87.0% houses.

The estimated count of 643 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Wamberal is expected to grow by 495 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Nineteen projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include the Central Coast Highway Upgrade from Wamberal to Bateau Bay, Wamberal Beach Coastal Protection Works, and Terrigal Public School Upgrade. The following list details those likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Wamberal performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Wamberal has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.4% as of a certain period, with estimated employment growth of 3.6% over the past year. As of December 2025, 3,975 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.8%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation was at par with Greater Sydney's 70.2%. Census responses indicated that 38.0% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment included health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training, with a strong specialization in the former (1.3 times the regional level). Finance & insurance had limited presence at 4.1%, compared to the regional average of 7.3%.

The area offered limited local employment opportunities, as shown by the ratio of working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 3.6% alongside labour force growth of 3.7%, causing a slight rise in unemployment rate. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wamberal's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.4% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, the suburb of Wamberal's median income among taxpayers is $57,465. The average income in Wamberal is $86,724. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates for Wamberal would be approximately $62,556 (median) and $94,408 (average) as of September 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, household incomes in Wamberal rank exceptionally at the 88th percentile with a weekly income of $2,407. The earnings profile shows that the majority of residents, specifically 27.8% or 1,978 people, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket. This aligns with regional trends where this cohort represents 30.9%. Economic strength is evident through 40.1% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing accounts for 14.3% of income. Strong earnings rank residents within the 88th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Wamberal, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 87.4% houses and 12.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metropolitan area's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wamberal was at 38.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged at 44.6% or rented at 17.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $500. Nationally, Wamberal's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, as reported on 24 June 2020, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375, also reported on that date.

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

Family households account for 80.3% of all households, including 42.0% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 19.7%, with lone person households at 16.7% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Wamberal shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Wamberal's educational attainment exceeds broader benchmarks. 31.4% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 20.8% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (13.1%) and certificates (23.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Wamberal has 70 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 83 different routes, collectively providing 1,246 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 155 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Wamberal's primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 38% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 178 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Wamberal. AreaSearch's assessment indicates low prevalence of common health conditions among both young and old age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 61% of the total population (4,352 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, impacting 7.3 and 7.0% of residents respectively. A total of 72.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 20.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,466 people), higher than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Wamberal's population showed low cultural diversity, with 84.1% born in Australia and 92.2% being citizens. English was the language spoken at home by 94.8%. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 52.8%.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%. In terms of ancestry, English (31.6%) and Australian (30.1%) origins were significantly higher than regional averages of 19.0% and 17.8% respectively. Irish ancestry stood at 9.2%. Notable divergences included Welsh (1.0%, vs regional 0.4%), South Australian (0.6%, vs 0.5%), and Lebanese (0.4%, vs 2.6%).

Wamberal's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Wamberal has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38 years. Compared to the Greater Sydney average, Wamberal has a notably higher percentage of people aged 55-64 (13.1%) and a lower percentage of people aged 25-34 (7.2%). Between 2021 and present, the population aged 75-84 grew from 5.1% to 6.8%, while those aged 85+ increased from 1.9% to 3.5%. Conversely, the percentage of people aged 25-34 decreased from 8.9% to 7.2%, and those aged 5-14 dropped from 14.9% to 13.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Wamberal's age profile. The population aged 85+ is projected to increase by 282 people (114%) from 249 to 532. Notably, the combined age groups of 65+ will account for 75% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, the populations aged 5-14 and 0-4 are expected to decline.