Wheeler Heights

An assessment of population growth drivers in Wheeler Heights reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

The population of the Wheeler Heights statistical area (Lv2) was estimated at 3,154 as of November 2025, a decrease of 78 people from its 2021 Census population of 3,232. This decline represents a 2.4% reduction since the census date. The current resident population estimate is 3,106, based on AreaSearch's analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and validation of 15 new addresses since the Census. The population density stands at approximately 3,800 persons per square kilometer, placing Wheeler Heights (SA2) in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

AreaSearch's projections for Wheeler Heights (SA2), based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, indicate an overall population decline by 162 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, projected to expand by 87 people over this period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Wheeler Heights has received approximately 6 dwellings' worth of development approval annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling around 30 homes. In FY26 so far, 1 approval has been recorded. This area has experienced population decline, suggesting new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice while new properties are constructed at an average value of $717,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Wheeler Heights shows around 64% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 7th percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established homes. This level is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has been exclusively townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points and suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This marks a significant change from the current housing mix of 91.0% houses, likely due to reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands. Wheeler Heights shows around 3099 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area with stable or declining population projections, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures that could benefit potential buyers.

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

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one project likely affecting the area: Cromer Village Green (Proposed Mixed-Use Precinct). Other key projects include Wakehurst Parkway Improvements (Frenchs Forest to Narrabeen), Narrabeen Lakeside Estate, and Cromer Heights Estate. 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 conditions in Wheeler Heights remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Wheeler Heights has a well-educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 1,713 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.1% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Wheeler Heights is high at 70.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries of employment among residents are construction, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance. The area shows strong specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

However, finance & insurance is under-represented, with only 3.9% of Wheeler Heights's workforce compared to Greater Sydney's 7.3%. Labour force levels decreased by 0.4% over the 12 months to September 2025, alongside a 2.5% employment decline, resulting in a 2.0 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Greater Sydney where employment rose by 2.1%, labour force grew by 2.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wheeler Heights's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Wheeler Heights had median income among taxpayers of $60,344 and average income of $93,611. This is among the highest in Australia, compared to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% from financial year ended June 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income is approximately $65,690 and average income is $101,905 as of September 2025. According to Census data from 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Wheeler Heights rank between the 81st and 96th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 32.2% of locals (1,015 people) fall into the $4000+ category, unlike metropolitan trends where 30.9% are within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Economic strength is evident with 48.1% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 16.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 95th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Wheeler Heights' dwellings were 91.2% houses and 8.8% other types at the latest Census. Sydney metro had 57.6% houses and 42.4% others. Home ownership in Wheeler Heights was 35.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.4% and rented at 15.2%. Median monthly mortgage repayments were $3,198, above Sydney's $3,000 average, and median weekly rents were $750 compared to Sydney's $592. Nationally, Wheeler Heights' mortgage repayments were higher at $3,198 versus Australia's $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $750 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 86.6% of all households, including 55.6% couples with children, 22.4% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households consist of the remaining 13.4%, with lone person households at 11.3% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational achievement in Wheeler Heights places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's university qualification rate is 29.8%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 41.5%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 14.2% and certificates at 23.7%. Educational participation is high, with 32.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.4% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 4.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Wheeler Heights shows that there are currently 24 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 27 individual routes providing service to the community. Together, these routes facilitate 1,127 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 147 meters away from the nearest stop. On average, there are 161 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 46 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wheeler Heights's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows exceptional results across Wheeler Heights, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is notably high at approximately 64% of the total population (2,013 people), compared to 71.5% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.2 and 6.1% of residents respectively.

A significant majority, 76.6%, report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.7% across Greater Sydney. Wheeler Heights has 14.6% of residents aged 65 and over (460 people), which is lower than the 17.8% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Wheeler Heights records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wheeler Heights had a cultural diversity index above the average, with 9.8% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 23.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Wheeler Heights, comprising 54.2%, compared to 51.6% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (25.8%), and Irish (8.7%).

Notably, New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.2%, compared to the regional average of 0.9%. Similarly, Serbians at 0.5% and Croatians at 0.8% had higher representation than their respective regional averages of 0.6% and 0.7%.

Wheeler Heights's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Wheeler Heights has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38 years. The 45-54 cohort is notably over-represented in Wheeler Heights at 16.2%, compared to the Greater Sydney average. Conversely, the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 7.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 55-64 age group has increased from 11.0% to 12.3%, while the 15-24 cohort has risen from 13.4% to 14.6%. However, the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 17.3% to 16.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Wheeler Heights' age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to expand by 73 people (34%), from 214 to 288. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 91% of total population growth. Meanwhile, the 25-34 and 15-24 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.