Canley Heights (NSW)

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According to evaluations of ABS population adjustments for the surrounding region, combined with fresh address verifications by Districts following the Census, the suburb of Canley Heights has a population projected at approximately 13,414 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,094 individuals (8.9%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 12,320 residents. This shift is calculated from a resident headcount of 13,396, determined by Districts through analyzing the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) along with 50 validated new addresses added after the Census date. Such a population size results in a density of 5,179 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest 10% of countrywide areas tracked by Districts, indicating that land here is in high demand. The 8.9% expansion rate of the suburb of Canley Heights since the 2021 census outpaced the SA3 region (2.0%) and the state, positioning it as a local growth frontrunner. Overseas migration was the primary engine of this growth, accounting for roughly of the overall population increases in recent times.

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Canley Heights possesses a skilled labor pool, with industrial and manufacturing categories strongly represented, a jobless rate of 5.8%, and estimated job gains of 8.1% over the prior year, according to statistical area data aggregated by Districts. In March 2026, there were 6,291 employed residents, while the unemployment rate was 1.6% higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, and labor participation fell short at 59.2% compared to the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census details show a moderate 24.3% of workers performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic confinement measures.

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According to the most recent postcode-level ATO statistics published for the financial year 2023, the suburb of Canley Heights has a median taxpayer income of $41,063, with a mean income of $48,980. This sits below national norms and compares to a median of $60,817 and a mean of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Accounting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the financial year 2023, current projections estimate these figures at approximately $45,301 (median) and $54,035 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census indicates that individual weekly earnings are low at the 2nd percentile ($481 weekly), though household earnings fare better at the 34th percentile. In terms of earnings brackets, the $1,500 - 2,999 range is the largest group, accounting for of residents ( people), which matches the metropolitan pattern where this bracket represents . Residents face severe housing affordability challenges, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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The mix of housing types in Canley Heights, according to the latest Census, was 77.5% standalone homes and 22.5% alternative dwellings (townhouses, apartments, or other shelter types), whereas the Sydney metro area recorded 55.9% standalone homes and 44.1% alternative formats. Outright home ownership in Canley Heights stood higher than the Sydney metropolitan rate at 30.5%, with the rest of the properties being mortgaged (28.8%) or occupied by tenants (40.7%). The median monthly home loan payment was significantly lower than the Sydney metro average at $2,000, and the median weekly rental cost was $400, compared to metropolitan figures of $2,427 and $470. On a national scale, mortgage commitments in Canley Heights are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are above the countrywide figure of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 82.8%, which includes 42.8% couples raising children, 14.7% couples without children, and 22.8% single parent arrangements. Non-family households account for the remaining 17.2%, consisting of lone occupant households at 14.9% and shared group housing at 2.3%. The typical household size is 3.4 individuals, which exceeds the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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The local community experiences educational gaps, with tertiary degree attainment (16.5%) falling significantly short of the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This scenario highlights an opportunity for focused academic development programs. Bachelor-level qualifications are the most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (0.7%). Technical and trade pathways comprise 21.1% of qualifications for residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (13.2%).

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An analysis of public transport reveals 38 operational stops in Canley Heights, which are serviced by a variety of buses. These stops accommodate 18 different routes, which together provide 962 weekly passenger journeys. Transport links are rated as good, with residents living an average of 209 meters from their closest transport stop. Due to the area's residential nature, the majority of workers travel outside the suburb to work, with cars being the primary mode of travel at 85% and train travel at 8%. Households own an average of 1.5 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. Around 24.3% of residents worked from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting temporary pandemic restrictions).

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An evaluation of health indicators shows positive trends in Canley Heights, based on Districts assessments of mortality patterns and chronic illnesses, with both younger and older cohorts displaying low rates of typical medical conditions. However, the proportion of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally low at roughly 46% of the population (~6,221 people). This is lower than the Greater Sydney coverage rate of 59.9% and the national benchmark of 55.7%.

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Canley Heights ranks among the most multicultural communities in the nation, with 60.7% of its residents born outside Australia and 80.9% using a language other than English in their homes. Buddhism is the most common religious affiliation, followed by 40.5% of the local population, compared to 4.1% across the Greater Sydney region.

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With a median age of 37, Canley Heights aligns exactly with the Greater Sydney median of 37 and remains close to the Australian median of 38 years. The 15 - 24 age bracket is highly represented at 16.4% relative to the Greater Sydney average, while the 35 - 44 group is less common at 11.5%. Since 2021, the 65 to 74 age group has expanded from 7.9% to 10.2% of the population. In contrast, the 5 to 14 age group has shrunk from 12.7% to 11.4%, and the 45 to 54 bracket has dropped from 13.6% to 12.4%. Projecting forward to demographic models indicate major changes in the age profile of Canley Heights. Leading this transformation, the to cohort is projected to expand by ( people), growing to from . The trend toward an older community is clear, with residents aged + accounting for of the projected growth. Conversely, the to and to age brackets are projected to see declines in their numbers.

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Canley Heights currently has an estimated 617 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 356 children aged 0-2 and 237 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 4% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 599 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,197. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.9 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.