Collaroy (NSW)

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Based on the assessment of ABS population revisions for the surrounding region, combined with fresh physical addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Collaroy (NSW) has an estimated occupancy of approximately 8,211 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 267 people (3.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 7,944 residents. This adjustment is calculated from the resident population of 8,211, projected by Districts after analyzing the June 2025 ERP release from the ABS alongside 11 validated new addresses registered since the Census date. Such a population size translates to a density ratio of 3,063 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Collaroy (NSW) in the top quartile of all domestic areas analyzed by Districts. The 3.4% census-to-date growth rate in the suburb of Collaroy (NSW) is within 0.3 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (3.7%), showing competitive underlying expansion. Population growth within the suburb of Collaroy (NSW) was largely fueled by net overseas migration, which accounted for roughly of the overall population increases during recent periods.

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Collaroy boasts a highly skilled labor pool where professional services are prominently featured, alongside an unemployment rate of 4.4% and an estimated employment growth of 0.6% over the previous year according to Districts aggregated statistical area information. By March 2026, there were 4,619 residents employed, with the local unemployment rate sitting at 4.4%, which is 0.3% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce participation remains broadly comparable to Greater Sydney's 69.1%. Census data indicates that a substantial 46.0% of residents worked from home, although readers should account for the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns when interpreting these figures.

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The suburb of Collaroy records a median taxpayer income of $62,591 alongside an average income of $102,469, according to the most recent postcode ATO data compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year. This is extremely high on a national scale, comparing to a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $69,050 for the median and $113,044 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Collaroy all rank in high percentiles nationally, placing between the 84th and 86th percentiles. Looking at the income distribution, the largest bracket contains 29.5% of taxpayers earning between $1,500 and weekly (representing residents), which aligns with the regional trend of in this bracket. Local economic capacity is highlighted by the of households earning high weekly incomes above which supports strong local retail spending. High accommodation costs absorb of total income, yet robust earnings ensure disposable income remains at the th percentile, and the local SEIFA income index ranks in the th decile.

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The mix of housing types in Collaroy at the time of the latest Census consisted of 41.7% detached homes and 58.3% other dwelling types (such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative housing), compared to the Sydney metropolitan distribution of 55.9% detached homes and 44.1% other housing types. At the same time, the rate of home ownership in Collaroy was considerably higher than the Sydney metropolitan average, standing at 37.7%, with the remaining properties occupied under a mortgage (31.6%) or rented (30.7%). The median monthly home loan payment in the area was significantly higher than the Sydney metropolitan average of $2,427, coming in at $2,800, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $600, compared to the Sydney metropolitan average of $470. On a national level, mortgage costs in Collaroy are much higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are well above the national median of $375.

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Family units constitute the majority of local living arrangements at 71.7% of all households, consisting of 31.0% couples raising children, 29.7% couples without children, and 9.6% single parents. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 28.3%, with single-person households representing 24.9% and shared group households making up 3.5% of the total. The median occupancy size of 2.5 people per household is slightly below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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The local educational profile is highly distinguished within the region, with tertiary qualification rates (representing 37.8% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the Australian benchmark of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%, indicating a strong local focus on higher education. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary attainment at 26.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 32.2% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (13.1%) and certificates (19.1%).

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Analysis of the local transport network shows 35 operational transit stops in Collaroy, consisting of various bus services. These facilities are serviced by 55 separate routes, which combine to support 4,768 weekly passenger journeys. Commuter convenience is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 189 meters from the closest transit stop. Because the area is mostly residential, the majority of workers travel out of the suburb, with private vehicles serving as the primary transit mode at 84%, followed by buses at 8%. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.3 cars per home. A significant 46.0% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era circumstances.

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Health metric evaluations show exceptional outcomes throughout Collaroy, based on Districts analysis of mortality statistics and chronic disease markers, indicating very low rates of common health conditions across all demographic groups. Furthermore, private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, encompassing approximately 67% of the population (5,526 people). This compares to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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Collaroy displays above-average cultural diversity, with 13.4% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 27.3% born in overseas countries. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 53.9% of the population. However, the most pronounced religious deviation from regional norms is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the local population compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 43 in Collaroy is notably higher than the Greater Sydney average of 37, as well as being significantly above the national median of 38. The age distribution highlights a high concentration of residents aged 55 - 64 (14.4%), while the 35 - 44 age bracket is smaller (10.6%) than the Greater Sydney benchmark. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has expanded from 12.1% to 14.2% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 6.3% to 7.6%. In contrast, the 35 to 44 cohort has contracted from 12.3% to 10.6% and the to cohort has decreased from to . Looking forward to population models point to major adjustments in the local age profile. The cohort aged and over is projected to undergo massive growth, rising by people () from to . Significantly, the collective cohorts aged and over will account for of the overall population growth, illustrating the aging trend of the local community. Conversely, the to and to age brackets are projected to experience population decreases.

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Collaroy currently has an estimated 385 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 249 children aged 0-2 and 166 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 7% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 21% by 2041 (to approximately 304 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 716. Birth rates in the area have averaged 9.9 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.