Lane Cove (NSW)

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Based on scrutiny of ABS demographic adjustments for the wider region, alongside recent address points verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Lane Cove has an estimated headcount of 12,764 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 401 people (3.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 12,363 residents. This variation is derived from a resident headcount of 12,762, calculated by Districts using the most recent ERP figures from the ABS (June 2025) and an extra 26 verified new address locations since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 4,947 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the highest 10% of all domestic areas analyzed by Districts, indicating that regional land is an extremely coveted asset. Throughout the last ten years, the suburb of Lane Cove has shown durable expansion trends with a 1.6% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the SA3 territory. Resident growth in this locality was mostly propelled by net overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 67.0% of the total demographic gains in recent times.

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The suburb of Lane Cove is home to a highly qualified labor force, with particularly strong representation in the tech sector, an unemployment rate sitting at just 3.9%, and an estimated 1.8% expansion in total employment over the previous year, as aggregated from regional statistical datasets by Districts. In March 2026, there were 7,393 employed citizens, with an unemployment rate 0.2% lower than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, while the labor participation rate remains relatively standard (72.8% versus 69.1% in Greater Sydney). Census records indicate a high proportion of 63.2% of residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure may have been affected by COVID-19 restriction orders.

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Based on Districts' compilation of the most recent postcode-level ATO statistics published for the financial year 2023, the suburb of Lane Cove recorded a median taxpayer income of $77,794 and an average taxpayer income of $128,231. These figures place the area in the highest brackets nationally, compared to $60,817 (median) and $83,003 (average) across Greater Sydney. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current projections indicate values of approximately $85,822 (median) and $141,464 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Lane Cove all rank exceptionally high, falling between the 91st and 96th percentiles nationally. The figures show that the highest weekly income bracket of $4000+ is the most common, accounting for of residents ( people), contrasting with the wider metropolitan region where the - range is the most prevalent at . The locality exhibits high prosperity, with of individuals earning more than weekly, which helps sustain high-end shops and services. Expensive residential costs account for of earnings, yet strong wages ensure that net disposable income remains in the th percentile, placing the local SEIFA income rank in the th decile.

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At the time of the most recent Census, the mix of housing types in the suburb of Lane Cove consisted of 30.3% detached houses and 69.7% alternative housing options (such as semi-detached properties, flats, and other dwellings), compared to the Sydney metropolitan distribution of 55.9% houses and 44.1% alternative formats. Local home ownership rates mirrored the Sydney metropolitan rate at 27.6%, with the remaining properties being held under a mortgage (33.9%) or occupied by tenants (38.4%). The median monthly home loan payment was $2,905, which is significantly above the Sydney metropolitan average of $2,427, while the median weekly rental cost was $533 compared to the metropolitan benchmark of $470. On a national scale, mortgage obligations in the suburb of Lane Cove are much higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent prices are notably above the country-wide median of $375.

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Family units constitute the majority of local households at 68.4%, consisting of couples with offspring (32.5%), childless couples (26.5%), and single-parent households (8.5%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 31.6%, with single-person households representing 28.8% and shared group households making up 2.8% of the total. The typical household size of 2.4 residents is below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Educational qualifications in the suburb of Lane Cove are significantly higher than state and national averages, with 59.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia and 32.2% across NSW. This notable academic advantage positions the local workforce well for knowledge-based roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 37.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees (18.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational programs make up 20.1% of qualifications for those aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (9.9%).

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Analysis of public transit options reveals 73 active transit stops located in the suburb of Lane Cove, consisting of various bus options. These stops support 51 distinct routes, delivering 6,305 passenger journeys per week. Access to transit is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 109 meters from the closest stop. Being a residential locality, the majority of workers commute outside the area; private vehicles remain the primary transit mode at 69%, followed by buses at 13% and walking at 9%. Average car ownership stands at 0.8 vehicles per household, which is below the metropolitan standard. A high proportion of 63.2% of residents work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

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Public health metrics show exceptional results in the suburb of Lane Cove, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality statistics and chronic disease tracking, which reveals a low incidence of common medical conditions across all demographics, while the share of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally high at roughly 77% of the population (9,878 people). This compares to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Lane Cove displays high levels of cultural diversity, with 30.0% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 40.2% born in another country. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 47.0% of the local population. However, Judaism shows a notable relative concentration, making up 1.1% of the community compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 38 years in the suburb of Lane Cove is similar to the Greater Sydney average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to the metropolitan area, the suburb of Lane Cove has a larger proportion of residents aged 35 - 44 (18.6%) but a smaller share of youth aged 15 - 24 (10.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket expanded from 8.6% to 10.5% of the total population, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 5.1% to 6.2%. In contrast, the proportion of children aged 0 to 4 shrank from 6.9% to 6.0%. By demographic shifts will alter the local age distribution, led by a expansion in the to age group (adding people) to reach from a baseline of while both the to and to age groups will experience declines.

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Lane Cove currently has an estimated 765 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 440 children aged 0-2 and 293 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 10% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 14% by 2041 (to approximately 657 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,236. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.6 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.