Manly (NSW)

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Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with updated addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Manly (NSW) has a population projected to be approximately 17,939 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,643 individuals (10.1%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 16,296 residents. This shift is calculated from a resident base of 17,933, estimated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, alongside 132 validated new addresses added since the Census. Such population numbers yield a density of 3,220 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top national quartile of evaluated places. The 10.1% expansion rate of the suburb of Manly (NSW) since the 2021 census outpaced both the broader SA4 region (3.7%) and the SA3 area, establishing it as a regional growth leader. This population rise was largely propelled by net overseas migration, which accounted for roughly of the total demographic gains in recent times.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with a particularly strong concentration of personnel in the technology sector. The unemployment rate stands at a low 3.3%, and employment grew by an estimated 0.9% over the previous year. As of March 2026, there are 11,478 working residents, representing an unemployment rate 0.8% lower than the 4.1% recorded across Greater Sydney. Labor force participation is also elevated at 74.6%, compared to 69.1% for Greater Sydney. Census records show that a substantial 64.7% of employed residents worked from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Tax statistics from the ATO for financial year 2023 place Manly in the highest income percentile nationwide. The median taxpayer income is $79,404 and the average is $149,357, compared to $60,817 and $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $87,598 for the median and $164,771 for the average. According to the 2021 Census, local household, family, and personal incomes all rank between the 98th and 98th percentiles nationally. Looking at income brackets, 40.6% of residents (7,283 individuals) earn $4000+ weekly, contrasting with the wider region where the $1,500 - bracket is most common at . Over half of the workforce, , earns more than per week, indicating high local purchasing power. Although high housing costs absorb of incomes, strong earnings keep disposable income in the th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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Residential architecture is heavily skewed toward high-density living, with houses making up 11.3% of dwellings and alternative structures, including apartments and semi-detached properties, representing 88.7%, compared to a 55.9% to 44.1% split across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates align with metropolitan averages at 28.6%, while mortgaged properties account for 18.6% and rental properties make up 52.8% of dwellings. The typical monthly mortgage commitment of $3,467 is much higher than the Sydney metropolitan average of $2,427. Similarly, the median weekly rent of $725 is higher than the metropolitan figure of $470. On a national level, local mortgage costs are considerably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well above the national median of $375.

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Families comprise 61.0% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 21.9%, couples without children at 32.8%, and single parents at 5.6%. The remaining 39.0% are non-family households, which include single person households at 31.5% and group households at 7.6%. The average household size of 2.2 persons is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Residents display high levels of academic achievement, with 60.9% of those aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% across NSW. This concentration of higher education supports involvement in knowledge-based industries. Bachelor degrees are held by 40.8% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees at 16.9% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Vocational qualifications are held by 19.4% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 9.5%.

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The local public transport network consists of 103 stops, including ferry and bus services. These stops support 65 routes that provide a total of 14,049 passenger trips per week. Average distance to the nearest stop is 126 meters. For commuting, private vehicles are the most common mode at 60%, followed by walking at 14% and bus travel at 9%. Average vehicle ownership is 0.7 per household, which is below the regional average. Census data from 2021 shows 64.7% of residents worked from home, a figure that was likely influenced by temporary pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators show favorable outcomes, with low mortality rates and a low prevalence of chronic diseases across all age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 86% of residents (15,364 people) covered, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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The neighborhood has a diverse cultural profile, with 16.6% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 42.5% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 42.6% of the population. Judaism is represented by 0.5% of the population, compared to a 0.8% average across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 38 matches the national average and is close to the Greater Sydney median of 37. Young adults aged 25 - 34 make up 23.0% of the population, which is higher than the regional share and above the national average of 14.6%, while children aged 5 - 14 represent 7.0%. Between the 2021 Census and current estimates, the 15 to 24 age bracket increased from 8.1% to 10.2%, and the 25 to 34 group rose from 21.8% to 23.0%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 12.6% to 11.0%, and the 5 to group fell from to . Projections for suggest the to cohort will grow by (adding people) to reach from with residents aged and over accounting for of the projected population growth. Conversely, declines are projected for the to and to age groups.

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Manly currently has an estimated 843 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 536 children aged 0-2 and 358 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 0% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 9% by 2041 (to approximately 771 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,105. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.1 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.