Monterey (NSW)

Detail

According to investigations of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside recent address points verified by Districts after the Census, the suburb of Monterey has a population estimated at approximately 4,598 as of May 2026. This indicates a contraction of 21 individuals (0.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 4,619 residents. The shift is calculated from a resident population of 4,569, which Districts estimated using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) combined with 7 verified new addresses registered post-Census. Such a population size results in a density of 3,998 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest 10% of all areas analyzed by Districts, demonstrating that regional land is a highly coveted asset. Demographics in the suburb of Monterey were chiefly influenced by overseas arrivals, accounting for roughly 86.0% of total population increases recently.

Detail

Monterey has a highly qualified labor force, marked by significant employment in professional roles, a jobless rate of just 3.4%, and an estimated 3.4% rise in total employment over the last year, according to Districts regional aggregations. By March 2026, working residents numbered 2,704, with the local unemployment rate sitting 0.7% below the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is typical at 71.2% compared to 69.1% across the Sydney metropolitan area. Census records indicate a substantial 38.4% of employed locals worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

Detail

Taxpayer income levels in the suburb of Monterey align closely with the national average, according to ATO statistics aggregated by Districts for the 2023 financial year. Among local taxpayers, the median income is $53,070 and the average income is $67,189, compared to Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current local estimates would stand at roughly $58,547 for the median and $74,123 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in Monterey sit around the 55th percentile nationally. The largest income bracket contains 29.5% of the population, representing 1,356 residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is similar to the broader metropolitan area where this same bracket contains of residents. Affordability pressures are notable, with just of income remaining after housing costs, ranking in the th percentile, while the SEIFA index for income places the area in the th decile.

Detail

At the time of the latest Census, residential properties in Monterey consisted of 43.5% standalone houses and 56.4% alternative housing types such as townhouses and apartments, compared to the Sydney metropolitan split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, home ownership rates in Monterey were considerably higher than the Sydney metro average, standing at 38.1%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (30.6%) or renters (31.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the locality was $2,600, exceeding the Sydney metro benchmark of $2,427, while the median weekly rent was $480, compared to the metropolitan average of $470. On a national scale, Monterey mortgage costs are significantly higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and local rent prices exceed the national median of $375.

Detail

Family units constitute 68.9% of all local households, consisting of couples with children at 31.6%, couples without children at 24.6%, and single-parent homes at 11.5%. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.1%, with single-person households representing 28.6% and shared group households making up 2.4% of the total. The typical household size is 2.5 residents, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney median of 2.7.

Detail

Educational attainment levels in Monterey are lower than regional averages, with 31.8% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 38.7% across the SA3 region. This difference points to opportunities for local skills development. Undergraduate bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 23.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational education is prominent, with 30.8% of residents aged 15 and over possessing technical credentials, split between advanced diplomas at 12.4% and certificates at 18.4%.

Detail

Public transit audits show 32 active transport stops in Monterey, consisting of various bus options. These stops are served by 3 distinct routes, which support a total of 1,025 passenger journeys per week. Transport accessibility is highly rated, with residents living an average of 125 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, the majority of working residents commute to other districts, with cars remaining the main transit mode at 84% and trains at 8%. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.2 cars per household. A notable 38.4% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era public health measures.

Detail

Health metrics reflect excellent outcomes throughout Monterey, as determined by Districts' evaluation of mortality patterns and chronic illnesses, showing exceptionally low rates of standard medical conditions across all age brackets, while private health insurance coverage is slightly above the SA2 average at roughly 54% of the population, representing about 2,459 individuals, compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney.

Detail

Monterey exhibits high levels of cultural diversity, with 40.3% of the local population born outside Australia and 52.1% using a non-English language at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, chosen by 70.9% of local residents, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney.

Detail

Having a median age of 44, Monterey is older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and is older than the national benchmark of 38. The age bracket of 75 to 84 is highly represented at 9.0% compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25 to 34 age bracket is less common at 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 55 to 64 age bracket has risen from 12.6% to 13.9% of the population, whereas the 35 to 44 age bracket fell from 13.5% to 12.2% and the 45 to 54 group declined from 15.3% to 14.2%. Demographic projections indicate the age profile of Monterey will change substantially by . Leading this transition, the population aged and over is projected to grow by (representing people), rising from to . This demographic aging is clear, with residents aged and over accounting for of the projected growth, while the to and to age brackets are expected to experience population declines.

Detail

Monterey currently has an estimated 174 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 120 children aged 0-2 and 80 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 16% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 14% by 2041 (to approximately 150 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 347. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.8 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.