Mount Colah (NSW)

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According to the analysis of demographic updates from the ABS for the surrounding region and subsequent address validations by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Mount Colah has an estimated population of 8,194 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 378 individuals (4.8%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 7,816 residents. The estimation is based on a resident figure of 8,176 calculated by Districts using the June 2025 ERP release from the ABS, supplemented by 36 validated new addresses since the Census. This population size results in a density of 740 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages for areas evaluated by Districts. The 4.8% expansion in the suburb of Mount Colah since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 region (4.5%), placing it ahead of nearby areas. Growth in the suburb of Mount Colah was mainly fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 56% of the total population growth during recent times.

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Mount Colah is characterized by a workforce with high levels of education, particularly within the technology sector, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.6% and an estimated job growth rate of 2.4% over the preceding year, according to statistical data aggregated by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,525, while the unemployment rate was 1.4% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%. Workforce participation is typical, standing at 71.1% compared to 69.1% for Greater Sydney. Census responses show that a significant 47.3% of the working population worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Tax data from the ATO aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023 indicates that income levels in Mount Colah are significantly higher than the national average. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $60,214 and an average income of $76,842, compared to Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Adjusting these figures for a Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $66,428 for the median and $84,772 for the average as of March 2026. Census findings place household, family, and personal incomes in Mount Colah in the 81st to 90th percentiles nationally. The largest earnings segment is the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, containing 31.6% of residents (2,589 people), which is comparable to the metropolitan average of . High-income earners are common, with earning more than per week, pointing to strong local purchasing power. Housing costs consume of income, and strong overall earnings place residents in the th percentile for disposable income, while the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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According to the latest Census, residential dwellings in Mount Colah consisted of 83.8% detached houses and 16.2% other housing types like semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates in Mount Colah are higher than the metropolitan average at 33.6%, with remaining homes either being purchased with a mortgage (48.7%) or rented (17.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the Sydney metropolitan average at $2,544, while the median weekly rent was $525, compared to metropolitan averages of $2,427 and $470. On a national level, mortgage repayments in Mount Colah are notably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.

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Families make up 83.2% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 47.4%, couples without children at 25.0%, and single-parent households at 9.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 16.8%, with single-person households at 15.4% and group shared households at 1.5%. The median household size of 2.9 people is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Educational attainment profiles show that the area has a university qualification rate of 39.9%, which is lower than the SA4 regional average of 57.1%. This presents a challenge as well as an opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 26.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 10.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Technical and trade qualifications are also common, with 30.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, comprising advanced diplomas at 12.1% and certificates at 18.5%.

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Public transport infrastructure consists of 82 active transit stops in Mount Colah, including bus and rail services. These stops support 24 distinct routes, delivering 2,170 passenger trips per week. Transit accessibility is strong, with an average distance of 149 meters from residents to the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode at 83%, followed by trains at 11%. Dwellings average 1.5 vehicles, which is above the metropolitan average. A high proportion of residents, 47.3%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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Health indicators demonstrate positive outcomes across Mount Colah based on mortality rates and chronic illness data, showing low rates of common health conditions across age groups. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 57% of the population (~4,693 people) holding cover, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney.

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Mount Colah displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most local areas, with 33.3% of residents born outside Australia and 26.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 48.3% of the community. The most distinct relative overrepresentation is Jewish residents, who make up 0.4% of the population compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 40 in Mount Colah is higher than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and the national median of 38. The 45 - 54 age bracket is overrepresented at 16.6% locally compared to the metropolitan average, while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 8.5%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 12.1% to 14.0% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 4.3% to 5.7%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age group fell from 10.7% to 8.5%, and the 0 to group declined from to . Projections suggest the age profile will change by with the to group expected to grow by people () from to . The cohorts aged and older are projected to represent of the total population growth, reflecting an aging population, while the to and to cohorts are projected to decrease in size.

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Mount Colah currently has an estimated 393 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 245 children aged 0-2 and 163 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 15% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 9% by 2041 (to approximately 357 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 898. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.6 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.