Narrabeen (NSW)

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Following an examination of ABS population updates for the wider region and new address verifications by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Narrabeen has an estimated population of 8,234 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 21 residents (0.3%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 8,255 people. The adjustment is calculated from the resident population of 8,234, determined by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside an extra 81 validated new addresses since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 3,742 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top quartile of locations evaluated by Districts. Growth was driven almost exclusively by arrivals from overseas, which acted as the sole source of population increases in recent times.

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The suburb of Narrabeen has a highly educated workforce with a significant proportion of professionals, alongside an unemployment rate of 5.0% derived from aggregated statistical data. In March 2026, 4,219 residents were employed. The local unemployment rate sits 0.8% higher than the 4.1% recorded across Greater Sydney, while the participation rate of 60.5% is notably lower than the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census data showed that a substantial 44.8% of workers performed their duties from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Postcode-level ATO data compiled by Districts for financial year 2023 shows a median taxpayer income of $60,211 and an average income of $93,560 for the suburb of Narrabeen. These figures are among the highest nationwide, compared 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 financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates suggest a median of approximately $66,425 and an average of $103,215. According to the 2021 Census, individual weekly earnings are in the 81st percentile nationally ($1,025 weekly), whereas household incomes are lower at the 51st percentile. The weekly income band of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, containing 28.7% of residents ( people), which matches the Greater Sydney share of . Affordability constraints are significant, with residents retaining only of their income, placing the area in the th percentile nationally, while the SEIFA income index ranks in the th decile.

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Census data reveals that the housing stock in the suburb of Narrabeen consists of 15.9% houses and 84.1% other dwellings, such as apartments and semi-detached properties. This differs from the Sydney metro area, which records 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The rate of outright home ownership is high at 32.2%, with mortgaged properties making up 25.1% and rental properties accounting for 42.6%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,600 exceeds the Sydney metro average of $2,427. Similarly, the median weekly rent of $565 is higher than the Sydney metro average of $470. Nationally, mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are well above the national figure of $375.

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Families make up 58.3% of households, consisting of 19.4% couples with children, 28.9% couples without children, and 9.4% single-parent households. Non-family households account for 41.7%, with single-person households representing 38.5% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size of 2.0 people is below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in the suburb of Narrabeen is lower than the regional average, with 34.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 41.5% across the SA4 region. This indicates potential scope for raising local educational attainment. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 24.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.9%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 36.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (14.0%) and certificates (22.5%).

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There are 46 active bus stops within the suburb of Narrabeen, serviced by 64 distinct routes that provide a total of 6,542 passenger trips per week. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 119 meters from their nearest stop. Because it is a residential area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with cars being the main transport mode at 84%, followed by buses at 8%. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per household, which is below the regional average. A high proportion of residents (44.8%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Mortality rates and chronic illness indicators suggest below-average health outcomes in the suburb of Narrabeen. While general health conditions are typical, older age groups experience higher rates than the national average. The rate of private health insurance is high, covering approximately 64% of the population (5,254 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Narrabeen has higher-than-average cultural diversity, with 11.2% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 25.7% born outside Australia. Christianity is the main religion, practiced by 55.6% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.4% of residents compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age in the suburb of Narrabeen is 48 years, which is older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38 years. Residents aged 85+ are highly represented at 8.4% of the population, whereas the 5 - 14 cohort is smaller at 6.7% compared to Greater Sydney. The 85+ cohort is higher than the national share of 2.2%. Since 2021, the 55 to 64 cohort grew from 11.5% to 12.7%, while the 85+ cohort decreased from 9.4% to 8.4%. By 2041, projections suggest significant demographic shifts. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 74%, adding 510 residents to reach . Seniors aged + will account for of overall population growth, reinforcing the aging trend. In contrast, the population of the to and to age brackets is projected to decline.

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Narrabeen currently has an estimated 378 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 246 children aged 0-2 and 163 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 23% by 2041 (to approximately 290 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 610. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.4 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.