North Balgowlah (NSW)

Detail

Analysis of ABS population updates for the wider region, alongside new address validation by Districts since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of North Balgowlah is approximately 3,801 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 15 residents (0.4%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,816 residents. The change is calculated from a resident count of 3,794, estimated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an extra 2 validated new addresses post-Census. This population equates to a density of 3,393 individuals per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top quarter of national locations evaluated by Districts. Recent population increases were largely powered by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 95.0% of all population gains.

Detail

Data compiled by Districts for the statistical area reveals that North Balgowlah has a highly qualified labor force, with strong representation in the technology sector, a low unemployment rate of 3.3%, and consistent employment patterns over the past year. In March 2026, there were 1,983 employed residents, while the unemployment rate was 0.9% lower than the 4.1% recorded across Greater Sydney. Participation in the workforce was moderate, sitting at 72.2% compared to 69.1% for Greater Sydney. Census records show that a high proportion of residents, 64.7%, worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

Detail

Districts aggregation of ATO postcode data released for the 2023 financial year shows that taxpayers in North Balgowlah recorded a median income of $75,307 and an average income of $138,949. This ranks in the highest national percentile, compared to median and average figures of $60,817 and $83,003 for Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $83,079 for the median and $153,289 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in North Balgowlah ranked between the 93rd and 99th percentiles across Australia. The largest cohort consists of 51.7% of residents earning $4000+ per week (1,965 residents), in contrast to the wider region where the - bracket is largest at . Financial strength is demonstrated by the of households earning more than weekly, which supports high retail spending. Housing costs consume of income, while high earnings place residents in the th percentile for disposable income, and the suburb ranks in the th decile on the SEIFA income index.

Detail

According to the latest Census, the housing stock in North Balgowlah consisted of 89.8% standalone houses and 10.2% other housing types like duplexes and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates in the suburb were significantly higher than the Sydney metro average, standing at 32.9%, with remaining properties held under mortgages (52.8%) or rented (14.3%). The median mortgage repayment of $4,005 per month was well above the Sydney metro average of $2,427, and the median weekly rent was $825 compared to the metropolitan average of $470. Globally within Australia, mortgage costs in the suburb are much higher than the national median of $1,863, and rent levels are well above the national median of $375.

Detail

Families make up 87.8% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 59.8%, couples without children at 18.4%, and single-parent households at 8.8%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 12.2%, with single-person households at 10.5% and group households at 1.7%. The median household size is 3.3 residents, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Detail

Educational attainment in North Balgowlah is higher than state and national benchmarks, with 49.7% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. This educational profile positions the suburb well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 33.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.9% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational training accounts for 24.4% of qualifications for residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 13.0%.

Detail

Analysis of transport options shows 35 bus stops within North Balgowlah. These stops are served by 15 separate routes, providing a total of 351 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transport is high, with residents living an average of 131 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is mostly residential, many residents travel elsewhere for work, with cars being the main transport mode at 86%, followed by buses at 6% and bicycles at 2%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 cars per household, which is higher than the metropolitan average. A high proportion of residents, 64.7%, worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect the pandemic conditions at that time.

Detail

Health metrics reflect positive outcomes across North Balgowlah, according to Districts analysis of mortality and chronic illness rates, showing low rates of common illnesses across age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is high, encompassing roughly 82% of the population (3,100 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

Detail

North Balgowlah shows moderate cultural diversity, with 10.1% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 30.2% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 51.7% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.6% of residents, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

Detail

The median age of 39 in North Balgowlah is slightly older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and close to the national average of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, children aged 5 to 14 are highly represented at 20.6% locally, while young adults aged 25 to 34 are underrepresented at 4.5%. The proportion of children aged 5 to 14 is higher than the national figure of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 11.9% to 14.9%, and the 55 to 64 group has grown from 9.9% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 5 to group declined from to , and the to cohort fell from to . Projections for point to shifts in the local age profile. The to group is expected to increase by ( people) to reach up from . Aging trends are clear, with residents aged and over accounting for of projected growth, while the to and to brackets are expected to contract.

Detail

North Balgowlah currently has an estimated 201 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 109 children aged 0-2 and 72 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 173 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 442. 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.