Wakeley (NSW)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region alongside newly verified addresses from Districts since the Census, the suburb of Wakeley has a projected population of approximately 4,895 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 2 individuals, representing no percentage growth, compared to the 2021 Census data of 4,893 residents. This adjustment is derived from the estimated resident count of 4,895 calculated by Districts, which analyzed the June 2025 ERP release from the ABS and incorporated 6 extra confirmed new addresses since the date of the Census. A population of this size translates to a density of 3,003 individuals per square kilometer, which ranks in the top quartile of all Australian locations analyzed by Districts. The flat rate of growth for the suburb of Wakeley since the census is within 2.0 percentage points of the wider SA3 area, which stood at 2.0%, showing competitive expansion metrics. Overseas migration acted as the primary driver of demographic gains, serving as almost the exclusive source of population increases in recent times.

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Wakeley boasts a skilled and varied workforce, with an estimated employment growth of 5.3% over the last year and an unemployment rate of 5.5%, according to Districts aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, 2,053 residents were employed, yet the local unemployment rate stands at 1.4% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce participation remains notably lower at 52.7% versus 69.1% in Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that a substantial 32.5% of residents worked from home, though these figures should be interpreted with caution due to the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns.

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According to ATO statistics compiled by Districts for financial year 2023, the suburb of Wakeley features income levels below the national average. For local taxpayers, the median income is $47,132 and the average is $60,357, compared to Greater Sydney metrics of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current figures are estimated at roughly $51,996 for the median and $66,586 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the Census 2021 indicates that personal earnings sit at the 4th percentile, representing $502 weekly, whereas household earnings rank higher at the 38th percentile. The largest earnings segment contains 30.9% of residents, representing 1,512 people, within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, matching the wider region where fall into this bracket. Mortgage and rent costs create significant financial strain, leaving only of household income after housing costs, which ranks at the th percentile.

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Residential property types in the area at the time of the most recent Census consisted of 85.7% detached homes and 14.3% alternative housing types, such as semi-detached options or apartments, compared to Sydney metro where standalone dwellings make up 55.9% and alternative styles represent 44.1%. Rates of fully owned homes reached 42.6%, far exceeding the Sydney metro average, with remaining properties held under a mortgage at 32.4% or occupied by tenants at 25.0%. Typical monthly home loan payments were $2,058, tracking below the Sydney metro standard of $2,427, while typical weekly rent payments stood at $450, compared to $470 across the metropolitan area. On a national level, home loan costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and local rental rates also sit above the national average of $375.

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Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 85.9%, which includes 46.6% consisting of couples with offspring, 21.9% representing couples without children, and 16.2% comprising single parents. The remaining 14.1% are non-family residences, where sole occupants account for 13.2% and shared homes make up 1.2% of the total. The typical home occupancy of 3.2 individuals is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Educational attainment levels present some obstacles, with university degrees held by 17.8% of the population, which is considerably lower than the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This discrepancy highlights a clear need for focused school and training programs. Among university level qualifications, Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.8%, followed by postgraduate studies at 2.5% and graduate diplomas at 0.5%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 25.5% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade qualifications, divided between advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 15.7%.

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Analysis of transport infrastructure shows 30 active bus stops serving the area. Commuters have access to 38 different routes, which together provide 1,183 weekly passenger journeys. Commuting options are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 170 meters from their nearest transit stop. Reflecting local commuting patterns, most workers travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles serving as the primary method at 88%, while 6% travel by train. Household car ownership stands at 1.6 per household, exceeding the metropolitan average. Additionally, a high proportion of 32.5% of working residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may show the effects of COVID-19 restrictions.

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Assessments of local medical metrics reveal positive outcomes across Wakeley, with Districts noting low rates of mortality and a low incidence of chronic illnesses among both younger and older residents, while the uptake of private health insurance is moderate at roughly 51% of the population, which translates to about 2,488 individuals. In comparison, coverage across Greater Sydney stands at 59.9%.

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The area ranks as one of the nation's most multicultural localities, with 60.8% of the population having arrived from overseas and 77.7% communicating in a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, representing 62.7% of local residents. Notably, Buddhism shows a very high relative concentration at 20.1% of the population, which is far greater than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%.

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With a median age of 41 years, local residents are older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national median of 38. Relative to metropolitan averages, the bracket aged 65 - 74 is disproportionately large at 12.2%, while young adults aged 25 - 34 are underrepresented at 12.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the cohort aged 75 to 84 expanded from 6.1% to 8.4% of the local population, and the group aged 15 to 24 rose from 12.9% to 14.4%. On the other hand, the demographic aged 55 to 64 decreased from 13.6% to 12.1%, and the segment aged 45 to fell from to . Long-range demographic projections indicate a shifting age distribution by with the to group set to grow by , gaining individuals to total . This aging trend is highlighted by residents aged and older accounting for of the projected growth, whereas the demographics aged to and to are expected to experience population contractions.

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Wakeley currently has an estimated 215 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 124 children aged 0-2 and 83 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 8% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 22% by 2041 (to approximately 168 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 438. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.7 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.