Northern Beaches CouncilCommunity profile
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Northern Beaches Council area

Population and dwellings

267,921

ABS Estimated Resident Population 2023

The Census usual resident population of the Northern Beaches Council area in 2021 was 263,554, living in 105,115 dwellings with an average household size of 2.64.

There are a number of different ways of measuring the population of an area, all of which give an insight into the size of the place and its rate of growth over different time periods. The Census counts people where they are on the night of the Census (Enumerated population) and also by where they usually live (Usual residence). Both these populations are useful and form the basis for a range of characteristics collected in the Census.

However, the most accurate count of the total population is Estimated Resident Population, which factors in an estimate of those missed in the Census and those who were overseas on Census night. It is usually higher than either Census count, and is also updated annually after the Census, providing preliminary estimates for up to 5 years.

This page provides the three population counts for the Northern Beaches Council area at the last Census, with comparisons to previous Census years for the Census counts only. The current estimate for the Northern Beaches Council area at the most recent year available is shown at the top of the page. This figure is a preliminary estimate only and is subject to review after the next Census data are released. Please use with caution.

Also included are a range of sub-population groups and key statistics from the Census (Usual resident) population, such as citizens, employed persons and Indigenous population.

These figures all provide the context for the size of the population and growth rate within the Northern Beaches Council area and should be looked at in conjunction with other basic demographic information, such as Age Structure, Dwelling Type and Household Size.

The data on this page are sourced from a variety of different tables and designed to give a range of population and dwelling numbers for the area.

Population
Northern Beaches Council area - Total persons20212016Change
PopulationNumber%Balgowlah Heights - Clontarf %Number%Balgowlah Heights - Clontarf %2016 to 2021
Estimated Resident Population264,567----265,468-----901
Enumerated Population260,619----248,564----+12,055
Usual Resident Population263,554----252,878----+10,676

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).

Selected subpopulation categories
Northern Beaches Council area - Total people (Usual residence)20212016Change
Population groupNumber%Balgowlah Heights - Clontarf %Number%Balgowlah Heights - Clontarf %2016 to 2021
Males128,92948.948.3123,50748.848.1+5,422
Females134,62351.151.7129,37051.251.9+5,253
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population1,7100.60.21,3940.60.3+316
Australian citizens228,23586.691.4211,52683.686.6+16,709
Eligible voters (citizens aged 18+)173,42465.865.6158,30862.659.4+15,116
Population over 15214,82781.578.1203,01080.375.1+11,817
Employed Population136,23096.896.2129,68496.595.7+6,546
Overseas visitors (enumerated)503----2,749-----2,246

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021 (Usual residence). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).

Dwellings
Northern Beaches Council area - Households (Enumerated)20212016Change
DwellingsNumber%Balgowlah Heights - Clontarf %Number%Balgowlah Heights - Clontarf %2016 to 2021
Total dwellings105,115100.0100.0101,629100.0100.0+3,486
Occupied private dwellings97,36992.695.892,39090.992.2+4,979
Population in non-private dwellings3,428----4,547-----1,119
Average household size (persons per dwelling)2.64--3.102.64--3.07--

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021 (Enumerated). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).

*Note that this is an estimate based on ERP at the SA1 level. It is subject to review after the next Census data release and may not match .id's population forecasts.

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