# Canterbury

State Electorate · Area profile

Located in: New South Wales › Greater Sydney

Area: 21 km²

Rapid growth has transformed Canterbury since 2011, with the population climbing 35% to reach 94,065 people. It is now a highly diverse hub where nearly half the residents were born overseas and a majority speak a language other than English at home. This shift is reflected in a more educated community and a surge in high-density living, with many residents choosing apartments over traditional houses. The area is an exceptionally walkable urban center where almost every home is within a short stroll of parks, shops and health services.

## Demographics & Identity

The typical resident is 38 years old, and the community has aged slightly since 2011. While the number of children under 15 has fallen, the proportion of seniors aged 65 and over rose 6.3 points over the last decade.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 94,065 | +35.3% since 2011 |
| Median age | 38 yrs | +11.8% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 0.8% | -77.6% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 16.2% | +62.8% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 15.9% | -24.8% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 7.6% | +0.6% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Young adults (25–44) 30.5%, Older adults (45–64) 25.4%, Seniors (65+) 16.2%, Children (0–14) 15.9%, Youth (15–24) 11.9%

**Marital status** — Married 48.4%, Never married 34.9%, Divorced 8.4%, Widowed 5.0%, Separated 3.3%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

Nearly half the population (47.6%) were born overseas, a figure that rose 19 points since 2011 and is far above the national average. The most common ancestries are Chinese, Greek and Australian.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 47.6% | +63.5% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 46.9%, China 9.2%, Nepal 3.2%, Vietnam 3.1%, Philippines 1.9%, Italy 1.4%, India 1.3%, England 1.0%, New Zealand 1.0%, South Africa 0.2%

**Ancestry** — Chinese 17.3%, Greek 12.4%, Australian 11.8%, English 10.7%, Italian 5.8%, Irish 4.1%, Vietnamese 3.7%, Scottish 2.7%, Filipino 2.6%, Indian 1.9%, German 1.1%, Dutch 0.4%

## Language

Language diversity is very high, with 58.3% of people using a language other than English at home, up 33 points since 2011. About 14.4% of residents speak little or no English, which is far above the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 58.3% | +129.8% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 14.4% | -0.6% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 35.2%, Greek 10.0%, Mandarin 9.4%, Arabic 7.8%, Cantonese 4.6%, Vietnamese 3.6%, Italian 2.2%, Tagalog 1.1%, Hindi 0.7%, Punjabi 0.3%

## Religion

Christianity is the most common faith at 48.6%. Those reporting no religion make up 25.4% of the community, which is far below the national average, though this group grew 13 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 25.4% | +99.9% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — Christianity 48.6%, No religion 25.4%, Not stated 7.6%, Islam 7.2%, Buddhism 6.2%, Hinduism 4.3%, Other religions 0.6%, Judaism 0.1%

## Education & Qualifications

The area has seen a significant rise in qualifications, with those holding a bachelor degree or higher increasing 16 points since 2011 to 27.4%. Year 12 completion is also well above the national average at 64.9%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 64.9% | +53.2% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 27.4% | +132.5% since 2011 |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 1.40 | — |
| Schools within 3 km | 21 | — |
| School enrolments | 8,263 | — |
| Average school size | 393 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,036 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 64.9%, Year 9 or below 12.7%, Year 10 11.6%, Year 11 3.2%

**Highest qualification level** — Bachelor degree 31.6%, Certificate III / IV 16.7%, Advanced diploma / diploma 16.4%, Postgraduate degree 11.8%, Graduate diploma / certificate 2.9%, Certificate I / II 1.5%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 24.1%, Society & culture 11.5%, Engineering & related 10.6%, Health 7.5%, Education 6.3%, Information technology 5.3%, Creative arts 5.1%, Food, hospitality & personal services 4.8%, Architecture & building 4.7%, Natural & physical sciences 2.9%, Agriculture & environment 0.7%

## Income

Typical weekly household income is $1,731, which is about the same as the national figure. Personal incomes are a little below the state and national averages, with 42.8% of people earning under $650 a week.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $718 | +32.5% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,731 | +45.0% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,978 | +46.2% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 9.6% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 22.1% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 30.2%, $650–$1,499 25.6%, Under $650 16.1%, $4,000 or more 11.8%, $3,000–$3,999 10.3%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 42.8%, $650–$1,499 30.6%, $1,500–$2,999 15.4%, $3,000 or more 3.4%

## Health & Disability

While 6.3% of people need help with daily activities, the rate of long-term health conditions (21.1%) and mental health conditions (5.3%) is much lower than in most other areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 21.1% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 5.3% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 6.3% | +20.0% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Other condition 7.1%, Arthritis 6.0%, Mental health 5.3%, Diabetes 5.2%, Asthma 5.0%, Heart disease 3.1%, Cancer 2.1%, Lung condition 1.0%, Stroke 0.7%, Dementia 0.7%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 70.5%, One condition 15.1%, Two conditions 4.1%, Three or more 2.0%

## Community Participation

Volunteer rates are among the lowest for similar areas at 8.1%, falling 3.9 points since 2011. There is also a lower proportion of people providing unpaid care or looking after children compared to the rest of the state.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 8.1% | -32.4% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 10.9% | -10.0% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 21.4% | -26.1% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 0.7% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 18.9% | -11.9% since 2011 |

## Family & Households

Homes here are more crowded than usual, with 2.7 people per home. One-parent families make up 15.0% of the community, which is a little above the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.7 | -3.6% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 15.0% | -23.2% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 22.5% | +7.7% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 60.1%, Couples without children 23.0%, One-parent families 15.0%, Other families 1.8%

**Household size** — 2 people 30.5%, 1 person 22.5%, 3 people 18.7%, 4 people 16.8%, 5 people 7.0%, 6 or more 4.4%

## Housing & Dwellings

The housing mix has shifted away from separate houses, which fell 31 points since 2011 to 48.8%. Renting is much more common than in most areas (38.1%), and typical weekly rent is $420.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $420 | +61.5% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $2,285 | +27.1% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 1.00 | -9.1% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 38.1% | +20.1% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 29.8% | +16.5% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 48.8% | -39.1% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 52.8% | -35.9% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Rented 38.1%, Owned outright 29.8%, Owned with a mortgage 29.0%, Not stated 1.6%, Other tenure 1.5%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 48.8%, Flat or apartment 39.3%, Townhouse / semi-detached 11.1%, Other dwelling 0.6%

**Bedrooms per home** — 2 bedrooms 38.7%, 3 bedrooms 31.4%, 4 bedrooms 15.4%, 1 bedroom 6.5%, 5 or more 6.1%, Studio / none 0.4%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 50.9%, $550–$749 17.6%, $200–$349 16.5%, Under $200 6.9%, $750 or more 4.4%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,800–$2,999 32.0%, $3,000 or more 31.1%, $1,000–$1,799 17.2%, Under $1,000 12.3%

## Transport & Vehicles

Working from home is very common here at 36.7%, well above the national average. Public transport use for commuting is also higher than usual, and 13.4% of homes have no motor vehicle.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 13.4% | +23.1% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 36.7% | +1896.9% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 5.1% | -59.6% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 343 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 3.65 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 1,603.1 | — |
| Public transport routes | 30 | — |

**How people get to work** — Worked at home 36.7%, Car (driver) 29.8%, Train 3.8%, Car (passenger) 2.6%, Walked 1.7%, Bus 1.2%, Bicycle 0.3%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 44.2%, 2 vehicles 29.3%, No vehicle 13.4%, 3 vehicles 8.5%, 4 or more 4.6%

## Migration & Movement

Recent overseas arrivals make up 15.1% of the population, which is about the same as the national figure. Meanwhile, 36.7% of residents moved house in the last five years, a rate lower than most areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 36.7% | +15.5% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 15.1% | +32.5% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

The number of adults working or looking for work (52.1%) is much lower than in most areas. Unemployment is a little above the state average at 5.9%, and full-time employment has fallen 17 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | -22.1% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 52.1% | -14.7% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 51.0% | -24.8% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 13.6%, Retail trade 9.7%, Education & training 8.7%, Professional & technical 8.6%, Construction 8.0%, Accommodation & food 6.5%, Transport & warehousing 6.2%, Finance & insurance 6.0%, Public administration & safety 5.1%, Manufacturing 4.8%, Administrative & support 3.8%, Other services 3.8%, Wholesale trade 3.1%, Media & telecommunications 2.3%, Rental & real estate 1.9%, Arts & recreation 1.6%, Electricity, gas & water 0.5%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0.2%, Mining 0.0%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 25.7%, Clerical & administrative 14.4%, Managers 13.1%, Technicians & trades 11.1%, Community & personal service 10.3%, Sales workers 8.8%, Labourers 8.4%, Machinery operators & drivers 5.7%

## Walkability

Canterbury is a walker's paradise with a score of 8.0. Almost every home (99.8%) is within a 15-minute walk of public transport, a school, and a park.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 8.0 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 7.8 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 99.8% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 95.3% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 99.8% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 99.8% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 95.3% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 7.8 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 236 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 5.2% | — |

## Schools serving Canterbury

21 schools, 8,263 students, average ICSEA 1,036.

By sector: Government 16, Catholic 4, Independent 1

By type: Primary 14, Secondary 6, Combined 1

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canterbury South Public School | Government | Primary | 0.4 km | 269 |
| Clemton Park Public School | Government | Primary | 1.1 km | 500 |
| Earlwood Public School | Government | Primary | 1.2 km | 600 |
| Campsie Public School | Government | Primary | 1.3 km | 515 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School | Catholic | Primary | 1.4 km | 374 |
| St Mel's Catholic Primary School | Catholic | Primary | 1.4 km | 345 |
| Canterbury Public School | Government | Primary | 1.6 km | 346 |
| Canterbury Girls High School | Government | Secondary | 1.8 km | 722 |
| Edgeware School | Government | Secondary | 1.8 km | 31 |
| All Saints Grammar | Independent | Secondary | 1.9 km | 646 |

## Nearby areas

[Summer Hill](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10078/summer-hill) · [Strathfield](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10077/strathfield) · [Kogarah](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10040/kogarah) · [Lakemba](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10043/lakemba) · [Rockdale](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10072/rockdale) · [Oatley](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10062/oatley) · [Drummoyne](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10025/drummoyne) · [Balmain](https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10004/balmain)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sed/SED10015/canterbury