Lane Cove North
Apartment living defines Lane Cove North: 70.9% of dwellings are apartments and only 23.0% are separate houses, a much higher density mix than many lower north shore pockets such as Lane Cove and Riverview. The suburb has 11,773 residents in 2.36 sq km, with household income in the 90.4th percentile nationally. Its buyer profile is younger than the national average, with a median age of 36, while 45.0% born overseas adds rental depth because the area sits between Chatswood jobs, Lane Cove village services and arterial bus routes.
Population
11,773
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,386/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
44
Median House
$964K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
For homebuyers, Lane Cove North is more apartment first than family estate. The median house price is $964,000, while the latest observed median reached $997,000 in 2025, 9.3% higher than 2024. Separate houses are scarce at 23.0%, so buyers wanting 4 plus bedrooms face tighter choice than apartment seekers, with 47.2% of homes having 2 bedrooms. Mortgage payments average $2,600 per month and sit at 25.2% of income, below common stress thresholds, because household income is high at $2,386 weekly.
For Buyers
For homebuyers, Lane Cove North is more apartment first than family estate. The median house price is $964,000, while the latest observed median reached $997,000 in 2025, 9.3% higher than 2024. Separate houses are scarce at 23.0%, so buyers wanting 4 plus bedrooms face tighter choice than apartment seekers, with 47.2% of homes having 2 bedrooms. Mortgage payments average $2,600 per month and sit at 25.2% of income, below common stress thresholds, because household income is high at $2,386 weekly.
For Investors
Investors are buying into a renter heavy market, with 40.9% of homes rented, higher than outright ownership at 21.3%, and a median rent of $480 per week. Vacancy is elevated at 8.3%, so leasing risk needs more attention compared with the suburb's strong income base. Demand is still supported by 45.0% overseas-born residents, 13.4% public transport commuting and 41 development applications in 12 months. The apartment base limits land scarcity upside, but 31.0% rent growth in the forecast shift points to resilient tenant budgets.
Development Activity
Total DAs
263
Last 12 Months
44
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-8.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Lane Cove North skews younger, educated and international compared with the national profile. Median age is 36, which is 4.0 years below national, and 63.7% hold university qualifications, 33.6 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents make up 45.0%, above the national share by 23.4 points, with English, Chinese, Irish and Scottish ancestries prominent. Mandarin has 300 speakers and Cantonese 262, while average household size of 2.3 is 0.2 below national, fitting the apartment-heavy stock.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
23.0%
Houses
6.2%
Townhouse
70.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Lane Cove North's housing market is compact and strata-led compared with nearby Riverview or Longueville, where houses are more common. Apartments account for 70.9% of dwellings, separate houses 23.0% and semi-detached homes 6.2%. Prices rose from $912,500 in 2024 to $997,000 in 2025, a 9.3% lift, with the latest price also the peak, so peak-to-latest is 0.0%. Tenure is mixed: 21.3% owned outright, 37.8% mortgaged and 40.9% renting, while 2 bedroom homes dominate at 47.2%.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wk
$480
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,374
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.3%
Unoccupied
443
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.6%
Couples, no children
8,871
Total families
Economy & Employment
Workforce strength is a defining advantage. Household income is $2,386 a week, in the 90.4th percentile nationally, because the labour pool is concentrated in high-skill jobs. Professional/Tech employs 1,202 people or 21.3%, followed by Healthcare at 817, Finance at 631, Education at 499 and Retail at 317. Professionals number 2,879 and Managers 1,293, well above the 808 Clerical/Admin workers. Unemployment is 4.1%, with 74.0% of employed residents full time and participation at 67.0%.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
14,184
Unemployed
629
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
74.0%
Part-time
21.9%
Participation
67.0%
Employed
6,214
Occupations
Top Industries
University
63.7%
Postgraduate
20.8%
Born Overseas
45.0%
Dwellings
4,910
Transport to Work
Lane Cove North suits residents who trade private yard space for access. Public transport is used by 13.4% of commuters, above the 7.7% who walk or cycle, but 74.2% still drive, so Pacific Highway and bus access matter. The housing pattern shapes day-to-day life: 70.9% apartments and 47.2% 2 bedroom homes mean less private land than house-led suburbs, but easier lock-up-and-leave living. Safety rates are not available, so livability is better judged through income, workforce and support indicators: 3.4% need assistance and household income ranks in the 90.4th percentile nationally.
Drive
74.2%
Public Transport
13.4%
Walk / Cycle
7.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.5%/yr
(+250 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is steady rather than speculative. The forecast trend adds 250 people a year, or 1.5% annually, taking the medium scenario from 17,087 in 2026 to 18,339 in 2031. Overseas migration is the main driver, averaging +280 people a year, compared with a net internal outflow of -218, so new arrivals replace some residents moving elsewhere. The gentrification score is 20 and stage is Early signs, while the shift trajectory is Stable and population has changed 31.1% over 10 years.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+280
Net Internal / yr
-218
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +31% since 2011, Net internal outflow -218/yr, Strong overseas inflow +280/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lane Cove North compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lane Cove North a good suburb to live in?
Yes, especially for apartment buyers who value access over land. Lane Cove North has 70.9% apartments, a median age of 36 and household income in the 90.4th percentile nationally, but 74.2% of commuters drive so traffic matters.
What is the median house price in Lane Cove North?
The median house price is $964,000, with the latest price observation at $997,000 in 2025. That latest figure is 9.3% higher than 2024 and sits at the recorded peak, with peak-to-latest change of 0.0%.
What schools are in Lane Cove North?
0 schools are recorded within Lane Cove North itself, so families should compare nearby campuses outside the suburb. The local lifestyle still suits households, with 47.2% 2 bedroom homes and 13.4% public transport commuting.
Is Lane Cove North safe?
Crime rate per 1,000 is not available for Lane Cove North, so check current NSW crime maps before deciding. Local stability indicators include 3.4% needing assistance and 4.1% unemployment.
Is Lane Cove North good for property investment?
Lane Cove North has investor appeal because 40.9% of dwellings are rented, higher than outright ownership at 21.3%, and weekly rent is $480. Vacancy is 8.3%, so investors should price leasing risk against 31.0% rent growth in the forecast shift.
How is Lane Cove North's population changing?
The forecast is for stable growth of 250 people a year, or 1.5% annually. The medium scenario reaches 18,339 by 2031, with overseas migration adding +280 a year compared with net internal movement of -218.
What languages are spoken in Lane Cove North?
Overseas-born residents account for 45.0%, above national by 23.4 percentage points. Listed language communities include Mandarin with 300 speakers, Cantonese with 262, Japanese with 105, Persian with 94 and Nepali with 71.
Is there much development in Lane Cove North?
Development activity is notable, with 41 applications in 12 months. Recent samples include a 1 dwelling house and a 2 dwelling dual occupancy, so change is incremental compared with the established apartment base.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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