In the 2016 Census, there were 6,160 people in Manly Vale. 60.0% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were England 7.5%, New Zealand 2.2%, China 1.9% and Brazil 1.7%. 70.7% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 1.9% and Portuguese 1.8%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 37.3%, Catholic 23.4% and Anglican 14.0%.
Parks and recreation
The suburb contains many recreational facilities including parks such as Passmore Reserve and playing fields at Millers Reserve and David Thomas Reserve. Manly Dam is on the western edge of Manly Vale. There are also a number of small reserves, for example King Street Reserve. are based at David Thomas Reserve.
Landcare activities
Landcare activities became important in Manly Vale with the creation of the "Return of the Mermaids" Project. The project consists of regularly involving volunteers to collect rubbish, remove weeds and plant local native species in the Mermaid Pool on Manly Creek. The Pool was originally an intact sandy beach with a sparkling waterfall. It became polluted due to illegal dumping and urban development. Invasive and noxious weed started to take over the area. This project was convened under the auspices of the Save Manly Dam Catchment Committee. The SMDCC was established to fight a controversial development in the head waters of Manly Dam by British Motorway constructor Wimpey in conjunction with local firm, Ardel. When bushland was lost to this housing development, the Mermaid Pool Project was initiated to compensate for the destruction. The "Return of the Mermaids" project aims at rehabilitating the Mermaid Pool as much as possible to its pristine state. The project won the People’s Choice Award for the 2011 NSW Landcare Awards. It was also a winner of the 2011 SMCMA Community Group Environment Award.
Schools
The suburb contains three schools, Manly Vale Public School, St Kieran’s Primary School and Mackellar Girls Campus, as well as a child care centre operated by the Child Care Group.
Avenue of Honour
King St, Manly Vale has been planted with endemic native trees and shrubs by the local community under the direction of the Save Manly Dam Catchment Committee. The avenue, leading to the entrance of Manly Warringah War Memorial Park, pays tribute to the service of Merchant Seamen in Worlds War 1 and World War 2. It has been officially declared an "Avenue of Honour". A stone memorial has additionally been placed in King Reserve.
