Ashcroft - Busby - Miller

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Ashcroft - Busby - Miller's population is around 18,434 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 472 people (2.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,962 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,224 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 99 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 3,376 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 51.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, an above-median population growth of Australian statistical areas is projected, with the area expected to expand by 3,435 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 17.5% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Ashcroft - Busby - Miller recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller has experienced around 87 dwellings receiving development approval annually, totalling 435 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 59 approvals have been recorded. At an average of just 0 new residents per year arriving per new home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts, while new dwellings are developed at an average value of $198,000—below the regional average—suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. Additionally, $3.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, reflecting the area's residential character.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Ashcroft - Busby - Miller records markedly lower building activity (76.0% below regional average per person). This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Recent construction comprises 68.0% standalone homes and 32.0% townhouses or apartments, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges, from spacious family homes to more accessible compact options. With around 218 people per dwelling approval, Ashcroft - Busby - Miller shows characteristics of a low density area.

Future projections show Ashcroft - Busby - Miller adding 3,225 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 13 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Hurlstone Agricultural High School Redevelopment, Avala Apartments Miller, Planning Proposal for 93-145 Hoxton Park Road, 51 Maryvale Avenue & 260 Memorial Avenue, and the M5 Motorway Westbound Upgrade, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment drivers in Ashcroft - Busby - Miller are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller possesses a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, an unemployment rate of 15.0%, and 7.4% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 5,568 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 10.8% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation lags significantly (47.1% compared to Greater Sydney's 70.2%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 17.7% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Leading employment industries among residents comprise health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in manufacturing, with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average. In contrast, professional & technical services employ just 2.4% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 7.4% while the labour force increased by 4.9%, resulting in unemployment falling by 2.0 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Sydney, where employment rose by 2.2%, the labour force grew by 2.3%, and unemployment rose marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Ashcroft - Busby - Miller. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Ashcroft - Busby - Miller's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for FY-23 reveals that income in the Ashcroft - Busby - Miller SA2 is below the national average, with the median assessed at $42,624 while the average income stands at $48,458. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's figures of a median income of $60,817 and an average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $46,400 (median) and $52,751 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Ashcroft - Busby - Miller all fall between the 1st and 4th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate the $800 - 1,499 earnings band captures 26.9% of the community (4,958 individuals), differing from patterns across the broader area where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 75.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile.

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure within Ashcroft - Busby - Miller, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 81.0% houses and 19.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Ashcroft - Busby - Miller lagged that of Sydney metro, at 20.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (24.1%) or rented (55.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Sydney metro average at $1,842, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $266, compared to Sydney metro's $2,427 and $470. Nationally, Ashcroft - Busby - Miller's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 72.4% of all households, comprising 32.6% couples with children, 12.7% couples without children, and 24.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.6%, with lone person households at 25.3% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size of 3.0 people is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (10.6%) substantially below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (0.8%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 30.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (22.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 36.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.2% in primary education, 11.5% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport analysis reveals 125 active transport stops operating within Ashcroft - Busby - Miller, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 43 individual routes, collectively providing 1,924 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 136 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 85%, with 7% by train and 5% by bus. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling. Some 17.7% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 274 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Health performance in Ashcroft - Busby - Miller is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Health data reveals substantial challenges facing Ashcroft - Busby - Miller, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A range of health conditions have marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~8,498 people). This compares to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.2% and 8.2% of residents, respectively, while 69.3% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 14.0% of residents aged 65 and over (2,588 people), which is lower than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller scores highly on cultural diversity, with 40.8% of its population born overseas and 58.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Ashcroft - Busby - Miller is Christianity, which makes up 39.6% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Islam, which comprises 27.0% of the population, substantially higher than the Greater Sydney average of 6.8%.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Ashcroft - Busby - Miller are Other, comprising 21.9% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 16.0%, Australian, comprising 17.4% of the population, and English, comprising 13.9% of the population, which is notably lower than the regional average of 19.0%. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Lebanese is notably overrepresented at 11.3% of Ashcroft - Busby - Miller (vs 2.6% regionally), Samoan at 3.3% (vs 0.5%) and Vietnamese at 9.8% (vs 1.8%).

Ashcroft - Busby - Miller's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

With a median age of 33, Ashcroft - Busby - Miller is materially younger than the Greater Sydney figure of 37 and is substantially under Australia's 38 years. Relative to Greater Sydney, Ashcroft - Busby - Miller has a higher concentration of 5 - 14 residents (16.5%) but fewer 25 - 34 year-olds (11.4%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 15.1% to 17.2% of the population, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 7.0% to 8.1%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 12.6% to 11.4% and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 12.3% to 11.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Ashcroft - Busby - Miller. The 75 to 84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 86%, adding 672 residents to reach 1,452. On the other hand, both 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age groups will see reduced numbers.