Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg's population is around 17,467 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 313 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,154 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 17,421 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 59 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,365 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.6%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 71.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 is utilising 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, an above median population growth of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is projected, with the area expected to grow by 3,544 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 20.0% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg has averaged approximately 44 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 223 homes approved over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 10 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, one new resident per year has been associated with each dwelling constructed over these five years. This rate of construction matches or exceeds demand, providing buyers with more options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations.

The average value of new homes being built is $365,000, which is under regional levels, indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. In FY-26, there have been $6.1 million in commercial approvals, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Sydney, Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg shows approximately 56% of the construction activity per person and places among the 35th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes. This is lower than national levels, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

New building activity comprises 94.0% detached dwellings and 6.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 469 people per dwelling approval, Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg shows a developed market. Future projections suggest Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg will add approximately 3,498 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 20 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Canvas at Bonnyrigg, Bonnyrigg Estate Renewal - Humphries Precinct, Bonnyrigg High School Upgrade, and Parklane Residences Villawood. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Bonnyrigg Heights, as of June 2025, has an unemployment rate of 5.3% with estimated employment growth of 5.6% over the past year. There are 7,780 residents in work, which is 1.1% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation stands at 44.5%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment among residents is concentrated in manufacturing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing shows strong specialization with an employment share of 2.3 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 5.5% compared to the regional average of 11.5%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. In the past year, employment increased by 5.6% while labour force grew by 4.9%, decreasing the unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a rise in unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, losing 19,270 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bonnyrigg Heights' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though these are illustrative extrapolations not accounting for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg had median taxpayer income of $46,093 and average income of $54,376. These figures are lower than national averages of $56,994 in Greater Sydney and $80,856 overall. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg would be approximately $50,979 (median) and $60,140 (average) as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data indicates individual incomes lag at the 4th percentile ($513 weekly), while household income performs better at the 40th percentile. The earnings profile shows that 31.3% of locals (5,467 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to the surrounding region where 30.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 38th percentile.

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg, according to the latest Census, had 82.8% houses and 17.2% other dwellings compared to Sydney metro's 73.3% houses and 26.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg was 32.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.1% and rented ones at 34.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Sydney metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $400, also matching Sydney metro figures. Nationally, Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 85.7% of all households, including 44.6% couples with children, 17.7% couples without children, and 21.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 14.3%, with lone person households at 13.3% and group households comprising 1.1% of the total. The median household size is 3.3 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.2.

Educational outcomes in Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.9%, considerably lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 13.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (0.7%). Vocational credentials are common, with 25.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (16.2%). Educational participation is high at 31.9%, with 10.2% in secondary education, 9.8% in primary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Six schools operate within Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg, educating approximately 5,852 students. Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 995) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with 4 primary and 2 secondary schools serving distinct age groups. The area functions as an education hub with 33.5 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 17.4, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis shows 110 active transport stops operating in Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg, serving a mix of buses. These stops are served by 70 individual routes, collectively providing 4,085 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 135 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 583 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 37 weekly trips per stop.

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg, with both young and old age cohorts experiencing low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~8,244 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are diabetes and arthritis, impacting 6.6 and 6.0% of residents respectively, while 75.6% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 75.6% across Greater Sydney. The area has 17.6% of residents aged 65 and over (3,065 people), which is lower than the 19.0% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Bonnyrigg Heights, located in the country's most culturally diverse areas, has a population where 55.9% were born overseas and 73.8% speak languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Bonnyrigg Heights, with 49.1%. Buddhism is notably higher here than the Greater Sydney average, comprising 26.9% compared to 21.7%.

The top three ancestral groups are Other (31.1%), Vietnamese (20.2%), and Chinese (12.0%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences: Serbian at 4.0% (regional average 1.8%), Spanish at 0.9% (vs regional 1.0%), and Samoan at 1.2% (vs regional 1.0%).

Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg is 38 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37 and equivalent to the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Sydney, Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg has a higher concentration of 15-24 residents at 15.8% but fewer 35-44 year-olds at 11.6%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 3.7% to 5.4%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 14.6% to 15.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 12.8% to 11.5%. By 2041, Bonnyrigg Heights - Bonnyrigg is expected to see notable age composition shifts. The 75 to 84 group will grow by 114%, reaching 2,005 people from 936. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 59% of projected growth. The 35 to 44 group will display modest growth at 1%, adding only 18 residents.