Galston - Laughtondale
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Galston - Laughtondale reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Galston-Laughtondale's population is 5,485 as of Aug 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 49 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,436. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 5,483 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 28 persons per square kilometer. Galston-Laughtondale's growth rate of 0.9% since the census compares favorably with its SA3 area's 3.0%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on current demographic trends, Galston-Laughtondale is expected to expand by 106 persons to reach a total population of 5,591 by 2041, an increase of 1.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Galston - Laughtondale, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Galston - Laughtondale has seen approximately 13 residential properties approved each year over the past five financial years, totalling 68 homes. In FY26 so far, two approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.1 person per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering more buyer options while enabling population growth that could exceed expectations.

The average value of new properties constructed is $1,045,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. This financial year has seen $4.2 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development focus compared to Greater Sydney. Galston - Laughtondale shows approximately 69% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 28th percentile nationally in terms of buyer options, indicating somewhat limited choices while strengthening demand for established properties. The area's new development consists of 91.0% detached houses and 9.0% attached dwellings, preserving its low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With an estimated count of 618 people per dwelling approval, Galston - Laughtondale maintains a quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate the area will gain 103 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Galston - Laughtondale has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects likely impacting the region. Key initiatives are Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney rail line upgrades, Sydney Metro Northwest, and Sydney Metro West. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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

Employment performance in Galston - Laughtondale exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Galston - Laughtondale has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.2%. As of June 2025, 2,973 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% below Greater Sydney's rate and workforce participation similar to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Major employment sectors include construction, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Construction is particularly prominent, employing 1.8 times the regional average.

In contrast, finance & insurance employs only 3.6% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 7.3%. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, while labour force grew by 3.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.9 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Sydney, where employment rose by 2.6% and unemployment increased by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data for NSW as of Sep-25 shows employment contracted by 0.41%, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National unemployment stands at 4.5%, with national employment growth at 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's May 2025 forecasts project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Galston - Laughtondale may experience local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Galston-Laughtondale's income level is among the top percentile nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 2022. Median income among taxpayers in Galston-Laughtondale was $55,261 and average income stood at $97,424. Greater Sydney's median income was $56,994 with an average of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year ended June 2022, current estimates for Galston-Laughtondale would be approximately $61,119 (median) and $107,751 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals household incomes rank exceptionally at the 87th percentile with a weekly income of $2,364. The earnings profile shows 28.1% of population (1,541 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. A substantial proportion of high earners (39.3% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Galston-Laughtondale. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Galston - Laughtondale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Galston-Laughtondale, as per the latest Census evaluation, 90.0% of dwellings were houses while 10.0% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. This is similar to Sydney metro's figures of 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Galston-Laughtondale stood at 47.9%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 38.9% and rented ones making up the remaining 13.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,784, lower than Sydney metro's average of $3,000. Weekly rent in Galston-Laughtondale was recorded at $460, compared to Sydney metro's $520. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Galston - Laughtondale features high concentrations of family households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 78.5% of all households, including 40.0% couples with children, 29.7% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.5%, with lone person households at 19.2% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.9 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 3.1.

Galston - Laughtondale shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational qualifications in Galston-Laughtondale trail regional benchmarks with 31.5% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 40.4% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 7.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 36.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 23.7%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.3% in primary, 9.1% in secondary, and 4.8% in tertiary education.

Galston-Laughtondale's four schools have a combined enrollment reaching 1,387 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1063. The educational mix includes two primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school.

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

Transport analysis shows 72 active stops operating in Galston-Laughtondale, served by buses. There are 55 routes providing 526 weekly passenger trips. Residents have limited accessibility, with an average distance of 889 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency is 75 trips per day across all routes, or approximately 7 weekly trips per stop.

Galston - Laughtondale's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Galston - Laughtondale residents show positive health outcomes with common conditions seen across all ages. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 70%, compared to 77.1% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%. The most common conditions are arthritis (9.3%) and asthma (6.2%).

69.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 72.3% in Greater Sydney. Residents aged 65 and over make up 26.8%, higher than the 22.4% in Greater Sydney. Senior health outcomes are strong, outperforming the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Galston - Laughtondale records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Galston-Laughtondale had cultural diversity roughly matching its wider region's average. 80.4% of its population were born in Australia, 91.0% were citizens, and 90.0% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 62.6%, compared to 65.5% across Greater Sydney.

The top three ancestral groups were English (30.7%), Australian (25.1%), and Irish (8.3%). Notably, Lebanese (2.2%) were overrepresented compared to the regional average of 3.6%. Similarly, Italians at 5.1% exceeded their regional representation of 6.0%, while Maltese at 0.8% fell below the regional average of 1.7%.

Galston - Laughtondale hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Galston-Laughtondale's median age is 47 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group comprises 10.4% of its population compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort makes up only 7.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the latest data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 8.1% to 10.4%, and the 15-24 cohort has increased from 12.3% to 13.8%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 14.6% to 13.2%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 14.8% to 13.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Galston-Laughtondale's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 53%, adding 303 residents to reach 875. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive all population growth, emphasizing demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 0-4 age cohorts.