Helensburgh

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

Helensburgh's population is around 9,213 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 78 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,135 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,124 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 54 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 59 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 51.9% 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 areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth of national regional areas, with Helensburgh expected to expand by 365 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 3.0% in total over the 17 years.

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

Helensburgh has received approximately 22 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 112 homes. As of FY-26, 13 approvals have been recorded. The average construction cost value for new homes is $328,000. This year, $1.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's residential nature.

Compared to Rest of NSW, Helensburgh has significantly less development activity, 58.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. New building activity shows 47.0% detached dwellings and 53.0% medium and high-density housing. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1151 people, reflecting a quiet development environment. Future projections show Helensburgh adding 274 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Future projections show Helensburgh adding 274 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Helensburgh has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Helensburgh Pool Refurbishment, Former Helensburgh Waste Depot Remediation, Vera and Wilson Streets Helensburgh project, and Helensburgh Community Centre and Library. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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.

Helensburgh ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Helensburgh has a well-educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate is 2.2%.

Employment stability has been relatively consistent over the past year. As of September 2025, 5,190 residents are employed and the unemployment rate is 1.6% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Helensburgh is high at 68.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.

There is a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence, with only 0.6% of residents employed in this sector compared to the regional average of 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by a comparison between Census working population and resident population figures. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, Helensburgh's labour force increased by 0.1% while employment declined by 0.5%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced a 0.5% employment decline and a 0.1% labour force decline, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years. Applying these projections to Helensburgh's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows Helensburgh SA2 had high incomes. The median was $60,010 and the average was $78,086. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. By September 2025, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $67,577 and average income $87,933, based on a 12.61% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data ranks Helensburgh's household, family, and personal incomes highly, between the 79th and 91st percentiles nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 33.7% of residents (3,104 individuals), similar to regional levels at 29.9%. Helensburgh demonstrates affluence with 39.3% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and services. Housing accounts for 14.8% of income. Residents rank within the 91st percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Helensburgh's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 85.4% houses and 14.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 58.9% houses and 41.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Helensburgh was 33.8%, similar to Non-Metro NSW's figure. The remaining dwellings were mortgaged (50.7%) or rented (15.5%). Helensburgh's median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,512, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,189. Median weekly rent in Helensburgh was $530, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Helensburgh's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,512 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 83.9% of all households, including 47.5% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 16.1%, with lone person households at 14.6% and group households comprising 1.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate stands at 30.0%, surpassing the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region's rate of 25.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 19.3% of residents holding these qualifications. Postgraduate qualifications follow at 7.7%, and graduate diplomas are held by 3.0% of residents.

Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing them. Advanced diplomas account for 12.7%, while certificates make up 28.0%. Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Helensburgh has 97 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 20 individual routes, collectively facilitating 1,640 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 176 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency is high, averaging 234 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Helensburgh is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Helensburgh shows better-than-average health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions among its general population, although higher than national averages among older, at-risk groups. Approximately 59% (5,417 people) have private health cover, compared to 56.6% across the rest of NSW.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 8.1 and 7.4% of residents respectively, while 71.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 68.6% in the rest of NSW. As of 2021, 15.2% (1,404 people) are aged 65 or over, lower than the 17.7% in the rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

Helensburgh is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Helensburgh had a lower cultural diversity level, with 86.6% born in Australia, 92.7% being citizens, and 95.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, at 50.2%, compared to 51.0% regionally. Top ancestry groups were English (30.9%), Australian (30.3%), and Irish (9.9%).

Notably, Maltese were overrepresented at 0.8% versus regional 0.6%, Macedonian at 0.2% versus 1.5%, and Dutch at 1.4% versus 1.5%.

Helensburgh's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Helensburgh is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Helensburgh has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.9%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (8.8%). According to the 2021 Census, the 5-14 age group has increased from 14.1% to 14.9% of Helensburgh's population, while the 55-64 age group has declined from 13.2% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Helensburgh's age structure. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 46%, reaching 638 people from 437. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 57% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 15-24 and 65-74 age groups are projected to decrease in number.