Helensburgh
Statistical Area - sa2

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 9,205 as of August 2025. This reflects an increase of 70 people from the 9,135 reported in the 2021 Census, a rise of 0.8%. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,124 as of June 2024 and an additional 51 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 59 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 51.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population growth is anticipated to be at the lower quartile rate of national regional areas. Based on current numbers, the area is expected to expand by 365 persons to 2041, representing a total gain of 3.1% 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 around 22 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 112 homes from FY-20 to FY-25. As of FY-26, 10 approvals have been recorded. The population has fallen during this period, suggesting new supply has kept pace with demand, providing good buying choices while new homes are constructed at an average cost of $506,000. This financial year has seen $1.3 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's residential nature.

Compared to the Rest of NSW, Helensburgh has 58.0% less development activity per person. This limited 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, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift reflects reduced availability of development sites and changing lifestyle demands. The current housing mix is 85.0% houses. As of FY-26, the estimated population per dwelling approval is 1151 people. Future projections suggest Helensburgh will add 282 residents by 2041.

Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Helensburgh has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that may affect the region. Notable initiatives include Helensburgh Pool Refurbishment, Former Helensburgh Waste Depot Remediation, Helensburgh Streetscape Masterplan - Stage 2 & 3, and Vera and Wilson Streets Helensburgh. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Helensburgh performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Helensburgh has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 1.8% as of June 2025, lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%.

Workforce participation was high at 68.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area has a significant specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share nearly twice the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 5.3%.

Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data comparison. In the year ending June 2025, employment increased by 0.4%, while labour force grew by 0.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Meanwhile, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.1% and a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Statewide, NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs) to Sep-25, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. Nationally, employment grew by 0.26%, and the unemployment rate was 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia projects national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Helensburgh's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's data for postcode level ATO incomes in financial year 2022 shows Helensburgh has high median and average incomes of $60,010 and $78,086 respectively. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. By March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $66,371 (median) and $86,363 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data ranks Helensburgh's household, family, and personal incomes between the 79th and 91st percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 33.7% (3,102 individuals) earn between $1,500 - 2,999 per week, aligning with regional levels of 29.9%. The locality demonstrates affluence with 39.3% earning over $3,000 weekly, supporting premium retail and services. Housing accounts for 14.8% of income, and residents rank in the 91st percentile for disposable income. Helensburgh'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 structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.4% houses and 14.6% other dwellings (including 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 level. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (50.7%) or rented (15.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Helensburgh 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 than 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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 16.1%, with lone person households at 14.6% and group households making up 1.6%. 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 of 30.0% among residents aged 15+ exceeds the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region's average of 25.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 40.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them; advanced diplomas account for 12.7% and certificates for 28.0%.

Educational participation is high at 30.5%, including 10.6% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education. Helensburgh's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,004 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1065). The educational mix includes four primary schools and one K-12 school. School places per 100 residents stand at 10.9, below the regional average of 15.0, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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 operating, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 20 individual routes that collectively facilitate 1,640 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 176 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 234 trips per day across all routes, equating 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. However, prevalence is higher among older, at-risk cohorts compared to national averages.

Private health cover is exceptionally high here, at approximately 59% (5,412 people), compared to 56.6% in Rest of NSW. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 8.1% and 7.4% of residents respectively. 71.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 68.6% across Rest of NSW. As of 2021, 15.2% (1,402 people) of Helensburgh's population is aged 65 and over, lower than the 17.7% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in 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 cultural diversity below average, with 86.6% born in Australia, 92.7% citizens, and 95.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 50.2%, compared to 51.0% regionally. Top ancestry groups were English (30.9%), Australian (30.3%) - higher than regional average of 24.8%, and Irish (9.9%).

Notable differences included Maltese at 0.8% (regional: 0.6%), Macedonian at 0.2% (regional: 1.5%), and Dutch at 1.4% (regional: 1.5%).

Helensburgh's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Helensburgh is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43, but aligns essentially 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 grew from 14.1% to 14.9%, while the 55-64 age group declined from 13.2% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Helensburgh's age structure. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 46%, reaching 638 from 437. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 56% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 15-24 and 65-74 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.