Holsworthy - Wattle Grove
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 21,296, showing an increase of 167 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 21,129. This change is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 21,269 in June 2024 and the addition of 59 validated new addresses post-Census. The population density is around 289 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.2% of recent population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government's projections for uncovered areas, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year.

Future trends suggest a population increase below the Australian median by 2041, with an expected growth of 1,815 persons, resulting in an 8.4% total increase over 17 years.

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

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove has had about 54 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 270 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 19 approvals. The population decline in recent years has not significantly impacted development activity, which remains adequate relative to other areas. New properties are constructed at an average cost of $487,000, similar to broader regional trends.

This financial year has seen $84.1 million in commercial development approvals, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Holsworthy-Wattle Grove has significantly less development activity, with 66.0% below the regional average per person. This typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, reflecting market maturity and potential development constraints. New developments consist of 54.0% detached houses and 46.0% townhouses or apartments, showing an expanding range of medium-density options. This represents a shift from the area's current housing composition, which is 87.0% houses. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 340 people, indicating a quiet development environment.

By 2041, Holsworthy-Wattle Grove is projected to grow by 1,788 residents. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth.

Holsworthy - Wattle Grove has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 54 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones are Holsworthy Local Centre Mixed-Use Development, M5 Motorway Westbound Traffic Upgrade, Georges Cove Residences, and La Vie @ Casula. The following details those most likely to be relevant.

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

The exceptional employment performance in Holsworthy - Wattle Grove places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation, a low unemployment rate of 1.2%, and estimated employment growth of 4.9% in the past year as of June 2025. There are 14,365 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation is high at 67.1%. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in public administration & safety, with employment share 2.8 times the regional level, but professional & technical services have lower representation at 7.9% versus the regional average of 11.5%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data.

Over a year, employment increased by 4.9%, labour force by 4.9%, with unemployment essentially unchanged. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.6%, labour force grow by 2.9%, and unemployment rise by 0.3%. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%, favourable compared to the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Holsworthy-Wattle Grove's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4%% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

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

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove's median income among taxpayers was $61,919 and average income was $70,776 in financial year 2022, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures compare to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $68,482 and average income around $78,278, factoring in a 10.6% growth since financial year 2022 based on Wage Price Index data. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Holsworthy-Wattle Grove rank between the 81st and 90th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that 36.2% of residents (7,709 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, aligning with broader trends at regional levels where 30.9% are in this category. Notably, 37.7% of Holsworthy-Wattle Grove's population earns above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity. High housing costs consume 15.4% of income, but robust earnings result in disposable income at the 89th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it within the 8th decile.

Holsworthy - Wattle Grove is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.7% houses and 13.3% other dwellings. This differs from Sydney metro's figures of 63.3% houses and 36.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Holsworthy-Wattle Grove was 26.0%, with the rest being mortgaged (46.1%) or rented (27.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,275, above Sydney metro's average of $2,167. Weekly rent was recorded at $495, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Holsworthy-Wattle Grove's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 85.6% of all households, consisting of 51.7% couples with children, 21.4% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 14.4%, with lone person households at 13.3% and group households making up 1.2%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.0.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 31.4% among residents aged 15+, higher than the SA4 region average of 21.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 34.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (21.8%).

Educational participation is high at 33.1%, including 11.9% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education. Seven schools operate within Holsworthy - Wattle Grove, educating approximately 3,562 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1061). The educational mix includes five primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove has 127 active public transport stops, served by 29 routes offering 3,242 weekly passenger trips. Residents are typically 181 meters from the nearest stop, with excellent accessibility. Service frequency averages 463 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 463 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Holsworthy - Wattle Grove's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Holsworthy - Wattle Grove, with younger age groups exhibiting very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is high, at approximately 55% of the total population (around 11,712 people), compared to 50.4% across Greater Sydney.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 7.0% and 5.8% of residents respectively. A total of 75.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 76.4% in Greater Sydney. As of 2016 data, 13.0% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,762 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Holsworthy - Wattle Grove was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 31.6% of its population born overseas and 33.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Holsworthy-Wattle Grove, comprising 59.3%. Hinduism showed significant overrepresentation, making up 7.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 7.2%.

For ancestry, Australian was the highest at 22.6%, substantially higher than the regional average of 14.1%. English followed with 18.7%, also significantly higher than the region's 11.5%. However, 'Other' ancestry was notably lower at 16.0% compared to the regional average of 27.9%. Notable differences were seen in Lebanese (1.8%), Macedonian (0.9%), and Indian (5.8%) ethnic groups compared to regional averages of 5.2%, 1.3%, and 6.2% respectively.

Holsworthy - Wattle Grove's population is younger than the national pattern

Holsworthy-Wattle Grove has a median age of 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Sydney's 37 years and the national average of 38 years. The age group of 5-14 years makes up 14.4% of the population, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 age group constitutes 13.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 65-74 age group has increased from 6.1% to 6.8% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 14.1% to 13.0%. By 2041, projections indicate significant demographic changes for Holsworthy-Wattle Grove. The 75-84 age cohort is expected to rise substantially, with an increase of 651 people (70%) from 934 to 1,586. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 70% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decrease in number.