Laurieton - Bonny Hills

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

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Laurieton - Bonny Hills stands at approximately 20,010 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,526 individuals (8.3%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 18,484 residents. This population shift is calculated utilizing the ABS estimated resident population of 19,995 in June 2025 alongside 902 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The resulting population density is 38 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and significant space per resident. The 8.3% population expansion since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of NSW (4.9%) and the surrounding SA4 region, positioning the locality as a regional growth leader. The primary driver of this demographic growth was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 88.8% of the total population gains in recent times.

AreaSearch implements the ABS/Geoscience Australia population projections for each SA2 unit, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline year. For SA2 territories not represented in this dataset, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 using 2021 as the baseline year are applied. Projections for the years 2032 to 2041 incorporate the age group growth rates derived from these sources. Based on these ongoing demographic patterns, the area is projected to experience population growth exceeding the median for non-metropolitan regions in Australia. Using the most recent annual ERP data, the locality is anticipated to add 3,852 residents by 2041, representing a total population gain of 19.2% over the 16-year timeframe.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Laurieton - Bonny Hills among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Laurieton - Bonny Hills recorded an average of approximately 215 new residential dwelling approvals per year, totaling 1,077 approved homes over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 105 approvals during the current FY-26. An average of 1.6 individuals relocated to the area for every new home constructed over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), indicating balanced supply and demand conditions that favor market stability, with new structures having an average building value of $331,000. Furthermore, commercial development approvals reached $29.8 million during this financial year, pointing to strong local business investment.

In comparison to the Rest of NSW, Laurieton - Bonny Hills displays elevated building development (running 46.0% higher than the regional average per capita over the 5-year timeframe), which helps maintain options for buyers while supporting demand for established properties. This rate of construction is significantly higher than the national average, showcasing strong confidence from developers in this market. The mix of new construction consists of 89.0% detached homes and 11.0% attached dwellings, which preserves the historically low-density layout of the area and emphasizes spacious homes suitable for families. The ratio of population to building approvals stands at approximately 109 people per dwelling approval, pointing to an expanding residential sector.

Projections for the future indicate that Laurieton - Bonny Hills will gain 3,837 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly estimation from AreaSearch. If current building rates persist, the supply of new housing is expected to easily accommodate this demand, establishing favorable purchasing conditions and potentially enabling growth that surpasses current demographic forecasts.

Laurieton - Bonny Hills has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

Developments in local infrastructure, large-scale projects, and planning changes have a significant effect on regional performance. AreaSearch has highlighted 9 key projects that are expected to impact the local community. The most notable projects include the Beach to Beach Shared Path, the Beach to Beach Shared Path, the Lake Cathie Public School upgrade, and the Whitewater Terrace Development in Lake Cathie, with the subsequent list focusing on the developments of greatest relevance.

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.

The employment landscape in Laurieton - Bonny Hills presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.1%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

The labor market in Laurieton - Bonny Hills features a balanced mix of professional and trade occupations, alongside solid representation in essential services, paired with a low unemployment rate of 3.1%. As of March 2026, there are 7,446 employed residents, and the unemployment rate sits 1.0% lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is notably lower (standing at 44.1% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW). Data from the Census indicates that a moderate 13.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdown measures.

The primary employment industries for local residents are healthcare & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area exhibits a high concentration of construction jobs, with an employment share that is 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, public administration & safety is underrepresented at 4.6% of local jobs compared to the regional standard of 7.5%. The relationship between the census-recorded local workforce and the resident population suggests that the local area offers a restricted volume of job opportunities.

According to the AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, the local labor force contracted by 3.4% and total employment fell by 3.7% during the twelve months ending March 2026, leading to a 0.3 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe in Regional NSW, employment contracted by 0.9%, the overall labor force shrank by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate increased by 0.5 percentage points. Future employment trends in Laurieton - Bonny Hills can be evaluated using the national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25. These five-year and ten-year national forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to project local occupational changes. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across different industries. Applying these sector-specific growth expectations to the local industry mix suggests that employment within Laurieton - Bonny Hills could rise by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, noting that this calculation is a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate localized population changes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The Laurieton - Bonny Hills SA2 has a median taxpayer income of $42,903 and an average taxpayer income of $52,511, according to the most recent postcode ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year. These figures sit below the national benchmarks, contrasting with Regional NSW where the median is $52,390 and the average is $65,215. Incorporating the Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current adjusted estimates stand at approximately $47,331 for median income and $57,930 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes in Laurieton - Bonny Hills lie within the 6th to 8th national percentiles. The predominant income cohort is the $400 - 799 bracket, accounting for 29.8% of residents (5,962 people), which differs from the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is largest at 29.9%. Housing affordability challenges are significant, with residents retaining only 84.9% of their income, placing the area in the 9th percentile for this metric.

Laurieton - Bonny Hills is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

According to the latest Census data, the housing profile in Laurieton - Bonny Hills consists of 84.7% separate houses and 15.3% alternative housing types, such as townhouses, units, or other structures, compared to Regional NSW which has 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative housing types. Home ownership rates in Laurieton - Bonny Hills are significantly higher than the regional average, reaching 56.8%, while the remaining properties are either held under a mortgage (24.7%) or occupied by tenants (18.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 matches the Regional NSW average of $1,733, whereas the median weekly rent was recorded at $354, compared to the regional figure of $330. Nationally, mortgage costs in Laurieton - Bonny Hills are below the Australian average of $1,863, and average rents are lower than the national benchmark of $375.

Laurieton - Bonny Hills has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of local households at 69.1%, which consists of 19.2% couples with dependent children, 40.3% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent households. Non-family households represent the remaining 30.9% of the local area, with single-person households accounting for 28.6% and shared group households making up 2.3%. The median household occupancy is 2.2 residents, which is lower than the Regional NSW median of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Laurieton - Bonny Hills fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational attainment levels present difficulties for the area, as the proportion of residents with university qualifications (16.4%) is significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This gap highlights a clear area for targeted educational strategies. Within higher education, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Practical and vocational skills are widely held, with 43.5% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 32.8%.

A significant 21.6% of local residents are enrolled in formal studies. This population of students includes 8.0% attending primary school, 6.6% in high school, and 2.1% enrolled in tertiary courses.

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

Analysis of the local transport network shows 194 active public transport stops within Laurieton - Bonny Hills, offering a combination of train and bus options. These stops are served by 84 distinct routes, which provide a total of 791 weekly passenger services. Accessibility is favorable, with residents living an average of 222 meters from their closest transport stop. Due to the residential profile of the area, most workers commute out of the district, with private cars being the primary mode of travel for 94% of commuters. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. Additionally, 13.7% of workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related working arrangements.

Public transport services run at an average of 113 daily trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 4 weekly passenger departures per stop. The associated map highlights the location of the 100 closest transit stops relative to the center of the area.

Health performance in Laurieton - Bonny Hills is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Based on the AreaSearch analysis of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic health conditions, Laurieton - Bonny Hills faces notable health issues, with common ailments affecting both younger and older demographic segments. The rate of private health insurance is low, covering roughly 46% of the population (~9,264 people). This is below the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national standard of 55.7%.

The most prevalent chronic conditions recorded in the region are arthritis, affecting 14.3% of the population, and mental health challenges, affecting 8.4% of residents. Meanwhile, 55.5% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic disease rates are elevated among the working-age population. Furthermore, seniors aged 65 and over make up 39.3% of the population (7,869 people), which is significantly higher than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Health parameters for this older cohort show challenges that are generally consistent with national trends.

The latest Census data sees Laurieton - Bonny Hills placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Laurieton - Bonny Hills exhibits lower levels of multicultural diversity than average, with 88.7% of residents born in Australia, 93.3% holding citizenship, and 97.7% communicating exclusively in English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 59.4% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding family backgrounds based on parental place of birth, the three most common ancestral groups in Laurieton - Bonny Hills are English at 34.5%, Australian at 31.2%, and Irish at 9.5%. There are also notable differences in other ancestral cohorts: Scottish ancestry is higher at 9.2% (compared to 8.0% regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry stands at 3.0% (compared to 4.6%), and Maltese ancestry is registered at 0.4% (matching the regional figure of 0.4%).

Laurieton - Bonny Hills ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age of 58 in Laurieton - Bonny Hills is much higher than the Regional NSW median of 43 and the national average of 38 years. The cohort aged 65 - 74 is highly represented at 19.6% of the population compared to Regional NSW, while the 25 - 34 age group is small at 5.8%. This concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is significantly higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 13.1% to 14.8% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 11.3% to 9.8%. Projections suggest that the age structure in Laurieton - Bonny Hills will undergo substantial shifts by 2041. The cohort aged 85+ is expected to grow by 89% (an increase of 881 people), rising from 990 to 1,872 residents. This ongoing demographic aging is highlighted by the fact that residents aged 65 and over will account for 52% of the projected population growth, while the 55 to 64 cohort is expected to see a minimal increase of 1% (34 people).