Mount Druitt - Whalan

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

Mount Druitt - Whalan's population is around 24,877 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,959 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 22,918. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 24,170 in June 2024 and an additional 282 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,862 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Mount Druitt - Whalan's growth of 8.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (5.2%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 69.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of national statistical areas is expected. The area is expected to grow by 3,045 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 9.4% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mount Druitt - Whalan recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Mount Druitt - Whalan has averaged approximately 56 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 283 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 43 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, recent data shows this has increased to 7.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting the area's growing popularity and potential supply constraints. Development projects averaged $230,000 in construction value during this period, offering more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

This year, there have been $38.0 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Mount Druitt - Whalan maintains similar construction rates per person when measured against Greater Sydney, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns. However, this is below average nationally, suggesting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity shows 70% detached dwellings and 30% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

With around 424 people per dwelling approval, Mount Druitt - Whalan indicates a developed market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by approximately 2,338 residents through to 2041. Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Mount Druitt - Whalan has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 25 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Mount St Mount Druitt, Expanded Mount Druitt PCYC, Renewed Mount Druitt Swimming Centre, and Universal Property Group's development at 6-10 Mount Street. The following list details those 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.

The labour market performance in Mount Druitt - Whalan lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Mount Druitt - Whalan has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 12.1% in September 2025, which is 3.7 percentage points higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.7%.

As of September 2025, 9,939 residents were employed, with a workforce participation rate of 60.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 70.0%. A moderate 24.3% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance (25.8%), retail trade (17.4%), and transport, postal & warehousing (16.5%). The area has a significant employment specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share 2.2 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 5.3% of Mount Druitt - Whalan's workforce compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment levels increased by 6.7% and labour force grew by 4.4% during the year to September 2025, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1%, labour force expand by 2.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Druitt - Whalan's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Mount Druitt - Whalan SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $51,591 and an average of $56,377 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was lower than the national average, with Greater Sydney's median income being $60,817 and average income $83,003. By September 2025, estimates based on an 8.86% Wage Price Index growth suggest a median income of approximately $56,162 and an average of $61,372. Census 2021 data shows household income ranked at the 28th percentile ($1,392 weekly) and personal income at the 9th percentile. In Mount Druitt - Whalan SA2, 33.3% of individuals (8,284 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to regional levels at 30.9%. Income remaining after housing costs ranked at the 21st percentile with only 78.8% of income left.

Mount Druitt - Whalan displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Mount Druitt - Whalan, as per the latest Census, 57.9% of dwellings were houses while 42.1% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments and 'other' dwellings. This differed slightly from Sydney metropolitan area's figures which stood at 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Druitt - Whalan was lower than the Sydney metro average, with 20.0% of dwellings owned outright, while 28.3% were mortgaged and 51.6% rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,800, significantly below the Sydney metro average of $2,427. Similarly, the median weekly rent figure for Mount Druitt - Whalan was recorded at $345, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Mount Druitt - Whalan's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Mount Druitt - Whalan has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.1% of all households, including 39.6% couples with children, 16.0% couples without children, and 17.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.9%, with lone person households at 21.8% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in Mount Druitt - Whalan fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 24.3%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 17.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 27.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (18.4%). Educational participation is high, with 36.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 12.9% in primary, 9.4% in secondary, and 5.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 36.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.9% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 5.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mount Druitt - Whalan has 166 active public transport stops, served by 62 routes offering 13,723 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent accessibility, with an average distance of 175 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, primarily by car (78%), followed by train (13%). Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 24.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,960 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 82 weekly trips per stop.

A map accompanying the analysis shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Mount Druitt - Whalan is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Mount Druitt - Whalan faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across all age groups but to a considerably higher degree among older cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~11,816 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and diabetes, impacting 7.3 and 6.9% of residents respectively, while 73.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 13.5% of residents aged 65 and over (3,348 people), which is lower than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Mount Druitt - Whalan is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Druitt-Whalan is among the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 50.3% of its population born overseas and 56.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Mount Druitt-Whalan, comprising 52.6% of people. However, Islam is overrepresented, making up 21.8% of the population compared to Greater Sydney's average of 6.8%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (32.8%), Australian (14.6%), and English (12.4%). Notably, Filipino (9.3%) and Samoan (3.4%) populations are overrepresented in Mount Druitt-Whalan compared to regional averages of 2.0% and 0.5%, respectively.

Mount Druitt - Whalan's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Mount Druitt - Whalan has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Mount Druitt - Whalan has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (15.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.2%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 13.6% to 14.8%, while the 25-34 age group has declined from 14.5% to 13.2%. The 35-44 age group has also decreased from 15.0% to 14.0%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are projected for Mount Druitt - Whalan. The 75-84 age cohort is expected to grow by 58%, adding 618 residents to reach a total of 1,681. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 53% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.