Mount Druitt - Whalan
Statistical Area - sa2

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 approximately 24,257 as of Aug 2025. This figure represents a growth of 1,339 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 22,918. The increase was inferred from an estimated resident population of 24,206 in June 2024 and an additional 290 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,791 persons per square kilometer, placing Mount Druitt - Whalan in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth rate of 5.8% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 region (3.1%), making it a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 69.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, Mount Druitt - Whalan is expected to grow by just below the median of national statistical areas, with a population increase of 3,045 persons to 2041 based on the latest numbers, representing an overall increase of 12.2% over the 17-year period.

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. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 283 dwellings approved between FY-21 and FY-25. As of FY-26, there have been 12 approvals so far. Over the past five financial years, an average of 1.5 people moved to the area per dwelling built. 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.

The average construction value for development projects is $312,000, which is below regional norms, indicating more affordable housing options for purchasers. This financial year has seen $38.0 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. When compared to Greater Sydney, Mount Druitt - Whalan maintains similar construction rates per person, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns. However, this is below the national average, which may reflect the area's maturity and potential planning constraints.

New building activity shows 70% detached dwellings and 30% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes. With around 424 people per dwelling approval, Mount Druitt - Whalan indicates a developed market. By 2041, Mount Druitt - Whalan is projected to grow by approximately 2,958 residents. Construction activity is maintaining pace with projected growth, although buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

Mount Druitt - Whalan has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

A total of 21 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Among these key projects are GLP/T1 Constructions' 4 Mount Street Development, Universal Property Group's 6-10 Mount Street Development, No. 1 Zoe Residential Development, and Expanded Mount Druitt PCYC. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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

Mount Druitt - Whalan had an unemployment rate of 12.9% as of a certain period with estimated employment growth of 6.4%. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate was 8.7%, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Mount Druitt - Whalan was 48.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing, with a significant specialization in the latter (2.2 times the regional level). However, professional & technical employment was under-represented at 5.3% compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment levels increased by 6.4% during the year to June 2025, while labour force increased by 6.5%, keeping unemployment relatively stable.

In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.6% and unemployment rise slightly. State-level data to Sep-25 showed NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections for Mount Druitt - Whalan suggested approximately 6.2% growth over five years and 13.1% over ten years based on industry-specific extrapolations.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Mount Druitt - Whalan has a median taxpayer income of $47,913 and an average of $52,802 in financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages: Greater Sydney's median income was $56,994 with an average of $80,856 in the same period. By March 2025, adjusting for a 10.6% increase since FY2022, estimated incomes are approximately $52,992 (median) and $58,399 (average). In Census 2021, household income ranked at the 28th percentile ($1,392 weekly), with personal income at the 10th percentile. The earnings profile shows that 33.3% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to regional levels (30.9%). Housing affordability is severe, with only 78.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 21st percentile.

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

Mount Druitt - Whalan's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 57.9% houses and 42.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 80.7% houses and 19.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Druitt - Whalan stood at 20%, with mortgaged properties at 28.3% and rented ones at 51.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,800, lower than Sydney's $2,000 average. Median weekly rent was $345, similar to Sydney's $350. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents stood at $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for the remaining 24.9%, with lone person households at 21.8% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 3.1.

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%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 17.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 27.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 18.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 36.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 12.9% in primary, 9.4% in secondary, and 5.4% in tertiary education. There are 12 schools serving 5,098 students; Mount Druitt - Whalan has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 965) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 5 primary, 3 secondary, and 4 K-12 schools. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Mount Druitt - Whalan has 136 active public transport stops. These are serviced by 63 routes offering 12,314 weekly passenger trips. Residents' average distance to the nearest stop is 175 meters.

Daily service frequency averages 1,759 trips across all routes, equating to approximately 90 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Druitt - Whalan's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Mount Druitt - Whalan's health data shows a relatively positive picture. The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among its general population, although it is higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover is very low in the area, with approximately 47% of the total population (~11,328 people) having it, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are asthma and diabetes, affecting 7.3 and 6.9% of residents respectively. A total of 73.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 71.2% across Greater Sydney. The area has 12.9% of residents aged 65 and over (3,126 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges that require more attention 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 one of Australia's most culturally diverse areas, with 50.3% of its population born overseas and 56.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Mount Druitt-Whalan, making up 52.6% of people. However, Islam is notably overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney's average, comprising 21.8% of Mount Druitt-Whalan's population.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other (32.8%), Australian (14.6%), and English (12.4%). There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Filipino is overrepresented at 9.3%, Samoan at 3.4%, and Lebanese at 1.7%.

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 years and Australia's national median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Mount Druitt - Whalan has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (15.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.6%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population share of those aged 15 to 24 has increased from 13.6% to 14.6%, while the share of those aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 14.5% to 13.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Mount Druitt - Whalan's population. The 75-84 age group is expected to experience the strongest growth (72%), adding 701 residents to reach a total of 1,681. This growth contributes to an overall aging population, with residents aged 65 and older representing 51% of anticipated growth. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 age cohorts are projected to see population declines.