Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's population is approximately 19,819. This figure represents an increase of 661 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,158. The change was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 19,802 as of June 2024 and an additional 191 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,983 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth rate of 3.5% since the census is within 0.8 percentage points of the SA3 area's rate of 4.3%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 91.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, 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. Based on projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to grow by 835 persons to 2041, recording a total growth rate of 4.1% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh recorded approximately 45 residential properties approved annually. Over the past five financial years (FY21-FY25), 226 homes were granted approval, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY26. On average, each dwelling accommodated 2.1 new residents per year during these years.

The average construction cost for new homes was $362,000. In FY26, commercial approvals totaled $14.2 million. Compared to Greater Sydney, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh exhibited 16.0% lower construction activity per person and ranked at the 22nd percentile nationally, indicating limited housing choices for buyers. Recent construction comprised 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% townhouses or apartments.

The area had approximately 722 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an established market. By 2041, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh is projected to grow by 815 residents. Current development rates should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 24 potential impact projects. Key projects include Thornleigh Quarter, Thornleigh Marketplace Redevelopment, 15-19 Station Street Mixed-Use Development Thornleigh, and Hornsby Park. The following list details those likely most relevant.

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

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Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 6.6%.

As of June 2025, there are 10,263 residents employed, an unemployment rate of 8.6% compared to Greater Sydney's 4.2%, and a workforce participation rate of 64.8%. Residents' employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance (27%), professional & technical services (25%), and education & training (19%). Education & training shows particularly high representation, at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing has lower representation at 2.8% versus the regional average of 5.3%.

Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.3%, employment declined by 1.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.4 percentage points. In Greater Sydney, employment grew by 2.6%, labour force expanded by 2.9%, and unemployment rose 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with local growth in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh estimated at approximately 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years based on industry-specific projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The latest postcode level ATO data for Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh released in financial year 2022 shows a median income among taxpayers of $62,597 and an average income of $94,159. These figures place the area in the top percentile nationally. In comparison, Greater Sydney has median and average incomes of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on a 12.61% increase since financial year 2022 using the Wage Price Index, current estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $70,490 (median) and $106,032 (average). The 2021 Census ranks household incomes in the area at the 95th percentile with a weekly income of $2,781. Income analysis reveals that 32.2% of individuals earn over $4,000 per week, contrasting with the region where the leading bracket is $1,500 - 2,999 at 30.9%. The area demonstrates affluence with 47.0% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income, with residents ranking in the 95th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh as evaluated in the latest Census, 82.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 17.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Sydney metro's figures of 61.4% houses and 38.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh stood at 36.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.4% and rented ones at 18.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,000, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,500. The median weekly rent figure was $550, compared to Sydney metro's $480. Nationally, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national average of $375.

Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 82.7% of all households, including 48.7% couples with children, 23.9% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 17.3%, with lone person households at 15.6% and group households comprising 1.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2016 data, 49.4% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, compared to the Australian average of 30.4% and New South Wales' average of 32.2%. This educational advantage positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.2%) and graduate diplomas (4.0%).

Vocational pathways account for 23.7% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 12.6%. Educational participation is notably high, with 32.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the 2016 Census. This includes 11.1% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education. As of 2018 data, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's five schools have a combined enrollment reaching 3,223 students. The area demonstrates exceptional educational performance with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) score of 1155, placing local schools among the most advantaged nationally. The educational mix includes three primary schools, one secondary school, and one K-12 school.

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

The analysis of public transport in the area comprising Normanhurst, Thornleigh, and Westleigh shows that there are 163 active transport stops currently operating. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. The total number of routes servicing these stops is 53, with these routes collectively facilitating 3,262 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as excellent, with residents typically located at an average distance of 156 meters from their nearest transport stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages 466 trips per day, which equates to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh. Prevalence of common health conditions is very low across all age groups. Private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 68% of the total population (13,516 people), compared to 60.8% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 7.0 and 6.7% of residents respectively. A total of 72.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.0% across Greater Sydney. The area has 18.0% of residents aged 65 and over (3,567 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh has a high cultural diversity, with 35.8% of its population born overseas and 29.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh, comprising 52.9% of the population. Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, making up 4.2% versus 7.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.9%), Australian (21.2%), and Chinese (10.0%). Notably, Korean (1.8%) and Lebanese (2.1%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 2.0% and 0.8%, respectively. South African ethnicity is also slightly overrepresented at 0.8% versus the regional average of 0.6%.

Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh's median age exceeds the national pattern

Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and slightly older than Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, the 45-54 age group is notably over-represented at 15.5% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 6.9%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.6% to 14.3%, but the 25-34 cohort has declined from 7.6% to 6.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's age profile. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 99%, adding 507 residents to reach 1,023. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 92% of the population growth, while declines are projected for the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups.