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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's population is around 19,823 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 665 people (3.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,158 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 19,803 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 192 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,984 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's 3.5% growth since census positions it within 0.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (4.1%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 91.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is anticipated, with the area expected to grow by 835 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 4.1% in total over the 17 years.

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 has recorded approximately 45 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 226 homes approved over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and an additional two approved so far in FY-26. On average, 2.1 new residents per year have been associated with each dwelling over these five financial years, indicating solid demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $751,000, suggesting a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This financial year has seen $14.2 million in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Sydney, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh has 16.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 22nd percentile of areas assessed nationally, suggesting limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. This is also below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potentially hinting at planning limitations. New building activity shows 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature with a preference for detached housing that attracts space-seeking buyers.

With around 722 people per dwelling approval, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh reflects a highly mature market. Future projections indicate that Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh will add approximately 811 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply is expected to adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Hornsby Park, Westleigh Park, Twin Towers Hornsby, and Hornsby Town Centre Masterplan. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

Employment performance in Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

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, 10,263 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate at 2.4% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation stands at 64.8%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training, particularly the latter which is at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing shows lower representation at 2.8% versus the regional average of 5.3%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending in June 2025, labour force decreased by 0.3%, while employment dropped by 1.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.6% and labour force expand by 2.9%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to the national rate of 4.5% and national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's projections indicate national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with local growth estimated at approximately 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years based on the local employment mix.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30, 2022, Normanhurst - Thornleigh - Westleigh had a median income among taxpayers of $62,597 with the average level standing at $94,159. This places it in the top percentile nationally, compared to levels of $56,994 and $80,856 across Greater Sydney respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since June 30, 2022, current estimates would be approximately $69,232 (median) and $104,140 (average) as of March 2025. From the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, household incomes rank exceptionally at the 95th percentile ($2,781 weekly). Income analysis reveals that the $4000+ earnings band captures 32.2% of the community (6,383 individuals), contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. The district demonstrates considerable affluence with 47.0% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income while strong earnings rank residents within 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 per the latest Census, 82.9% of dwellings were houses, with 17.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Sydney metro's 61.4% houses and 38.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh was 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 $2,500. Median weekly rent was $550, compared to Sydney metro's $480. Nationally, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 17.3%, with lone person households at 15.6% and group households comprising 1.6%. 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 significantly exceeds broader benchmarks. As of the latest data, 49.4% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% state-wide. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent 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, including 11.1% in primary, 9.4% in secondary, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education. The area's five schools have a combined enrolment reaching 3,223 students. Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh demonstrates exceptional educational performance with an ICSEA score of 1155, placing local schools among the most advantaged nationally. The educational mix includes three primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school.

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

Transport analysis shows 163 active transport stops operating in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh area. These include train and bus services. There are 53 individual routes servicing these stops, providing a total of 3,262 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 156 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 466 trips per day across all routes, equating 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 (13,519 people), compared to 60.8% across Greater Sydney and 55.3% nationally.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 7.0 and 6.7% of residents respectively. 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 (3,568 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 main religion in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh, making up 52.9% of people as of 2016 Census data. Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 4.2% versus 7.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.9%), Australian (21.2%), and Chinese (10.0%). Korean (1.8%) and Lebanese (2.1%) are notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 2.0% and 0.8%, respectively, while South African ancestry is slightly higher at 0.8%.

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

At 41 years, Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's median age is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and slightly older than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, the 45-54 cohort is notably over-represented at 15.5%, 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 decreased from 7.6% to 6.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Normanhurst-Thornleigh-Westleigh's age profile. The 85+ cohort is expected to grow by 98%, adding 507 residents to reach 1,023. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 92% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups.