Penshurst

Penshurst is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Penshurst's population is approximately 10,126 as of February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 598 people, a 6.3% rise from the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 9,528. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,019 in June 2024 and the addition of 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 6,063 persons per square kilometer, placing Penshurst within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 6.3% since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the SA4 region's 7.6%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of Penshurst's population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 employs the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 using a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the national median, with Penshurst expected to grow by 562 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 4.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Penshurst, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Penshurst has averaged approximately 21 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 107 homes were approved, with an additional 13 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of about 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed during this period. However, recent figures indicate an acceleration to 12.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply.

The average value of new homes being built is around $243,000, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In terms of commercial approvals, $85,000 has been registered this financial year, reflecting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Penshurst has approximately two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 32nd percentile nationally, suggesting limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This activity is also lower than the national average, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints.

New building activity shows 64.0% detached dwellings and 36.0% townhouses or apartments, demonstrating an expanding range of medium-density options across various price brackets. However, new construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (26.0% at Census), indicating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. Penshurst has around 501 people per dwelling approval, suggesting a developed market. Looking ahead, Penshurst is expected to grow by approximately 455 residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Penshurst has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones include the Penshurst Town Centre Streetscape Public Domain Plan, Rail Service Improvement Program - T4 Illawarra & Eastern Suburbs Line, Penshurst District Library, and Georges Estate Health & Aged Care Residence. The following list details those most relevant.

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Employment conditions in Penshurst demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Penshurst has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.0% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 3.8%. As of September 2025, 6,392 residents were employed and the unemployment rate was 1.2% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation stood at 76.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 70.0%. According to Census responses, 38.0% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and professional & technical services. Health care & social assistance had particularly high concentration with levels at 1.2 times the regional average.

Construction had limited presence with 5.8% employment compared to 8.6% regionally. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between September 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 3.8%, labour force grew by 4.3%, resulting in unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points. In Greater Sydney, employment rose by 2.1%, labour force grew by 2.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industries. Applying these projections to Penshurst's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The Penshurst SA2's median income among taxpayers was $54,832 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $67,682 during the same period. These figures compare to Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Penshurst SA2 would be approximately $59,690 (median) and $73,679 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes in Penshurst rank at the 46th percentile, family incomes at the 47th percentile, and personal incomes also at the 47th percentile. The predominant income cohort spans 36.4% of locals (3,685 people) with incomes between $1,500 - 2,999. This is similar to the surrounding region where 30.9% fall within this income range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Penshurst, with only 81.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 44th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Penshurst features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Penshurst, as evaluated at the latest Census on 27 June 2016, comprised 25.7% houses and 74.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Penshurst was 26.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.0% and rented dwellings at 43.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Penshurst was $2,100 as of June 2018, compared to Sydney metro's $2,427. The median weekly rent figure in Penshurst was $400, while Sydney metro recorded $470. Nationally, Penshurst's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,100 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were higher at $400 compared to the national figure of $375.

Penshurst has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 68.4% of all households, including 30.5% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 31.6%, with lone person households at 28.0% and group households making up 3.8%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Penshurst shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 38.7% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4% and the NSW rate of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 25.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 27.2% of residents aged 15+ holding these, including advanced diplomas (12.0%) and certificates (15.2%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 8.3% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 6.3% pursuing secondary education.

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

Penshurst has 48 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 19 routes, facilitating 4,342 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 111 meters to the nearest stop. Primarily residential, Penshurst sees most residents commuting outward. Cars dominate at 60%, followed by trains at 28% and buses at 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.8 per dwelling, below the regional norm.

In 2021 Census data, possibly influenced by COVID-19 conditions, 38% of residents worked from home. Service frequency across all routes averages 620 trips daily, equating to about 90 weekly trips per individual stop.

Penshurst's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Penshurst's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

Private health cover is at approximately 53% of Penshurst's total population (~5,326 people), which is higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Sydney's 59.9%. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in Penshurst, affecting 5.7% and 5.0% of residents respectively. A total of 77.7% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Penshurst has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 18.7%, with 1,896 people in this age group, compared to Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Penshurst are strong and align broadly with national rankings for the general population.

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

Penshurst has a population where 60.0% speak a language other than English at home, with 54.9% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 45.8%. Hinduism is overrepresented at 13.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 5.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (22.9%), Chinese (21.2%), and English (12.4%). Other notable ethnic groups include Macedonian at 1.9% (0.4% regionally), Spanish at 0.9% (0.6%), and Filipino at 3.5% (2.0%).

Penshurst's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Penshurst is 38 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and equivalent to Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Penshurst has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (10.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.5%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the age group 65-74 increased from 8.8% to 10.4%, while the age group 75-84 rose from 4.6% to 5.7%. Conversely, the age group 25-34 decreased from 18.8% to 17.1%. By 2041, Penshurst's age composition is expected to change significantly. The demographic shift will be led by the 75-84 age group, which is projected to grow by 64%, reaching 940 people from 572. This growth is part of a broader aging population trend, with those aged 65 and above comprising 66% of the projected population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the age groups 0-4 and 5-14.