Riverstone
Statistical Area - sa2

Riverstone lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Riverstone's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, stands at around 20,849 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 7,005 individuals, marking a 50.6% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 13,844 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,860 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 1,672 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 648 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential room for further development. Riverstone's growth rate exceeded both the state (6.4%) and metropolitan area levels, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 71.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all demographic drivers were positive factors.

AreaSearch is utilising ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate exceptional growth, placing Riverstone in the top 10 percent of statistical areas across the nation, with an expected increase of 34,283 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, indicating a total increase of 154.9% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Riverstone was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Riverstone has recorded approximately 465 residential properties granted approval annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 2,326 homes approved over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), and 71 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 3.3 new residents have arrived annually per dwelling constructed over these five years. This demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers.

The average construction value of new dwellings is $481,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In FY-26, commercial approvals have totaled $6.6 million, indicating the area's residential character compared to Greater Sydney. Riverstone exhibits moderately higher development activity, at 47.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period ending FY-25. This balances buyer choice while supporting current property values. However, building activity has slowed in recent years.

New development consists of 63.0% detached houses and 37.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 96.0% houses). This shift suggests decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles, with an increased need for diverse and affordable housing options. With around 45 people per dwelling approval, Riverstone displays characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate that Riverstone will gain approximately 32,294 residents by 2041. If current development rates persist, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Riverstone has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 100 projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Riverstone Town Centre State Significant Rezoning, North West Treatment Hub, Riverstone Community Resource Hub and Aquatic Facility, and New High School for Schofields and Tallawong. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Riverstone has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. The unemployment rate is 3.6%.

Employment growth over the past year is estimated at 6.7%. As of June 2025, 10,414 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.6% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%, and workforce participation stands at 66.6% compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly specialized with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.

Professional & technical employs just 8.0% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 6.7%, labour force by 6.5%, leading to an unemployment rate drop of 0.2 percentage points. By contrast, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%, compared to national rates of 4.5% unemployment and 0.26% employment growth. Jobs and Skills Australia's projections from May 2025 forecast national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with differing sector-specific growth rates. Applying these projections to Riverstone's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Riverstone's median income among taxpayers was $65,869 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $77,780 during the same period. These figures were higher than Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856 respectively. By March 2025, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 10.6%, Riverstone's estimated median income would be approximately $72,851 and the average income would be around $86,025. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Riverstone rank highly nationally, between the 75th and 82nd percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 40.5% of locals (8,443 people) with weekly earnings between $1,500 - 2,999. This is similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.9%. A substantial presence of higher earners, with 30.8% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicates strong purchasing power within the community. Despite high housing costs consuming 20.3% of income, strong earnings place disposable income at the 75th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Riverstone's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.5% houses and 3.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's figures of 84.9% houses and 15.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Riverstone was recorded at 16.9%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (48.5%) or rented (34.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Riverstone was $2,600, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,700. The median weekly rent figure for Riverstone stood at $490, compared to Sydney metro's $540. Nationally, Riverstone's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Riverstone features high concentrations of family households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 83.5% of all households, including 47.1% couples with children, 21.4% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 16.5%, with lone person households at 13.9% and group households making up 2.7% of the total. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 3.3.

Riverstone performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate is 32.5%, significantly lower than the SA3 area average of 44.8%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 32.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 22.8%. Educational participation is high, with 31.6% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (11.5%), secondary (7.4%), tertiary (4.7%).

There are 11 schools serving 5,324 students, with typical Australian school conditions and balanced educational opportunities. The area has 5 primary, 1 secondary, and 5 K-12 schools, functioning as an education hub with a high number of school places per resident (25.5), attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Riverstone has 108 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 47 different routes, together facilitating 4,626 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average being located 226 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes averages 660 trips per day, translating to approximately 42 weekly trips per individual stop.

Riverstone's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Riverstone's health outcomes show notable results, with younger age groups experiencing low prevalence rates for common conditions.

Private health cover is high at approximately 59% of Riverstone's total population, which numbered 12,259 in 2021. Asthma and mental health issues were the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 7.5 and 6.9% of residents respectively, as recorded on 3rd February 2022. A majority of residents, 76.1%, reported being completely free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 80.0%. As of the same date, Riverstone had 7.4% of its population aged 65 and over, totaling 1,551 individuals.

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

Riverstone has a high level of cultural diversity, with 34.2% of its population born overseas and 33.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Riverstone, comprising 51.6% of the population. However, Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney's average, making up 11.3% of Riverstone's population.

In terms of ancestry, Australian is the most represented group, with 21.6%, which is higher than the regional average of 15.0%. English ancestry makes up 18.8% of the population, also higher than the regional average of 13.2%. Other ancestry comprises 17.0%, lower than the regional average of 22.0%. Notably, Filipino and Maltese ethnic groups are overrepresented in Riverstone compared to regional averages, with Filipinos making up 4.5% vs 6.2% regionally and Maltese comprising 2.9% vs 1.7%. However, Indian ethnicity is underrepresented at 6.9% vs the regional average of 16.9%.

Riverstone hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Riverstone's median age is 32 years, which is younger than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and significantly lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Riverstone has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (20.2%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (4.3%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds is notably higher than the national average of 14.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, Riverstone's population structure has shifted with the 35 to 44 age group growing from 17.0% to 20.2%, and the 5 to 14 cohort increasing from 14.3% to 16.4%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 19.3% to 16.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Riverstone's age profile, with the strongest projected growth in the 45 to 54 cohort at 305%, adding 7,244 residents to reach a total of 9,623.