Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest's population was 3,642 as of Nov 2025, a decrease of 144 people from the 2021 Census figure of 3,786. This change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data: 3,633 in June 2024 and an additional 5 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was 51 persons per square kilometer as of Nov 2025. Overseas migration primarily drove recent population growth. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For uncovered areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, 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. Future demographic trends suggest lower quartile growth, with the area expected to grow by 21 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, indicating a total increase of 0.2% over 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest has granted approximately five residential property approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 28 homes. As of FY-26, zero approvals have been recorded. The population decline in recent years suggests new supply has kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice while developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties valued at an average of $1,133,000. This financial year has seen $12.3 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 19th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. Recent development has been exclusively detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an estimated 912 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate a gain of eight residents by 2041, suggesting current development patterns should readily meet demand and potentially facilitate population growth beyond projections.

Population forecasts indicate Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest will gain 8 residents through to 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Twelve projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Mona Vale Road West Upgrade from McCarrs Creek Road to Powder Works Road, Connecting Northern Beaches - Cycling & Walking Paths, Belrose North Residential Release, and Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney Rail Line Upgrades. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.3%, Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest has a highly educated workforce with professional services being well represented. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 3.3%.

At this time, 1911 residents were employed while the area's unemployment rate was 0.9% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was on par with Greater Sydney at 60.0%. The primary industries for employment among residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Notably, construction employment levels were 1.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, public administration & safety had lower representation at 3.3% compared to the regional average of 5.7%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicated a higher level of local employment opportunities than usual. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force increased by 0.1%, while employment decreased by 1.0%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest could see local employment growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the area's current employment mix.

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

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest has an exceptionally high income level nationally, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. The median income among taxpayers is $63,032 and the average income stands at $139,628. These figures compare to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $70,980 (median) and $157,235 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household incomes rank exceptionally at the 96th percentile ($2,899 weekly). Distribution data shows that 35.2% of residents (1,281 people) fall into the $4000+ bracket, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest demonstrates considerable affluence with 48.4% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 87.2% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Terrey Hills-Duffys Forest's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 88.0% houses and 12.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 57.6% houses and 42.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Terrey Hills-Duffys Forest stood at 47.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.2% and rented ones at 15.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,200, higher than Sydney metro's $3,000. Median weekly rent in the area was $610, compared to Sydney metro's $592. Nationally, Terrey Hills-Duffys Forest's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,200 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 83.2% of all households, including 45.2% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 16.8%, with lone person households at 15.2% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational qualifications in Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest trail regional benchmarks. 33.8% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to 41.5% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 34.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 12.9% and certificates at 22.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary, 8.9% in secondary, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education. Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest has a robust network of 7 schools educating approximately 2,138 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1094). The educational mix includes 5 primary and 2 K-12 schools. As an education hub, it offers 58.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 16.2, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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

Transport analysis indicates 59 active stops operating within Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest. These stops offer a mix of bus services, with 75 individual routes providing 1,513 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 377 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 216 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest residents show positive health outcomes, with common conditions evenly distributed across age groups. Private health cover stands at 83%, compared to 71.5% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%. Arthritis and mental health issues are most prevalent, affecting 7.9% and 6.9% respectively.

69.9% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Sydney's 74.7%. The area has 26.4% residents aged 65 and over (962 people), higher than Greater Sydney's 17.8%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Terrey Hills-Duffys Forest had a higher than average cultural diversity, with 9.6% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 23.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Terrey Hills-Duffys Forest, comprising 54.1% of the population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, making up 0.6% of the population versus 0.3%.

The top three ancestry groups were English at 31.0%, Australian at 24.8%, and Irish at 8.7%. Some ethnic groups were notably divergent in their representation: South African at 1.6% (regional average is 0.9%), Russian at 0.7% (regional average is 0.4%), and Hungarian at 0.5% (regional average is 0.3%).

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest's median age is 47 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The population aged 75-84 represents 10.4%, compared to Greater Sydney, while those aged 25-34 make up 5.6%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 8.1% to 10.4%, and the 15-24 cohort has increased from 12.6% to 14.8%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 16.0% to 14.3%, and the 35-44 group has dropped from 9.8% to 8.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 40%, adding 152 residents to reach 531. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive all population growth, indicating demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, populations in the 25-34 and 15-24 age groups are projected to decline.