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 3,637 as of August 2025, a decrease of 149 people from the 2021 Census figure of 3,786. This reduction is inferred from ABS estimates of 3,634 in June 2024 and 3 additional validated addresses since the Census date. The population density was 51 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration drove recent population growth. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for uncovered areas released in 2022 with a base year of 2021.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 21 persons, an increase of 0.4% 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 received approximately 15 residential property approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 79 approvals between FY20 and FY25, with none recorded so far in FY26. Population decline in recent years suggests new supply has kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice while average dwelling construction values of $2,669,000 indicate targeting of the premium market segment. Commercial approvals registered this financial year amount to $12.3 million, suggesting balanced commercial development activity compared to Greater Sydney's 50.0% higher per capita building activity rate.

This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, preserving low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an estimated 912 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate a gain of 13 residents by 2041, suggesting current development patterns should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Population forecasts indicate Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest will gain 13 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

AreaSearch identified eight projects likely to impact the area, with key ones including Connecting Northern Beaches - Cycling & Walking Paths, Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney Rail Line Upgrades, Mona Vale Road East Upgrade, and Warringah Road Upgrade Project. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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 an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.3%.

As of June 2025, 1911 residents are employed while the area's unemployment rate is 0.9% lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Workforce participation matches Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries include construction, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Construction shows notable concentration with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

Public administration & safety has lower representation at 3.3% compared to the regional average of 5.7%. The area's worker-to-resident ratio is 0.7, indicating higher local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, labour force increased by 0.1%, but employment decreased by 1.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.1 percentage points. Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% over the same period. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 13.9% over ten years.

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

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest had exceptionally high incomes nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. The median income among taxpayers was $63,032 and the average income stood at $139,628, compared to Greater Sydney's figures of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $69,713 (median) and $154,429 (average) as of March 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household incomes ranked exceptionally at the 96th percentile with a weekly income of $2,899. Distribution data showed that the $4000+ bracket dominated with 35.2% of residents (1,280 people), contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket led at 30.9%. Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest demonstrated considerable affluence with 48.4% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retained 87.2% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed 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

The dwelling structure in Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest, as per the latest Census, was 88.0% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 57.6% houses and 42.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest stood at 47.0%, with mortgaged properties at 37.2% and rented ones at 15.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,200, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,000. The median weekly rent was $610, compared to Sydney metro's $592. Nationally, Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest had significantly higher mortgage repayments at $3,200 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and substantially higher rents at $610 compared to 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 account for 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 constitute the remaining 16.8%, comprising 15.2% lone person households and 1.9% group households. The median household size is 3.0 people, 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 show that 33.8% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to the SA4 region's 41.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are held by 34.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.9% and certificates at 22.0%. Current educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents enrolled in formal education: primary (10.0%), secondary (8.9%), and tertiary (4.4%).

There are seven schools operating in Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest, educating approximately 2,138 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1094. It includes five primary and two K-12 schools, functioning as an education hub with 58.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 16.2.

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

Analysis reveals 59 active transport stops operating within Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling 75 individual routes. Collectively, these provide 1,513 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 377 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 216 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per 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 showed positive health outcomes with common conditions prevalent across all ages. Private health cover was high at 83%, compared to Greater Sydney's 71.5% and the national average of 55.3%. Arthritis (7.9%) and mental health issues (6.9%) were most common, while 69.9% reported no medical ailments, lower than Greater Sydney's 74.7%.

The area had a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.4% (961 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 17.8%. Senior health outcomes were strong, better than 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% speaking a language other than English at home and 23.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, composing 54.1% of its population. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.3%.

Top ancestry groups were English (31.0%), Australian (24.8%), and Irish (8.7%). Notably, South African (1.6% vs regional 0.9%), Russian (0.7% vs 0.4%), and Hungarian (0.5% vs 0.3%) groups were also overrepresented.

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

Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest has a median age of 47 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and also exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group constitutes 10.4% of its population, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 5.6%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 8.1% to 10.4%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 12.6% to 14.8%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 16.0% to 14.3%, and the 35 to 44 group has dropped from 9.8% to 8.4%. Demographic modeling indicates that Terrey Hills - Duffys Forest's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 40%, adding 152 residents, reaching a total of 531. Senior residents (65+) will drive all population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 cohorts.