Appin (NSW)

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of the suburb of Appin (NSW) is around 3,282 people. This figure reflects a 69-person increase since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,213 people. This growth is inferred from the resident population estimate of 2,786 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 156 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 32 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Appin has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 61.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is using 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 utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Future population trends predict exceptional growth for Appin, placing it in the top 10 percent of statistical areas across Australia. By 2041, the area is expected to expand by 8,561 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 270.8% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Appin among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates that Appin has received around 31 dwelling approvals per year on average over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 156 homes. As of FY26, 11 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, approximately 2.7 people moved to the area annually for each new home constructed, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value of new homes is $462,000, aligning with regional patterns.

This financial year has seen $406,000 in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Appin has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 79th percentile nationally when assessed areas are considered. New developments consist of 89.0% standalone homes and 11.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density character with a focus on detached housing that attracts space-seeking buyers.

The location has approximately 144 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Appin is projected to add 8,888 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

Appin 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 20 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include: Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project, Appin Road Upgrade and Safety Improvements, Appin Land Release Precinct, Brooks Point Road, Appin. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The exceptional employment performance in Appin places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Appin has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 2.1% as of June 2025.

Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 5.1%. Residents' unemployment rate is 2.0%, lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Workforce participation stands at 69.0%. Major employment sectors are construction, education & training, and health care & social assistance.

Construction has a particularly high share of jobs, at 1.9 times the regional level. Professional & technical services have limited presence, with only 4.8% employment compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The area may not offer ample local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Over a year, employment increased by 5.1%, labour force by 5.3%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment (0.1 percentage points). In Greater Sydney, employment grew by 2.6% and unemployment rose by 0.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Appin's industry mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Appin had a median income among taxpayers of $56,742. The average income stood at $70,058. This was above the national average. In Greater Sydney, the median and average incomes were $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Appin would be approximately $63,897 (median) and $78,892 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Appin rank highly nationally, between the 75th and 88th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 37.1% of residents (1,217 people), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 30.9% in the same category. Economic strength is evident through 35.6% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 16.7% of income. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 86th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Appin is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Appin's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.1% houses and 3.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 94.1% houses and 5.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Appin was at 26.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 57.1% and rented ones at 16.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than Sydney metro's $2,318. Median weekly rent in Appin was $450, compared to Sydney metro's $415. Nationally, Appin's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $450 against the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 85.7% of all households, including 51.9% couples with children, 21.3% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 14.3%, with lone person households at 12.9% and group households comprising 1.3%. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.9.

Educational outcomes in Appin fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 14.8%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 45.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificates at 34.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 13.8% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 3.0% in tertiary education. Appin Public School serves the local area, enrolling 335 students. It caters to primary education only, with secondary options available nearby. The school operates under typical Australian conditions (ICSEA: 986), offering balanced educational opportunities.

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

Appin has 16 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that together offer 221 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents on average located 239 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 31 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Appin is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Appin demonstrates above-average health outcomes with a low prevalence of common health conditions among its general population, although this is higher than the national average among older and at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 55% (~1,792 people) of Appin's total population has private health cover, which is very high. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are asthma (affecting 8.5% of residents) and arthritis (6.8%), while 72.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 68.7% across Greater Sydney. Appin has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 9.9% (324 people), compared to the 16.5% in Greater Sydney. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

Appin is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Appin's population, as of the 2016 Census, was predominantly Australian-born, with 88.8%. Citizenship was also high at 93.2%, and English was spoken exclusively at home by 93.6%. The primary religion in Appin was Christianity, practiced by 57.2% of residents, compared to 63.0% across Greater Sydney.

Ancestry-wise, the top groups were Australian (33.3%), English (27.7%), and Irish (6.6%). Notably, Maltese representation was higher in Appin at 1.8%, compared to the regional average of 2.3%. Similarly, Croatian and Lebanese communities were also more prominent than the Greater Sydney averages, at 1.0% and 1.1% respectively versus 0.7% each regionally.

Appin's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Appin's median age is 33, which is younger than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Appin has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (18.1%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.4%). This 5-14 concentration is significantly higher than the national figure of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 15.8% to 17.4% of Appin's population. Conversely, the 65 to 74 age cohort has declined from 6.2% to 5.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest substantial demographic changes in Appin, with the 5 to 14 age group projected to grow by 251%, adding 1,489 residents to reach a total of 2,084.