Blacktown

Population growth drivers in Blacktown are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Blacktown's population is estimated at around 55,942 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 4,981 people (9.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 50,961 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 53,223 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 813 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,483 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Blacktown's growth of 9.8% since the 2021 census exceeded that of the SA3 area (7.2%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 76.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb, with an expected expansion of 9,623 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 12.3% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Blacktown among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Blacktown has seen approximately 476 residential properties approved annually, with around 2,382 homes granted approval over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25. In FY-26 alone, 162 homes have been approved thus far. On average, about 0.4 new residents arrive per new home built each year between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand.

The average construction cost value of these new homes is $316,000. This financial year has seen $180.2 million in commercial approvals registered in Blacktown, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Blacktown has 58.0% more development activity per person. However, recent periods have shown a moderation in this development activity. The type of new building activity in Blacktown is predominantly townhouses or apartments at 58.0%, with standalone homes making up the remaining 42.0%. This shift from the current housing pattern of 66.0% houses suggests diminishing developable land availability and a response to evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs.

Blacktown, currently reflecting around 139 people per approval, is expected to grow by approximately 6,904 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections and offering good conditions for buyers.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 53 potential impact projects in total. Notable initiatives include Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals Expansion Stage 2, Blacktown Quarter, Dara Blacktown, and Blacktown Aquatic Centre Masterplan. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Blacktown shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Blacktown has an educated workforce with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 5.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.2%. As of December 2025, 28,963 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 1.1% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation was equal to Greater Sydney's 70.2%. According to Census responses, 30.5% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment in Blacktown are health care & social assistance, transport, postal & warehousing, and retail trade. The area specializes in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share 2.2 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services employed only 6.4% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the difference between working population and resident population counts. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 3.2%, while labour force grew by 2.7%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.2% and a marginal increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Blacktown's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Blacktown suburb's income level is below national average according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Median income among taxpayers in Blacktown is $50,018, with an average income of $57,266. This compares to Greater Sydney figures of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $54,450 (median) and $62,340 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Blacktown rank modestly between the 40th and 51st percentiles. Income analysis reveals that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 37.2% of residents (20,810 people). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 48th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Blacktown displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Blacktown's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 65.6% houses and 34.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Blacktown was at 22.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.9% and rented ones at 44.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,094, below Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Blacktown was $400, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Blacktown's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Blacktown features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 74.9% of all households, including 39.0% couples with children, 21.1% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.1%, with lone person households at 20.5% and group households comprising 4.6%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational attainment in Blacktown aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

University qualification levels in Blacktown stand at 33.0%, slightly below Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are held by 28.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.3% and certificates at 17.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 6.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Blacktown has 349 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 109 routes, collectively providing 20,337 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 157 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, with car being the dominant mode at 76%, followed by train at 13% and bus at 6%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, a high 30.5% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 2,905 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 58 weekly trips per stop. The map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Blacktown's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Blacktown's health metrics are comparable to national benchmarks. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are typical, but higher among older cohorts compared to the national average. Approximately 50% of Blacktown's total population (~27,758 people) has private health cover, lower than Greater Sydney's 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma (5.9%) and arthritis (5.8%), with 75.6% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Blacktown has 14.1% of residents aged 65 and over (7,887 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Blacktown, one of Australia's most culturally diverse areas, has 57.8% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 53.4% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Blacktown, with 45.5%. However, 'Other' religions comprise 10.2%, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 1.4%.

In ancestry, 'Other' tops at 26.7%, substantially higher than the regional average of 16.0%. Australian and English ancestry follow with 13.6% and 12.6%, respectively, the latter notably lower than the regional average of 19.0%. Notably, Filipino (6.3%) and Indian (12.5%) groups are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 2.0% and 3.6%, respectively. Maltese ancestry is also slightly higher at 1.8% versus the regional average of 1.0%.

Blacktown hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Blacktown's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, and considerably younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Blacktown has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (17.6%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (11.4%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the population share of those aged 65-74 has increased from 6.8% to 7.5%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 25-34 has decreased from 18.3% to 17.6%. By 2041, demographic forecasts indicate significant changes in Blacktown's population. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 27%, adding 1,726 residents to reach a total of 8,104. However, populations aged 0-4 and 35-44 are forecasted to decline.