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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Bonnet Bay is $1.80m. House values have moved 2.1% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Bonnet Bay has an estimated 2,313 residents, up from 2,238 at the 2021 Census — a change of 75 people, or 3.4%. That puts 2,047 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Bonnet Bay has an estimated resident tally of roughly 2,313, established via AreaSearch evaluations of updated broader ABS data alongside post-Census address verification. This count demonstrates a 3.4% rise (an expansion of 75 people) relative to the 2,238 residents documented at the 2021 Census. AreaSearch deduced these shifts from an ERP level of 2,308 persons derived from the June 2025 ABS release coupled with ongoing address validations. With 2,046 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains a population density that outpaces AreaSearch benchmarks across the country.
Furthermore, the suburb of Bonnet Bay outstripped the broader SA3 area (3.2%) with its 3.4% expansion since the 2021 census, positioning it as an area pacesetter. International migration served as the principal demographic driver, generating approximately 63.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Bonnet Bay incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling anchored to 2022, supplemented where necessary by NSW State Government 2022 projections based in 2021. For the period spanning 2032 to 2041, age-specific growth trajectories from these sets are applied uniformly across regions. Looking ahead, demographic modeling points to expansion tracking just under the national median; the suburb of Bonnet Bay is forecast to add 126 persons up to 2041 under consolidated SA2 figures, translating to an overall 5.2% uptick throughout the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
With a mere 2 approvals granted across five years, local residential building activity has been exceptionally low. This pattern underscores an established, fully built-out community presenting limited capacity for fresh property development. Such a constraint on new residential supply frequently underpins value retention and bolsters buyer demand for existing dwellings. Construction output in Bonnet Bay is subdued when measured against Greater Sydney, tracking 85.0% below regional per-capita rates. While local building has gained momentum of late, the sustained deficit in incoming housing supply commonly shores up buyer interest and prices for current homes.
These rates also trail national levels, highlighting planning restrictions and the overall maturity of the local property market.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Bonnet Bay
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 23 current infrastructure and development projects close to Bonnet Bay, worth an estimated $5.5 billion. 5 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning schemes, and major civic works play a fundamental role in shaping community outcomes. At present, no initiatives with expected local impacts have been identified by AreaSearch. Surrounding projects of note include the 544-550 Box Road Jannali Mixed-Use Development, M6 Stage 2, Blaxland Riverside Estate, and the Rail Service Improvement Program - T4 Illawarra & Eastern Suburbs Line, as outlined in the project schedule.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Illawong Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment and expansion of Illawong Village Shopping Centre including refurbishment of the existing centre, additional retail floor space, new specialty tenancies, upgraded public domain, improved parking and associated site works. The project received planning approval and has progressed into the delivery phase.
Sutherland Public School Hall Upgrade
Construction of a new multipurpose hall at Sutherland Public School, including a stage, indoor sports court, canteen, storage, amenities, out of hours school care (OOSH) facilities and a covered outdoor learning area. Major external construction is now complete, with the steel frame and roof installed and internal mechanical, electrical, data and hydraulic services underway. Part of the NSW Government's 9.2 billion dollar investment in new and upgraded schools. Forecast completion by Day 1 Term 1 2027.
Sutherland Co-Living Development
Demolition of two existing dwellings and construction of a seven-storey co-living residential building comprising 83 self-contained rooms, communal indoor and outdoor facilities, and basement parking. The development approved by Sutherland Shire Council under DA23/0827 aims to supply flexible and affordable rental accommodation close to Sutherland railway station.
Grand Vermont
New residential development at 48 Vermont Street featuring contemporary apartments with premium finishes, rooftop gardens and proximity to Sutherland train station
President Private Hospital Redevelopment
An 87 million dollar State Significant Development redeveloping President Private Hospital into a modern healthcare facility for the Sutherland Shire by Macquarie Health Corporation. The works involve the construction of a new three-storey clinical building providing 110 inpatient beds, a 72-bed mental health unit, a refurbished theatre complex, and an upgraded wellness centre. Following a successful Land and Environment Court appeal in 2024, site demolition and active construction are underway to deliver expanded surgical, medical, and rehabilitation services.
Workway Trade Centre
A purpose-built trade centre bringing together specialist trade retailers, premium workshops, and storage units into one seamlessly connected hub. The $50 million development features 3 dedicated trade retail tenancies, 13 premium workshops, and 10 spacious workstores for tools, materials and machinery. Located in Kirrawee's thriving industrial precinct with high-clearance heights from 3m to 5.4m, secure 24/7 access, and prime street exposure on Waratah Street. ARB Corporation, Australia's largest 4x4 accessories manufacturer and distributor, is the anchor tenant with a 15-year lease.Groundworks are complete and the project has moved into Stage 2 of construction, remaining on schedule. Designed to simplify and support the modern needs of trades, from sole traders to national operators.
Adelong Sutherland
Residential development at 552-556 President Avenue featuring modern apartments with quality finishes, communal facilities and convenient access to transport and shopping
544-546 Box Road Jannali Mixed-Use Development
Five-storey mixed-use development at the corner of Box Road and Roberts Street in the Jannali Town Centre, approximately 160m from Jannali Station. Following an earlier refused planning proposal for an 8-9 storey scheme and a deemed refusal of the development application by Sutherland Shire Council, the developer appealed to the Land and Environment Court. In April 2026, the court approved amended plans comprising ground-floor retail, a 59-space childcare centre, medical centre, six commercial premises and four residential apartments, with basement parking for 29 vehicles.The height limit exceedance was found to be justified by the commissioner.
1,351 residents of Bonnet Bay are employed, from a labour force of 1,368. Unemployment sits at 1.2%, with participation at 71.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,814, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Bonnet Bay features a highly skilled labor pool where professional services hold a prominent position, an unemployment rate of just 1.2%, and steady employment trends over the previous year, according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,351 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 2.9% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation is fairly standard (71.8% compared to Greater Sydney's 68.9%). Based on Census responses, a high 52.5% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
Key sectors engaging the local workforce include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Nevertheless, health care & social assistance remains under-indexed locally, absorbing 12.0% of working residents compared with 14.1% across Greater Sydney. Comparing the resident tally to the Census working population indicates that this largely residential setting provides relatively few jobs within its borders. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of combined ABS and SALM releases across adjacent statistical zones, a 0.1% uptick in employment alongside a 0.2% expansion in the workforce generated a 0.1 percentage point rise in the local unemployment rate over the year. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced a 1.9% gain in employment, a 1.9% rise in labour force numbers, and a minor reduction in unemployment. Looking ahead, national forecasts issued by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 help gauge prospective local labour demand. Projected across five and ten-year horizons against local workforce distributions, national employment is expected to lift by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with wide disparities across industries. Applying these sectoral trajectories to the local job makeup suggests employment could rise 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years (representing an unadjusted weighted projection for context, excluding micro-level demographic shifts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Bonnet Bay is $3,087 a week (about $161,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,104 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $69,036 a year against an average of $93,366. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on ATO records gathered by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, personal earnings in the suburb of Bonnet Bay sit at the top tier of national figures. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $69,036 and an average of $93,366, substantially outpacing Greater Sydney's benchmarks of $60,817 and $83,003. Applying the 10.32% Wage Price Index increase observed since financial year 2023 produces updated March 2026 estimates of around $76,161 for median earnings and $103,001 for average earnings. Census metrics from 2021 confirm this affluence, placing household, family, and individual brackets between the 85th and 97th percentiles nationally.
High-income brackets are well populated, with the $4000+ weekly band containing 34.3% of individuals (793 individuals), diverging from regional distributions where the $1,500 - 2,999 band leads at 30.9%. Furthermore, 51.5% of individuals generate above $3,000/week, demonstrating solid local economic strength. Households retain 87.6% of income once mortgage and rent obligations are met, delivering great spending power and placing the neighbourhood in the 10th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Bonnet Bay had 735 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 1% apartments. 50% are owned with a mortgage, 5% rented and 45% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $700 a week and the median mortgage repayment $3,000 a month, a total housing cost higher than 89% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 22.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Single detached houses overwhelmingly define the local residential landscape, accounting for 98.9% of homes at the latest Census, while 1.1% comprise other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro where houses make up 55.9% and other dwellings constitute 44.1%. Full home ownership is prominent at 44.6%, markedly surpassing metropolitan levels, while 50.1% of properties carry a mortgage and 5.2% are occupied by tenants. Median monthly loan repayments of $3,000 exceed the Sydney metro average of $2,427, while typical weekly rents of $700 surpass the regional benchmark of $470.
These housing expenses also sit substantially above Australian averages, which track at $1,863 for monthly mortgages and $375 for weekly rents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Bonnet Bay counted 735 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.0 people each. 50% are couples with children, more than in 95% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 10% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements, making up 89.9% of households, led by couples with children at 50.1%, couples without children at 33.3%, and single parent families at 5.8%. Non-family setups make up the remaining 10.1%, including lone person households at 9.5% and group households at 0.4%. Typical occupancy sits at 3.0 people per dwelling, exceeding the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
37.8% of adults in Bonnet Bay hold a university qualification, including 25.7% with a bachelor degree and 8.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 89% of areas nationally. A further 20.3% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 192 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,097 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher educational attainment is a defining feature of the area, with 37.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary qualification, exceeding both the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA3 area figure of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees constitute 25.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. In addition, 34.2% of residents aged 15+ possess vocational credentials, with certificates accounting for 20.3% and advanced diplomas representing 13.9%. Classroom engagement is substantial throughout the community, with 27.6% of the population actively enrolled in education. This distribution includes 10.0% attending primary school, 7.5% in secondary education, and 5.1% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Bonnet Bay reaches 51 stops on 5 routes, timetabled for about 260 services a week. The typical home sits about 90 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local public transport infrastructure includes 51 active bus stops operating across Bonnet Bay. These facilities are served by 5 distinct routes delivering a combined 255 weekly passenger trips. Network connectivity is strong, with typical resident proximity to the closest boarding point measuring 88 meters. Commuting predominantly involves travel outside the suburb, with private motor vehicles serving as the primary mode for 88% of journeys and trains accounting for 10%. Vehicle ownership tracks above the regional norm at an average of 2.0 per dwelling. In addition, 52.5% of working residents operated from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Across all operating routes, timetable schedules provide an average of 36 trips per day, which translates to roughly 5 weekly trips per stop across the network.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.3% of residents in Bonnet Bay report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 91% of areas nationally. 2.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illnesses and mortality indicate outstanding general health throughout Bonnet Bay, with minimal prevalence of routine health issues across all demographics. Private health insurance participation is especially pronounced, covering approximately 64% of the population (1,474 people), outpacing Greater Sydney at 59.9% and the national baseline of 55.7%. Locally, arthritis and asthma represent the most widely reported chronic conditions, impacting 8.4 and 7.7% of the populace respectively, while 70.3% of locals report no long-term medical conditions compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health outcomes for residents under 65 are better than average.
Furthermore, those aged 65 and over make up 21.3% of the community (492 people), higher than the 15.5% share in Greater Sydney, with local seniors displaying robust health ratings in line with national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Bonnet Bay is largely Australian-born, at 78.6% of residents, with 10.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.0%) and Australian (24.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics for Bonnet Bay generally mirror wider regional benchmarks, with 78.6% of the population born locally in Australia, 93.4% holding Australian citizenship, and 89.8% speaking only English within their households. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation, embraced by 61.9% of residents compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. Ancestral backgrounds based on parental birthplaces are led by English heritage at 29.0% (surpassing the 19.0% regional level), Australian at 24.9% (above the 17.8% regional share), and Irish at 10.3%. Specific cultural groups also exhibit higher concentrations than the surrounding area, with French heritage at 1.1% (vs 0.5% regionally), Welsh at 0.9% (vs 0.4%), and Polish at 1.1% (vs 0.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Bonnet Bay is 44, older than 76% of areas nationally. 20.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Demographic updates to August 2026 indicate an age distribution weighted toward mature cohorts compared to Greater Sydney. Senior and retiree age groups (65+) represent 21.3% of the population against 15.5% regionally, while young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) comprise 19.4% compared to 31.4% across the broader metro. The estimated median age remains 44, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 7 years above Greater Sydney's Census benchmark of 37, as well as the national Census median of 38. The most visible shift since the Census has been a reduction in young to middle aged adults from 20.8% to an estimated 19.4%.
Looking toward 2041, senior and retiree cohorts are projected to register the largest gain, expanding by 145 residents (29%) to 638, while young to middle aged adults, children, and young adults are forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Bonnet Bay
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,238 at the 2021 Census → 2,313 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL10467). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.