Bonny Hills

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Bonny Hills is around 3,087 people. This figure represents an increase of 42 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,045. The recent growth is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3,086 residents, based on their analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 38 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 148 persons per square kilometer. The primary driver for this population growth was interstate migration, contributing approximately 85% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch's projections for Bonny Hills are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered SA2 areas. For un-covered SA2 areas, they utilise the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections 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. Looking ahead, demographic trends project an above median population growth for regional areas nationally. By 2041, the suburb of Bonny Hills is expected to expand by 511 persons, reflecting a total gain of 16.5% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Bonny Hills recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Bonny Hills averaged approximately 21 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 109 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 5 approvals recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the area saw an average of 0.9 people moving in for each dwelling built. This suggests new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more buying options and potentially driving population growth beyond current projections.

The average value of new properties constructed is $431,000, slightly above the regional average, indicating a focus on quality developments. In FY-26, there have been $2.0 million in commercial approvals, predominantly residential. Compared to Rest of NSW, Bonny Hills shows similar new home approvals per capita, suggesting market stability aligned with regional trends.

The area's building activity comprises 91% detached houses and 9% townhouses or apartments, maintaining its traditional low-density character favouring family homes. With approximately 125 people per dwelling approval, it indicates a low density market. Population forecasts estimate Bonny Hills will gain 510 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially facilitating growth beyond current projections.

Bonny Hills has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that could impact this region. Notable projects are Beach to Beach Shared Path, Whitewater Terrace Development, Lake Cathie, Lake Cathie Public School upgrade, and Glen Eden Estate. The following details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Bonny Hills demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Bonny Hills has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate is 1.8%. This rate is below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, which was 2.2% higher than Bonny Hills'.

Workforce participation in Bonny Hills lags behind Regional NSW at 54.1% compared to 60.5%. According to Census responses, 13.5% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area shows strong specialization in education & training with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 1.9% versus the regional average of 5.3%.

Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.9%, and employment declined by 3.1%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 0.3 percentage points. By comparison, Regional NSW recorded employment decline of 1.2% and labour force decline of 0.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Bonny Hills. These projections estimate local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific growth rates applied to Bonny Hills' employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Bonny Hills had a median income among taxpayers of $48,456. The average income stood at $60,287. This is below the national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% from financial year ending June 2023 to March 2026, current estimates would be approximately $53,457 (median) and $66,509 (average). From the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Bonny Hills ranked modestly, between the 24th and 30th percentiles. Income distribution showed that 28.3% of locals (873 people) fell into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across the region at 29.9%. After housing costs, 85.5% of income remained for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

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

Bonny Hills' dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 98.8% houses and 1.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bonny Hills was 51.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.0% and rented ones at 17.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,820, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Bonny Hills was $445, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Bonny Hills' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were substantially higher at $375.

Bonny Hills has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.8% of all households, including 27.2% couples with children, 39.1% couples without children, and 9.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.2%, with lone person households at 20.9% and group households making up 2.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational achievement in Bonny Hills places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's university qualification rate is 21.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 12.4% and certificates at 30.3%. Educational participation is high, with 25.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 8.6% in primary, 7.4% in secondary, and 3.2% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.6% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bonny Hills has 27 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 29 different routes that together offer 246 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 223 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commutes are outward-bound and cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 95%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 13.5% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 35 trips per day, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bonny Hills'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

Bonny Hills residents show generally positive health outcomes, according to health data analysed by AreaSearch.

Mortality rates and health conditions align broadly with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts at a standard level. Approximately 51% (~1,568 people) have private health cover, which is relatively low. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.0%) and mental health issues (8.1%). About 62.6% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents face significant health challenges due to higher chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.2% (932 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

The latest Census data sees Bonny Hills placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bonny Hills, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, exhibited below average cultural diversity. It reported that 90.0% of its population was born in Australia, with 94.8% being citizens and 97.2% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Bonny Hills was Christianity, accounting for 60.0% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three groups were English (32.8%), Australian (32.1%), and Irish (9.3%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.2%, compared to 8.0% regionally, while Welsh was at 0.6% (vs 0.5%) and South Australian at 0.5% (vs 0.2%).

Bonny Hills ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Bonny Hills's median age is 51 years, which is significantly higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Regional NSW average, Bonny Hills has a notably over-represented 75-84 cohort at 12.0%, while its 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 5.8%. This concentration in the 75-84 age group is well above the national average of 6.1%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 10.2% to 12.0% of Bonny Hills' population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 14.5% to 12.5%. By 2041, Bonny Hills is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 45-54 group is projected to grow by 26%, reaching 485 people from a current total of 385. Meanwhile, numbers in the 55-64 age range are expected to fall by approximately 0%.