Doonside

Doonside is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population for the Doonside statistical area (Lv2) is around 14,241. This figure represents a growth of 627 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,614. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 13,889 residents based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 72 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,323 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 66.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch's projections for each SA2 area are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the first dataset. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering projected demographic shifts, the Doonside (SA2) is expected to increase by just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with an anticipated expansion of 691 persons to reach a total population of 15,932 by 2041, reflecting a 2.9% increase over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Doonside, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Doonside has recorded approximately 35 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25. This totals an estimated 177 homes. As of FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded during these years.

Commercial development approvals valued at $5.0 million have been recorded in the current financial year. Recent construction comprises 75% detached dwellings and 25% attached dwellings.

Doonside reflects a highly mature market with around 618 people per dwelling approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Doonside is expected to grow by 406 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand.

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

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 19 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals Stage 2 Expansion, Blacktown City Council WestInvest Program, Woodcroft Neighbourhood Centre Renewal, and Richmond Road Upgrade from M7 to Townson Road. The following list details those projects most likely to be relevant.

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

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

Doonside has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.9%.

As of September 2025, there were 6,934 residents employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.7% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was at 51.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing. Transport, postal & warehousing had notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average.

However, professional & technical services were under-represented, with only 5.2% of Doonside's workforce compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 4.9%, and labour force increased by 4.0%, causing a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1% with unemployment rising slightly. State-level data from NSW as of 25-Nov showed employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differed significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Doonside's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Doonside had a median income among taxpayers of $46,180 and an average income of $52,018 in the financial year 2023. These figures are lower than Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003 during the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $50,272 and the average income will be around $56,627, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%. According to Census 2021 data, individual incomes in Doonside were at the 19th percentile with weekly earnings of $647, while household incomes performed better at the 40th percentile. In terms of income distribution, 34.6% of Doonside's population (4,927 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range in 2023, similar to the surrounding region where 30.9% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Doonside, with only 80.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 37th percentile.

Doonside is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile

Doonside's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.2% houses and 10.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Home ownership stood at 22.8%, with 30.4% of dwellings mortgaged and 46.8% rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,100, and the median weekly rent was $350. Nationally, Doonside's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Doonside features high concentrations of family households, with a median household size of 2.9 people

Family households constitute 77.3% of all households, including 36.7% couples with children, 18.8% couples without children, and 19.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.7%, with lone person households at 19.5% and group households comprising 3.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 25.3%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 30.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas make up 10.1%, while certificates account for 20.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 5.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Doonside shows that there are currently 95 active transport stops in operation. These include a mix of train and bus services. The area is served by 24 individual routes which collectively provide 4621 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 153 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 660 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 48 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Doonside is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Doonside faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among its residents. Older age cohorts experience these conditions to a considerably higher degree compared to younger ones.

Approximately 48% of Doonside's total population (~6,774 people) has private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 7.7 and 7.6% of residents respectively. A majority, 69.6%, report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 0% across Greater Sydney. Doonside has 16.3% of its residents aged 65 and over (2,321 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population due to certain challenges they face.

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

Doonside has a high level of cultural diversity, with 48.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 48.0% born overseas. The predominant religion in Doonside is Christianity, comprising 58.0% of the population. Hinduism, however, is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, making up 10.3% of Doonside's population.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other (23.1%), Australian (16.0%), and English (14.3%). Notably, Filipino (11.1%), Samoan (1.8%), and Maltese (2.0%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Doonside compared to regional averages.

Doonside's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Doonside's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37, which is slightly below Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Doonside has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.8%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 75-84 has increased from 3.9% to 5.3%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5-14 has decreased from 13.2% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Doonside's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 74%, adding 560 residents to reach 1,315. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 89% of population growth, reflecting broader demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, the populations aged 15-24 and 0-4 are projected to decline.