Garden Suburb

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates, as of Nov 2025, the Garden Suburb statistical area (Lv2) has an estimated population of around 2,000. This reflects a growth of 41 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,959 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 1,972 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 4 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,052 persons per square kilometer. The Garden Suburb (SA2) experienced a growth rate of 2.1% since the census, which is within 1.9 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.0%, demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and interstate migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts 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. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for national non-metropolitan areas. The Garden Suburb (SA2) is expected to increase by 324 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 16.9% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Garden Suburb according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Garden Suburb had minimal construction activity from 2016 to 2020, with only nine dwellings approved annually. This low level of development is typical in rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. The small sample size means individual projects can significantly influence annual growth statistics.

Compared to Rest of NSW and national patterns, Garden Suburb had significantly less construction activity during this period. Recent construction comprised 50% detached houses and 50% townhouses or apartments, a shift from the previous pattern of 100% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 574 people per approval, Garden Suburb is a mature, established area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Garden Suburb is projected to add 339 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Future projections show Garden Suburb adding 339 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Garden Suburb has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely affecting the region: Vida at 2 Turrug Street Whitebridge and Uniting Charlestown. Other notable projects include Kotara Transport Oriented Development Precinct and Westfield Kotara Mixed-Use Redevelopment, with the following list highlighting those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Garden Suburb significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Garden Suburb has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate stands at 2.3%, lower than the Rest of NSW's 3.8%.

Over the past year, employment grew by an estimated 3.2%. As of September 2025, 1,118 residents are employed, with a participation rate of 64.7% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%, and an unemployment rate of 1.6% below the regional average. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has a limited presence at 0.7% compared to the regional 5.3%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the Census working population count versus resident population. In the past year, employment increased by 3.2%, while labour force grew by 3.6%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and a slight increase in unemployment to 4.1%. State-level data from November 25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Garden Suburb's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Garden Suburb had a median taxpayer income of $63,372 and an average income of $75,388 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is higher than national averages, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2023 to September 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $68,987 (median) and $82,067 (average). In Garden Suburb, household, family, and personal incomes ranked between the 72nd and 86th percentiles nationally in Census 2021. Income distribution showed that 32.0% of residents earned between $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, consistent with regional trends at 29.9%. Notably, 35.7% had incomes above $3,000 per week. After housing costs, residents retained 89.0% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

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

In Garden Suburb, as per the latest Census evaluation, 99.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 0.5% comprising semi-detached properties, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's dwelling composition of 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Garden Suburb stood at 45.2%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 43.3% and rented dwellings making up 11.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,066, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Garden Suburb was $465, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Garden Suburb's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,066 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 81.7% of all households, including 44.5% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.3%, with lone person households at 16.1% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Garden Suburb exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Garden Suburb has a higher educational attainment than broader areas. Among residents aged 15 and above, 31.8% have university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 23.5% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 34.7% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 23.9%.

Educational participation is high in the area, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The Garden Suburb has 14 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 10 different routes that together facilitate 490 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent access to transportation, with an average distance of 179 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 70 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 35 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Garden Suburb is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Garden Suburb faces significant health challenges with a notably higher prevalence of common health conditions compared to average, particularly amongst older age groups. Approximately 57% (~1,134 people) of Garden Suburb's population has private health cover, slightly higher than Rest of NSW at 54.4%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 10.2% and 9.9% of residents respectively. However, 64.1% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.6% across Rest of NSW. Garden Suburb has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 16.6% (332 people) than Rest of NSW's 21.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to the challenges they present.

Garden Suburb ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Garden Suburb, as per the census conducted on 28 June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 87.2% of its residents born in Australia and 94.6% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 91.0% of the population. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 53.1%, slightly higher than the 52.5% regional average.

The top three ancestry groups were English (30.6%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (10.5%). Notably, French (0.7%) and Macedonian (0.6%) ancestry was overrepresented compared to the regional averages of 0.4% each, while Polish ancestry remained similar at 0.7%.

Garden Suburb's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Garden Suburb was 40 years as of the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, which is slightly below Rest of NSW's average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. Comparing with Rest of NSW, the cohort aged 35-44 was notably higher at 14.7% locally, while those aged 65-74 were under-represented at 8.3%. Between the Census periods from August 2016 to August 2021, Garden Suburb's median age decreased by 1 year to 40 from its previous figure of 41. During this period, the population aged 25-34 grew from 9.2% to 12.5%, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 13.1% to 14.7%. Conversely, those aged 85+ declined from 4.2% to 2.2%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 10.2% to 8.3%. Population projections for Garden Suburb indicate significant demographic shifts by 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow steadily, increasing by 104 people (42%) from 250 to 354. Conversely, the 65-74 group is projected to decrease by 2 residents.