Hazelbrook

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

As of Nov 2025, the Hazelbrook statistical area's population is estimated at around 5110 people. This reflects a growth of 33 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5077 people. The current population is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 5105 residents following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional two validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 408 persons per square kilometer. Hazelbrook's growth rate of 0.6% since census is within one percentage point of its SA3 area's growth (1.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 62% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Hazelbrook (SA2) is expected to grow by approximately 6.2% in total over the 17-year period from 2025 to 2041, with an increase of around 305 persons by 2041.

The level of residential development activity in Hazelbrook is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Hazelbrook has seen approximately 2 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 10 homes were approved, with an additional 2 approved so far in FY-26. The population decline over recent years has resulted in adequate development activity relative to population change, which is positive for buyers.

New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $409,000. This financial year, $86,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Hazelbrook has markedly lower building activity, recording 81.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, although construction activity has recently intensified. The area's development is also under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations.

Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining Hazelbrook's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 2049 people per dwelling approval reflects the area's quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Hazelbrook is expected to grow by 315 residents through to 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

No changes can significantly influence a region's performance more than modifications to its local infrastructure, major undertakings, and planning schemes. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable initiatives comprise Regional NSW Road Network Safety Improvements, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, Sydney Metro, and Mariyung Fleet (New Intercity Fleet), with the following list outlining those most pertinent.

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Employment performance in Hazelbrook exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Hazelbrook has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.6%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 2,682 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 1.6% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation stands at 62.0%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries among Hazelbrook residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Notably, education & training employs a significantly higher share of workers compared to the regional level, with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services employ only 6.4% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the difference between the Census working population and resident population. In the 12-month period prior to September 2025, Hazelbrook's labour force decreased by 4.2% while employment declined by 3.2%, leading to a fall in unemployment of 1.1 percentage points. Meanwhile, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%, with an increase in unemployment of 0.2 percentage points. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, while the state's unemployment rate stood at 3.9%. This compares favourably with the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase in national employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Hazelbrook's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The median taxpayer income in Hazelbrook is $52,567, with an average of $63,751, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $57,224 (median) and $69,399 (average). Census data shows that incomes in Hazelbrook cluster around the 50th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 35.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually, mirroring the broader area where 30.9% fall within this bracket. High housing costs consume 15.3% of income. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 54th percentile nationally, and Hazelbrook's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Hazelbrook is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Hazelbrook's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.9% houses and 3.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 92.3% houses and 7.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hazelbrook stood at 37.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.8% and rented ones at 15.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, below Sydney metro's average of $2,033. Median weekly rent in Hazelbrook was $400, matching Sydney metro's figure but exceeding the national average of $375. Nationally, Hazelbrook's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households constitute 73.6% of all households, including 33.1% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 12.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 24.1% and group households at 2.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.4.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 31.9% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA4 region average of 23.9%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas comprise 13.2% and certificates account for 24.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Hazelbrook has 57 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 31 different routes that together facilitate 1,230 weekly passenger trips. The transport system in Hazelbrook is rated good with residents usually located 244 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 175 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 21 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Hazelbrook is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Hazelbrook faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover in Hazelbrook is approximately 52% of the total population (~2,665 people), compared to 55.6% across Greater Sydney.

Mental health issues impact 11.4% of residents, while asthma affects 9.6%. A total of 62.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Greater Sydney. As of 2016, Hazelbrook has 20.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,027 people), which is lower than the 24.3% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Hazelbrook's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 83.8% of its population born in Australia, 93.5% being citizens, and 93.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Hazelbrook, comprising 43.6% of people. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, with 0.3% of Hazelbrook's population identifying as such, versus 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (29.1%), Australian (26.0%), and Irish (10.3%). Welsh (0.8%) and Hungarian (0.4%) are notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively, while Dutch representation is slightly higher at 1.9%.

Hazelbrook's median age exceeds the national pattern

Hazelbrook's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and slightly older than Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Hazelbrook has a notably over-represented cohort aged 65-74 (11.3%) and an under-represented cohort aged 25-34 (9.3%). Post the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 5.3% to 7.1%, while the 5-14 cohort declined from 14.3% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Hazelbrook's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 53%, adding 192 residents to reach 555. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 82% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 25-34 age cohorts.