Hazelbrook

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

Demographic analysis from the ABS for the wider region, alongside address validations conducted by AreaSearch since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of Hazelbrook is roughly 5,051 in May 2026. This represents a decline of 26 residents (0.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented 5,077 individuals. This shift is calculated from a local population of 5,049, determined by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ERP release from the ABS, plus 6 newly validated addresses since the Census date. Consequently, the local density stands at 404 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and potential scope for future growth. Although the suburb of Hazelbrook experienced a 0.5% contraction, the broader SA3 territory expanded by 1.6%, showing contrasting trends. Natural increase was the primary contributor to local growth, accounting for approximately 62.0% of all population increases recently.

Projections for each SA2 area released by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as a baseline) are utilized by AreaSearch. For SA2 regions lacking this data, projections from the NSW State Government's 2022 release (with a 2021 baseline) are used instead. The age bracket growth trajectories from these datasets are applied to local projections spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographics, the suburb of Hazelbrook is set to grow at a pace slightly below the median of Australian statistical areas, with a projected increase of 290 residents by 2041, representing a overall expansion of 5.7% across the 16 years.

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

An evaluation of ABS building approval records adjusted for local boundaries indicates that the suburb of Hazelbrook averages approximately 2 new residential approvals annually. This translates to an estimated 14 approvals over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 1 during the current FY-26. Despite a contracting population, building activity remains balanced, offering opportunities for property buyers, with new housing units constructed at an average cost of $409,000. In addition, commercial approvals valued at $86,000 have been registered in the current financial year, indicating a heavy emphasis on residential development.

When compared to the broader Sydney metropolitan area, development in the suburb of Hazelbrook is quiet, sitting at 73.0% below the regional per capita average. This minimal supply of new housing helps maintain demand and supports the valuation of existing homes. It also tracks below the national benchmark, reflecting a mature locality and potential regulatory limitations. Additionally, recent projects have consisted entirely of separate houses, maintaining the low-density profile of the community and appealing to buyers seeking space. A ratio of 1684 residents for each new dwelling approval highlights the quiet, slow-paced construction environment.

Future estimates indicate that the suburb of Hazelbrook will add 288 inhabitants by 2041 based on recent quarterly analysis from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, the supply of new housing may not keep up with population increases, which could intensify competition among buyers and support upward price trends.

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

Public planning and infrastructure updates are key drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified no projects that are expected to impact the immediate area. Relevant regional works include the Regional NSW Road Network Safety Improvements, the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, the Sydney Metro Program, and the Mariyung Fleet implementation, with details provided on those most applicable.

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

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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Hazelbrook ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

The suburb of Hazelbrook features a well-educated labor force with strong representation in public services and an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, according to statistical aggregations by AreaSearch. As of March 2026, working residents total 2,631, and the local jobless rate is 1.1% lower than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%. Workforce participation is slightly below the metropolitan standard, registering at 64.9% compared to 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census records indicate that 40.6% of working residents worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures.

The primary sectors employing residents are healthcare & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The local workforce has a notable concentration in education & training, with employment in this sector reaching 1.9 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for 6.4% of local employment compared to 11.5% in Greater Sydney. The area is highly residential, offering few local jobs relative to its resident workforce as shown by Census employment and residency comparisons.

AreaSearch assessment of SALM and ABS figures for the year ending March 2026 shows the local workforce shrank by 4.2% and total employment fell by 3.8%, which lowered the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. During the same timeframe, Greater Sydney recorded a 1.9% rise in employment and a 1.9% rise in the labour force, alongside a minor decrease. National employment forecasts from May-25 published by Jobs and Skills Australia provide context for future trends in the suburb of Hazelbrook. These five and ten-year forecasts are applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Applying these trends to the local employment mix suggests the suburb of Hazelbrook could see job numbers grow by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming local trends mirror national industry patterns.

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

Based on AreaSearch aggregations of ATO postcode statistics for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the suburb of Hazelbrook recorded a median income of $52,567 and an average income of $63,751. These figures are below the national benchmarks and compare to median and average levels of $60,817 and $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Accounting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current local estimates for March 2026 are approximately $57,992 for the median and $70,330 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Hazelbrook near the 50th national percentile. The largest local income bracket contains 35.2% of taxpayers earning between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, which equates to 1,777 individuals, aligning closely with regional statistics where 30.9% share this bracket. Housing expenses take up 15.3% of earnings, yet household disposable income sits in the 54th percentile, and the SEIFA score ranks the area in the 6th decile.

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

Residential structures in the suburb of Hazelbrook at the time of the Census consisted of 96.9% detached houses and 3.1% other dwelling types such as apartments and townhouses, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates are high, with 37.3% owning their homes outright, while 47.8% have mortgages and 15.0% rent. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,950, which is lower than the metropolitan Sydney median of $2,427. The median weekly rent was $400, compared to $470 in Sydney. Locally, mortgage costs are slightly higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also above the national median of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of local households at 73.6%, consisting of couples with children at 33.1%, couples without children at 27.0%, and single parents at 12.6%. Non-family households account for 26.4%, with single-person households at 24.1% and group households at 2.1%. The average household size is 2.6 residents, slightly below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The academic profile of the suburb of Hazelbrook is distinct, with tertiary qualification rates at 31.9% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding the SA4 regional average of 23.9%. Among these, bachelor degrees are held by 19.8%, postgraduate qualifications by 8.4%, and graduate diplomas by 3.7%. Technical and vocational credentials are also common, with 37.9% of the population aged 15 and over holding qualifications, comprising advanced diplomas at 13.2% and certificates at 24.7%.

School enrollment is high, with 30.5% of local residents participating in academic courses. This group includes 9.9% in primary schools, 9.2% in high schools, and 4.4% in tertiary programs.

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

Local transit analysis shows the suburb of Hazelbrook has 55 active stops, including both bus and rail services. These stops are served by 31 distinct routes that provide 1,230 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is rated well, with residents living an average of 244 meters from their nearest stop. Commuters mostly travel outside the area, with 90% traveling by car and 5% by train. Private car ownership stands at 1.5 vehicles per household, which is above the metropolitan average. A high 40.6% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic lockdowns.

Across all transit routes, services run at an average of 175 trips daily, which averages out to approximately 22 weekly trips for each transit stop.

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

The suburb of Hazelbrook has notable healthcare demands based on AreaSearch data for chronic illness and mortality. Medical issues are present across both young and old cohorts, and about 52% of the population, or approximately 2,634 residents, hold private health insurance. This is slightly higher than the average SA2 area but lower than the Greater Sydney rate of 59.9%.

Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common diagnoses, affecting 11.4% and 9.6% of residents. Conversely, 62.9% of the population reported no long-term illnesses, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. The working-age cohort has elevated rates of chronic illness, and 20.9% of the population is aged 65 and over, representing 1,055 residents, which exceeds the Greater Sydney average of 15.5%. Seniors face some health difficulties, with local outcomes tracking similarly to national rankings.

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

Cultural diversity in the suburb of Hazelbrook is below the national average, with 83.8% of the population born in Australia, 93.5% holding citizenship, and 93.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 43.6% of the population. A notable overrepresentation is found in Judaism, which accounts for 0.3% of residents compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

In terms of parent country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are English at 29.1% (higher than the regional average of 19.0%), Australian at 26.0% (higher than the regional average of 17.8%), and Irish at 10.3%. Other groups showing distinct concentrations include Welsh at 0.8% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Hungarian at 0.4% (compared to 0.3% regionally), and Dutch at 1.9% (compared to 0.7% regionally).

Hazelbrook's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in the suburb of Hazelbrook is 41 years, which is older than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is overrepresented at 11.3% of the local population, while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 5.3% to 7.8% of the population, whereas the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 14.3% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic models suggest significant aging, with the 75 to 84 age group projected to grow by 42%, adding 167 residents to reach 561. Residents aged 65 and over are expected to make up 80% of the growth, while declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age brackets.