North Rocks

Population growth drivers in North Rocks are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

The population of the suburb of North Rocks is estimated at around 9,457 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 321 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,136 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 9,450 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 31 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,728 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, North Rocks has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%, outpacing the state. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking at population projections moving forward, lower quartile growth of national areas is anticipated, with the suburb expected to grow by 198 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 2.0% in total over the 16 years.

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

North Rocks averaged approximately 19 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 96 homes were approved, with an additional 14 approved in FY-26. This results in an average of about 5.2 new residents arriving per year for each dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

Demand significantly exceeds supply, likely leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. Developers target the premium market segment, constructing properties at an average cost of $744,000. This year, commercial approvals totalled $28.5 million, indicating robust local business investment. Comparatively, North Rocks has significantly less development activity than Greater Sydney, with 71.0% fewer approvals per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, development activity is also lower, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity comprises approximately 70.0% detached dwellings and 30.0% townhouses or apartments, offering a mix of medium-density options across various price brackets. With around 645 people per approval, North Rocks indicates a mature, established area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the suburb is expected to grow by approximately 191 residents through to 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, presenting good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are North Rocks Village, Stream Northmead, North Rocks Shopping Centre Redevelopment, and St Michel North Rocks. The following details those deemed most relevant.

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 analysis of employment trends sees North Rocks performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

North Rocks has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. The unemployment rate was 1.7% as of December 2025, with estimated employment growth of 4.0% over the past year. This is based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of that month, 5606 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.4%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was high at 74.2% compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 52.4% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

The area has a notable concentration in education & training, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Meanwhile, transport, postal & warehousing has limited presence with 3.6% employment compared to 5.3% regionally. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 4.0%, while labour force and unemployment remained essentially unchanged at 4.0% and 1.7% respectively, according to AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS data. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within North Rocks. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to North Rocks' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows North Rocks' median income among taxpayers is $57,605, with an average of $72,670. This is above the national average and compares to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $63,550 (median) and $80,170 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in North Rocks rank highly nationally, between the 72nd and 85th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 31.8% of locals (3,007 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to the surrounding region where this cohort represents 30.9%. Economic strength is evident with 38.1% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 16.1% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 84th percentile nationally, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

In North Rocks, as per the latest Census data, 78.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 21.9% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This differs from Sydney metro's breakdown of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in North Rocks stood at 36.3%, with mortgaged properties at 39.5% and rented ones at 24.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,817, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent in North Rocks was $505, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, North Rocks' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,817 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 83.3% of all households, including 46.5% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 16.7%, with lone person households at 14.3% and group households making up 2.4%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

North Rocks has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above. As of the latest data, 44.2% of these residents hold university qualifications, which is significantly higher than the national average of 30.4% and the New South Wales (NSW) average of 32.2%. This indicates a substantial educational advantage for the area, positioning it favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. The distribution of these university qualifications in North Rocks shows that bachelor degrees are the most common at 28.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 13.0% and graduate diplomas at 2.9%.

Vocational credentials are also prominently featured, with 27.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications. This includes advanced diplomas held by 11.8% of these residents and certificates held by 15.3%. Educational participation in North Rocks is notably high, with 30.8% of its residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data. This includes 10.9% enrolled in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 5.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

North Rocks has 84 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 56 different routes, together facilitating 8,234 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average located 149 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 87%, while buses account for 6%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, specifically 52.4%, work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 1,176 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 98 weekly trips per stop.

North Rocks's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

North Rocks' health outcomes show notable results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low, especially among younger cohorts.

Private health cover was high at approximately 56% (~5,262 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9%. The most common conditions were arthritis (6.7%) and asthma (6.2%), with 74.9% reporting no medical ailments, similar to Greater Sydney's 74.6%. North Rocks has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 18.2% (1,721 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors were strong but ranked lower nationally than the broader population.

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

North Rocks has high cultural diversity, with 42.5% of its population born overseas and 44.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in North Rocks, comprising 52.1%. Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, making up 4.5% versus 5.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (17.7%, higher than the regional average of 8.4%), Australian (17.1%), and English (17.1%). Korean (4.4%) is notably overrepresented compared to the regional average of 1.1%. Lebanese representation is similar regionally at 2.6%. Sri Lankan representation is also notable, with 0.7% in North Rocks versus 0.3% regionally.

North Rocks's population is slightly older than the national pattern

North Rocks has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Greater Sydney average, North Rocks has an over-representation of the 5-14 age cohort (14.4% locally) and an under-representation of the 25-34 age group (10.5%). Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.4% to 13.6%, while the 0 to 4 cohort has decreased from 5.3% to 4.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in North Rocks' age profile. The 85+ age cohort is expected to grow by 194 people (114%), from 170 to 365. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 74% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.