Norwest

Norwest lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Norwest is around 6,310, reflecting a 34.6% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4,688 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, resulting in an estimated resident population of 5,925 plus additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 2,229 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Norwest's growth exceeded both its SA3 area (6.6%) and state levels, marking it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all migration drivers being positive factors. Future projections based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 (using 2022 as the base year) and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 (using 2021 as the base year), predict exceptional growth for Norwest, placing it in the top 10% of statistical areas nationally.

By 2041, the suburb is expected to expand by 2,771 persons, reflecting a 29.0% increase over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Norwest among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Norwest has seen approximately 162 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending FY-25. This totals an estimated 811 homes. In FY-26 to date, 18 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.1 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25.

Commercial development approvals reached $3.8 million in FY-26. Compared to Greater Sydney, Norwest has 257.0% more construction activity per person. New building activity comprises 19.0% detached dwellings and 81.0% townhouses or apartments. By 2041, Norwest is forecasted to gain approximately 1,831 residents based on current development patterns.

Population forecasts indicate Norwest will gain 1,831 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Norwest 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 26 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Norwest City, Hills Showground Station Precinct, Norwest Quarter, and The Orchards Norwest. Below is a list of projects likely most relevant.

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

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The labour market in Norwest shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Norwest has a highly educated workforce. The technology sector is notably represented.

Its unemployment rate was 2.7% in the past year. Employment growth was estimated at 2.8%. As of June 2025, 3,273 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 1.5% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Sydney's 60.0%.

Leading employment industries include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance. The area has a strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Transport, postal & warehousing is under-represented at 3.3% compared to Greater Sydney's 5.3%. There are 1.8 workers for every resident, indicating Norwest functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the 12-month period ending Sep-22, employment increased by 2.8% while labour force grew by 2.8%, keeping unemployment flat. Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts suggest Norwest's employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to its current employment mix.

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 2022 shows median income in Norwest is $63,061 and average income is $81,969. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $71,013 (median) and $92,305 (average). Census data reveals Norwest's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 78th and 82nd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 33.8% of locals fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader trends showing 30.9% in the same category. A substantial proportion of high earners (34.6%) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Norwest. High housing costs consume 19.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 73rd percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Norwest features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Norwest's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 38.1% houses and 61.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's 78.2% houses and 21.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Norwest was at 29.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.9% and rented ones at 41.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,823, below Sydney metro's average of $3,000. The median weekly rent figure in Norwest was $579, similar to Sydney metro's $580. Nationally, Norwest's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,823 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Norwest features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.8% of all households, including 29.6% couples with children, 33.7% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 27.2%, with lone person households at 22.1% and group households comprising 5.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 3.0.

Norwest demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Norwest, 46.3% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, exceeding Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 28.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 29.2% of residents holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 15.0% and certificates at 14.2%. Educational participation is high, with 30.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 8.6% in primary, 5.7% in tertiary, and 5.5% in secondary education.

Schools appear to be located outside Norwest's immediate boundaries, necessitating families to access them in neighboring areas.

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

Public transport analysis shows 34 active transport stops operating within Norwest. These include a mix of lightrail and buses serving the area. There are 43 individual routes in total, providing 3,855 weekly passenger trips collectively.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 185 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 550 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 113 weekly trips per individual stop.

Norwest's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Norwest's health outcomes show excellent results across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 59% (3,741 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 63.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.4 and 5.3% respectively. A total of 76.5% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 75.9%. Norwest has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.2% (1,337 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 18.9%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Norwest has a high level of cultural diversity, with 42.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 49.8% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Norwest, making up 54.1% of people. Hinduism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 9.9% versus 8.6%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (18.6%), Other (16.0%), and Australian (13.4%). Korean (2.0%) and Indian (8.4%) populations are notably higher in Norwest than regionally at 2.3% and 7.5%, respectively, while Chinese is slightly underrepresented at 13.2% versus 15.0%.

Norwest's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Norwest's median age is 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely resembling Australia's median age of 38. The 75-84 age group constitutes 7.3% of Norwest's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort makes up 9.2%, lower than Greater Sydney's figure. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.6% to 13.8%. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 cohort decreased from 17.8% to 16.4%, and the 55 to 64 group fell from 8.8% to 7.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Norwest's age structure. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 214%, reaching 812 people from 258. Those aged 65 and above will account for 58% of the projected population growth. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age groups are anticipated to experience population declines.