Orchard Hills

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Orchard Hills is around 1,887 people. This figure represents an increase of 89 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,798 people. The current population estimate is inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, which estimated the resident population at 1,852. This level of population results in a density ratio of 43 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Orchard Hills has exhibited resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%, outperforming its SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 40% to overall population gains during recent periods, while other factors such as interstate migration and overseas migration also played positive roles.

AreaSearch is utilizing 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 employs the 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. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest exceptional growth for Orchard Hills, placing it in the top 10 percent of statistical areas across Australia. By 2041, the suburb is expected to grow by an additional 2,570 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 141.1% over the 17-year period.

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

Orchard Hills has seen approximately 28 new home approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 141 homes. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY-26. On average, 2 new residents were associated with each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this figure has increased to 20.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential supply constraints in the area. The average construction value of new homes is $572,000.

This year, there have been $327.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Orchard Hills has recorded 168.0% more new home approvals per person, offering ample choice for buyers despite recent moderation in development activity. The area's new building activity consists of 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% attached dwellings, catering to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This shift from the existing housing stock (currently 96.0% houses) suggests decreasing developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring diverse housing options. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 651 people, reflecting a quiet development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Orchard Hills is projected to add 2,663 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Future projections show Orchard Hills adding 2,663 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 48 projects that may affect the region. Notable projects include Orchard Hills North Residential Development, Hilton Garden Inn Sydney Kingswood (formerly Somerset Medi-Hotel), Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport - Orchard Hills Station, and Rodgers Street Mixed Use Development. The following list details those most likely to be 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 reveals Orchard Hills significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Orchard Hills has a skilled workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. Its unemployment rate is 2.0%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, 1,086 residents are employed while the local unemployment rate is 2.2% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Orchard Hills is similar to Greater Sydney's at 60.0%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include construction, retail trade, and education & training. Construction shows strong specialization with an employment share 2.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical employs only 4.7% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The ratio of 0.6 workers per resident indicates a higher-than-average level of local employment opportunities. Between Jun-24 and Jul-25, Orchard Hills saw its labour force decrease by 2.0%, with employment also decreasing by 2.0% while unemployment remained essentially unchanged. In contrast, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Orchard Hills' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on 30 June 2022 for financial year 2022, Orchard Hills had a median income among taxpayers of $50,858. The average income level stood at $68,657. This was above the national average and compared to levels of $56,994 and $80,856 across Greater Sydney respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,271 (median) and $77,315 (average) as of September 2025. From the Census conducted in August 2021, household incomes ranked at the 82nd percentile with a weekly income of $2,279. Income analysis revealed that 27.3% of the community earned between $1,500 and $2,999 (515 individuals), similar to the surrounding region where 30.9% occupied this bracket. A substantial proportion of residents, 38.0%, had incomes above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the area. After housing costs, residents retained 90.6% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

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

Orchard Hills' dwelling structure, as assessed in the latest Census, consisted of 95.9% houses and 4.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 77.4% houses and 22.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Orchard Hills stood at 60.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.7% and rented ones at 14.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,550, surpassing Sydney metro's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent in Orchard Hills was $450, higher than Sydney metro's figure of $400. Nationally, Orchard Hills' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 84.2% of all households, including 43.4% couples with children, 28.8% couples without children, and 11.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 15.8%, with lone person households at 14.1% and group households comprising 0.7%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.8.

Orchard Hills shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 18.5%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 32.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (24.6%). A total of 24.5% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, comprising 8.5% in secondary, 6.7% in primary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.

The area has four schools with a combined enrollment of 2,787 students. It demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1063) and functions as an education hub with 147.7 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 16.6. The educational mix includes one primary and three K-12 schools.

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

Orchard Hills has 31 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 63 different routes that together facilitate 1,193 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically living within 386 meters of the nearest stop.

On average, there are 170 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 38 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Orchard Hills is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Orchard Hills shows superior health outcomes for both young and elderly populations, with low prevalence of common ailments.

Approximately 54% (~1020 people) have private health cover. The most frequent conditions are arthritis (9.1%) and diabetes (5.5%), while 71.3% report no medical issues, compared to Greater Sydney's 69.5%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.3% (401 people), versus Greater Sydney's 14.1%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

Orchard Hills was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Orchard Hills was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 23.7% of its population born overseas and 24.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion in Orchard Hills is Christianity, making up 75.9% of the population, compared to 57.9% across Greater Sydney. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups are Australian (21.3%), English (19.1%), and Maltese (11.4%).

These figures are notably lower than regional averages for Australian and English ancestry but substantially higher for Maltese ancestry. There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Croatian at 2.1% compared to 0.7% regionally, Lebanese at 5.0% versus 0.8%, and Italian at 8.9% against 2.9%.

Orchard Hills hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Orchard Hills has a median age of 47, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38. The age group of 55-64 years old makes up 15.6% of Orchard Hills' population, compared to Greater Sydney. The 25-34 age group represents 8.4%, which is lower than the Greater Sydney figure. According to post-2021 Census data, the 35-44 age group has increased from 8.7% to 9.4% of Orchard Hills' population, while the 25-34 age group has decreased from 9.4% to 8.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Orchard Hills' age profile, with the strongest growth expected in the 45-54 age cohort, which is projected to grow by 165%, adding 449 residents to reach a total of 721.