Penshurst (NSW)

Penshurst is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Penshurst (NSW) is around 13,272, reflecting a 5.4% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 12,592 people. This growth is inferred from an estimated resident population of 13,046 by AreaSearch, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 5,204 persons per square kilometer, placing Penshurst in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 5.4% since the census is within 2.2 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 7.6%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 88.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in Penshurst. 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 utilised. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, population projections indicate an increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation, with Penshurst expected to expand by 718 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 3.7% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Penshurst, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Penshurst averaged around 24 new dwelling approvals each year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 123 homes were approved, with another 13 so far in FY-26. On average, 0.4 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years.

This suggests new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average value of new dwellings being developed is $617,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, there have been $671,000 in commercial approvals, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Penshurst has significantly less development activity, being 50.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

It is also below national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 56.0% detached dwellings and 44.0% townhouses or apartments, offering an expanding range of medium-density options across various price brackets. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (41.0% at Census), reflecting strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. Penshurst has around 622 people per dwelling approval, indicating a highly mature market. Future projections show Penshurst adding approximately 492 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to adequately meet demand and create favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects that could affect this region. Notable initiatives include King Georges Road Upgrade, Mortdale RSL Redevelopment, Penshurst Town Centre Streetscape Public Domain Plan, and Mortdale Local Centre Development Control Plan. The following list details those likely to have the most relevance.

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

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AreaSearch analysis places Penshurst well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Penshurst has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 2.6%, lower than the Greater Sydney average of 4.2%. In the year ending December 2025, employment grew by an estimated 5.2%.

As of that date, 8,395 residents are employed, with a participation rate of 76.7% compared to Greater Sydney's 70.2%. Notably, 42.8% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and professional & technical services.

Construction has limited presence at 6.2%, compared to the regional average of 8.6%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the working population count versus resident population. In the 12 months ending December 2025, employment increased by 5.2% while the labour force grew by 5.3%, causing unemployment to rise slightly from 2.5% to 2.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Penshurst's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch reports that Penshurst suburb had a median taxpayer income of $49,248 and an average income of $65,093 in financial year 2023. These figures are lower than the national averages of $60,817 and $83,030 for Greater Sydney respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth suggest median income will be approximately $53,611 and average income around $70,860. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Penshurst are at the 52nd percentile nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 35.1% of residents earn between $1,500 to $2,999 weekly. This aligns with the surrounding region where this income segment represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 16.7% of income. Despite this, disposable income is at the 55th percentile and Penshurst's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Penshurst features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Penshurst, as per the latest Census evaluation, 41.0% of dwellings were houses while 59.0% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Penshurst stood at 31.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.3% and rented ones at 37.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent in Penshurst was $400, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Penshurst's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 against the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $400 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 71.3% of all households, including 34.5% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.7%, with lone person households at 25.3% and group households making up 3.4%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Penshurst shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 39.4%, higher than the Australian average of 30.4% and NSW's rate of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 25.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are held by 26.5% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 14.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.3% currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.2% in tertiary, 8.0% in primary, and 6.8% in secondary education.

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

Penshurst has 55 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 23 routes, providing a total of 4626 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop is 138 meters. In this residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode at 61%, with trains at 28% and buses at 6%. Average vehicle ownership is 0.9 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 42.8% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 660 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 84 weekly trips per stop.

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

AreaSearch's assessment shows Penshurst has excellent health outcomes. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups.

Private health cover is high at approximately 53% of the total population (~6,991 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9%. The most common conditions are arthritis (5.7%) and asthma (5.1%). A majority, 77.3%, report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Penshurst has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 19.2% (2,548 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, broadly in line with the general population nationally.

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

Penshurst has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the country, with 50.1% born overseas and 55.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 48.5%. Hinduism is notably overrepresented, making up 10.5%, compared to the Greater Sydney average of 5.2%.

In terms of ancestry, Chinese people make up 20.7%, substantially higher than the regional average of 8.4%. 'Other' ancestry comprises 19.3% and English ancestry is 13.5%, notably lower than the regional average of 19.0%. Certain ethnic groups are overrepresented: Croatian (1.7% vs 0.7%), Macedonian (1.8% vs 0.4%), and Greek (4.5% vs 1.9%).

Penshurst's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Penshurst is close to Greater Sydney's average at 37 years and equivalent to Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Penshurst has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (10.7%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.9%). Between the 2016 and 2021 Census, the proportion of Penshurst's population aged 65 to 74 grew from 9.3% to 10.7%, while those aged 75 to 84 increased from 4.8% to 5.9%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 decreased from 16.8% to 15.4%. By 2041, Penshurst's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 54%, reaching 1,208 people from the current 783. This growth will contribute to a significant increase in the proportion of residents aged 65 and over, who are projected to comprise 69% of Penshurst's population growth by 2041. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for those aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 years.