Prestons

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Prestons statistical area (Lv2) is around 15,550. This reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census figure of 15,694 people, a change inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 15,539 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 253 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,688 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.0% of overall population gains during recent periods for this area. AreaSearch is adopting 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 utilises 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Prestons (SA2) is expected to increase by 93 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of approximately 0.5% in total over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates that Prestons has received approximately 31 dwelling approvals annually on average over the past five financial years, totalling around 156 homes. As of FY26, 18 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in recent years, development activity has been adequate relative to population size, benefiting buyers. The average value of new homes being built is $345,000.

This year, there have also been $1.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Prestons has significantly lower building activity (74.0% below regional average per person), which generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. However, construction activity has increased recently. This level is also lower than the national average, suggesting market maturity and potential development constraints. Recent construction comprises 86.0% detached dwellings and 14.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining Prestons' traditional suburban character focused on family homes.

With around 306 people per approval, Prestons reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Prestons is forecasted to gain 78 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Prestons 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 31 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Prestons Grove Estate, Prestons Industrial Estate, 44 Manildra Street Residential Development Site, and Edmondson Park Precinct Development. The following details those 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 reveals Prestons significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Prestons has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.5%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.5% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 9,026 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.7% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Sydney's at 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing, particularly notable in the latter sector with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services employ only 6.4% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%.

The ratio of 0.8 workers per resident indicates a high level of local employment opportunities. Over the past year, ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.5%, labour force grew by 4.0%, and unemployment decreased by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1%, labour force growth of 2.4%, with unemployment rising slightly by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data for NSW to 25-Nov-25 shows employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Prestons's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch reports median taxpayer income in Prestons was $48,609 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $57,150. Both figures are below Greater Sydney's averages of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $52,916 and $62,213 based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%. Census data shows household income ranks at the 83rd percentile ($2,310 weekly) and personal income at the 40th percentile. Income distribution reveals 37.4% (5,815 individuals) earn between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly. Higher earners comprise 32.9%, indicating strong purchasing power. Housing costs consume 16.7% of income, but disposable income ranks at the 81st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

In Prestons, as per the latest Census, 92.5% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 7.5% being semi-detached, apartments or other types. This compares to Sydney metro's 63.3% houses and 36.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Prestons stood at 24.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 57.0% and rented ones at 18.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,200, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent in Prestons was $520, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Prestons' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,200 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 90.1% of all households, including 59.8% couples with children, 15.5% couples without children, and 13.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 9.9%, with lone person households at 8.8% and group households making up 1.2%. The median household size is 3.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.0.

The educational profile of Prestons exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 24.8%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 30.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (18.9%). Educational participation is high, with 36.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (11.8%), secondary (11.7%), and tertiary (7.2%) education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 36.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.8% in primary education, 11.7% in secondary education, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Prestons has 94 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 67 different routes that together facilitate 3,380 weekly passenger trips. The average distance residents live from the nearest stop is 152 meters, indicating excellent transport accessibility.

On average, there are 482 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 35 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Prestons, particularly among younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 50% (~7,709 people) of Prestons' total population has private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 51.8%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are diabetes and asthma, affecting 5.9% and 5.7% of residents respectively. A total of 78.0% of Prestons' residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 76.4%. Prestons has 12.1% (1,881 people) of its population aged 65 and over, a demographic that may require more attention than the broader population.

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

Preston's cultural diversity is notable, with 44.8% of its population born overseas and 58.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Preston, accounting for 49.0% of people. Islam is significantly overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 23.1% versus the regional average of 17.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (31.5%), Australian (12.2%), and English (8.9%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Serbian is higher at 1.9% compared to the regional figure of 2.4%, Spanish is slightly higher at 1.2% versus 0.8%, and Lebanese is nearly equal at 5.4%.

Prestons hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Preston's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and considerably younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Preston has a higher percentage of residents aged 15-24 (18.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.0%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of Preston's population aged 15 to 24 has increased from 16.7% to 18.6%, while the percentage of residents aged 65 to 74 has grown from 5.5% to 6.9%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 5 to 14 has declined from 16.6% to 14.4%, and the percentage of residents aged 35 to 44 has dropped from 13.8% to 12.7%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Preston, with the strongest projected growth in the 75-84 age cohort, expected to increase by 143% and add 822 residents, reaching a total of 1,398. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 84% of population growth, reflecting broader demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 25-34 age cohorts.