St Clair (Penrith - NSW)

St Clair has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of St Clair (Penrith - NSW) is around 20,602. This figure reflects an increase of 660 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,942. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and validation of new addresses, is 20,377. This results in a density ratio of 2,861 persons per square kilometer, placing St Clair in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 61.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered areas and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for uncovered areas. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, the suburb's population is expected to decline by 171 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 75 to 84 group are projected to grow, with an increase of 729 people anticipated.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, St Clair has seen around 46 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years ending June 2021. This totals an estimated 234 homes. As of April 2026, 41 approvals have been recorded in this financial year. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $312,000. There have also been $2.3 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to Greater Sydney. St Clair records markedly lower building activity, 51.0% below the regional average per person, which usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. This is likewise lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 79.0% standalone homes and 21.0% attached dwellings, maintaining St Clair's traditional suburban character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition of currently 98.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and demand for more diverse, affordable housing options.

With around 478 people per dwelling approval, St Clair shows a developed market with population expected to remain stable or decline, potentially reducing pressure on housing and creating opportunities for buyers.

St Clair 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 eight projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are the Erskine Park Employment Area Expansion, M12 Motorway, Mamre Road Upgrade - M4 to Erskine Park Road (Stage 1), and Western Sydney Aerotropolis Infrastructure Development. Below is a list of most relevant projects.

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.

The employment environment in St Clair shows above-average strength when compared nationally

St Clair has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. As of September 2025, its unemployment rate is 2.8%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. In this month, 11,012 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.4% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation is similar to Greater Sydney's at 70.0%. Census responses indicate that 29.2% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area shows strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services are under-represented at 4.3% compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, St Clair's labour force decreased by 3.9% and employment declined by 3.5%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.1%, labour force grow by 2.4%, and unemployment increase by 0.2 percentage points during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that St Clair's employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The suburb of St Clair had a median income among taxpayers of $56,872 and an average income of $63,145 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This compares to Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003 during the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.86%, estimated incomes for St Clair as of September 2025 would be approximately $61,911 (median) and $68,740 (average). Census data from 2021 shows that income levels in St Clair cluster around the 64th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 38.6% of St Clair's population falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, with 7,952 individuals in this bracket. This is similar to the broader area where 30.9% of residents occupy this income range. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income in St Clair, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 69th percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

St Clair's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 98.5% houses and 1.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in St Clair stood at 31.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.1% and rented ones at 21.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, below Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in St Clair was $440, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, St Clair's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 84.1% of all households, including 43.3% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 14.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 15.9%, with lone person households at 14.2% and group households comprising 1.7%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in St Clair fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.1%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 12.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (27.5%). Educational participation is high, with 29.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.9% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

St Clair has 102 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 32 different routes that together facilitate 1,440 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is considered good, with residents typically living within 205 meters of the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area, and cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 91%. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling in St Clair, which exceeds the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, specifically 29.2%, work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages at 205 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 14 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map illustrates the locations of the 100 nearest stops to St Clair's central point.

St Clair's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

St Clair's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Private health cover stands at approximately 52% of the total population (~10,696 people), slightly lower than the Greater Sydney average of 59.9%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 8.0 and 7.4% of residents respectively, while 70.7% report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 16.2% of residents aged 65 and over (3,337 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in St Clair was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

St Clair, surveyed in 2016, had a higher proportion of overseas-born residents at 28.3%, compared to the local average, with 25.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion in St Clair, at 63.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 49.2%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (23.2%), English (20.4%), and Other (13.8%).

Notably, Maltese residents were overrepresented at 3.2% (vs regional 1.0%), Samoan at 1.8% (vs 0.5%), and Filipino at 4.2% (vs 2.0%).

St Clair's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

St Clair's median age is 36 years, nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37. This figure is modestly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, St Clair has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (10.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.3%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.6% to 14.6%, while the 75-84 cohort has risen from 2.8% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 13.6% to 11.4% and the 25-34 group has dropped from 14.3% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests St Clair's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 56%, adding 544 residents to reach 1,513. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 94% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, the 55-64 and 25-34 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.