Wilberforce (NSW)

Wilberforce 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 Feb 2026, the population of the suburb of Wilberforce (NSW) is estimated at around 2957 people. This figure remains unchanged from the 2021 Census, indicating a growth rate of 0%. The resident population estimate of 2948, as per AreaSearch's analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, supports this number, along with an additional 3 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 92 persons per square kilometer. Wilberforce's growth rate of 0% is close to the SA3 area's rate of 1.1%, reflecting strong growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 72% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses 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 from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. These projections anticipate median population growth for the suburb, expecting an increase of 282 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 10.3% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Wilberforce is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Wilberforce has averaged approximately two new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years ending 30 June 2021. This totals an estimated ten homes. As of 30 September 2022 (FY-26), one approval has been recorded. During this period, population has fallen, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $787,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, there have been $629,000 in commercial approvals, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Wilberforce has significantly less development activity (67.0% below regional average per person). This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. Nationally, this is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

All new construction has been comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 1985 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate projects Wilberforce adding 306 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Wilberforce has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects expected to impact the region: Pitt Town Bypass, scheduled for completion by December 2023; Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Management, starting mid-2024 and set to finish in late 2026; Multiple Residential Subdivisions Box Hill, commencing August 2025 with an expected end date of February 2028; and Box Hill and Box Hill Industrial Precinct, planned for initiation in April 2027.

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The employment landscape in Wilberforce shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Wilberforce has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Notably, the construction sector is prominent. The unemployment rate in Wilberforce was 4.9%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, there were 1,648 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 4.9% compared to Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Workforce participation was at 72.0%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 70.0%. Census data showed that 29.3% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Major employment industries include construction, education & training, and retail trade.

Wilberforce specializes in construction with an employment share 2.4 times the regional level but has a lower representation in professional & technical jobs at 4.4% compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force increased by 0.1% while employment declined by 0.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Wilberforce's employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.1% 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 median taxpayer income in Wilberforce is $54,758, with an average of $69,913, based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. Nationally, the median income is lower at $60,817 and the average is higher at $83,003 in Greater Sydney. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $59,610 (median) and $76,107 (average), accounting for an 8.86% growth since financial year 2023. Wilberforce ranks highly nationally for household, family, and personal incomes, between the 69th and 81st percentiles, according to the 2021 Census figures. The earnings profile shows that 31.9% of locals (943 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, which is consistent with broader regional trends at 30.9%. Economic strength is evident in Wilberforce, with 35.2% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing accounts for 14.3% of income, while residents rank within the 82nd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Wilberforce's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.5% houses and 3.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wilberforce was 36.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 46.3% and rented ones at 17.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,364, lower than Sydney metro's $2,427. The median weekly rent figure was $410, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Wilberforce's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents exceeded the national average of $375.

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

Family households comprise 80.9% of all households, including 42.2% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for 19.1%, with lone person households at 16.9% and group households making up 2.3%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 15.6%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 40.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 43.5% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (32.8%). Educational participation is high, with 28.9% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (10.5%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (3.0%).

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

Wilberforce has 44 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 24 different routes that together facilitate 191 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living within 175 meters of the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential region, most residents commute outward using private vehicles, which remain the dominant mode of transportation at 94%. On average, there are 2.3 vehicles per dwelling in Wilberforce, exceeding the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a significant 29.3% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 27 trips per day, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wilberforce's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance across Wilberforce. AreaSearch's assessment shows low prevalence of common health conditions among both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover is found to be high at approximately 55% of the total population, around 1613 people, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (7.6%) and mental health issues (7.2%). A significant majority, 72.8%, report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Working-age residents exhibit low chronic condition prevalence. Wilberforce has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 18.5% (547 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, ranking higher than the general population nationally.

Wilberforce is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Wilberforce's population showed low cultural diversity, with 89.9% born in Australia and 93.7% being citizens. English was spoken exclusively at home by 95.0%. Christianity dominated Wilberforce's religious landscape at 65.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 49.2%.

Ancestry revealed Australian descent as the highest at 31.8%, exceeding the regional average of 17.8%. English ancestry followed at 30.7% (regional: 19.0%) and Irish at 7.7%. Notably, Maltese ancestry was higher at 5.5% compared to the region's 1.0%, while Lebanese was lower at 0.4% (regional: 2.6%) and Serbian at 0.3% (regional: 0.5%).

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

The median age in Wilberforce is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The 55-64 age cohort is notably over-represented in Wilberforce at 13.8%, compared to Greater Sydney's average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 10.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75-84 age group grew from 4.0% to 5.7% of the population between 2016 and 2021, while the 65-74 cohort increased from 9.6% to 10.7%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 16.0% to 13.6%, and the 25-34 age group dropped from 11.6% to 10.5%. Population forecasts for Wilberforce indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 169% (from 62 to 167 people), with residents aged 65 and older representing 84% of the anticipated growth. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 0-4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.