Hornsby · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Top scores for wealth and education place Hornsby among the most advantaged areas in the country. With an overall advantage score of 1,116, it ranks among the largest at this level for access to money and resources.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Hornsby — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area sits at the highest possible level for education, job skills, and overall advantage. This puts Hornsby among the largest in the nation for both wealth and the lowest levels of disadvantage.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,116
Higher than 96% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has reached 155,484, making it larger than about 90% of similar areas. However, growth since 2021 has been 2.1%, which is well below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
155,484
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
2.1%
Lower than 66% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 14,625 businesses here, a total larger than about 91% of similar areas. Building activity is also high, with 393 new dwellings approved, which is more than about 80% of other areas.
14,625
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
393
Higher than 77% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Hornsby [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA14000/hornsby/topic/economy-advantage
