Penrith · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Five point seven per cent population growth since the last census shows Penrith is expanding rapidly. The area is generally well-off, with an overall advantage score of 981 that is higher than about 70% of similar areas.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Penrith — higher than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Penrith scores an 8 for overall advantage, which is higher than about 80% of similar areas. This is supported by a score of 8 for access to money and resources.
8
Higher than 71% 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.
6
Higher than 57% 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.
8
Higher than 71% 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.
6
Higher than 57% 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.
981
Higher than 70% 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 grown by 5.7% since 2021, which is higher than most areas and about the same as the New South Wales figure of 6.1%. With 231,701 people, it is among the largest areas of its kind.
231,701
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
5.7%
Higher than 68% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 16,786 businesses in the area. Growth remains strong with 941 new dwellings approved, a figure larger than about 91% of similar areas.
16,786
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
941
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Penrith [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA16350/penrith/topic/economy-advantage
