Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Penrith
10 km²
Rapid growth has transformed Penrith, with the population jumping 52% since 2011. It is a younger community than the national average, where a high proportion of people live in rentals or alone. The area is a walker's paradise with almost every home within a short stroll of parks, shops and health services. While it faces some challenges with health and lower typical incomes, it is a dynamic hub that is attracting a steady stream of new residents and overseas arrivals.
Modest local incomes, but the area's schools serve a more advantaged intake.
Rapid population growth here is outstripping school provision.
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The typical resident is 36, making the area noticeably younger than the New South Wales average. There is a strong First Nations presence here, with 6.2% of the population identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, a figure that has risen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, but 24.5% were born overseas. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, followed by Irish and Scottish.
About 18.2% of people use a language other than English at home, a figure that has risen since 2011. However, this is still well below the state average.
Christianity is the most common religion at 44.5%. The number of people reporting no religion has risen significantly by 19 points since 2011 to reach 35.8%.
Year 12 completion has risen 12 points since 2011 to 49.8%, though this remains well below the national figure. Around 19.6% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher.
Typical weekly household income is $1,397, which is well below the state average. High-earning households making $3,000 or more a week are far less common here than in most other areas.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 32.9% of people living with a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are particularly prevalent, affecting 14% of residents.
Volunteer rates are among the lowest for similar areas at 7.7%. There are also far fewer people providing unpaid care for children or doing significant housework compared to the national average.
The area has one of the largest First Nations populations at this level. Typical personal income for First Nations residents is $673, which is a little above the national figure.
Living arrangements are distinctive, with 41.3% of people living alone and 23.6% in one-parent families, both of which are among the highest rates for this level.
Rental properties are very common, with 60.2% of households renting, which is far above the state average. Detached houses are much less common than usual, as 43.4% of homes are flats or apartments.
Public transport access is excellent, with 149 stops and a high frequency of departures. Despite this, 16.8% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the national figure.
The community is highly mobile, with 54.3% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 15.3% of the population.
Full-time employment is slightly higher than the state average at 60.9%, though the unemployment rate of 6.1% is also a little above the national figure.
The area is a major business hub with 2,283 businesses. However, it ranks low for overall advantage and access to resources compared to other areas.
The area receives 960mm of annual rainfall, which is far above the New South Wales average. Summer temperatures are also slightly higher than the state average.
This is a walker's paradise with a score of 8.5. Almost every home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, and parks.