Penrith · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Rapid growth has shaped the recent economic landscape in Penrith, where the population climbed by 11.7% since 2021. While the area has become a significant regional hub with over 2,200 businesses, many residents continue to face challenges with access to money and resources.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Penrith — lower than 71% of areas.
| Penrith | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2750, NSW | 5 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Penrith faces significant social and economic hurdles, with an overall advantage score of 939, which is lower than about 75% of similar areas. This is reflected in a very low score for access to money and resources, which is smaller than about 90% of areas at this level.
3
Lower than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
2
Lower than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
4
Lower than 64% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
939
Lower than 75% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 quickly to 20,292 people, a figure larger than about 88% of similar areas. This 11.7% increase is well above the New South Wales rate of 6.1%.
20,292
Higher than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
11.7%
Higher than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The area is a major commercial centre, with 2,283 businesses, placing it among the largest for its type.
2,283
Higher than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
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/sa2/124031464/penrith/topic/economy-advantage
