Hornsby

The population has grown 14% since 2011 to reach 87,455 people. It is a family-oriented area with 19.7% of residents being children under 15, which is much higher than most similar areas.

Overseas birthplaces are very common here, with 41.1% of people born outside Australia, a figure far above the national level. English, Australian, and Chinese are the most common ancestries.

Language diversity is high, as 35.5% of people use a language other than English at home. This is far above the national figure and has risen 10 points since 2011, with Mandarin being the most common non-English language.

About 38.9% of residents have no religion, which is the same as the national figure. This group has grown by 16 points since 2011.

The area is exceptionally well-qualified, with 44% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national average. Most residents have completed Year 12, and qualifications in management and commerce are common.

Typical incomes are much higher than in most similar areas, with the usual family income reaching $2,671 a week. Around 35.5% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far above the state average.

Residents generally report better health than most other areas, with a lower rate of long-term health conditions (24.7%) and fewer people needing help with daily activities.

Volunteer rates are higher than most areas at 16.5%. There is also a high proportion of people performing unpaid childcare and housework, which is well above the national average.

The First Nations community is small, but typical personal incomes ($810) and Year 12 completion rates (56.4%) are much higher than in most similar areas.

Families are the norm here, with 67.1% of households being couples with children. This helps explain why homes are larger and more crowded than usual, with 2.7 people per home.

Housing is expensive, with typical weekly rents at $480 and monthly mortgage payments at $2,500, both among the highest for similar areas. Detached houses are less common here than across Australia.

Working from home is incredibly common, with 45.1% of the workforce doing so—far above the national figure. The area has a high number of public transport stops, though many residents still rely on cars.

About 39.1% of people moved in the last five years, which is about the same as the state average. Recent overseas arrivals make up 14.2% of the population.

More adults are working or looking for work (65.8%) compared to most similar areas. Professional roles and the health care sector are the primary employers.

The area has seen steady growth, though its population increase since 2021 has been a little below the New South Wales average.

Hornsby is much wetter than the state average, with an average annual rainfall of 1,340mm. Temperatures are typical for the region.

The area is very walkable, with a score of 7.4. Almost all homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park or public transport, and the majority are close to groceries and health services.