Bonnyrigg
A 57.0% overseas-born share is the clearest marker of Bonnyrigg's identity, with Vietnamese and Chinese ancestry recorded at 2,598 and 1,346 people respectively. The suburb contains 9,785 residents across 3.04 square kilometres, producing a high density of 3,216.4 people per square kilometre. Its median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, while the average household size of 3.2 is 0.7 above it. For buyers comparing Bonnyrigg with nearby Fairfield or Greenfield Park, the 73.8% separate-house share is a key distinction. Growth is established and slow at 0.46% annually, while overseas migration remains the primary driver.
Population
9,785
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,393/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
92
Bonnyrigg suits buyers seeking established family housing, with 73.8% of dwellings separate houses, 19.6% semi-detached homes and only 6.5% apartments. The bedroom mix is concentrated in 3-bedroom homes at 49.8%, followed by 4 or more bedrooms at 36.0%, supporting households that need space. Compared with renting, ownership carries greater measured income pressure: the mortgage-to-income ratio is 32.3% versus rent at 26.8%, alongside a monthly mortgage figure of $1,950. The 44.2% renting share may create future buyer competition, so purchasers should test repayments against household income of $1,393 per week and obtain current settled-sale evidence for pricing.
For Buyers
Bonnyrigg suits buyers seeking established family housing, with 73.8% of dwellings separate houses, 19.6% semi-detached homes and only 6.5% apartments. The bedroom mix is concentrated in 3-bedroom homes at 49.8%, followed by 4 or more bedrooms at 36.0%, supporting households that need space. Compared with renting, ownership carries greater measured income pressure: the mortgage-to-income ratio is 32.3% versus rent at 26.8%, alongside a monthly mortgage figure of $1,950. The 44.2% renting share may create future buyer competition, so purchasers should test repayments against household income of $1,393 per week and obtain current settled-sale evidence for pricing.
For Investors
The investment case is supported by tenant depth rather than a rapid-growth profile. Renters account for 44.2% of households, higher than outright ownership at 25.6%, while the weekly rent is $374 and vacancy is 5.5%. That rental base can support leasing activity because a substantial share of residents already use the private rental market. Development activity is also notable, with 84 applications recorded over 12 months, mainly involving residential accommodation and dwelling houses. Compared with a low-turnover market, the 15.7% annual turnover rate indicates some ongoing tenant movement, although 84.3% of residents stayed at the same address. Overseas migration is the main growth driver, but the 0.46% annual trend argues for conservative capital-growth assumptions and a yield assessment based on the current purchase price.
Development Activity
Total DAs
554
Last 12 Months
92
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+5.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bonnyrigg
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Bonnyrigg has a markedly more overseas-born population than the national profile: 57.0% of residents were born overseas, 35.4 percentage points above the national comparison. The median age is 37, which is 3 years below national levels, while university attainment at 28.6% is 1.5 percentage points lower. An average household size of 3.2 is 0.7 above national levels, helping explain the strong presence of 3-bedroom and larger homes. Vietnamese ancestry numbers 2,598 and Chinese ancestry 1,346, while Christianity is recorded for 4,020 people and Buddhism for 2,760. Arabic, Khmer and Cantonese are prominent languages, with 312, 271 and 135 speakers respectively. Compared with less migrant-heavy parts of western Sydney, these patterns create demand for culturally familiar services and larger household accommodation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.8%
Houses
19.6%
Townhouse
6.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Bonnyrigg's housing is more detached than apartment-led, with separate houses at 73.8% compared with 6.5% apartments and 19.6% semi-detached dwellings. The stock is also family-sized: 3-bedroom homes represent 49.8% and 4 or more bedrooms 36.0%, while 2-bedroom dwellings account for 9.8%. Tenure is split between 25.6% outright owners, 29.1% mortgage holders and 44.2% renters, so renting is higher than either ownership category. This mix reflects an established suburban market where household needs, rather than compact apartment supply, shape demand. Mortgage-to-income pressure is 32.3%, above the 26.8% rent-to-income measure, while the weekly rent is $374. Compared with denser neighbouring markets, Bonnyrigg's separate-house concentration is likely to keep land and renovation potential central to housing decisions.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $374.
$640
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $700 · units $580
HH Size
3.2
Personal Income / wk
$486
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.5%
Unoccupied
167
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
32.3% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
46.6%
Couples with children
22.3%
Couples, no children
29.0%
Single parent
2,578
Total families
Economy & Employment
Bonnyrigg's employment base is led by healthcare at 17.7% and 284 workers, followed by retail at 9.6% and 154, education at 8.8% and 142, manufacturing at 8.5% and 136, and professional or technical work at 7.8% and 126. The occupation mix is similarly broad, with 476 professionals, 450 machinery and drivers workers, 445 labourers, 426 clerical and administrative workers, and 384 trades workers. Participation is 41.5%, unemployment is 8.2% and full-time employment is 52.8%, indicating that lower participation and a large not-in-labour-force group of 4,109 shape local income capacity. Weekly household income of $1,393 sits at the 39.8 percentile, below the national midpoint. SEIFA deciles of 3 for education and occupation, 1 for disadvantage and 2 for advantage are also below national middle rankings, helping explain the contrast between essential-service employment and modest household purchasing power.
Unemployment
8.2%
Labour Force
3,285
Unemployed
268
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.8%
Part-time
28.8%
Participation
41.5%
Employed
3,017
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.6%
Postgraduate
4.3%
Born Overseas
57.0%
Dwellings
2,878
Transport to Work
Bonnyrigg is more car-oriented than transit-led: 64.7% of residents drive to work, compared with 2.4% using public transport and 1.0% walking or cycling. A further 27.0% work from home, which can reduce some commuting pressure but increases the value of practical local services. Families have access to 2 government schools, covering primary and secondary education, although enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. Compared with transit-focused suburbs, daily errands and school travel are more likely to depend on a car. Socioeconomic conditions rank below national middle levels, with an IRSAD decile of 2, an IRSD decile of 1, an IEO decile of 3 and an IER decile of 4. These rankings make access to transport, education and health services important livability considerations. Street-level safety should be assessed through current local information and visits at different times.
Drive
64.7%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
27.0%
Population Forecast
+0.46%/yr
(+79 people/yr)
EstablishedBonnyrigg is tracking as an established, slow-growth suburb: the annual trend is 0.46%, slower than a rapid-expansion corridor, and overseas migration is the primary driver. The wider area's population change is 12.9% over 10 years, but the trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 6.7 percentage points and the young share down 2.0 points. Rents have grown by 75.4%, while the affordability measure moved from 60.8 in 2011 to 78.0 in 2021 and is labelled Worsening. Gentrification signals are mixed rather than straightforward: the shift profile records a score of 53 and stage Active, while the current gentrification assessment is score 0 and Not gentrifying. Compared with a younger, faster-growing suburb, Bonnyrigg's future demand is more likely to come from overseas migration, established households and changing age needs than from a sharp population surge.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+154
Net Internal / yr
-180
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -180/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bonnyrigg compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bonnyrigg a good suburb to live in?
Bonnyrigg can suit households seeking established, larger homes and strong cultural connections. Separate houses account for 73.8% of dwellings, average household size is 3.2 and 27.0% of residents work from home. Compared with transit-led suburbs, daily travel is more car dependent because 64.7% drive to work.
What is the median house price in Bonnyrigg?
Check recent settled sales and comparable listings for Bonnyrigg's current median house price. The housing mix is important when interpreting any median because 73.8% of dwellings are separate houses, 19.6% are semi-detached and 6.5% are apartments. The dominant sizes are 3 bedrooms at 49.8% and 4 or more bedrooms at 36.0%.
What schools are in Bonnyrigg?
Bonnyrigg has 2 government schools: Bonnyrigg Public School for primary students and Bonnyrigg High School for secondary students. Families should check the current enrolment zone for the exact address, as boundaries can affect access. Compared with areas without both primary and secondary provision, local schooling is more convenient for households with children.
Is Bonnyrigg safe?
Safety can vary by street and time of day, so check current NSW Police information and inspect lighting, routes and activity around the intended address. Bonnyrigg has an IRSAD decile of 2 and an IRSD decile of 1, indicating greater socioeconomic disadvantage than national middle-ranked areas. Those figures describe disadvantage, not crime, so they should not be treated as a safety score.
Is Bonnyrigg good for property investment?
Bonnyrigg has a substantial tenant base, with 44.2% renting, weekly rent of $374 and vacancy at 5.5%. Development activity is also high for an established suburb, with 84 applications over 12 months. Compared with outright ownership at 25.6%, the larger renter share may support leasing demand, but the 0.46% annual growth trend favours conservative assumptions and a purchase-price-based yield calculation.
How is Bonnyrigg's population changing?
Bonnyrigg has 9,785 residents today, with growth running at 0.46% annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while the wider area's population change is 12.9% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 6.7 percentage points and the young share has fallen 2.0 points, indicating slower change than a younger growth corridor.
What languages are spoken in Bonnyrigg?
Bonnyrigg is highly multicultural, with 57.0% of residents born overseas, 35.4 percentage points above the national comparison. Reported languages include Arabic with 312 speakers, Khmer with 271, Cantonese with 135, Serbian with 124 and Mandarin with 77. Vietnamese and Chinese ancestry totals 2,598 and 1,346 respectively, reinforcing the suburb's strong cultural and language diversity.
Is Bonnyrigg seeing much development?
Bonnyrigg recorded 84 development applications over 12 months, including residential accommodation and dwelling-house work. That is more activity than the 0.46% annual growth rate alone might suggest for an established suburb. The pipeline should be weighed against the current gentrification assessment of score 0 and Not gentrifying, while the broader shift profile records a score of 53 and stage Active.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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