NSW 2077 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Hornsby Heights

Household earning power is the standout feature, with weekly household income of $2,699 at the 94.7th percentile nationally. Hornsby Heights has 6,354 residents across 10.22 square kilometres, while 97.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 59.3% have 4 or more bedrooms. The median age of 41 is above the national figure, supporting a settled family profile. Compared with nearby Hornsby, the suburb's lower-density housing form and 621.9 people per square kilometre create a more spacious residential setting.

Hornsby Heights urban fabric map

Population

6,354

Median Age

41.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,699/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

39

10.22 km²· 621.9 people/km²· Family income $2,977/wk

Homebuyers are choosing a detached-house market where 97.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 59.3% contain 4 or more bedrooms. A typical monthly mortgage commitment of $2,800 represents 24.0% of household income, while weekly rent is $620, giving buyers a useful affordability comparison. Compared with apartment-heavy areas, the housing stock is better suited to households needing outdoor space, storage and multiple bedrooms. The 49.8% mortgage share also indicates that many residents are actively financing their homes.

For Buyers

Homebuyers are choosing a detached-house market where 97.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 59.3% contain 4 or more bedrooms. A typical monthly mortgage commitment of $2,800 represents 24.0% of household income, while weekly rent is $620, giving buyers a useful affordability comparison. Compared with apartment-heavy areas, the housing stock is better suited to households needing outdoor space, storage and multiple bedrooms. The 49.8% mortgage share also indicates that many residents are actively financing their homes.

For Investors

Hornsby Heights suits investors targeting detached homes rather than a large rental-apartment pool. Only 9.1% of households rent, vacancy is 2.3% and weekly rent is $620, so tenant demand may be relatively shallow even when available properties are limited. Compared with more rental-heavy suburbs, this low renting share can reduce liquidity for landlords but may support stable owner-occupier demand. There were 39 development applications in 12 months, with recent examples focused on new dwelling construction and alterations to existing houses.

Development Activity

Total DAs

256

Last 12 Months

39

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-15.2%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
34
New Dwelling
15
Swimming Pool / Spa
13
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
9
Demolition
7
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
2
Garage / Carport / Shed
2
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
1

Demographics

Hornsby Heights has a median age of 41, which is 1.0 year above the national comparison, and 48.6% of residents hold a university qualification, 18.5 percentage points above the national figure. The overseas-born share is 31.0%, or 9.4 points higher than nationally, with Mandarin spoken by 126 residents and Canton by 48. English ancestry is recorded for 2,332 people, alongside Irish ancestry at 657 and Chinese ancestry at 528. Compared with nearby Hornsby, the suburb presents a settled, higher-income family mix, reinforced by an 86.7% same-address retention rate.

Age Distribution

0-14
21.1%
15-24
13.2%
25-44
20.6%
45-64
29.8%
65+
15.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.6%
2 bed
3.8%
3 bed
36.3%
4+ bed
59.3%

Dwelling Structure

97.5%

Houses

1.9%

Townhouse

0.4%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 40.3% Mortgage 49.8% Rent 9.1% Other 0.7%

Housing is strongly detached and family-sized: separate houses account for 97.5% of dwellings, while 59.3% have 4 or more bedrooms and 36.3% have 3 bedrooms. Mortgage holders represent 49.8% of households, higher than the 40.3% owned outright, while only 9.1% rent. The 24.0% mortgage-to-income share is below the point commonly associated with mortgage stress, and weekly rent is $620. Compared with nearby Hornsby, this larger-home structure supports families but can require more capital and maintenance than smaller attached housing.

Mortgage / mo

$2,800

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $620.

$725

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $890 · units $700

HH Size

3.0

Personal Income / wk

$967

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

2.3%

Unoccupied

49

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

23.0%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

24.0%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
126
Canton
48
Persian ED
41
Hindi
24
German
22
Urdu
20

Ancestry

English
2,332
Other
932
Irish
657
Scottish
637
Chinese
528
German
239

Household Composition

57.7%

Couples with children

30.4%

Couples, no children

11.4%

Single parent

1,826

Total families

Economy & Employment

The local workforce is concentrated in healthcare at 16.1% or 398 workers, education at 15.0% or 370, and professional and technical services at 14.5% or 358. Finance accounts for 8.3% and construction 7.7%, giving the suburb exposure to both knowledge-based and practical industries. Professionals number 1,082 and managers 521, while the unemployment rate is 3.6% and participation is 66.3%. Household income of $2,699 a week sits above the national distribution at the 94.7th percentile, because highly skilled occupations support stronger earning capacity.

Unemployment

3.6%

Labour Force

3,329

Unemployed

121

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

59.6%

Part-time

31.5%

Participation

66.3%

Employed

3,208

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 1,082
Managers 521
Clerical/Admin 504
Trades 346
Community/Personal 294
Sales 198
Labourers 130
Machinery/Drivers 89

Top Industries

Healthcare 16.1%
Education 15.0%
Professional/Tech 14.5%
Finance 8.3%
Construction 7.7%

University

48.6%

Postgraduate

14.8%

Born Overseas

31.0%

Dwellings

2,077

Transport to Work

Daily life is strongly car-oriented, with 40.6% driving to work compared with 2.8% using public transport and 1.1% walking or cycling. Work-from-home participation is 53.2%, substantially higher than public transport use, which reduces commuting pressure for many professional households. Community participation is reflected in an 18.9% volunteering rate, while 3.6% of residents need assistance with core activities. The 621.9 people per square kilometre density is moderate for a detached-house suburb, and families should check exact enrolment zones and travel times for nearby schools because access can vary across neighbouring suburbs.

Drive

40.6%

Public Transport

2.8%

Walk / Cycle

1.1%

Work from Home

53.2%

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Hornsby Heights compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 9%
Household Income
Top 5%
Rent Level
Top 2%
Apartments
Top 24%
Renters
Bottom 32%
Uni Educated
Top 10%
Public Transport
Top 46%
Born Overseas
Top 13%
Density
Top 18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hornsby Heights a good suburb to live in?

It suits households prioritising detached space and established routines. Hornsby Heights has 6,354 residents, a median age of 41 and 97.5% separate houses. Household income is $2,699 weekly at the 94.7th percentile, while 53.2% work from home. Compared with denser nearby Hornsby, the suburb has a more spacious, family-oriented housing form.

What is the median house price in Hornsby Heights?

A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales. The housing context is clear: 97.5% of dwellings are separate houses, 59.3% have 4 or more bedrooms and 49.8% of households hold a mortgage. A $2,800 monthly mortgage and $620 weekly rent provide useful affordability reference points, but they are not a substitute for a current sale-price measure.

What schools are in Hornsby Heights?

School choice should be checked by exact address because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. Hornsby Heights is 97.5% detached and 40.6% of workers drive, so families should compare nearby primary and secondary options by travel time, sector and current capacity. Public transport accounts for 2.8% of journeys, making catchment and car access important practical considerations.

Is Hornsby Heights safe?

A fair safety assessment should include current local incident information and a visit to the exact street during both day and night. Hornsby Heights has 621.9 residents per square kilometre, 2.8% public transport use and 1.1% walking or cycling. These figures describe density and travel patterns rather than a safety rating, so compare the precise location with nearby streets before making a decision.

Is Hornsby Heights good for property investment?

It can suit an investor targeting detached homes and relatively stable owner-occupier demand, but it is not a rental-heavy market. Only 9.1% of households rent, vacancy is 2.3% and weekly rent is $620. The 39 development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing housing activity. Compare purchase costs, likely yield and renovation risk with nearby Hornsby before proceeding.

How is Hornsby Heights's population changing?

Hornsby Heights had 6,354 residents at the latest count. Residential stability is high: 86.7% stayed at the same address and turnover was 13.3%. The median age is 41 and average household size is 3.0, pointing to established family demand. With 39 development applications in 12 months, the built environment is changing gradually, while the resident base remains steadier than in more transient areas.

What languages are spoken in Hornsby Heights?

English ancestry is recorded for 2,332 residents, while Chinese ancestry accounts for 528. Mandarin is spoken by 126 people, Canton by 48, Persian by 41 and Hindi by 24. The overseas-born share is 31.0%, which is 9.4 percentage points above the national comparison. This creates a broader cultural mix alongside the suburb's established English, Irish and Scottish ancestry groups.

What development is occurring in Hornsby Heights?

There were 39 development applications over the past 12 months. Recent examples include a new dwelling house and alterations or additions to existing homes, rather than a clearly apartment-led pattern. That activity fits a suburb where 97.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 59.3% contain 4 or more bedrooms. Compared with denser redevelopment areas, change is more likely to appear through house construction, extensions and renovations.

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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