NSW 2156 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Kenthurst

Large blocks, high incomes and a mature age profile shape Kenthurst more than apartment living or rapid turnover. Its 5,313 residents occupy 45.49 square kilometres at 116.8 people per square kilometre, while 80.2% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms. Median age is 44, 4 years above national, and household income sits at the 97.5th percentile. Compared with nearby Dural, Kenthurst feels more acreage-oriented because 95.9% of dwellings are separate houses and 84.4% of residents stayed at the same address. That combination supports family space and stability, but also makes car access important.

Kenthurst urban fabric map

Population

5,313

Median Age

44.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$3,061/wk

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

81

45.49 km²· 116.8 people/km²· Family income $3,024/wk

Space is the main purchase proposition: 95.9% of dwellings are separate houses, 80.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, and average household size is 3.3, which is 0.8 above national. The monthly mortgage figure is $3,280, while mortgage stress is not flagged at 24.7% of income, suggesting capacity is stronger than in highly leveraged markets. Compared with unit-heavy suburbs, Kenthurst suits buyers prioritising land, extra bedrooms and privacy over rail convenience. Outright ownership is 48.8% and mortgage ownership 39.2%, so buyers should expect an established market with fewer entry-level formats.

For Buyers

Space is the main purchase proposition: 95.9% of dwellings are separate houses, 80.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, and average household size is 3.3, which is 0.8 above national. The monthly mortgage figure is $3,280, while mortgage stress is not flagged at 24.7% of income, suggesting capacity is stronger than in highly leveraged markets. Compared with unit-heavy suburbs, Kenthurst suits buyers prioritising land, extra bedrooms and privacy over rail convenience. Outright ownership is 48.8% and mortgage ownership 39.2%, so buyers should expect an established market with fewer entry-level formats.

For Investors

Kenthurst can suit investors targeting larger family rentals, but the tenant pool is relatively narrow: only 9.8% of households rent, compared with 48.8% owned outright and 39.2% with a mortgage. Weekly rent is $550 and vacancy is 5.2%, so leasing conditions need careful property-level checking rather than an assumption of scarcity. Development activity is notable at 81 applications in 12 months, including new dwellings, pools and sheds, which may gradually add competing stock or improve amenity. Compared with more rental-oriented suburbs, the low renter share means owner-occupier demand is likely to matter more than investor depth. Growth is forecast at 0.62% annually, driven primarily by overseas migration.

Development Activity

Total DAs

505

Last 12 Months

81

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-12.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
44
New Dwelling
28
Garage / Carport / Shed
27
Swimming Pool / Spa
25
Demolition
21
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
15
Other
3
Subdivision
3

Schools in Kenthurst

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Kenthurst Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Demographics

Kenthurst has an older, settled profile: median age is 44, or 4 years above national, and 84.4% of residents stayed at the same address, leaving turnover at 15.6%. Families are prominent, with 54.6% of families being couples with children and average household size 3.3, or 0.8 above national. University attainment is 38.4%, 8.3 percentage points above national, while overseas-born residents account for 20.5%, 1.1 points below national. English ancestry leads at 1,798 people, followed by Irish at 534 and Italian at 519. Compared with nearby Dural's more urban setting, Kenthurst's larger households and lower turnover help explain demand for sizeable homes.

Age Distribution

0-14
18.1%
15-24
15.4%
25-44
17.2%
45-64
29.6%
65+
19.7%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.2%
2 bed
5.0%
3 bed
12.6%
4+ bed
80.2%

Dwelling Structure

95.9%

Houses

2.1%

Townhouse

2.1%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 48.8% Mortgage 39.2% Rent 9.8% Other 2.3%

Detached housing is unusually dominant: 95.9% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 2.1% apartments and 2.1% semi-detached homes. The floorplan mix is equally clear, with 80.2% of occupied dwellings containing 4 or more bedrooms, while 12.6% have 3 bedrooms. Tenure is split between 48.8% outright owners and 39.2% mortgage holders, with only 9.8% renters. Rent is $550 a week and rent-to-income is 18.0%, while mortgage-to-income is 24.7% and mortgage stress is not flagged. Compared with denser neighbouring markets, this stock supports space because detached homes and larger floorplans dominate, but it limits low-cost entry options.

Mortgage / mo

$3,280

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $550.

$1,100

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,125

HH Size

3.3

Personal Income / wk

$942

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

5.2%

Unoccupied

86

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

18.0%

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

24.7%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
59
Arabic
57
Italian
51
Canton
19
Punjabi
17
Urdu
14

Ancestry

English
1,798
Other
558
Irish
534
Italian
519
Scottish
445
Chinese
224

Household Composition

54.6%

Couples with children

36.0%

Couples, no children

8.7%

Single parent

1,490

Total families

Economy & Employment

Household earning power is a defining advantage, with weekly household income of $3,061 at the 97.5th percentile. Employment is also solid: unemployment is 3.1%, participation is 63.6%, and 1,403 people work full time versus 947 part time. Construction leads local industry at 20.6% or 380 workers, followed by healthcare at 12.8% or 236, professional and technical work at 10.9% or 201, education at 10.5% or 193, and retail at 6.1% or 113. Managers number 587 and professionals 576, reinforcing the income profile, while trades account for 397. Compared with the national distribution, SEIFA places Kenthurst in decile 10 for IER and IRSD, decile 9 for IRSAD and decile 8 for IEO. The lower IEO result sits below the other measures, indicating strong socioeconomic outcomes with some variation across education and occupation indicators.

Unemployment

3.1%

Labour Force

2,764

Unemployed

87

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

Overall advantage
9
Disadvantage
10
Economic resources
10
Education & occupation
8

Full-time

52.4%

Part-time

35.4%

Participation

63.6%

Employed

2,677

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

Occupations

Managers 587
Professionals 576
Clerical/Admin 404
Trades 397
Sales 223
Community/Personal 207
Labourers 150
Machinery/Drivers 80

Top Industries

Construction 20.6%
Healthcare 12.8%
Professional/Tech 10.9%
Education 10.5%
Retail 6.1%

University

38.4%

Postgraduate

9.6%

Born Overseas

20.5%

Dwellings

1,552

Transport to Work

Daily life is strongly car-oriented. About 51.0% of residents drive to work, compared with 0.2% using public transport and 1.7% walking or cycling, while 44.2% work from home. That pattern reflects a low-density area of 45.49 square kilometres and makes trip planning important for commuting, shopping and services. Kenthurst Public School is a government primary school serving the area; families should check enrolment zones and travel options against the exact address. For other sectors and year levels, nearby school access should be assessed locally. The socioeconomic setting is strong, with IRSAD in decile 9 and IER in decile 10. Compared with transit-led suburbs, Kenthurst provides more home-based space but less everyday public transport choice.

Drive

51.0%

Public Transport

0.2%

Walk / Cycle

1.7%

Work from Home

44.2%

Population Forecast

+0.62%/yr

(+142 people/yr)

Established

Kenthurst's forecast is measured rather than high velocity: annual growth is 0.62%, and population change across the wider area is 11.1% over 10 years. The primary migration driver is overseas migration, while the shift trajectory is labelled Aging, with the senior share up 5.1% and the young share down 1.8%. Rent growth of 37.5% indicates housing pressure even as affordability is described as Stable, moving from 61.4 in 2011 to 60.7 in 2021. Development activity reached 81 applications in 12 months. Compared with a greenfield growth corridor, this established pattern points to incremental change because existing detached housing, an aging base and limited rental stock shape demand.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+176

Net Internal / yr

-74

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

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

How Kenthurst compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 11%
Household Income
Top 2%
Rent Level
Top 4%
Apartments
Top 17%
Renters
Bottom 35%
Uni Educated
Top 20%
Public Transport
Bottom 0%
Born Overseas
Top 29%
Density
Top 26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kenthurst a good suburb to live in?

Kenthurst suits households seeking detached space, with 95.9% separate houses, 80.2% having 4 or more bedrooms and 44.2% working from home. It is less convenient than transit-led suburbs because only 0.2% use public transport, so a car is important for many daily trips.

What is the median house price in Kenthurst?

A current median house price should be checked against recent local sales rather than inferred from other housing measures. Kenthurst has 95.9% separate houses, 80.2% with 4 or more bedrooms, and $550 weekly rent, so buyers should compare like-for-like house sales.

What schools are in Kenthurst?

Kenthurst Public School is a government primary school serving the area. Families should check the exact address, enrolment zone and travel options, then compare nearby government and non-government schools if a broader search is needed. The 3.3-person average household size and 54.6% couples-with-children share make school access particularly relevant.

Is Kenthurst safe?

Safety is best assessed through current NSW Police information and an inspection of the exact streets and surroundings. Kenthurst has a settled population, with 84.4% of residents staying at the same address and a median age of 44. Those indicators may appeal to buyers seeking stability, but they should not replace a current local safety check.

Is Kenthurst good for property investment?

Investment appeal is strongest for larger family rentals: weekly rent is $550, vacancy is 5.2%, and 81 development applications were recorded in 12 months. However, only 9.8% of households rent, so the tenant market is smaller than in rental-oriented suburbs. The 0.62% annual growth forecast supports a measured strategy focused on property quality and long-term demand.

How is Kenthurst's population changing?

Kenthurst has an aging trajectory rather than a rapid-growth profile. Forecast annual growth is 0.62%, while population change across the wider area is 11.1% over 10 years. The primary driver is overseas migration, but the senior share has risen 5.1% and the young share has fallen 1.8%. This points to gradual change because established detached housing and a settled population shape who moves in and stays.

What development is occurring in Kenthurst?

Development activity reached 81 applications in 12 months, including applications for a new dwelling house, swimming pools and sheds. Compared with a large-scale apartment pipeline, this pattern points to incremental change around existing detached properties. Buyers should check the individual application, approval status and likely construction impacts before purchasing.

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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