Emu Plains, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Emu Plains NSW is 8,126 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Emu Plains is $880 per week ($45,760 per year). Median rent in Emu Plains is $420 per week ($1,820 per month). Emu Plains has a median age of 41 years, older than the national median of 38. Emu Plains has a population density of 1,001 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Emu Plains is England. The most common religion is No religion (31.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Greek. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Emu Plains is $2,200.

There were 128 recorded offences in Emu Plains in 2025-26, a rate of 16 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (60 offences).

Population
8,126
Census 2021
Median income
$880/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$420/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
41years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Emu Plains vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Emu Plains is $880 a week, 15% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 667th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $420 a week, $35 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 22.4% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 41, 2 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureEmu PlainsTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$880/wk$765/wk +15%$766/wk
Household income$1,877/wk$1,704/wk +10%$1,637/wk
Rent$420/wk$385/wk +9%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,200/mo$1,965/mo +12%$1,733/mo
Median age4143 −2 yrs42
Rent share of household income22.4%22.6% −0.2 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Emu Plains, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Emu Plains Population

8,126 residents at the 2021 Census.

Emu Plains Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$880/wk
$45,760 per year
Ranked 2,378 of 14,663
Median Rent
$420/wk
$1,820 per month
Ranked 1,513 of 14,663
Median Age
41years
3 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,200/mo
Avg household size: 2.6 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Emu Plains Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,877/wk
Median rent $420/wk
Rent to income 22.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Emu Plains against your income

About $8,134 a month
Median rent $420/wk
Left after rent $1,457/wk
Rent share 22.4%

Emu Plains Schools

9
schools nearby
6
government
1013
avg ICSEA score
2,995
total students
Leonay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 191 students
1049
ICSEA
Our Lady of The Way Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 328 students
1047
ICSEA
Penola Catholic College Emu Plains Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 709 students
1024
ICSEA
Emu Heights Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 237 students
1006
ICSEA
Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 807 students
994
ICSEA
Emu Plains Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 406 students
993
ICSEA
Jamisontown Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 317 students
980
ICSEA
CathWest Innovation College McCarthy Campus Catholic
Secondary
Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre Government
Combined

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Emu Plains, with a map

Emu Plains Map

Emu Plains, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Emu Plains, New South Wales: 33.7463°S, 150.6638°E

Emu Plains Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (9)

People in Emu Plains

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.3% (3,928) Female 51.7% (4,201)

Population Density

1,001
people per km²
8,126 people · 8.1 km²

Households

2.6
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,341
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
4.5%
New Zealand
1.6%
Ireland
0.6%
Philippines
0.6%
Germany
0.5%
Scotland
0.5%
Netherlands
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Greek
0.7%
Arabic
0.4%
Hindi
0.3%
Mandarin
0.3%
Croatian
0.3%
Tagalog
0.3%
Thai
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
41.6%
English
40.0%
Irish
13.7%
Scottish
9.9%
German
3.8%
Australian Aboriginal
3.5%
Italian
3.0%
Dutch
2.2%
Maltese
1.9%
Greek
1.7%
Polish
1.4%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
31.7%
Catholic
26.8%
Anglican
19.2%
Not stated
5.5%
Christian (other)
2.4%
Uniting Church
2.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.0%
Baptist
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

4.0%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
48.5% 3,214
Separated
3.4% 227
Divorced
9.3% 617
Widowed
6.9% 457
Never married
31.8% 2,108

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
42.3%
Couple: no children
25.2%
Couple: no children under 15
18.0%
One parent: no children under 15
7.8%
One parent: children under 15
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
24.6%
2 persons
32.2%
3 persons
16.7%
4 persons
16.0%
5 persons
7.7%
6+ persons
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Emu Plains

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,989 occupied private dwellings in Emu Plains at the 2021 Census, 22.4% were rented, 39.1% owned outright and 36.2% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.3% 39 dwellings
Owned outright
39.1% 1,170 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
36.2% 1,083 dwellings
Rented
22.4% 671 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.9% 26 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
87.0%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
7.6%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
5.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.1%
2 bedrooms
6.7%
3 bedrooms
47.9%
4 bedrooms
30.4%
5 bedrooms
8.7%
6+ bedrooms
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.3%
$300-$449/mo
0.9%
$450-$599/mo
1.6%
$600-$799/mo
3.3%
$800-$999/mo
2.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
8.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
13.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
26.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
22.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
16.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.9%
1 vehicle
34.9%
2 vehicles
37.8%
3 vehicles
13.8%
4+ vehicles
7.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Emu Plains

Employment

Employed full-time
38.3% 2,253 people
Employed part-time
18.6% 1,094 people
Unemployed
2.1% 123 people
Not in labour force
41.0% 2,412 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
29.7%
Managers
15.8%
Clerical & Administrative
15.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
14.9%
Community & Personal Service
10.9%
Sales Workers
4.7%
Labourers
4.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
4.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.6%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
0.7%
$300-$399/wk
2.5%
$400-$499/wk
7.0%
$500-$649/wk
5.2%
$650-$799/wk
5.3%
$800-$999/wk
5.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.8%
$4,000+/wk
14.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.8%
$1-$149/wk
3.7%
$150-$299/wk
5.0%
$300-$399/wk
4.0%
$400-$499/wk
3.5%
$500-$649/wk
3.6%
$650-$799/wk
7.8%
$800-$999/wk
9.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.3%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
11.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.5%
$3,500+/wk
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
66.7%
Did not go to work
22.0%
Car (passenger)
4.3%
Truck
1.9%
Walked only
1.7%
Train
1.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Bicycle
0.5%
Other
0.5%
Bus
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
54.4%
Year 10 or equivalent
31.4%
Year 11 or equivalent
7.2%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.0%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
42.0%
Bachelor Degree
24.6%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.0%
Postgraduate Degree
8.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.7%
Certificate I/II
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
23.5%
Engineering
16.9%
Society & Culture
13.2%
Education
12.5%
Health
10.8%
Architecture & Building
8.1%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.2%
Creative Arts
4.1%
Information Technology
2.5%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.4%
Agriculture & Environment
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
26.2%
Secondary: Government
19.2%
Vocational Education
12.6%
Primary: Catholic
11.5%
Pre-school
11.2%
Secondary: Catholic
9.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
5.6%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
89.0%
Has need for assistance
6.6%
Need for assistance not stated
4.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
807
Arthritis
337
Asthma
312
Diabetes
243
Heart disease
238
Lung condition
178
Cancer
121
Stroke
98
Kidney disease
81
Dementia
36

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.6% 790
Did not provide
87.4% 5,474

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.6% 852
Not a volunteer
86.4% 5,413

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 9
Current ADF: Reserves
0.0% 3
Previously served
2.9% 181
Never served
96.9% 6,097

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.4%
1 child
12.0%
2 children
33.3%
3 children
18.7%
4 children
5.9%
5+ children
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
26
1951: 1960
110
1961: 1970
251
1971: 1980
212
1981: 1990
209
1991: 2000
146
2001: 2010
141
2011: 2015
68
2016
14
2017
13
2018
11
2019
3
2020
3
2021
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

10.3%
moved in the last year
28.3%
moved in the last 5 years
3.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
59.4%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,890
Moved from NSW
572
Moved: same area (SA2)
165
Moved from overseas
28
Moved from QLD
12
Moved from WA
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.2%
5: 14 hours
30.5%
15: 29 hours
14.3%
30+ hours
10.4%
Did not do domestic work
24.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.4%
Step family: no other children
9.5%
Blended family: no other children
2.8%
Intact family: other children present
1.2%
Blended family: other children present
0.5%
Other couple: children only
0.4%
Step family: other children present
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Emu Plains Crime Statistics

128 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
60
Other Against Property
14
Other Against Person
11
Property Damage
10
Assault
9
Traffic
9
Sexual Offences
7
Drug Offences
6
Robbery
1
Weapons
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Nyngan
Income: $770/wk Rent: $200/wk $220/wk less rent
Aberdeen (NSW)
Income: $716/wk Rent: $280/wk $140/wk less rent
Yoogali
Income: $871/wk Rent: $300/wk $120/wk less rent
Bathurst
Income: $753/wk Rent: $300/wk $120/wk less rent
Goonellabah
Income: $705/wk Rent: $320/wk $100/wk less rent
Waratah (NSW)
Income: $785/wk Rent: $350/wk $70/wk less rent
Windsor (NSW)
Income: $756/wk Rent: $360/wk $60/wk less rent
Seaham
Income: $839/wk Rent: $360/wk $60/wk less rent

Suburbs near Emu Plains

The closest suburb to Emu Plains is Emu Heights (NSW), 2.0 km away.

Emu Heights (NSW)
2.0 km away · income $978/wk · rent $440/wk
Penrith
2.4 km away · income $812/wk · rent $380/wk
Leonay
2.8 km away · income $1,051/wk · rent $530/wk
Jamisontown
2.8 km away · income $873/wk · rent $370/wk
Mount Riverview
3.2 km away · income $918/wk · rent $450/wk
Glenbrook
4.1 km away · income $1,031/wk · rent $490/wk

Compare Emu Plains

Frequently Asked Questions About Emu Plains

What is the population of Emu Plains NSW?

The population of Emu Plains NSW is 8,126 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,001 people per km². Emu Plains is ranked #868 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Emu Plains?

The median personal income in Emu Plains NSW is $880 per week, or $45,760 per year. The median household income is $1,877 per week. Family income is $2,341 per week. Emu Plains is ranked #2,378 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Emu Plains?

Median rent in Emu Plains NSW is $420 per week ($1,820 per month). Rent represents 22.4% of household income, which is considered affordable. Emu Plains ranks #1,513 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Emu Plains?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Emu Plains NSW is $2,200. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Emu Plains?

The median age in Emu Plains NSW is 41 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Emu Plains a good suburb to live in?

Emu Plains is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 8,126. The median income is $880/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (22.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 11421. All dollar figures in AUD.