Helensburgh, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Helensburgh NSW is 6,576 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Helensburgh is $981 per week ($51,012 per year). Median rent in Helensburgh is $535 per week ($2,318 per month). Helensburgh has a median age of 38 years, equal to the national median. Helensburgh has a population density of 356 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Helensburgh is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.1% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Spanish. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Helensburgh is $2,500.

There were 61 recorded offences in Helensburgh in 2025-26, a rate of 9 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against person (14 offences).

Population
6,576
Census 2021
Median income
$981/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$535/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
38years
Census 2021

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

Helensburgh vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Helensburgh is $981 a week, 28% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 386th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $535 a week, $150 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 21.5% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 38, 5 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.
MeasureHelensburghTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$981/wk$765/wk +28%$766/wk
Household income$2,490/wk$1,704/wk +46%$1,637/wk
Rent$535/wk$385/wk +39%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,500/mo$1,965/mo +27%$1,733/mo
Median age3843 −5 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.5%22.6% −1.1 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 Helensburgh, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Helensburgh Population

6,576 residents at the 2021 Census.

Helensburgh Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$981/wk
$51,012 per year
Ranked 1,338 of 14,663
Median Rent
$535/wk
$2,318 per month
Ranked 459 of 14,663
Median Age
38years
Same as the national median
Mortgage
$2,500/mo
Avg household size: 2.9 · 0.9 per bedroom

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

Helensburgh Rent Prices & Affordability

21% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,490/wk
Median rent $535/wk
Rent to income 21.5%

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

Median rent in Helensburgh against your income

About $10,790 a month
Median rent $535/wk
Left after rent $1,955/wk
Rent share 21.5%

Helensburgh Schools

2
schools nearby
1
government
1064
avg ICSEA score
644
total students
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 184 students
1071
ICSEA
Helensburgh Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 460 students
1057
ICSEA

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

All schools near Helensburgh, with a map

Helensburgh Map

Helensburgh, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Helensburgh

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.7% (3,269) Female 50.3% (3,309)

Population Density

356
people per km²
6,576 people · 18.5 km²

Households

2.9
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$2,718
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
1.1%
Scotland
0.6%
United States of America
0.5%
South Africa
0.4%
India
0.4%
Canada
0.3%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Spanish
0.5%
German
0.4%
Mandarin
0.4%
Greek
0.3%
Tamil
0.2%
Italian
0.2%
Japanese
0.2%

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

Ancestry

Australian
46.0%
English
44.3%
Irish
13.8%
Scottish
11.7%
German
3.2%
Australian Aboriginal
3.1%
Italian
2.8%
Dutch
2.0%
Maltese
1.3%
Chinese
1.2%
New Zealander
1.1%

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
44.1%
Catholic
23.4%
Anglican
16.5%
Not stated
4.0%
Uniting Church
2.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.1%
Christian (other)
1.6%
Baptist
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

3.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
53.8% 2,746
Separated
2.3% 118
Divorced
7.3% 374
Widowed
3.1% 159
Never married
33.5% 1,711

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
50.2%
Couple: no children under 15
20.4%
Couple: no children
19.6%
One parent: no children under 15
5.3%
One parent: children under 15
4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
14.5%
2 persons
29.4%
3 persons
19.4%
4 persons
24.8%
5 persons
9.1%
6+ persons
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Helensburgh

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,169 occupied private dwellings in Helensburgh at the 2021 Census, 14.8% were rented, 30.4% owned outright and 52.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.2% 27 dwellings
Owned outright
30.4% 659 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
52.9% 1,147 dwellings
Rented
14.8% 321 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.0% 21 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
96.7%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
2.1%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
0.9%
2 bedrooms
11.4%
3 bedrooms
45.8%
4 bedrooms
31.9%
5 bedrooms
8.1%
6+ bedrooms
1.9%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.1%
$300-$449/mo
0.5%
$450-$599/mo
1.2%
$600-$799/mo
1.2%
$800-$999/mo
3.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
7.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
13.2%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
22.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
22.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
24.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.2%
1 vehicle
25.3%
2 vehicles
45.9%
3 vehicles
16.2%
4+ vehicles
10.5%

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

Work, income and education in Helensburgh

Employment

Employed full-time
41.6% 1,880 people
Employed part-time
25.6% 1,159 people
Unemployed
2.5% 111 people
Not in labour force
30.3% 1,372 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
29.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.5%
Managers
14.0%
Community & Personal Service
12.5%
Clerical & Administrative
12.4%
Sales Workers
4.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
4.3%
Labourers
4.0%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.2%
$1-$149/wk
0.5%
$150-$299/wk
0.6%
$300-$399/wk
1.1%
$400-$499/wk
3.1%
$500-$649/wk
2.5%
$650-$799/wk
4.2%
$800-$999/wk
4.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
4.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.4%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
12.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
10.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
8.2%
$4,000+/wk
19.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.6%
$1-$149/wk
3.9%
$150-$299/wk
4.3%
$300-$399/wk
2.4%
$400-$499/wk
2.5%
$500-$649/wk
3.5%
$650-$799/wk
7.8%
$800-$999/wk
8.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
13.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.9%
$3,500+/wk
3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
65.4%
Did not go to work
23.6%
Car (passenger)
3.1%
Walked only
2.8%
Train
2.6%
Truck
1.4%
Other
0.7%
Bicycle
0.2%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
57.7%
Year 10 or equivalent
31.5%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.8%

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
40.2%
Bachelor Degree
25.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.3%
Postgraduate Degree
8.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.3%
Certificate I/II
1.8%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
19.2%
Engineering
18.2%
Society & Culture
12.8%
Health
10.7%
Architecture & Building
10.4%
Education
10.3%
Creative Arts
5.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.3%
Agriculture & Environment
3.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.9%
Information Technology
2.6%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.1%
Secondary: Government
21.7%
Pre-school
15.2%
Vocational Education
12.3%
Primary: Catholic
10.1%
Secondary: Catholic
7.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.5%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
1.6%

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
92.5%
Has need for assistance
4.5%
Need for assistance not stated
2.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
531
Asthma
267
Arthritis
216
Heart disease
134
Diabetes
130
Cancer
86
Dementia
80
Lung condition
72
Kidney disease
66
Stroke
45

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
11.9% 585
Did not provide
88.1% 4,326

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
16.6% 819
Not a volunteer
83.4% 4,118

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 12
Previously served
2.2% 109
Never served
97.5% 4,814

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
30.1%
1 child
11.9%
2 children
34.4%
3 children
17.3%
4 children
5.3%
5+ children
0.9%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
12
1951: 1960
37
1961: 1970
83
1971: 1980
78
1981: 1990
121
1991: 2000
88
2001: 2010
189
2011: 2015
110
2016
19
2017
12
2018
13
2019
9
2020
7

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

Population Mobility

10.0%
moved in the last year
30.2%
moved in the last 5 years
3.1%
unemployment rate (Census)
69.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
5,676
Moved from NSW
316
Moved: same area (SA2)
278
Moved from overseas
21
Moved from QLD
8
Moved from WA
4
Moved from ACT
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.3%
5: 14 hours
32.6%
15: 29 hours
15.7%
30+ hours
11.3%
Did not do domestic work
19.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
87.1%
Step family: no other children
8.8%
Blended family: no other children
2.8%
Intact family: other children present
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Helensburgh Crime Statistics

61 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Other Against Person
14
Other Against Property
14
Assault
11
Theft
10
Property Damage
5
Sexual Offences
2
Traffic
2
Domestic Violence
1
Drug Offences
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

Suburbs near Helensburgh

The closest suburb to Helensburgh is Stanwell Park, 5.3 km away.

Stanwell Park
5.3 km away · income $1,110/wk · rent $460/wk
Heathcote (NSW)
11.2 km away · income $957/wk · rent $520/wk
Coledale
12.5 km away · income $1,001/wk · rent $600/wk
Engadine
14.1 km away · income $946/wk · rent $500/wk
Austinmer
14.4 km away · income $1,080/wk · rent $550/wk
Holsworthy
14.4 km away · income $1,104/wk · rent $515/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Helensburgh

What is the population of Helensburgh NSW?

The population of Helensburgh NSW is 6,576 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 356 people per km². Helensburgh is ranked #1,162 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Helensburgh?

The median personal income in Helensburgh NSW is $981 per week, or $51,012 per year. The median household income is $2,490 per week. Family income is $2,718 per week. Helensburgh is ranked #1,338 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Helensburgh?

Median rent in Helensburgh NSW is $535 per week ($2,318 per month). Rent represents 21.5% of household income, which is considered affordable. Helensburgh ranks #459 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Helensburgh?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Helensburgh NSW is $2,500. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Helensburgh?

The median age in Helensburgh NSW is 38 years. This is equal to the national median age of 38 years.

Is Helensburgh a good suburb to live in?

Helensburgh is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 6,576. The median income is $981/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 11897. All dollar figures in AUD.