Penrith, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Penrith NSW is 17,966 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Penrith is $812 per week ($42,224 per year). Median rent in Penrith is $380 per week ($1,647 per month). Penrith has a median age of 36 years, younger than the national median of 38. Penrith has a population density of 1,457 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Penrith is England. The most common religion is No religion (35.1% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Penrith is $1,783.

There were 1,510 recorded offences in Penrith in 2025-26, a rate of 84 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (399 offences).

Population
17,966
Census 2021
Median income
$812/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$380/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
36years
Census 2021

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

Penrith vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Penrith is $812 a week, 6% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 893rd of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $380 a week, $5 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 27.2% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 36, 7 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.
MeasurePenrithTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$812/wk$765/wk +6%$766/wk
Household income$1,397/wk$1,704/wk −18%$1,637/wk
Rent$380/wk$385/wk −1%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,783/mo$1,965/mo −9%$1,733/mo
Median age3643 −7 yrs42
Rent share of household income27.2%22.6% +4.6 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 Penrith, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Penrith Population

17,966 residents at the 2021 Census.

Penrith Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$812/wk
$42,224 per year
Ranked 3,389 of 14,663
Median Rent
$380/wk
$1,647 per month
Ranked 2,445 of 14,663
Median Age
36years
2 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,783/mo
Avg household size: 2.1 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Penrith Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,397/wk
Median rent $380/wk
Rent to income 27.2%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Penrith against your income

About $6,054 a month
Median rent $380/wk
Left after rent $1,017/wk
Rent share 27.2%

Penrith Schools

15
schools nearby
11
government
979
avg ICSEA score
7,585
total students
Penrith High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 930 students
1186
ICSEA
St Nicholas of Myra Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 169 students
1068
ICSEA
Penola Catholic College Emu Plains Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 709 students
1024
ICSEA
St Dominic's College Independent
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,010 students
1008
ICSEA
Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 807 students
994
ICSEA
Penrith Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 524 students
986
ICSEA
Jamisontown Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 317 students
980
ICSEA
Penrith South Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 441 students
958
ICSEA
Kingswood South Public School Government
Primary · P-6 · 304 students
956
ICSEA
Kingswood High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,005 students
955
ICSEA
Cranebrook High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 871 students
916
ICSEA
Braddock Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 332 students
880
ICSEA
Wadangali Public School Government
Primary · P-6 · 166 students
810
ICSEA
Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre Government
Combined
CathWest Innovation College McCarthy Campus Catholic
Secondary

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

All schools near Penrith, with a map

Penrith Map

Penrith, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Penrith

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.2% (8,666) Female 51.8% (9,297)

Population Density

1,457
people per km²
17,966 people · 12.3 km²

Households

2.1
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,850
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
2.9%
India
2.7%
Philippines
2.2%
New Zealand
2.0%
China
1.7%
South Korea
0.7%
Thailand
0.6%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
1.7%
Tagalog
1.0%
Hindi
0.9%
Korean
0.8%
Arabic
0.8%
Punjabi
0.7%
Spanish
0.7%

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

Ancestry

English
31.3%
Australian
30.6%
Irish
9.4%
Scottish
7.7%
Australian Aboriginal
5.8%
Chinese
3.7%
German
3.4%
Indian
3.4%
Filipino
3.2%
Italian
3.0%
Maltese
1.9%

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
35.1%
Catholic
20.7%
Anglican
12.3%
Not stated
11.4%
Christian (other)
3.1%
Hinduism
3.1%
Islam
2.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

6.2%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
30.9% 4,732
Separated
4.9% 751
Divorced
11.8% 1,810
Widowed
6.5% 988
Never married
45.8% 7,011

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
33.5%
Couple: no children
31.5%
One parent: children under 15
14.3%
Couple: no children under 15
10.8%
One parent: no children under 15
10.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
41.3%
2 persons
32.8%
3 persons
12.8%
4 persons
8.4%
5 persons
3.1%
6+ persons
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Penrith

Housing Tenure

Of the 7,837 occupied private dwellings in Penrith at the 2021 Census, 60.2% were rented, 15.4% owned outright and 20.6% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.2% 171 dwellings
Owned outright
15.4% 1,206 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
20.6% 1,613 dwellings
Rented
60.2% 4,718 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.7% 130 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
63.9%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
27.5%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
8.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
10.4%
2 bedrooms
44.3%
3 bedrooms
32.1%
4 bedrooms
10.6%
5 bedrooms
2.1%
6+ bedrooms
0.5%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.2%
$300-$449/mo
1.2%
$450-$599/mo
0.7%
$600-$799/mo
2.0%
$800-$999/mo
3.9%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
26.1%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
28.0%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
13.9%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
5.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
16.8%
1 vehicle
51.4%
2 vehicles
24.0%
3 vehicles
5.1%
4+ vehicles
2.6%

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

Work, income and education in Penrith

Employment

Employed full-time
39.4% 4,997 people
Employed part-time
17.0% 2,157 people
Unemployed
4.3% 541 people
Not in labour force
39.3% 4,979 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
28.5%
Clerical & Administrative
14.5%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.8%
Community & Personal Service
13.1%
Managers
11.3%
Sales Workers
6.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.3%
Labourers
5.9%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.9%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
1.7%
$300-$399/wk
3.9%
$400-$499/wk
7.7%
$500-$649/wk
5.7%
$650-$799/wk
6.8%
$800-$999/wk
7.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.9%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
2.7%
$4,000+/wk
5.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.4%
$1-$149/wk
2.6%
$150-$299/wk
5.0%
$300-$399/wk
4.6%
$400-$499/wk
4.3%
$500-$649/wk
3.8%
$650-$799/wk
10.1%
$800-$999/wk
11.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
13.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
7.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.4%
$3,500+/wk
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
61.6%
Did not go to work
20.3%
Walked only
5.3%
Car (passenger)
4.5%
Train
4.4%
Bus
0.9%
Truck
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.7%
Other
0.6%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%
Bicycle
0.3%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
59.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
26.4%
Year 11 or equivalent
7.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.1%

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
37.6%
Bachelor Degree
27.8%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.9%
Postgraduate Degree
11.1%
Certificate I/II
2.9%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
2.8%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
24.6%
Society & Culture
14.6%
Engineering
13.8%
Health
11.8%
Education
8.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.0%
Creative Arts
5.7%
Information Technology
5.4%
Architecture & Building
5.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.2%
Agriculture & Environment
1.7%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.9%
Vocational Education
22.3%
Secondary: Government
16.9%
Pre-school
11.3%
Secondary: Catholic
6.1%
Primary: Catholic
5.6%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
4.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.9%

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
82.4%
Has need for assistance
7.5%
Need for assistance not stated
10.0%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
2,505
Asthma
777
Arthritis
560
Diabetes
530
Heart disease
436
Lung condition
403
Kidney disease
232
Cancer
209
Stroke
201
Dementia
58

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
10.3% 1,408
Did not provide
89.7% 12,229

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
8.6% 1,178
Not a volunteer
91.4% 12,509

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.3% 39
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 18
Previously served
2.3% 311
Never served
97.3% 13,386

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
43.0%
1 child
15.3%
2 children
22.0%
3 children
12.0%
4 children
5.6%
5+ children
2.1%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
54
1951: 1960
161
1961: 1970
389
1971: 1980
322
1981: 1990
437
1991: 2000
465
2001: 2010
939
2011: 2015
658
2016
175
2017
186
2018
178
2019
219
2020
80
2021
8

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

Population Mobility

24.8%
moved in the last year
61.0%
moved in the last 5 years
6.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
57.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
11,998
Moved from NSW
3,082
Moved: same area (SA2)
609
Moved from overseas
108
Moved from QLD
49
Moved from VIC
22
Moved from ACT
14
Moved from SA
8
Moved from WA
7
Moved from NT
5
Moved from TAS
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.1%
5: 14 hours
28.4%
15: 29 hours
9.5%
30+ hours
8.2%
Did not do domestic work
32.7%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
80.4%
Step family: no other children
12.4%
Blended family: no other children
5.6%
Other couple: children only
0.8%
Intact family: other children present
0.5%
Step family: other children present
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Penrith Crime Statistics

1,510 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
399
Other Against Property
399
Traffic
261
Assault
125
Other Against Person
85
Drug Offences
85
Property Damage
84
Weapons
33
Sexual Offences
32
Robbery
6
Domestic Violence
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 Penrith

The closest suburb to Penrith is Emu Plains, 2.4 km away.

Emu Plains
2.4 km away · income $880/wk · rent $420/wk
Cambridge Gardens
3.0 km away · income $835/wk · rent $420/wk
Jamisontown
3.1 km away · income $873/wk · rent $370/wk
South Penrith
3.3 km away · income $828/wk · rent $420/wk
Cambridge Park
3.5 km away · income $750/wk · rent $385/wk
Werrington Downs
4.0 km away · income $922/wk · rent $425/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Penrith

What is the population of Penrith NSW?

The population of Penrith NSW is 17,966 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,457 people per km². Penrith is ranked #187 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Penrith?

The median personal income in Penrith NSW is $812 per week, or $42,224 per year. The median household income is $1,397 per week. Family income is $1,850 per week. Penrith is ranked #3,389 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Penrith?

Median rent in Penrith NSW is $380 per week ($1,647 per month). Rent represents 27.2% of household income, which is considered moderate. Penrith ranks #2,445 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Penrith?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Penrith NSW is $1,783. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Penrith?

The median age in Penrith NSW is 36 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Penrith a good suburb to live in?

Penrith is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 17,966. The median income is $812/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (27.2% 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: 13195. All dollar figures in AUD.