Busby (NSW)

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According to ABS demographic updates for the wider region and recent address validations conducted by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Busby has an estimated population of 4,615 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 169 people (3.8%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 4,446 residents. This shift is calculated from a resident population of 4,613, which Districts estimated using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP data alongside 45 validated new addresses added since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 3,814 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top national quartile of locations evaluated by Districts. The primary driver of this demographic expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 52.0% of the total population gains in recent times.

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The workforce of Busby presents a mix of professional and industrial occupations, with notable representation in manufacturing and trade sectors. The local unemployment rate stands at 13.8%, with employment expanding by an estimated 5.1% over the course of the past year based on Districts statistical aggregations. By March 2026, the number of employed residents reached 1,558, while the local unemployment rate was 9.7% higher than the Greater Sydney rate of 4.1%, showing a significant gap. Workforce participation also remains lower at 51.5% compared to the 69.1% recorded across Greater Sydney. Census data indicates a moderate 19.1% of working residents performed their duties from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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According to the latest ATO data aggregated by Districts for the 2023 financial year, taxpayer income levels in the suburb of Busby sit below the national average. The median income for local taxpayers is $39,884, while the average income is $46,269, compared to Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimated values would be roughly $44,000 for the median and $51,044 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census returns, household, family, and individual incomes in Busby all rank between the 2nd and 10th percentiles nationally. The largest proportion of residents, at 28.6% (1,319 residents), earn weekly incomes between $800 - contrasting with the wider metropolitan pattern where of households fall into the - category. Financial pressure from housing is high, leaving only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Busby consisted of 88.4% detached houses and 11.6% other dwelling types (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative housing), compared to the Sydney metropolitan distribution of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership in Busby was lower than the metropolitan average at 22.5%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (24.7%) or occupied by tenants (52.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was significantly below the Sydney metropolitan median at $1,800, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $330, compared to metropolitan figures of $2,427 and $470 respectively. On a national level, Busby's mortgage repayments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are substantially lower than the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 76.9%, which includes couples with children at 36.0%, couples without children at 12.7%, and single parent households at 25.4%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 23.1%, with single-person households representing 21.1% and group shared households making up 1.9% of the total. The median household size of 3.2 individuals is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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The suburb faces educational obstacles, with the percentage of residents holding university qualifications (11.0%) sitting substantially below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This highlights a clear area for targeted educational strategies. Within higher education, bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 7.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational and technical training is prominent, with 30.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificate qualifications (22.6%).

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Public transport services in Busby include 21 active bus stops. These stops accommodate 22 distinct routes, which provide a combined total of 1,176 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 154 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the suburban character of the area, most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 86% of commuters, followed by 7% using buses and 5% using trains. The average number of motor vehicles is 1.2 per household. At the 2021 Census, 19.1% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 circumstances.

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Health indicators demonstrate notable difficulties in Busby, based on Districts assessments of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which impact both younger and older demographics. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is low, covering approximately 45% of the population (~2,091 people). This is below the Greater Sydney coverage rate of 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

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Busby displays a high degree of cultural variety, with 39.3% of the population born outside Australia and 57.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, represented by 41.3% of residents. The most distinct religious concentration is Islam, which accounts for 26.3% of the local population, significantly exceeding the Greater Sydney average of 6.8%.

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With a median age of 32 years, Busby has a younger population than Greater Sydney (median of 37 years) and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Busby has a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (17.2%) and fewer young adults aged 25 - 34 (12.3%). The proportion of residents aged 5 - 14 sits well above the national level of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has expanded from 14.8% to 16.5% of the population, and the 65 to 74 group has grown from 6.9% to 8.2%, while the 55 to group decreased from to . Demographic projections indicate significant changes by with the to age group expected to grow by , adding residents to reach a total of while population drops are forecast for the to and to cohorts.

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Busby currently has an estimated 332 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 195 children aged 0-2 and 130 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 2% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 331 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 600. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.