Lurnea (NSW)

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According to the analysis of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Lurnea has a population estimated at approximately 11,035 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 978 people (9.7%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 10,057 residents. The shift is calculated from a resident population of 11,011, estimated by Districts following analysis of the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures, and 76 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population volume translates to a density of 4,414 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Lurnea within the top 10% of all Australian locations analyzed by Districts, highlighting land as a sought-after resource. The 9.7% growth rate of the suburb of Lurnea since the 2021 Census outpaced the state average (7.1%) and the Greater Sydney region, establishing it as a local growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of demographic expansion, accounting for approximately of total population increases recently.

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Lurnea has a balanced labor force consisting of white-collar and blue-collar workers, with a strong presence in manufacturing and industrial categories, an unemployment rate of 11.5%, and an estimated job growth rate of 4.8% over the past year, according to Districts aggregations of statistical area data. In March 2026, 3,676 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 7.4% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, showing room for progress, while workforce participation was low at 49.4% compared to 69.1% in Greater Sydney. Census responses indicated a moderate 23.4% of employees worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restriction periods.

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The suburb of Lurnea's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023. The suburb of Lurnea's median income among taxpayers is $49,109 and the average income stands at $57,593, which compares to figures for Greater Sydney's of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $54,177 (median) and $63,537 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Lurnea all fall between the 2nd and 16th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 29.5% of the community (3,255 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only of income remaining, ranking at the th percentile.

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Housing composition in Lurnea at the time of the latest Census consisted of 75.3% separate houses and 24.7% alternative housing options (townhouses, flats, and other types), compared to the Sydney metropolitan breakdown of 55.9% separate houses and 44.1% alternative types. Home ownership levels in Lurnea lagged behind the Sydney metropolitan average at 25.5%, with remaining properties held under mortgages (31.7%) or occupied by tenants (42.8%). The median monthly home loan payment in the area was significantly below the Sydney metropolitan average at $2,080, while the median weekly rental cost was $380, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $2,427 and $470. Globally within Australia, mortgage costs in Lurnea are notably above the national average of $1,863, and rent prices exceed the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 77.8%, consisting of couples with children at 41.4%, couples without children at 15.5%, and single parent households at 19.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.2%, with single-person households representing 20.5% and share houses representing 1.5% 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 locality displays low rates of higher education, with university graduation rates (15.3%) significantly below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This indicates both a challenge and a target for educational support programs. Undergraduate degrees are the most common at 11.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (0.9%). Practical and vocational qualifications are common, with 31.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (20.0%).

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Public transport analysis shows 72 transit stops in Lurnea, which are serviced by buses. These stops accommodate 31 distinct routes, delivering 3,034 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 137 meters from their nearest transit stop. Since Lurnea is mostly residential, many workers travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary commute method at 87% and trains accounting for 6%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.3 cars per home. A total of 23.4% of residents worked from home (2021 Census, potentially reflecting COVID-19 settings).

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Lurnea experiences notable health difficulties, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, with general health conditions common across all demographics, though slightly more concentrated in older groups, while the rate of private health insurance is low at approximately 50% of the population (~5,489 residents). This is lower than the 59.9% coverage rate in Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.7%.

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Lurnea ranks as one of the most culturally diverse localities in the nation, with 46.1% of residents born outside Australia and 64.7% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 40.6% of residents in Lurnea. The most distinct variance from the wider region is in Islam, which is practiced by 32.1% of the population, significantly exceeding the Greater Sydney average of 6.8%.

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With a median age of 32 years, Lurnea has a demographic profile that is younger than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lurnea contains a larger proportion of residents aged 5 - 14 (16.6%) but fewer people aged 35 - 44 (12.8%). Data collected after the 2021 Census indicates the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 13.9% to 15.5% of the population, while the 45 to 54 group has contracted from 11.0% to 10.2%. Projections suggest Lurnea's age distribution will transform by 2041, with the 15 to 24 demographic expected to grow the fastest at , adding residents to total while the to cohort is projected to see low growth of , adding only residents.

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Lurnea currently has an estimated 783 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 465 children aged 0-2 and 311 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 0% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 7% by 2041 (to approximately 840 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,444. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.