Thornton (NSW)

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Assessments of ABS demographics updates for the wider region alongside newly verified addresses from Districts since the Census show the suburb of Thornton (NSW) has a population calculated at roughly 13,073 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 2,383 people (22.3%) since the 2021 Census, which registered 10,690 people. The change is calculated from a resident population of 12,416, estimated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) and an additional 292 validated new addresses post-Census. Such a population count translates to a density of 787 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with typical averages for locations evaluated by Districts. The 22.3% expansion in the suburb of Thornton (NSW) since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of NSW (4.9%) and the state overall, positioning it as a key driver of regional growth. This demographic growth was mostly supported by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 71.0% of the total population gains in recent times, though natural increase and overseas migration also contributed positively.

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The local workforce is evenly distributed across office-based and manual occupations, with a strong presence in essential services and an unemployment rate of only 2.7%, compiled from regional statistical data. As of March 2026, there are 5,749 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 1.4% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is very close to the Regional NSW figure of 60.6%. Census data indicates a moderate 20.0% of the working population operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures.

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Based on aggregated postcode data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in Thornton recorded a median income of $52,236 and an average income of $60,820. These figures sit below the national averages and compare to regional figures of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average) across Regional NSW. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures would be roughly $57,627 for the median and $67,097 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual earnings in the area rank in the 66th percentile nationwide. Income brackets show 41.7% of the population (5,451 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring regional trends where 29.9% of residents fall into this group. Housing costs account for of household income, but solid earnings keep net disposable income in the th percentile, with the SEIFA index for income placing the area in the th decile.

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Residential architecture in Thornton at the time of the latest Census consisted of 92.8% separate houses and 7.1% alternative housing types (including townhouses, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to Regional NSW where separate houses made up 82.6% of dwellings and other structures accounted for 17.4%. Home ownership levels lagged the regional benchmark at 24.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (41.3%) or tenants (34.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,800 was higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $400 also exceeded the regional figure of $330. On a national level, mortgage repayments remain below the Australian average of $1,863, while local rents exceed the national median of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 81.5%, which includes couples with children at 38.9%, couples without children at 28.7%, and single parent households at 12.8%. The remaining 18.5% consists of non-family households, with single person households representing 15.0% and group housing accounting for 3.3%. The median household size of 2.8 residents is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Educational attainment levels present some difficulties, with university graduation rates at 15.9%, which is well below the NSW state average of 32.2%. This gap highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Practical and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (33.2%).

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Analysis of transit networks shows 85 active transport stops in Thornton, consisting of bus and train infrastructure. These stops accommodate 96 different routes, delivering a total of 5,021 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is strong, with residents living an average of 215 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars being the dominant mode of travel at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 cars per household, which is higher than the regional average. Around 20.0% of the workforce worked from home, based on 2021 Census statistics, which may reflect pandemic-related working arrangements.

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Analysis of mortality statistics and chronic disease trends reveals notable health challenges in Thornton, with common illnesses affecting both younger and older residents, while the level of private health insurance coverage is relatively low at approximately 51% of the population (~6,668 people).

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The local area shows lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 90.1% of residents born in Australia, 93.4% holding citizenship, and 93.6% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 54.8% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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The median age of 32 in Thornton is significantly lower than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, there is a higher proportion of young adults aged 25 - 34 (17.3%) but fewer seniors aged 65 - 74 (7.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 13.0% to 14.7% of the population. In contrast, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 11.0% to 9.3%, and the 45 to 54 group declined from 12.0% to 10.8%. By demographic shifts are expected to alter the age structure significantly, led by the to group which is projected to grow by ( people) to reach up from .

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Thornton currently has an estimated 993 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 644 children aged 0-2 and 430 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 21% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 69% by 2041 (to approximately 1,678 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,498. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 14.5 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.