🔍

Thornleigh

NSW 2120 • Greater Sydney

8,898
Population (2021)
$139,412
Median Household Income
3.87 km²
Area
$530/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyLeafyBushlandNorth ShoreEstablished

About Thornleigh

Thornleigh is a leafy suburb on Sydney's Upper North Shore, located 22 kilometres north-west of the CBD within the Hornsby Shire. With a population of approximately 8,900 and a density of around 2,220 people per square kilometre, it is a well-established residential area dating back to the 1830s. The suburb sits at an elevation of 170 metres and is characterised by its mix of Federation-era homes, mid-century residences, and modern developments. Thornleigh has a family-oriented demographic with good schools and a strong community feel.

Thornleigh offers a bushland-meets-suburban lifestyle, bordered by the Lane Cove National Park to the south-west. The suburb has its own train station, local shops along Pennant Hills Road, and the popular Thornleigh Brickpit sports complex. Residents enjoy proximity to Hornsby Westfield for major shopping and a range of bush walking tracks in the surrounding national parks. The area is popular with families seeking quality schools, green spaces, and a quieter pace while maintaining an easy commute to the city.

Thornleigh falls under postcode 2120 and is governed by Hornsby Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wahroonga electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2120
Urban Area
Hornsby - Ku-ring-gai
LGA / Council
Hornsby
Federal Electorate
Berowra
State Electorate
Wahroonga
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.72°, 151.08°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
3.87 km²
Elevation
167m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Thornleigh Station
0.3 km
4 min
Normanhurst Station
1.2 km
15 min
Pennant Hills Station
1.5 km
18 min
Hornsby Station
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • 586, 587 — Hornsby via Pennant Hills Road 10-15 min
  • 600 — Parramatta via Carlingford 35-45 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
22 km
By Train
35-40 min (direct via T1 line)
By Bus
50-60 min
By Car (Peak)
40-55 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 min

🛣️ Thornleigh Station provides direct trains to Central; M2 motorway nearby for driving

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Local shops and the train station are accessible on foot from most parts of the suburb, though hilly terrain can make walking challenging.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    261 Pennant Hills Road Thornleigh 2120 NSW
  • ALDI
    275 - 291 Pennant Hills Road, Thornleigh NSW 2120

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Hornsby Local Government Area, which contains Thornleigh. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
72.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 9.3%
Motor vehicle theft
43.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
135 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
7.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
101.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.8%
View all 62 offence types for Hornsby →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$530
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,800
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.7%

67 state housing + 42 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,464
Census 2021
8,898
▲ 5.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$43,160
Personal Income 2021
$53,300
▲ 23.5% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$53,300 / yr
$1025/wk
Household
$139,412 / yr
$2681/wk
Family
$156,832 / yr
$3016/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,503
Born Overseas 3,245

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 572
  • 2. India 326
  • 3. England 308
  • 4. South Korea 186
  • 5. Philippines 166
  • 6. Hong Kong 130
  • 7. New Zealand 129
  • 8. Iran 119
  • 9. Lebanon 105
  • 10. South Africa 97

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,628
Australian 2,495
Chinese 1,307
Irish 776
Scottish 710
Indian 452
Lebanese 316
Korean 277
German 261
Italian 246

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,213
Both parents born in Australia
4,331
Both parents born overseas
1,177
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.8%
No Religion
38.6%
Hinduism
4.3%
Buddhism
2.5%
Islam
1.3%
Sikhism
0.2%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
490 (5.5%)
5-14 years
1,374 (15.4%)
15-19 years
586 (6.6%)
20-24 years
496 (5.6%)
25-34 years
836 (9.4%)
35-44 years
1,318 (14.8%)
45-54 years
1,451 (16.3%)
55-64 years
1,021 (11.5%)
65-74 years
714 (8.0%)
75-84 years
456 (5.1%)
85+ years
161 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thornleigh known for? +

Thornleigh is a leafy suburb on Sydney's Upper North Shore, located 22 kilometres north-west of the CBD within the Hornsby Shire. With a population of approximately 8,900 and a density of around 2,220 people per square kilometre, it is a well-established residential area dating back to the 1830s.

How far is Thornleigh from Sydney CBD? +

Thornleigh is approximately 22 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 40-55 min during peak hour and 25-30 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 35-40 min (direct via T1 line).

Does Thornleigh have public transport? +

Thornleigh is served by Thornleigh Station station (0.3 km, approximately 4 min walk) on the T1 North Shore & Western Line. Local bus services including 586, 587 also connect residents to Hornsby via Pennant Hills Road.

What is the population of Thornleigh? +

According to the 2021 Census, Thornleigh has a population of approximately 8,898 residents.

Is Thornleigh a good place to live? +

Thornleigh is considered a good place for families, with a suburban setting and access to schools, parks, and local services. Its community character makes it appealing to households at various life stages.

What is the postcode for Thornleigh? +

The postcode for Thornleigh in NSW is 2120.