Hornsby
Hornsby scores well on sustainability (68/100) but only 34/100 on community services — a gap worth watching.
"Sydney's leafy upper north shore — bushland, heritage homes, and national park access"
See where Hornsby ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026
New South Wales · metro council · Pop. 154,834
Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
52 out of 100
#16 of 34 metro councils in NSW
#59 in New South Wales
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 68/100 |
| Community Services | 34/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 54/100 |
| Core Operations | 51/100 |
What This Means For You
Among metropolitan councils, Hornsby performs strongest in Sustainability (scoring 68 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Community Services (currently 34 out of 100).
What Makes This Place Unique
Sydney's leafy upper north shore — bushland, heritage homes, and national park access
Hornsby covers the upper north shore suburbs plus significant Ku-ring-gai Chase and Berowra Valley national park areas. It's defined by bushland — many suburbs back directly onto national park, giving a semi-rural feel within metropolitan Sydney.
Known For
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park access
- Berowra Valley National Park
- Hornsby Westfield and commercial centre
- Heritage homes in leafy established suburbs
Living Here
Hornsby offers exceptional bushland access with good train connections to the city. The national park literally backs onto suburban streets. Trade-off: bushfire risk in outer areas and limited nightlife.
Hidden Gem
Crosslands Reserve — a peaceful riverside picnic spot deep in Berowra Valley, accessible by walking track, with platypus in the creek.