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"
New South Wales · metro council · Pop. 155,000
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 financial sustainability (better than 68% of peers), with room to improve in community services (currently at the 34th percentile).
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.