Spotlight on Thornleigh

Set in the heart of the Northern Districts and 22km north-west of the Sydney CBD, Thornleigh offers that sought-after blend of beautiful family homes, excellent schools and services, and a great lifestyle. Unsurprisingly, we love selling here and find it easy to enthuse to potential buyers about what makes it special. 

Thornleigh's history

Originally inhabited by the Dharug people, this part of Sydney was known for its orchards and farming in the nineteenth century until the railway line was extended to Thornleigh in 1886, boosting its growth. The name ‘Thornleigh’ is believed to derive from a nearby property owned by a settler named John Thorn, and ‘leigh’ refers to a meadow.

After World War Two, the suburb saw a housing boom, and since then has continued to attract families seeking a relaxed lifestyle while still being within commuting distance of Sydney’s CBD.

Several factors make Thornleigh a wonderful place to live and invest. We have successfully sold many homes and receive frequent enquiries about this suburb, so this week we’ve put together a list of some highlights and property market information about Thornleigh.

Family-friendly lifestyle and amenities

Many families call Thornleigh home thanks to the mix of peaceful suburban life, lots of green space and wonderful family homes. There is also a great mix of schools to choose from, including the well-regarded Thornleigh West Public School, plus access to excellent state and private high schools in the surrounding areas. 

A quiet pace of life with everything on your doorstep

Thornleigh has everything you need for shopping and services, including Thornleigh Marketplace, a choice of supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. National parks and the Lane Cove River provide opportunities to decompress in nature, while for the more active there is the Thornleigh Golf Centre, Thornleigh Squash and Fitness and the Thornleigh Oval to kick a ball or have a run. 

Access to the city

Thornleigh Station provides convenient access to Sydney’s CBD and surrounding areas, which is part of what makes the suburb popular with families as well as first-time buyers and young professionals. This means you can enjoy both a peaceful lifestyle and everything vibrant Sydney has to offer when you feel like it. 

Thornleigh’s property market

As of September 2024, the median house price in Thornleigh sits comfortably above the Sydney average at $1,890,000. Capital growth has been 9.3% in the past 12 months. 

Homes move fairly quickly, with an average time on the market of 28 days. More than 80% of residents are owner-occupiers, predominantly families. 

In terms of housing, Thornleigh has a wonderful mix of homes including solid older homes, contemporary family homes and impressive architecturally designed properties with that Sydney wow factor. Many are set on large blocks with lush gardens, and immaculate, renovated homes will always attract high prices.

For sellers, having an older, unrenovated home is not a drawback, though. Many buyers are happy to take on a fixer-upper as it gives them the opportunity to design or restore their dream home in a fantastic suburb, and there is still healthy competition for these homes. 

Quality townhouses and units are also in steady demand, with three-bedroom apartments selling for an average of $1,236,5000 as of September 2024, an increase of 9.7% over the last year. These include new developments and solidly built 1980s townhouses that are large enough for family living. 

Can we help with buying or selling in Thornleigh?

Thornleigh is a wonderful suburb for families and there are always people looking to move into the area. 

Now is a great time to list your home as there is plenty of demand from buyers who want a quality family-friendly property in Sydney for the new school year. Talk to us about your goals and we will advise you on selling your home with as little stress as possible. 

If you’re looking to buy in Thornleigh and would like to find out more about schools, amenities and upcoming listings, please feel free to contact the experienced local team at Page&Co today.