Albion Park Rail
Statistical Area - sa2

Albion Park Rail has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Albion Park Rail's population was 6,920 according to the 2021 Census. As of Aug 2025, it is around 6,885, a decrease of 35 people (0.5%). This change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population of 6,905 as of June 2024 and additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 960 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration primarily drove recent population growth in the area.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Considering these projections, the area is expected to expand by 124 persons to 2041, an increase of 1.1% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Albion Park Rail according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Albion Park Rail averaged approximately 36 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 181 homes. As of FY26, three approvals have been recorded. The area has experienced population decline, with new supply likely keeping pace with demand, offering buyers good choice. New properties are constructed at an average cost of $325,000, below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options.

In FY26, $16.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Albion Park Rail has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 75th percentile nationally. New building activity shows 15.0% detached dwellings and 85.0% attached dwellings, skewed towards compact living which attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a considerable change from the current housing mix of 78.0% houses, reflecting reduced development site availability and shifting lifestyle demands. Albion Park Rail has around 168 people per dwelling approval, indicating low density characteristics.

Population forecasts suggest Albion Park Rail will gain 78 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Albion Park Rail has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 21 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Albion Park Rail Industrial Estate Development, Regional Multi-Sports, Aquatics & Leisure Facility, Shellharbour Airport Master Plan Upgrades, and Park Central Bulky Goods Complex. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment conditions in Albion Park Rail face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Albion Park Rail's workforce comprises both white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent representation in essential services. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate was 9.2%, showing a 1.2% employment growth over the past year compared to the Rest of NSW's 3.7%.

There are 3,039 residents employed, but workforce participation is lower at 54.0% compared to the regional average of 56.4%. Key sectors for local employment include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade, with healthcare being particularly dominant at 1.2 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.3%, significantly lower than the regional average of 5.3%. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 1.2% while labour force grew by 0.7%, reducing unemployment by 0.5 percentage points.

However, many residents may commute elsewhere for work based on census data. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts project employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but Albion Park Rail's specific growth may vary based on its industry mix.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Albion Park Rail's median income among taxpayers is $54,718. The average income for the area is $63,951. This is slightly lower than the national average. In comparison, Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Albion Park Rail would be approximately $60,518 (median) and $70,730 (average) as of March 2025. Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Albion Park Rail fall between the 17th and 30th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile reveals that the majority of residents, 34.5% or 2,375 people, earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, which is similar to patterns seen at regional levels where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Albion Park Rail, with only 81.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 26th percentile nationally.

Albion Park Rail is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Albion Park Rail's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.1% houses and 21.9% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 79.0% houses and 21.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Albion Park Rail stood at 34.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.9% and rented ones at 27.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,820, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent was $390, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $430. Nationally, Albion Park Rail's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Albion Park Rail has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 72.3% of all households, including 26.5% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 16.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.7%, with lone person households at 25.0% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

Albion Park Rail faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has lower university qualification rates compared to NSW, with only 10.1% of residents holding such qualifications, as of the latest data (2016). This is significantly below the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common among these, at 7.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent too, with 46.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 36.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data (2017). This includes primary education (9.1%), secondary education (6.9%), and tertiary education (3.0%). Albion Park Rail Public School serves the local area, enrolling 346 students as of the latest data (2018) and focusing exclusively on primary education. Secondary options are available in nearby areas due to limited local school capacity, with only 5.0 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.3.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Albion Park Rail has 79 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 50 individual routes that together facilitate 1,821 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents located an average of 115 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run at an average frequency of 260 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 23 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Albion Park Rail is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Albion Park Rail faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups.

As of 2021, approximately 3,525 residents have private health cover, which is around 51% of the total population, slightly lower than the average for the area's statistical division (SA2). The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis, affecting 11.3% of residents, and mental health issues, impacting 11.0%. In contrast, 57.3% of residents reported having no medical ailments, compared to 65.2% in the rest of NSW. As of 2021, 21.7% of Albion Park Rail's population is aged 65 and over, totaling 1,494 people. The health outcomes among seniors largely align with those of the general population.

Albion Park Rail ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Albion Park Rail had a cultural diversity below average, with 84.3% of its population born in Australia, 91.1% being citizens, and 93.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 55.5% of Albion Park Rail's population, compared to 57.3% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (30.8%), Australian (30.0%), and Scottish (7.6%).

Notably, Spanish (0.8%) was overrepresented in Albion Park Rail versus the regional average (1.0%), while Maltese (1.3%) showed no significant difference from the regional figure of 1.3%. Macedonian, however, was underrepresented at 0.6% compared to the regional figure of 1.9%.

Albion Park Rail's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Albion Park Rail is 40 years, which is slightly below Rest of NSW's average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 age group is over-represented locally at 15.9%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 45-54 year-olds are under-represented at 10.2%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25-34 age group has increased from 13.3% to 15.9%, and the 75-84 cohort has grown from 6.6% to 7.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 13.4% to 12.0%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 11.4% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Albion Park Rail, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to expand by 133 people (12%), from 1,098 to 1,232. Meanwhile, the 45-54 and 5-14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.