Albion Park Rail

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Albion Park Rail's population is around 6,986 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 66 people (1.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,920 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,839 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 974 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of Australia's regional areas is anticipated, with the area expected to expand by 124 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a decrease of 0.3% in total 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 has averaged around 36 new dwelling approvals per year, totalling 181 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. As the area has experienced population decline, new supply has likely been keeping up with demand, offering good choice to buyers, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $273,000—below regional norms—reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers. Additionally, $16.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, demonstrating 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 while it places among the 75th percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity shows 15.0% detached dwellings and 85.0% attached dwellings. This skew toward compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shows a considerable change from the current housing mix (currently 78.0% houses), reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With around 168 people per dwelling approval, Albion Park Rail shows characteristics of a low density area.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Albion Park Rail should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Albion Park Rail has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 21 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Regional Multi-Sports, Aquatics & Leisure Facility, Albion Park Rail Industrial Estate Development, Shellharbour Airport Master Plan Upgrades, and Park Central Bulky Goods Complex, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Albion Park Rail faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Albion Park Rail has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 10.1%, and 1.4% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 3,024 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 6.2% above Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Based on Census responses, a moderate 15.6% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Leading employment industries among residents comprise health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area shows particularly strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level. Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry & fishing has a limited presence with 0.3% employment compared to 5.3% regionally. While local employment opportunities exist in the area, it appears many residents commute elsewhere for work, based on the count of Census working population to local population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 1.4% while the labour force increased by 0.4%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.9 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment contracted by 1.2%, the labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Albion Park Rail. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Albion Park Rail's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Albion Park Rail SA2's median income among taxpayers is $58,771, with an average of $68,424. This is approximately average nationally, and compares to Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $63,978 (median) and $74,486 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Albion Park Rail all fall between the 16th and 29th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 34.5% of residents (2,410 people), reflecting patterns seen at regional levels where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 25th percentile.

Albion Park Rail is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure within Albion Park Rail, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 78.1% houses and 21.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Albion Park Rail lagged that of Regional NSW, at 34.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (37.9%) or rented (27.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Regional NSW average at $1,820, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $390, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, Albion Park Rail's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceed the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 72.3% of all households, comprising 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% of the total. The median household size of 2.5 people is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (10.1%) substantially below the NSW average of 32.2%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 7.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 46.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (36.4%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 83 active transport stops operating within Albion Park Rail, comprising a mix of trains and buses. These stops are serviced by 50 individual routes, collectively providing 1,785 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 115 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. Some 15.6% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 255 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 21 weekly trips per individual 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

Critical health challenges are evident across Albion Park Rail, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. A range of health conditions have marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover just leads the average SA2 area at approximately 53% of the total population (~3,723 people).

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 11.3% and 11.0% of residents, respectively, while 57.3% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,543 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with 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 was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 84.3% of its population born in Australia, 91.1% being citizens, and 93.5% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Albion Park Rail is Christianity, which makes up 55.5% of the population. This compares to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Albion Park Rail are English, comprising 30.8% of the population, Australian, comprising 30.0% of the population, and Scottish, comprising 7.6% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Spanish is notably overrepresented at 0.8% of Albion Park Rail (vs 0.3% regionally), Maltese at 1.3% (vs 0.4%) and Macedonian at 0.6% (vs 0.4%).

Albion Park Rail's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The 40-year median age in Albion Park Rail is modestly under Regional NSW's average of 43 though slightly above the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Regional NSW average, the 25 - 34 cohort is notably over-represented (16.3% locally), while 45 - 54 year-olds are under-represented (9.8%). Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 13.3% to 16.3% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 6.6% to 8.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 13.4% to 11.7% and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 11.4% to 9.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Albion Park Rail. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to see notable expansion, expanding by 109 people (20%) from 558 to 668. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.