Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena

An assessment of population growth drivers in Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena's population is 25,676 as of May 2026. Between the 2021 Census and this date, there has been an increase of 1,302 people (5.3%). This growth is inferred from ABS figures: a June 2025 estimated resident population of 25,614 plus validated new addresses since the Census. The population density is 1,023 persons per square kilometer. This area's growth exceeded its SA4 region's average (5.0%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 80.8% to recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 980 persons, reflecting a total gain of 3.6% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena recorded approximately 144 residential property approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25724 homes were approved, with a further 69 approved in FY26 as of now. The average number of new residents per year per dwelling constructed over these five years was 0.9.

This indicates that new construction is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering buyers more options and potentially supporting population growth beyond current expectations. The average expected construction cost value for new properties is $725,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment by developers. In FY26, commercial approvals have reached $86.3 million, indicating strong commercial development momentum in the area. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena shows 15.0% lower construction activity per person but ranks among the 76th percentile of areas assessed nationally. New developments consist of 17.0% standalone homes and 83.0% attached dwellings, reflecting a trend towards denser development that provides accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers.

This shift is notable compared to the area's existing housing stock, which is currently 37.0% houses. With around 167 people per approval, Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is forecasted to gain 918 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence performance. AreaSearch identified 47 projects impacting the area. Notable projects are VUE Cronulla, Palm Cronulla, Isla Cronulla, and 3 Ewos Parade Cronulla. The following details projects most relevant.

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.

The labour market in Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.0%. As of December 2025, there are 15,415 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%, lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation is at 71.2%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 68.8%. Home-based work was high at 42.3% in the Census, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant sectors include construction, healthcare & social assistance, and professional services. Construction shows strong specialization with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

Retail trade has lower representation at 7.2%, compared to the regional average of 9.3%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited, indicated by the working population versus resident population count. Between December 2024 and 2025, employment increased by 1.0% while labour force grew by 0.7%, reducing unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. Greater Sydney saw higher employment growth of 2.2%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, May-25, project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for the financial year ended June 2023, Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $68,276 and an average level of $103,796. Nationally, this places it in the top percentile. In Greater Sydney, these figures are $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since June 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $75,322 (median) and $114,508 (average). The 2021 Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena rank highly nationally, between the 72nd and 87th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 32.8% of the population, or 8,421 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the metropolitan region where 30.9% occupy this bracket. Higher earners make up a substantial presence with 32.0% exceeding $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 16.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 71st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena, as per the latest Census evaluation, 36.7% of dwellings were houses while 63.3% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena stood at 35.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.7% and rented ones at 36.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,600, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in the area was $500, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,600 against Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375 per week.

Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.8% of all households, including 24.8% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.2%, with lone person households at 31.0% and group households making up 4.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational qualifications in the Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena trail region show that 32.8% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to Greater Sydney's 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.4% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 13.5% and certificates at 24.9%. Educational participation is high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 7.4% in primary, 6.6% in secondary, and 4.8% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.4% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 4.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena has 149 active public transport stops offering a mix of ferry, train, and bus services. These are served by 27 routes, facilitating 4,694 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 139 meters from the nearest stop. The area being predominantly residential, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 84%, while trains account for 6% and walking for 5%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 42.3% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 670 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 31 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups. Private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 72% of the total population (18,563 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.0 and 6.4% of residents respectively. 72.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents had low chronic condition prevalence. As of 2021, the area had 24.2% of residents aged 65 and over (6,211 people), higher than the 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cronulla-Kurnell-Bundeena has a cultural diversity score below average, with 82.2% of its residents born in Australia, 89.9% being citizens, and 91.0% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, practiced by 56.5% of the population, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. For ancestry, the top groups are English (29.9%, regional average: 19.0%), Australian (25.0%, regional average: 17.8%), and Irish (10.9%).

Notably, French (0.7% vs regional 0.5%) and Maltese (0.8% vs regional 1.0%) are overrepresented, while Russian remains at the regional level (0.4%).

Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 13.5% of the population compared to Greater Sydney, while the 35-44 age group makes up 11.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.7% to 7.9%, and the 65 to 74 cohort has increased from 11.7% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 13.1% to 11.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Cronulla - Kurnell - Bundeena, with the 75 to 84 age group expected to grow by 54%, reaching 3,120 people from 2,023. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 94% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 45 to 54 and 15 to 24 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.