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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Kariong is $1.08m, with units at $842k. House values have moved 4.7% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Kariong has an estimated 6,388 residents, down from 6,485 at the 2021 Census — a change of 97 people, or 1.5%. The population has thinned by an average 0.5% a year over five years, slower than 97% of areas nationally. That puts 769 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Kariong stands at approximately 6,388 as of May 2026. This represents a reduction of 97 people (1.5%) from the 6,485 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,388 combined with 6 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The resulting population density is 768 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with the typical averages of other studied locations. The primary driver of population increase was natural growth, which accounted for roughly 58.1% of all population gains in recent times.
AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for each SA2 unit, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 regions lacking this coverage, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 base year are substituted. Age bracket growth trends derived from these sources are extended to all areas for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Based on these demographic forecasts, expansion is projected to match the lower quartile of national statistical zones, with the local population expected to rise by 6 individuals by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a long-term growth of 0.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
34 new dwellings have been approved in Kariong over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 1.0 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Dwelling approvals in Kariong have run at an annual average of about 6, producing a total of 34 new homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 8 approvals have been registered. With the local population contracting, this level of new supply has likely matched demand to provide buyers with sufficient options, while these new builds carry an average construction value of $248,000—a figure below the regional standard that indicates more economical building options. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $284,000 during the current financial year, highlighting the primarily residential character of the suburb.
Compared against the wider Greater Sydney region, building approvals in Kariong are quiet, running 72.0% below the regional per capita average. This limited addition of new stock generally supports the value and demand for established homes. The local rate of approval is also lower than the national benchmark, indicating a mature market and potential development limitations. Detached houses account for 80.0% of the new building activity, while townhouses or apartments make up the remaining 20.0%, preserving the established low-density aesthetic of the area which favors families seeking extra space. The ratio of residents to new construction is highlighted by an estimated 1481 people in the area per dwelling approval, confirming a low-intensity building sector. Looking forward, demographic forecasts indicate Kariong will add 6 residents by 2041 when measured against the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Under current construction trends, the volume of new residential approvals is set to comfortably accommodate this demand, sustaining favorable purchasing conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth above the baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kariong
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 100 current infrastructure and development projects close to Kariong, worth an estimated $5.24 billion. 15 are already under construction and 42 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions represent significant drivers of neighborhood change. Currently, AreaSearch has identified 0 major projects expected to influence the local area. Key regional projects of potential relevance include the Northside Private Hospital, the redevelopment of Gosford Private Hospital, the upgrade of the Pacific Highway and Manns Road, and the Gosford Bypass.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
10 Young Street Mixed-Use Development
The 10 Young Street development in West Gosford is a mixed-use commercial, light industrial, and self-storage precinct delivered by Stevens Group with direct Central Coast Highway exposure. The project includes commercial showrooms, light industrial trade units, specialised storage facilities, food tenancies, and on-grade customer parking. Construction works are actively progressing on-site.
Central Coast Highway and Racecourse Road Flooding Improvements
Transport for NSW, in partnership with Central Coast Council, is delivering major flood mitigation and stormwater drainage upgrades at the intersection of Central Coast Highway and Racecourse Road in West Gosford. The project installs large-capacity box culverts, pit upgrades, road regrading, and dedicated underground bypass pipes to eliminate severe road flooding. Civil drainage works are actively progressing.
West Gosford Sewer Rising Main Replacement
A major water and sewer infrastructure renewal project by Central Coast Council replacing critical sections of the West Gosford sewer rising main to prevent pipe failures and support future population growth.
Adcock Park Sporting and Recreation Complex - Stage 2
Stage 2 redevelopment of Adcock Park, involving the construction of five new netball courts, installation of competition-standard sports field lighting, 550 on-grade parking spaces, new access roads, and upgraded footpaths to enhance regional sporting facilities.
Gosford and West Gosford Housing Rezoning Scheme
A major NSW Government planning initiative covering 283 hectares across Gosford and West Gosford to update planning controls, enable increased housing density, and support up to 1,900 new homes and public domain upgrades.
Gosford Waterfront to Point Clare Shared Pathway
Delivery of a 1km long, 4.5m wide over-water pedestrian and cycle boardwalk adjacent to the railway line over Brisbane Water, connecting Grahame Park at the Gosford waterfront to Goodaywang Reserve in Point Clare.
Central Coast Quarter
Central Coast Quarter is a landmark mixed-use waterfront precinct transforming the former Gosford Primary School site. Stage 1, known as 'The Waterfront', reached completion in early 2026 and features 134 luxury apartments. As of March 2026, revised plans for Stage 2 (East and South towers) have been proposed as a State Significant Development, seeking to increase heights to 36 and 42 storeys to provide approximately 394 additional dwellings, including 98 affordable housing units, and a 152-room hotel above a retail podium.
West Gosford Regional Bus Depot Development
Development of a major regional bus depot facility featuring an administration and operational control centre, maintenance workshop bays, refuelling stanchions, automated bus wash, and hardstand parking for up to 96 buses alongside 113 staff and visitor car spaces.
3,757 residents of Kariong are employed, from a labour force of 3,853. Unemployment sits at 2.5%, with participation at 76.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,143, about 81% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is characterized by a strong presence of skilled workers and essential services employees, alongside an unemployment rate of just 2.5% and a 3.2% rise in estimated employment over the preceding year. In March 2026, working residents numbered 3,757, while the local unemployment rate sat 1.6% lower than the 4.1% rate recorded across Greater Sydney. Labor force participation is exceptionally high, reaching 76.3% compared to the 69.1% average for Greater Sydney. Census responses indicated that a notable 30.2% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure should be viewed in light of Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The local workforce is heavily concentrated in health care & social assistance, matching 1.2 times the representation seen regionally. Conversely, the professional & technical services sector is underrepresented, employing 6.7% of the local workforce compared to 11.5% in Greater Sydney. The relationship between the resident labor force and local job numbers suggests the area offers limited employment opportunities within its own boundaries. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that for the year ending March 2026, the number of employed persons grew by 3.2% and the total labor force expanded by 3.4%, leading to a 0.3 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 1.9% and labor force growth of 1.9%, accompanied by a minor decline. National employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide context for future labor demand in Kariong. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors vary widely. Projecting these trends onto the occupational mix of Kariong suggests local employment would rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kariong is $2,200 a week (about $114,000 a year), with median personal income at $850 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $59,505 a year against an average of $74,984. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on the latest postcode-level ATO statistics released for the 2023 financial year, the median income of taxpayers in the Kariong SA2 is $59,505, with an average of $74,984. This exceeds the national average, comparing to a median of $60,817 and average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates correspond to approximately $65,646 for the median and $82,722 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household income is positioned at the 78th percentile ($2,200 weekly), and individual personal income sits at the 59th percentile.
Income distribution statistics show that 39.9% of the community (2,548 individuals) falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, which compares to 30.9% for the broader region. Housing costs absorb 16.0% of earnings, yet strong overall income keeps disposable household funds at the 77th percentile, while the SEIFA index places the area in the 6th decile for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kariong had 2,093 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 1% apartments. 52% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 25% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,080 a month, a total housing cost higher than 82% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 20.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the local housing stock is composed of 92.2% separate houses and 7.8% other dwelling types like apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative housing, compared to the Sydney metropolitan breakdown of 55.9% separate houses and 44.1% alternative dwellings. Home ownership rates in Kariong trail the metropolitan average at 25.1%, with the rest of the properties being purchasing via a mortgage (52.3%) or rented (22.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,080, which is below the Sydney metropolitan average of $2,427, while the median weekly rent was $450 compared to the metropolitan median of $470.
On a national level, mortgage costs in Kariong are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also higher than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kariong counted 2,093 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.0 people each. 45% are couples with children, more than in 88% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 15% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 82.9%, consisting of couples with children at 44.5%, couples without children at 24.4%, and single-parent households at 13.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 17.1%, comprising lone person households at 15.1% and group households at 2.0%. The median household size stands at 3.0 people, exceeding the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
20.7% of adults in Kariong hold a university qualification, including 15.0% with a bachelor degree and 3.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.2% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 1,933 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 945 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The community exhibits lower levels of higher education, with university qualification rates at 20.7%, which is below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This highlights a potential area for targeted educational programs. Among university graduates, Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications in these areas, split between advanced diplomas (12.7%) and certificates (29.2%). A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 32.2% of residents enrolled in an educational program.
This cohort includes 11.4% in primary school, 9.7% in secondary school, and 3.9% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Kariong reaches 35 stops on 27 routes, timetabled for about 440 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of local transit options shows 35 public transport stops located within Kariong, consisting of bus services. These stops support 27 distinct bus routes that provide a combined 443 weekly passenger trips. Transport convenience is rated highly, with the average home situated 199 meters from the closest stop. Given the residential focus of the suburb, most working residents travel out of the area for employment, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 92%. Average household vehicle ownership is 1.8 cars per home, which sits above the regional average.
Census data from 2021 shows that 30.2% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions. Across all transit routes, services run at an average frequency of 63 trips per day, which translates to roughly 12 weekly services for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.2% of residents in Kariong report no long-term health condition. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessments of mortality rates and chronic health conditions by AreaSearch indicate notable health difficulties within the suburb, with common ailments observed across both older and younger demographics, while private health insurance coverage is high, encompassing roughly 57% of the population (~3,615 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 59.9% across Greater Sydney. Mental health concerns and asthma represent the most frequent medical issues, affecting 9.3 and 8.9% of local residents, respectively, whereas 69.2% of the population reported no chronic health conditions, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Residents of working age display a higher than average rate of chronic illnesses.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 13.8% of the local population (879 people), which is lower than the Greater Sydney average of 15.5%. Health outcomes for this senior cohort present some challenges, with national indicators generally matching the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kariong is largely Australian-born, at 81.0% of residents, with 11.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (30.4%) and English (28.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The cultural background of the suburb is comparable to regional averages, with Australian-born residents making up 81.0% of the population, citizens accounting for 91.2%, and monolingual English speakers representing 88.9%. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 51.4% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation relative to the broader metropolitan area is found in Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of residents compared to 0.8% in Greater Sydney. In terms of parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are Australian at 30.4% (substantially higher than the regional average of 17.8%), English at 28.4% (substantially higher than the regional average of 19.0%), and Irish at 7.2%.
Notable differences also occur in other ancestries, with Russian ancestry representing 0.5% of the population (compared to 0.4% regionally), Lebanese ancestry at 0.9% (compared to 2.6% regionally), and Welsh ancestry at 0.7% (compared to 0.4% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kariong is 36. 26.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age in the suburb is 36 years, closely matching the Greater Sydney average of 37 and slightly below the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, the area has a larger proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (14.6%) but fewer young adults aged 25 - 34 (11.8%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 grew from 6.4% to 8.2%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 14.9% to 13.8%, and the 35 to 44 age bracket dropped from 14.4% to 13.4%.
Demographic models indicate the age profile will change by 2041, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to increase by 97% to reach 496 residents, adding 243 people. Seniors aged 65+ are expected to account for 100% of net population growth, highlighting local aging trends, whereas the 25 to 34 and 45 to 54 cohorts are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kariong
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 6 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,485 at the 2021 Census → 6,388 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (102011033). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.