Katoomba - Leura
Statistical Area - sa2

Katoomba - Leura is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Katoomba-Leura's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 13,531, reflecting a 1.4% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 13,348. This growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 13,439 in June 2024 and an additional 78 validated new addresses since then. The population density is around 331 persons per square kilometer. Katoomba-Leura's growth rate exceeded the SA3 area average of 1.2%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth. 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. Based on the latest numbers, Katoomba-Leura is projected to grow by approximately 1,384 persons by 2041, a gain of around 9.5% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Katoomba - Leura according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Katoomba-Leura has seen approximately 47 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 236 homes were approved, with an additional 6 approved so far in FY26. Despite population decline during this period, new supply appears to have kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice.

The average expected construction cost value for these homes is $260,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. This financial year has seen $4.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Katoomba-Leura has 75.0% more new home approvals per person, reflecting greater choice for buyers. However, this activity remains below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New building activity in Katoomba-Leura consists of 65.0% detached houses and 35.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. This marks a shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 84.0% houses, potentially indicating diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

With around 319 people per dwelling approval, Katoomba-Leura exhibits characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts project an increase of 1,291 residents by 2041. Current development levels appear aligned with future requirements, suggesting stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Katoomba - Leura has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects potentially impacting this region. Key projects are: Katoomba Cultural Centre and Civic Precinct Upgrade, Katoomba Town Centre Upgrade, Echo Point Precinct Upgrade, and Lilypad Katoomba. The following details those most relevant.

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

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.9%, Katoomba - Leura has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Katoomba-Leura has a well-educated workforce with an unemployment rate of 3.9% as of June 2025. There are 6,590 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation is at 51.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries for employment among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food. The area has a particular specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level. Finance & insurance is under-represented, with only 2.2% of Katoomba-Leura's workforce compared to 7.3% in Greater Sydney.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.3%, employment decreased by 2.0%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Katoomba-Leura's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 shows median income in Katoomba - Leura was $44,833, with average income at $61,499. This compares to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% from financial year ending June 2022 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $50,486 (median) and $69,254 (average). Census data reveals household, family, and personal incomes in Katoomba - Leura fall between the 16th and 26th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 26.0% of residents earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 14th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Katoomba - Leura is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Katoomba-Leura, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.8% houses and 16.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 92.3% houses and 7.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Katoomba-Leura was 41.1%, with the rest being mortgaged (29.5%) or rented (29.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, lower than Sydney metro's $2,033 and Australia's average of $1,863. The median weekly rent was $380, higher than Sydney metro's $400 but below the national figure of $375.

Katoomba - Leura features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 57.1% of all households, including 17.7% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 42.9%, with lone person households at 38.5% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Katoomba - Leura exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Katoomba-Leura has a higher proportion of residents aged 15+ with university qualifications compared to broader regions. 37.7% have such qualifications, versus 23.9% in the SA4 region and 30.4% nationwide. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.2%) and graduate diplomas (4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them.

Advanced diplomas account for 12.8% and certificates for 20%. A significant 24.8% of the population is actively pursuing education, including 7.5% in primary, 6.7% in secondary, and 4.7% in tertiary levels. The area's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,524 students, reflecting typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1032). Education provision is balanced with four primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents stand at 11.3, below the regional average of 14.5, indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas.

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

Katoomba-Leura has 215 active public transport stops, served by 46 routes offering 3,112 weekly trips. This results in an average of 14 weekly trips per stop and 444 daily trips across all routes. Residents are typically located 242 meters from the nearest stop.

Transport accessibility is rated good.

Health performance in Katoomba - Leura is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Katoomba-Leura faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 51% of its total population (~6,846 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 54.4%.

Mental health issues affect 11.2% of residents, while arthritis impacts 9.7%. About 62.0% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Sydney's 64.1%. The area has 29.5% of residents aged 65 and over (3,992 people), higher than Greater Sydney's 24.3%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Katoomba - Leura was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Katoomba-Leura, surveyed in 2016, had a cultural diversity index of 10.2%, with 24.1% of its population born overseas. Christianity was the dominant religion, accounting for 36.5%. Judaism, at 0.5%, was overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney's 0.2%.

In terms of ancestry, English (29.5%) and Irish (12.2%) were the top groups, while Australian (20.9%) was lower than the regional average of 25.9%. Hungarian (0.6%), Scottish (9.7%), and Polish (1.1%) groups were notably overrepresented compared to regional averages.

Katoomba - Leura ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Katoomba-Leura's median age is 50 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's 37 and the national average of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Katoomba-Leura has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (16.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (8.1%). The 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 8.0% to 10.1%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 8.9% to 10.4%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 9.2% to 8.1%. By 2041, Katoomba-Leura is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 group will grow by 55%, reaching 2,115 from 1,366. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 88% of the anticipated growth. Both the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to decrease in number.