Kensington (NSW)
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Kensington NSW's population was 14,302 as of August 2025, reflecting a 21.1% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 11,809 people. This growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data: 14,318 in June 2024 and four additional validated addresses since the Census date. Kensington's population density was 5,417 persons per square kilometer as of August 2025, placing it in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. This growth exceeded both state (6.4%) and SA4 region averages, driven primarily by overseas migration contributing approximately 96.1% of overall population gains. AreaSearch's projections for Kensington use ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered areas, and NSW State Government SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for uncovered areas. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041.

Based on these projections, Kensington's population is forecasted to increase significantly within the top quartile nationally, growing by 4,422 persons to reach a total of 18,724 by 2041, marking a 31.0% overall gain over the 17-year period.

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

Kensington has recorded approximately 37 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 188 homes approved over the past five financial years between FY21 and FY25, and none recorded so far in FY26. The area's population decline has led to adequate development activity relative to its size, benefiting buyers while developers focus on premium properties with an average construction cost of $878,000. This year, $44.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating robust local business investment.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Kensington has slightly more development per person over the past five years (13.0% above regional average), balancing buyer choice with support for current property values. However, this is below national average, suggesting maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 8.0% detached houses and 92.0% medium and high-density housing, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers in the established area with approximately 423 people per dwelling approval. Looking ahead, Kensington is expected to grow by 4,438 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Looking ahead, Kensington is expected to grow by 4,438 residents through to 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Area performance is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 59 such projects that may impact the area. Notable ones include Green Square Town Centre, Meriton's Green Square Epsom Road Development, The Kensington developed by TOGA, and Anson Group's Anzac Parade Residential Development. Below is a list of those likely to be most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Kensington exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Kensington, NSW, has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 3.4% in June 2025, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.9%. As of June 2025, 8,737 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 0.8% lower than Greater Sydney's and workforce participation similar to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Major employment sectors in Kensington are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training, with notable concentration in the latter at 1.5 times the regional average. Manufacturing shows lower representation at 2.7% versus the regional average of 5.7%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.8, indicating above-average local employment opportunities. In the year to June 2025, employment increased by 2.9%, labour force grew by 2.4%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's growth rates of 2.6% for employment and 2.9% for labour force, and a rise in unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. State-wide, NSW experienced a 0.41% contraction in employment to Sep-25 (losing 19,270 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kensington's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on 30 June 2022, Kensington had a median income among taxpayers of $57,559 with the average level standing at $88,129. This is one of the highest in Australia and compares to levels of $56,994 and $80,856 across Greater Sydney respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% from financial year 2022 to March 2025, current estimates would be approximately $63,660 (median) and $97,471 (average). From the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Data (released on 28 June 2021), household, family and personal incomes in Kensington cluster around the 73rd percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 32.2% of the community (4,605 individuals). The district demonstrates considerable affluence with 32.9% earning over $3,000 per week. High housing costs consume 19.1% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 68th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Kensington features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Kensington's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 20.5% houses and 79.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 26.9% houses and 73.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kensington stood at 24.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.0% and rented ones at 56.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,800, lower than Sydney metro's average of $3,033. Median weekly rent in Kensington was $500, slightly higher than Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Kensington's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,800 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher at $500 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 59.7% of all households, including 23.0% couples with children, 27.1% couples without children, and 7.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 40.3%, with lone person households at 30.6% and group households comprising 9.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.4.

Kensington shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Kensington's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 51% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 32%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational pathways account for nearly 20% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.7% and certificates at 10.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 39.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 21.9% in tertiary education, 6.3% in primary education, and 4.5% pursuing secondary education. Kensington's four schools have a combined enrollment of 1,570 students. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1115. Education provision is balanced, with three primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 40 active transport stops operating within Kensington. These comprise a mix of light rail and bus services. They are served by 25 individual routes, collectively providing 10,236 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent with residents typically located 120 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 1,462 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 255 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kensington's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Kensington shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 64% (9,124 people) have private health cover, compared to 70.6% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 7.0% and 6.1% of residents respectively.

Around 77.2% report being free from medical ailments, slightly higher than the 76.0% in Greater Sydney. Kensington has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.7% (1,533 people), compared to 15.1% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors align with those of the general population.

Kensington is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kensington's population has a high level of linguistic diversity, with 41.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Born overseas, 47.7% of Kensington residents contribute to its cultural richness. Christianity is the dominant religion in Kensington, practiced by 43.7%.

While Judaism represents only 3.6%, it is higher compared to Greater Sydney's 0.9%. The top three ancestry groups are Other (16.5%), English (16.0%), and Australian (14.6%). Notably, Russian (1.0%) and Spanish (1.0%) have a slightly higher representation in Kensington than the regional averages of 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively. Greek ancestry is also more prevalent at 4.8%.

Kensington hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Kensington's median age is 30 years, which is younger than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Kensington has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (30.3%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (6.3%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 12.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that younger residents have lowered Kensington's median age by 2.5 years to 30. Notably, the proportion of 15-24 year-olds has increased from 21.3% to 30.3%, while the proportions of 45-54 year-olds and 55-64 year-olds have decreased to 8.4% and 6.7% respectively from their previous figures of 10.3% and 8.5%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic shifts in Kensington, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 age cohort at 32%, adding 981 residents to reach a total of 4,091.