Kiama
Statistical Area - sa2

Kiama lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Kiama's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 9,357. This figure represents an increase of 571 people, a growth rate of 6.5%, since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 8,786. The change can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,015 as of June 2024 and an additional 165 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 675 persons per square kilometer. Kiama's growth rate exceeded that of the non-metro area (4.8%) and its SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader. The population increase was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 53.2% to overall gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 using a base year of 2021 are adopted. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Kiama is forecasted to experience significant population growth in the top quartile of national regional areas. By 2041, the area's population is expected to increase by 2,180 persons, reflecting a total increase of 19.6% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Kiama when compared nationally

Kiama averaged approximately 64 new dwelling approvals annually over the past six years. Between FY21 and FY25321 homes were approved, with an additional 20 approved in FY26 as of current data. Each year, about 1.9 people moved to Kiama for each dwelling built during these five financial years.

This balance between supply and demand has maintained stable market conditions while new properties are constructed at an average value of $606,000, which is moderately higher than regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. In FY26, $3.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting Kiama's residential character. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Kiama has 16.0% lower construction activity per person and ranks at the 48th percentile nationally, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings.

Recent construction consists of 59.0% detached houses and 41.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding medium-density housing options across various price brackets. The estimated population density is 369 people per dwelling approval, reflecting Kiama's quiet development environment. Future projections indicate Kiama will add approximately 1,837 residents by 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Kiama has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Eleven projects are identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Significant among these are Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan Infrastructure project, Akuna Street Mixed Use Development, Akuna Street Mixed-Use Development, and South Kiama Urban Release Area. The following details those expected to be most relevant.

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

AreaSearch assessment positions Kiama ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Kiama has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.2% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.2% over the past year.

In Kiama, 4,131 residents were in work by June 2025, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. The workforce participation rate was 50.0%, significantly lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors among Kiama residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, education & training has a high concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.0% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population data. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 1.2%, while labour force grew by 0.8%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.1%, labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lags behind national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kiama's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7%% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Kiama's median income among taxpayers is $48,200. The average income is $70,261. This is above the national average. Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Kiama's median and average incomes are approximately $53,309 and $77,709 respectively as of March 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 41st percentile in Kiama. Family income ranks at the 46th percentile, while personal income is at the 48th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 29.8% of residents (2,788 people). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 42nd percentile. Kiama's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Kiama displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Kiama's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 58.8% houses and 41.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 79.0% houses and 21.0% other dwellings. Kiama's home ownership level was 49.0%, with the rest being mortgaged (28.0%) or rented (23.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kiama was $2,167, matching Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $480, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $430. Nationally, Kiama's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $480 compared to the national figure of $375.

Kiama has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.5% of all households, consisting of 24.4% couples with children, 37.3% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.5%, with lone person households at 27.4% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

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

Kiama's educational attainment significantly exceeds broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 34.4% hold university qualifications, compared to 19.9% in SA3 area and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. This educational advantage positions Kiama strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 22.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.3%).

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.9%) and certificates (23.9%). Educational participation is notably high, with 25.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 6.3% in secondary education, and 4.1% pursuing tertiary education. Kiama's four schools have a combined enrollment reaching 1,496 students while the area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1065). Education provision is balanced with three primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

Kiama has 78 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 27 distinct routes, together facilitating 3592 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average proximity of 155 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency stands at 513 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 46 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Kiima faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 54% (~5,090 people) have private health cover, a rate higher than the national average. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.1%) and asthma (6.9%). Conversely, 64.5% of residents report being free from ailments, compared to 65.2% in Rest of NSW. Kiima has a larger elderly population, with 31.8% (2,979 people) aged 65 and over, compared to the national average of 20.9%. Health outcomes among seniors in Kiima are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Kiama's population shows lower cultural diversity, with 81.0% born in Australia, 90.8% being citizens, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kiama, practiced by 55.2%, compared to 57.3% regionally. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.0%), Australian (26.3%), and Irish (11.2%).

Notably, Welsh (0.8%) and Scottish (9.0%) groups are overrepresented in Kiama compared to regional averages of 0.7% and 7.2%, respectively. Maltese representation is lower at 0.9% compared to the regional average of 1.3%.

Kiama ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Kiama is 50, surpassing Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and the national average of 38. The percentage of residents aged 65-74, at 16.2%, exceeds both Rest of NSW's figure and the national average of 9.4%. Conversely, Kiama has a lower proportion of residents aged 15-24, at 8.9%. Post-2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group increased from 10.5% to 11.6%, while the 55 to 64 cohort decreased from 15.0% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Kiama's age profile. The 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 327 people (36%), reaching 1,245 residents from an initial 917. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to increase by a modest 5%, adding 44 people to its total.