Kiama Downs - Minnamurra

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

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's population was 5,964 as of November 2025, a decrease of 99 people from the 2021 Census figure of 6,063. This is inferred from an estimated resident population of 5,959 in June 2024 and four additional validated addresses since the Census date. The population density was approximately 821 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed around 52.6% of overall population gains during recent periods. Population projections for SA2 areas are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the former.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is expected to expand by 179 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of approximately 2.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Kiama Downs - Minnamurra, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra has averaged approximately 16 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending June 2021, totalling 80 homes. As of June 2021, five approvals have been recorded in FY-26. The area has experienced population decline, yet development activity has been adequate relative to its size.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $647,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Compared to the rest of NSW, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra has significantly less development activity, 70.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 71.0% detached houses and 29.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. This shows a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently 92.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.

The estimated population per dwelling approval as of June 2021 is 462 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is expected to grow by 174 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate released in Q2 2021. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely to affect the region. Notable projects include Bombo Precinct, Akuna Street Mixed-Use Development, Shoalhaven Street Precinct, and New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services. The following details those most relevant:.

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The labour market in Kiama Downs - Minnamurra shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra has an educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.0% as of June 2025, lower than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.4%. In June 2025, 3,059 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 59.0%, similar to the Rest of NSW's rate of 56.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area specializes in education & training, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, but has lower representation in agriculture, forestry & fishing at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 5.3%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 1.4%, labour force grew by 0.7%, and unemployment rate fell by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.1% with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate during the same period. State-level data to Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by similar rates over the same periods, assuming no significant changes in population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 indicates that Kiama Downs - Minnamurra SA2 has incomes above the national average. The median income is $52,631 and the average is $76,721. In comparison, Rest of NSW's median income is $49,459 with an average of $62,998. By September 2025, adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 12.61%, estimated incomes would be approximately $59,268 (median) and $86,396 (average). According to Census 2021 data, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's household, family, and personal incomes are at the 64th percentile nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is dominant, with 31.6% of residents (1,884 people). After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's dwellings were 91.5% houses and 8.5% other types at the latest Census. Non-Metro NSW had 79.0% houses and 21.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kiama Downs - Minnamammura was 48.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.5% and rented ones at 13.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $2,167. Weekly rent was $490 in Kiama Downs - Minnamamura, versus Non-Metro NSW's $430. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 81.7% of all households, including 37.5% couples with children, 34.9% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 18.3%, with lone person households at 17.1% and group households at 1.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Kiama Downs - Minnamurra shows that 30.8% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 19.9% in the broader SA3 area and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 40.3% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 13.2% and certificates at 27.1%. Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.0% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra has 89 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus routes. These stops are covered by 15 individual routes that collectively facilitate 1,586 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 103 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 226 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 17 weekly trips per stop.

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, exhibiting typical levels of common health conditions across both young and elderly residents. Approximately 58% (~3,447 people) have private health cover, compared to 52.7% in the rest of NSW.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.3%) and mental health issues (7.9%). About 68.0% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 65.2% in the rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.1% (1,557 people), compared to 20.9% in the rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, surpassing those of the general population in health metrics.

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Kiama Downs-Minnamurra had a low cultural diversity, with 87.1% born in Australia, 92.6% being citizens, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 53.8%, compared to 57.3% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.1%), Australian (29.1%), and Scottish (10.0%).

Notably, Macedonian (0.4%) and Irish (9.8%) groups were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 1.9% and 7.6%, respectively. Maltese was also slightly overrepresented at 0.6%.

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's median age of 44 years is similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (15.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.3%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2016 and 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group grew from 10.7% to 13.1%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 5.7% to 8.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 14.4% to 11.5%, and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 8.5% to 6.3%. By 2041, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 31%, reaching 627 people from 478. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to decrease in population.