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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
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Sales Activity
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Population
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 is 5,964 as of November 2025. This shows a decrease of 99 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,063. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 5,959 in June 2024 and 4 additional validated addresses since the Census date. Population density is 821 persons per square kilometer, aligning with averages across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.6% of overall population gains recently.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For uncovered areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth of Australia's regional areas, with an expected expansion of 179 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 2.9% over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
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, totalling 80 homes. As of FY26, there have been 5 approvals recorded. Despite population decline in the area, development activity has been adequate relative to its size, which is beneficial for buyers.
The average construction cost value of new properties is $506,000, indicating that developers are targeting 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. Development activity is also below national averages, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 71.0% detached houses and 29.0% medium to 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 addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.
The estimated population per dwelling approval in the area is 462 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is expected to grow by 174 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
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 that could affect this region: Bombo Precinct, Akuna Street Mixed-Use Development, Shoalhaven Street Precinct, and New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services
A $780+ million redevelopment delivering a new multi-storey Shellharbour Hospital at Dunmore with expanded emergency department, specialist elective surgery theatres, paediatrics, mental health inpatient unit, rehabilitation and aged care services, renal dialysis, oncology, ambulatory care and outpatients. The project also includes a new Warrawong Community Health Centre and upgrades to Bulli and Wollongong hospitals. Main construction works are well underway with practical completion expected in late 2027.
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
The Australian Government declared a 1,022 square kilometre offshore wind zone between Wombarra and Kiama on June 15, 2024, reduced from the initial proposal to address community and environmental concerns. It is located at least 20 km offshore and has the potential to generate up to 2.9 GW of renewable energy, enough to power 1.8 million homes. Feasibility Licence applications were open until August 15, 2024. However, the one application received has been paused, and other potential developers (BlueFloat Energy, Equinor/Oceanex) have withdrawn interest, leaving the future of the zone uncertain, but the area remains declared.
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
Commonwealth-declared offshore wind zone located 20-45 km off the Illawarra coast between Wombarra and Kiama, NSW. Covers 1,022 kmý with potential for approximately 2.9 GW of generation capacity. Declared on 15 June 2024. Feasibility licence applications closed 15 August 2024. As of December 2025, the Minister granted the first feasibility licence to Corio Generation Australia for the full 1,022 kmý area on 12 December 2025, marking the first offshore wind licence awarded in Australia.
Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
State-wide NSW planning reforms via amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy to enable more diverse low and mid-rise housing (dual occupancies, terraces, townhouses, manor houses and residential flat buildings up to 6 storeys) in well-located areas within 800 m of selected train, metro and light-rail stations and town centres. Stage 1 (dual occupancies in R2 zones statewide) commenced 1 July 2024. Stage 2 (mid-rise apartments, terraces and dual occupancies near stations) commenced 28 February 2025. Expected to facilitate up to 112,000 additional homes over the next five years.
Springside Hill
Springside Hill is a proposed 114-hectare masterplanned community in West Kiama featuring approximately 1200 low to medium density homes, with 25% reserved for affordable housing, essential workers, first home buyers and local residents. The development includes over 9,700 square metres of commercially zoned land for neighbourhood shops, supermarket and medical facilities, community amenities, approximately 40% open space with walking and cycling tracks along Spring Creek, and preservation of local character with sustainable design. Following Kiama Council's initial rejection in April 2024, the Southern Regional Planning Panel recommended in September 2024 that the rezoning proceed to Gateway Determination with amendments.
Rail Service Improvement Program (Mortdale-Kiama)
The Rail Service Improvement Program (formerly More Trains, More Services) is a multi-billion-dollar NSW Government initiative to simplify and modernise the rail network. The Mortdale to Kiama capital works package includes essential infrastructure upgrades at key locations between Mortdale and Kiama to support new train fleets and allow for more frequent, reliable services on the T4 Illawarra and South Coast lines. Specific projects within this section include the Mortdale Maintenance Centre Upgrade (in progress, with construction of the bogie exchange system completed in March 2023), and the Kiama Platform Extension Project (completed in September 2023). Other works include signalling and track upgrades, power supply upgrades, and station accessibility improvements.
Akuna Street Mixed-Use Development
A major mixed-use redevelopment in central Kiama featuring retention of a heritage building, demolition of existing structures, and construction of 82 shop-top housing units, 24 retail premises including 2 supermarkets, food and drink premises, and 344 basement car parking spaces. The approximately $66 million development by Level 33 Property Development is currently under assessment in the Land and Environment Court (proceedings scheduled for December 2025 after mediation collapse with Kiama Council). The project will revitalise the largest redevelopment site in Kiama's town centre.
Shellharbour Mobile Tiny Homes Pilot Program
State-first two-year pilot program allowing mobile tiny homes on existing residential properties without development applications. Council approved September 23, 2025. Planning Proposal to amend Shellharbour LEP 2013 requires NSW Government approval and 28-day public consultation (up to 6 months process). Program provides affordable rental housing through moveable dwellings on trailers registered under Road Transport Act 2013, subject to strict conditions including minimum setbacks, connection to essential services, and fire safety compliance. Addresses housing crisis where median house price is $1 million.
Employment
The labour market in Kiama Downs - Minnamurra shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.1% as of September 2025.
Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.8%. There were 3,092 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 1.7% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was 59.0%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.
The area specializes in education & training with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data analysis. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 0.8% and labour force by 0.2%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and labour force decline by 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming population projections are not considered.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
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 2022 shows that Kiama Downs - Minnamurra SA2 had a median assessed income of $52,631 and an average income of $76,721. This is higher than the Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $59,268 (median) and $86,396 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's household, family, and personal incomes cluster around the 64th percentile nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 31.6% of residents (1,884 people), similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.5% houses and 8.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 79.0% houses and 21.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kiama Downs - Minnamurra stood at 48.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.5% and rented ones at 13.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,300, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in the area was $490, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $430. Nationally, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's median monthly mortgage repayment exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and median weekly rent was substantially higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 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 account for the remaining 18.3%, with lone person households at 17.1% and group households making up 1.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
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 is notably high, with 30.8% of residents aged 15 and over holding university qualifications, compared to 19.9% in the broader SA3 area and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 13.2% and certificates for 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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
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, served by a mix of trains and buses. These stops are covered by 15 individual routes, offering a total of 1,586 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 103 meters to the nearest stop.
Across all routes, service frequency averages 226 trips per day, translating to around 17 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
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. Common health conditions are prevalent across both young and old age groups.
Private health cover is high at approximately 58% (~3,447 people), compared to 52.7% in Rest of NSW. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.3%) and mental health issues (7.9%). About 68.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.2% across Rest of NSW. Around 26.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,557 people), higher than the 20.9% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors exceed those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
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 showed 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. Top ancestral 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, at 0.6%, was slightly over the regional average of 1.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra had a median age of 44 years in 2021, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and higher than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra had a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (15.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.3%). This 65-74 concentration was significantly above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's population changes included an increase in the 15 to 24 age group from 10.7% to 13.1%, and a rise in the 75 to 84 cohort from 5.7% to 8.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group decreased from 14.4% to 11.5%, and the 25 to 34 age group fell from 8.5% to 6.3%. By 2041, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's population is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 31%, reaching 627 people from the previous count of 478. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 age groups are expected to experience population declines.