Kiama Downs - Minnamurra
Statistical Area - sa2

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 around 5,964 as of November 2025. This reflects a decrease since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,063 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,959 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional four validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 821 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 52.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the 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 to 6,143 persons by 2041 based on the latest population numbers, indicating a total increase of 2.9% over the 17 years.

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, 5 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, development activity has been adequate relative to other regions, benefiting buyers while new properties are constructed at an average value of $506,000, indicating a focus on premium market segments 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, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This 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 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 addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is 462 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra is expected to grow by approximately 174 residents through to the year 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.

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

Influence on local performance is significant when changes occur in infrastructure projects and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified three such projects potentially impacting the area: Bombo Precinct, Akuna Street Mixed-Use Development, Shoalhaven Street Precinct, and New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services. The following details those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

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 high representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.0% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.4% over the past year.

There were 3,059 residents employed at this time, with an unemployment rate of 1.7%, below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was 59.0%, similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Education & training has a particularly high representation at 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 5.3%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data analysis. Over the past year, 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 experienced a slight employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with an unemployment rate rise of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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 has one of the highest incomes in Australia, with a median assessed at $52,631 and an average income of $76,721. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $59,268 (median) and $86,396 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates that Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's household, family, and personal incomes are around the 65th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 31.6% of residents (1,884 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area'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 dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 91.5% houses and 8.5% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 79.0% houses and 21.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kiama Downs - Minnamurra was 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 Kiama Downs - Minnamurra was $490, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $430. Nationally, Kiama Downs - Minnamurra's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,300, while rents were substantially above the national average of $375.

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 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.

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 significantly surpasses broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 30.8% of residents aged 15+ held university qualifications, compared to 19.9% in the SA3 area and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational credentials were also prominent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (13.2%) and certificates (27.1%).

Educational participation was notably high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This included 10.0% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education. Minnamurra Public School provided local educational services within Kiama Downs - Minnamurra, with an enrollment of 464 students as of 2019. The area demonstrated above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1077). The school focused exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents (7.8) fell below the regional average (14.3), with some students likely attending schools in adjacent areas.

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. These are served by a mix of trains and buses along 15 different routes. Together, these routes facilitate 1,586 weekly passenger trips.

The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located just 103 meters from the nearest stop. On average, services run 226 times daily across all routes, translating to about 17 weekly trips per individual 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. Common health conditions are prevalent across both young and old age cohorts at a standard level.

Approximately 58% of the total population (3,447 people) has private health cover, compared to 52.7% in the Rest of NSW. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 9.3% and 7.9% of residents respectively. 68.0% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 65.2% across the Rest of NSW. The area has 26.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,557 people), which is higher than the 20.9% in the Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming 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 has a cultural diversity score below average, with 87.1% of its population born in Australia, 92.6% being citizens, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kiama Downs-Minnamurra, accounting for 53.8% of the population, compared to 57.3% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.1%), Australian (29.1%), and Scottish (10.0%).

Notably, Macedonian ethnicity is overrepresented at 0.4%, Irish at 9.8%, and Maltese at 0.6%, compared to regional averages of 1.9%, 7.6%, and 1.3% respectively.

Kiama Downs - Minnamurra hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

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