Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong's population is 8,121 as of Aug 2025. This reflects a decrease since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,136 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,088 in June 2024 and an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 36 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on latest population numbers, a population increase of just below the median of regional areas nationally is expected, with an increase of 865 persons to 2041 and a total increase of 10.2% over the 17 years.

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

Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong has received approximately 58 residential property approvals annually. Development approval data from the ABS indicates 292 dwellings approved over five financial years, from FY-20 to FY-25. As of FY-26, around five approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, development activity has been adequate relative to demand.

The average construction value for new properties is $1,062,000, indicating a focus on premium segment dwellings. This year, there have been $7.5 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of NSW, Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong shows significantly reduced construction activity, with 62.0% fewer approvals per person. New development consists mainly of standalone homes (83.0%) and townhouses or apartments (17.0%), preserving low-density housing. The area has approximately 289 people per dwelling approval, suggesting a low-density market.

Future projections estimate Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong will add 828 residents by 2041. Current development patterns indicate new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

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

Area infrastructure changes significantly impact performance. AreaSearch identified 26 projects potentially affecting the area. Notable ones include Sunnymede Urban Release Area, Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club Redevelopment, Princes Highway Gerringong Upgrade, and Oceania @ Gerringong. The following details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 1.8%, lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.7%. There were 4,206 residents employed while workforce participation was broadly similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Education & training has a particularly high employment share, 1.3 times the regional level.

Retail trade is under-represented with only 6.8% of the workforce compared to 9.8% in Rest of NSW. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data analysis by AreaSearch. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.7%, labour force grew by 0.7%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced a slight employment decline of 0.1% while unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, losing 19,270 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5% and national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with variations between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 shows that Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong has high incomes nationally. The median assessed income is $49,203 and the average income stands at $76,178. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income is $49,459 and the average income is $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year ending June 2022, current estimates would be approximately $54,419 (median) and $84,253 (average) as of March 2025. The 2021 Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong cluster around the 60th percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 29.8% of locals (2,420 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, aligning with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong, as per the latest Census, consisted of 86.4% houses and 13.7% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 79.0% houses and 21.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong was at 51.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.7% and rented ones at 17.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, aligning with the Non-Metro NSW average. The median weekly rent was $500, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $430. Nationally, Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 76.7% of all households, including 32.7% couples with children, 36.2% couples without children, and 7.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.3%, with lone person households at 21.1% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of NSW.

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

Educational attainment in Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong is notably high, with 35.2% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, compared to 19.9% in the SA3 area and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 36.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (24.7%). Educational participation is high, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 8.9% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

The area has two public schools serving 523 students: Gerringong Public School and Jamberoo Public School. Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1063). Both schools focus on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Local school capacity is limited at 6.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.3, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

The analysis of public transport in the Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong area has identified 160 active transport stops. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services, with 22 individual routes operating collectively to provide 2,578 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 127 meters from the nearest transport stop.

The service frequency averages 368 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators for Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong show below-average health outcomes. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 58% of the total population, which is 4,693 people. This compares to 52.7% across the Rest of NSW. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 10.7 and 7.4% of residents respectively. 66.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.2% across the Rest of NSW. The area has 28.6% of residents aged 65 and over, which is 2,323 people, higher than the 20.9% in the Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Kiama Hinterland-Gerringong's cultural diversity is below average, with 87.4% born in Australia and 92.1% being citizens. English is spoken by 96.2% at home. Christianity dominates with 55.2%.

Judaism is overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 0.1%. Top ancestry groups are English (32.6%), Australian (28.1%), and Irish (11.9%). Scottish, Maltese, and Welsh are notably divergent from regional averages.

Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong has a median age of 48 years, which is higher than Rest of NSW's median age of 43 and significantly older than Australia's median age of 38. The age profile shows that the 65-74 year-old group comprises 15.6%, making it particularly prominent compared to other age groups. This concentration is higher than the national average of 9.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 8.6% to 9.6% of the population, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 15.1% to 14.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong's age profile will change significantly, with the 85+ age group projected to expand considerably from 276 to 500 people, an increase of 223 individuals (81%). Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 15-24 age cohorts.