Kogarah
Statistical Area - sa2

Kogarah lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Kogarah's population was approximately 15,152 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 2,101 people, a 16.1% rise from the 2021 Census count of 13,051. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,995 in June 2024 and an additional 524 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 6,825 persons per square kilometer, placing Kogarah in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth exceeded both its SA4 region (5.3%) and the state level, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 91.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts and exceptional growth, Kogarah is expected to grow by 7,397 persons by 2041, a total gain of 47.8% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Kogarah among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Kogarah has recorded approximately 157 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 789 homes have been approved, with an additional 3 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling has accommodated around 2.9 new residents per year over these five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average expected construction cost value for new homes during this period is $505,000. This financial year has seen $33.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Kogarah exhibits 114.0% higher development activity per person. While this provides buyers with ample choice, building activity has slowed in recent years. The current construction composition comprises 6.0% detached houses and 94.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from the existing housing pattern of 23.0% houses. This trend reflects diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Kogarah has approximately 540 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area.

Looking ahead, it is projected that Kogarah will grow by 7,240 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Kogarah has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects that could impact this region. Notable initiatives include Kogarah North Urban Design Strategy Implementation, Serenity Gardens Rockdale, The Rise, and Kogarah Public School Upgrade. Below is a list of projects likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Kogarah performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Kogarah has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 1.8% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.5%. In June 2025, 9,861 residents were employed with a participation rate of 62.2%, similar to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade are the dominant industries for Kogarah residents. Notably, health care & social assistance employment is at 1.5 times the regional average while education & training shows lower representation at 5.6% versus the regional average of 8.9%.

The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.9 as per the Census, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 2.5%, labour force grew by 2.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.6%, labour force expand by 2.9%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kogarah's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.4% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022. Kogarah's median income among taxpayers was $53,633 with an average of $67,997. These figures are above the national average and compare to Greater Sydney levels of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. With a 12.61% increase based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $60,396 (median) and $76,571 (average). From the 2021 Census, incomes in Kogarah cluster around the 65th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals 37.8% of the population fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 30.9% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 19.1% of income, placing disposable income at the 59th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Kogarah features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Kogarah's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 22.7% houses and 77.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 39.8% houses and 60.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kogarah was at 22.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.5% and rented ones at 47.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,251, below Sydney metro's average of $2,383. The median weekly rent figure for Kogarah was $464, compared to Sydney metro's $480. Nationally, Kogarah's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,251 against the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Kogarah features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.4% of all households, including 31.1% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.6%, with lone person households at 26.7% and group households comprising 5.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Kogarah exceeds broader benchmarks with 46.4% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 30.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 25.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (12.4%). Educational participation is high, with 32.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.4% in primary, 8.2% in tertiary, and 5.5% in secondary education.

Kogarah has a robust network of 8 schools educating approximately 3,510 students, comprising 2 primary, 4 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. The area's socio-educational conditions are above average (ICSEA: 1060). It functions as an education hub with 23.2 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 11.4, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis in Kogarah shows 42 active transport stops operating. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 24 individual routes serving these stops.

Together, they provide 4,411 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 134 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 630 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 105 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kogarah's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Kogarah's health outcomes data shows excellent results, with younger age groups having a very low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 53% (~8091 people) of Kogarah's total population have private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (5.0%) and asthma (4.6%). 80.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 77.5%. As of April 2021, 12.8% (~1947 people) of Kogarah's population are aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Sydney's 16.4%. Health outcomes among seniors in Kogarah are above average and require more attention compared to the broader population.

Kogarah is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kogarah has high cultural diversity, with 65.0% speaking a language other than English at home and 59.8% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 46.4%. Hinduism is overrepresented at 16.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 6.6%.

Top ancestry groups are Other (26.4%), Chinese (14.4%), and English (9.7%). Greek (7.0%) Filipino (4.7%) and Spanish (1.1%) are notably overrepresented in Kogarah compared to regional averages.

Kogarah's population is younger than the national pattern

Kogarah's median age is 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Sydney's 37 and the national average of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 22.2%, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage but lower than the national average of 14.5%. The 5-14 age group makes up 8.9% of Kogarah's population, less prevalent than in Greater Sydney. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 10.6% to 12.4%, while the 85+ cohort has decreased from 3.5% to 2.6%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant growth in the 45-54 age group, with an increase of 1,168 people (70%) from 1,668 to 2,837.