Kurri Kurri - Abermain
Statistical Area - sa2

Kurri Kurri - Abermain lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Kurri Kurri - Abermain's population is around 23,141 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 2,510 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,631 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 22,814 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 671 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 255 persons per square kilometer. Kurri Kurri - Abermain's growth rate of 12.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area (4.8%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 68.4% 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, AreaSearch uses 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. A significant population increase is forecast, with the area expected to expand by 8,680 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, recording a gain of 36.1% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Kurri Kurri - Abermain was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Kurri Kurri - Abermain has recorded approximately 237 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 1,189 homes approved over the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, and 18 so far in FY-26. On average, 3.4 new residents arrive per dwelling constructed annually between FY-20 and FY-25. Residential supply has lagged demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $351,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices for buyers. This financial year, $17.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Kurri Kurri - Abermain has similar development levels per person, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area, although building activity has slowed in recent years.

New development consists of 78.0% standalone homes and 22.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 162 people per approval, Kurri Kurri - Abermain reflects a developing area. Looking ahead, Kurri Kurri - Abermain is projected to grow by 8,353 residents through to 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, but buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Kurri Kurri - Abermain has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects likely influencing the region. Notable projects include Hunter Power Project at Kurri Kurri Power Station, Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline and Storage Project, Weston Public Preschool, and Heddon Greta-Cliftleigh Corridor Structure Plan. Below are details of those most relevant.

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

Employment drivers in Kurri Kurri - Abermain are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Kurri Kurri - Abermain has a balanced white and blue collar workforce with strong manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 5.5%.

In that month, 9,888 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.9% higher than Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW at 59.0%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Mining has notable concentration with employment levels at 2.8 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 1.2% compared to 5.3% regionally. In the year ending June 2025, labour force decreased by 4.2% and employment declined by 4.9%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.1%, labour force grew by 0.3%, and 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 the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kurri Kurri - Abermain's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0%% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Kurri Kurri - Abermain is $51,222 and average income is $60,047. This is below the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average) for Rest of NSW. By March 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Kurri Kurri - Abermain would be around $56,652 and $66,412 respectively, based on a 10.6% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Kurri Kurri - Abermain modestly, between the 28th and 34th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 34.3% of the population (7,937 individuals) fall within the $1,500-$2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 32nd percentile.

Kurri Kurri - Abermain is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Kurri Kurri - Abermain, as reported in the latest Census, 91.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 9.0% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is similar to Non-Metro NSW's distribution of 90.9% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kurri Kurri - Abermain stood at 30.5%, with mortgaged properties at 40.1% and rented dwellings at 29.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,603, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Weekly rent in Kurri Kurri - Abermain was $345, compared to Non-Metro NSW's figure of $340. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,603 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Kurri Kurri - Abermain has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 73.0% of all households, including 29.9% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 16.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 27.0%, with lone person households at 24.3% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

Kurri Kurri - Abermain faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 9.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 6.9%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.1%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (7.9%) and certificates (36.3%). Educational participation is high at 28.3%, comprising primary education (10.9%), secondary education (7.4%), and tertiary education (2.4%).

Kurri Kurri - Abermain has a network of 10 schools educating approximately 2,543 students. The educational conditions vary within Kurri Kurri - Abermain, with 8 primary and 2 secondary schools serving distinct age groups.

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

Kurri Kurri - Abermain has 172 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These are served by 50 different routes that together offer 699 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents on average being located 229 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 99 trips per day across all routes, which works out to about four weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Kurri Kurri - Abermain is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Kurri Kurri - Abermain faces significant health challenges, affecting both younger and older age groups. The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 50%, covering around half of its total population of about 11,454 people, compared to 51.9% in the rest of NSW and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 12.2% and 9.9% of residents respectively.

About 59.9% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 62.6% in the rest of NSW. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 14.8%, or about 3,420 people, than the rest of NSW's 16.9%. Health outcomes among seniors largely mirror those of the general population.

The latest Census data sees Kurri Kurri - Abermain placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kurri Kurri-Abermain had low cultural diversity, with 94.3% born in Australia, 93.4% being citizens, and 97.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 51.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 55.7%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.3%), English (31.8%), and Scottish (8.1%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 7.8% vs regional 6.3%, Welsh at 0.6% vs 0.5%, and Macedonian at 0.1%.

Kurri Kurri - Abermain's population is younger than the national pattern

Kurri Kurri - Abermain has a median age of 34, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 cohort is over-represented locally at 17.8%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 8.9%. Between January 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 15.7% to 17.8% of the population, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 11.9% to 13.6%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 11.7% to 10.3%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 11.5% to 10.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Kurri Kurri - Abermain's age profile will change significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 1,959 people (48%), growing from 4,121 to 6,081 individuals.