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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 | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Unanderra - Mount Kembla is $1.07m, with units at $770k. House values have moved 5.0% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Unanderra - Mount Kembla has an estimated 15,419 residents, up from 15,280 at the 2021 Census. 179 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 613 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic evaluations by AreaSearch indicate that Unanderra - Mount Kembla has an estimated population of 15,419 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 139 people (0.9%) compared to the 15,280 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such movement is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population figure of 15,414 alongside 179 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census. The local population density stands at 613 persons per square kilometer, leaving substantial land per resident and scope for additional building. Inflow from overseas migration served as the primary contributor to demographic expansion, accounting for virtually all population additions over recent intervals.
AreaSearch implements SA2 projections from the ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024 (using 2022 as baseline), turning to NSW State Government SA2 modeling from 2022 (with 2021 as baseline) wherever data gaps exist. Cohort growth rates derived from these datasets are applied to the 2032 to 2041 timeframe. Under these projection models, total headcount is expected to contract by 274 persons by 2041. Nevertheless, selected demographics will see expansion, most notably the 25 to 34 age bracket, which is slated to add 248 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
172 new dwellings have been approved in Unanderra - Mount Kembla over the past five years, an average of 34 a year. That is 2.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 34 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 50% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential approvals across Unanderra - Mount Kembla have averaged roughly 34 new homes each year, totaling 172 homes approved throughout the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Because local population contracted across this timeframe, dwelling completions have kept pace with market needs and maintained ample availability for purchasers, while expected construction costs for new dwellings average $416,000. Additionally, commercial building approvals reached $46.0 million during this financial year, reflecting solid momentum in non-residential construction. Residential building activity in Unanderra - Mount Kembla trails regional benchmarks substantially, sitting 60.0% below regional average per person compared to Rest of NSW.
Limited building volumes generally bolster property values and demand for existing stock. Approvals also lag national figures, illustrating the established nature of the suburb and likely planning constraints. Recent construction permits are split evenly between 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% townhouses or apartments. Emphasizing higher-density dwellings provides accessible price points for first-home buyers, investors, and downsizers. This is a noticeable shift away from current local housing stock (where 89.0% houses predominate), signaling fewer available greenfield parcels alongside evolving lifestyle demands for diversified dwelling formats. A ratio of 961 people in the area per dwelling approval underscores a subdued development landscape. Given demographic forecasts projecting stable or declining population levels, housing market pressures in Unanderra - Mount Kembla are expected to soften, creating favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Unanderra - Mount Kembla
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 13 current infrastructure and development projects inside Unanderra - Mount Kembla, worth an estimated $62 million. A further 126 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $67.7 billion. 42 are already under construction and 76 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure works and planning decisions play an essential role in local growth. AreaSearch has pinpointed 31 projects expected to influence the district, including Stockland Forest Reach - Huntley, Western Suburbs Preschool Kitchen Upgrade, Farmborough Road Large Lot Subdivision, and Waples Road Residential Subdivision.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Western Suburbs Preschool Kitchen Upgrade
Kitchen upgrade and associated works at Western Suburbs Community Preschool in Cordeaux Heights. The project involves renovation of kitchen facilities to support the preschool's early education services for children aged 0-5 years. The center is operated by Big Fat Smile and serves 52 children with long day care services.
Unanderra Liquid Waste Treatment Facility
Construction of a new liquid waste treatment facility within an existing DGL Environmental industrial building to process up to 56,500 tonnes per annum of industrial liquid waste, including battery acid, wastewater and metal processing waste. The project received State Significant Development approval in August 2022 and remains in the post-approval construction phase, with approved management plans and compliance documentation published. The facility will significantly expand DGL's hazardous liquid waste treatment capacity for NSW.
Alukea Road Major Culvert
Construction or upgrade of a major culvert on Alukea Road for enhanced stormwater management and flood prevention in Cordeaux Heights. This local infrastructure project aims to improve drainage capacity and reduce flood risk in the residential area through upgraded stormwater infrastructure.
19-21 Tannery Street Residential Flat Building
A 27-unit residential flat building development with 16 units designated as affordable housing, featuring a 4-storey structure with basement car parking (26 spaces), communal open space areas, and landscaping. The project includes a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units with 3 adaptable units. The development value is approximately $8.4 million and was recommended for approval by deferred commencement by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel in December 2024, pending formal agreement with a Community Housing Provider for management of the affordable housing units.The project will provide housing diversity in a location with good access to services, public transport (Unanderra Train Station), and the Unanderra town centre.
Ribbonwood Residential Development
A mixed-use multi-residential development on a 2-hectare site at the northern end of Ribbonwood Road, Farmborough Heights. It is designed to be a model for medium-density housing, prioritizing community, housing diversity, and sustainability. The proposal includes 24 dwellings, consisting of townhouses, apartments, and a semi-attached house. The design aims to maximize views and northern orientation while integrating with the bushland and riparian corridors of Charcoal Creek.
Farmborough Road Townhouses
Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of five strata-titled townhouses with drainage infrastructure on a 1,655m2 site.
Farmborough Road Large Lot Subdivision
An 18.5 hectare landholding at 344 Farmborough Road, Farmborough Heights was successfully rezoned from RU2 Rural Landscape to a mix of E4 Environmental Living (10.7 hectares) and E2 Environmental Conservation (7.8 hectares), finalised by Wollongong City Council following a draft Planning Proposal for Lot 101 DP 825516. The rezoning enables a potential large lot residential subdivision of approximately 30 lots ranging from about 2,000 to 5,000 square metres, alongside dedication of the conservation area to Council as public reserve.A subsequent development application (DA-2020/1245) for the subdivision was lodged but has since been withdrawn by the owner due to time constraints and personal reasons. As of mid-2026 the site, which includes an existing four bedroom home, is listed for sale with a price guide of 9 million AUD, with the current owner seeking to pass the project to a new developer who will need to lodge a fresh development application to proceed.
Derribong Dr Road Upgrade (Carbeen Cr to Tyalla Pl)
Council-led reconstruction of a section of Derribong Drive between Carbeen Crescent and Tyalla Place to improve pavement condition, safety and local connectivity.
7,724 residents of Unanderra - Mount Kembla are employed, from a labour force of 8,195. Unemployment sits at 5.7%, with participation at 64.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 16,664, about 108% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce in Unanderra - Mount Kembla features substantial representation across essential services, exhibiting an unemployment rate of 5.7% and annual employment growth of 2.4%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 7,724, while local unemployment sits 1.6% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Labor force participation is typical at 64.8% relative to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census records reveal that 30.8% of local workers operated from home, though this figure was influenced by Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Local resident employment is concentrated heavily across health care & social assistance, education & training, alongside construction.
The region displays strong specialization in education & training, holding an employment share 1.2 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.2% of the local workforce, compared to 5.3% across Regional NSW. A Census ratio of 0.7 workers for each resident demonstrates above-average local employment provision. An examination of ABS and SALM records shows that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 2.4% while the labor pool grew by 2.7%, lifting the local unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Across Regional NSW, employment contracted by 0.9% and the labor force shrank by 0.4%, leading to a 0.5 percentage points increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide forward-looking context for Unanderra - Mount Kembla. When matching five-year (6.6%) and ten-year (13.7%) nationwide forecasts across industries against the local employment profile, local jobs are estimated to grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on simple industry weighting rather than local demographic trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Unanderra - Mount Kembla is $1,920 a week (about $100,000 a year), with median personal income at $763 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $59,650 a year against an average of $74,556. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Data from the ATO for financial year 2023 indicates that taxpayer earnings in Unanderra - Mount Kembla exceed nationwide standards. Median taxpayer income reached $59,650 and average income totaled $74,556, outpacing Regional NSW metrics of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index movement of 10.32% since financial year 2023, March 2026 earnings are estimated at $65,806 (median) and $82,250 (average). According to the Census 2021, weekly household income ($1,920) placed in the 60th percentile, whereas individual earnings sat in the 41st percentile. The dominant weekly bracket was $1,500 - 2,999, capturing 31.3% of residents (4,826 people), aligning with the 29.9% share in the surrounding region.
Households retain 86.0% of earnings after meeting housing costs, placing the community in the 6th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Unanderra - Mount Kembla had 5,367 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 5% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $355 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,080 a month. Rent absorbs 18.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the dwelling landscape in Unanderra - Mount Kembla consists of 89.4% houses and 10.6% other dwellings such as apartments and semi-detached units, compared against 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings throughout Regional NSW. Fully owned properties match the regional level at 37.8%, while 38.1% carry a mortgage and 24.1% are rented. Typical monthly mortgage payments are higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of $1,733, standing at $2,080, whereas median weekly rent is $355 compared to $330 regionally. Nationally, local mortgage obligations exceed the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rent remains under the countrywide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Unanderra - Mount Kembla counted 5,367 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 38% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 77.7% of all households in the area, encompassing couples with children at 37.7%, couples without children at 27.3%, and single parent families representing 11.7%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.3%, comprising single-person households (20.4%) and group households (1.9%). Average household occupancy sits at 2.7 people, exceeding the Regional NSW figure of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
25.6% of adults in Unanderra - Mount Kembla hold a university qualification, including 17.0% with a bachelor degree and 6.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.8% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 2,528 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,026 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment across the locality exceeds regional figures, with 25.6% of residents aged 15+ possessing higher education degrees, surpassing the 16.9% recorded across the wider SA3 area. Bachelor degrees make up the largest share at 17.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational education is also widespread, with 37.9% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, divided into certificates (26.8%) and advanced diplomas (11.1%). Participation in study is robust, with 28.2% of the population enrolled in an educational program. This incorporates 9.1% attending primary school, 8.0% in secondary school, and 4.3% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Unanderra - Mount Kembla reaches 180 stops on 55 routes, timetabled for about 2,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The transit network in Unanderra - Mount Kembla includes 180 active transport stops across rail and bus modes, served by 55 individual routes generating 1,959 weekly passenger trips. Local transit connectivity is strong, with an average distance of 157 meters from dwellings to the closest boarding point. As an outward-commuting residential community, private vehicles account for 94% of work trips, with vehicle ownership averaging 1.6 per dwelling. In addition, 30.8% of workers worked from home during the 2021 Census under COVID-19 conditions. Transit services provide an average frequency of 279 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 10 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.8% of residents in Unanderra - Mount Kembla report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 83% of areas nationally. 7.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments indicate meaningful challenges for Unanderra - Mount Kembla across chronic disease rates and mortality metrics, with elevated health conditions present across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is prominent, held by approximately 56% of the total population (~8,650 people), compared to 51.9% for Regional NSW. The top chronic conditions recorded locally are mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 8.8% and 8.7% of residents respectively. Conversely, 65.8% of the community reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions are elevated among working-age individuals.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 19.4% of the population (2,998 people), below the 23.3% regional benchmark, with senior health indicators generally tracking nationwide distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Unanderra - Mount Kembla is largely Australian-born, at 79.6% of residents, with 15.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (26.3%) and English (25.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Unanderra - Mount Kembla exhibits solid cultural diversity, with 20.4% of the population born abroad and 15.7% speaking non-English languages in domestic settings. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, practiced by 60.2% of the local population relative to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Looking at ancestral background, the most prevalent heritages are Australian (26.3%), English (25.2%, trailing the regional level of 30.5%), and Other (7.3%). Distinct ethnic concentrations are also apparent, with Macedonian representation reaching 3.6% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Serbian at 1.1% (versus 0.2%), and Croatian standing at 1.4% (versus 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Unanderra - Mount Kembla is 41. 24.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution of Unanderra - Mount Kembla aligns closely with Regional NSW, with the largest variance across broad age categories being 3.9 percentage points. As of August 2026, the estimated median age is 41, unchanged from the 2021 Census and 2 years younger than the Regional NSW median of 43 recorded at that Census. The most noticeable demographic shift since the Census occurred in the 45 - 64 bracket, which dropped from 26.5% to an estimated 24.9%. Through to 2041, the 25 - 44 cohort is projected to generate the bulk of gains, adding 330 residents (9%) to total 3,987, while older working cohorts, retirees, children, and young adults are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Unanderra - Mount Kembla
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 13 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 179 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (15,280 at the 2021 Census → 15,419 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (107011134). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.