Karabar

Karabar has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of Nov 2025, Karabar's population is estimated at around 8,456, reflecting a decrease of 61 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS ERP estimate for surrounding areas applied to Karabar by AreaSearch in June 2024 indicated a resident population of 8,446, with an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this figure. This results in a population density ratio of 1,211 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth accounted for approximately 57.99999999999999% 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, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the former data.

Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to this methodology, Karabar's population is projected to decline by 508 persons by 2041. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, with the 85 and over age group expected to increase by 106 people during this period.

The level of residential development activity in Karabar is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Karabar has seen around 4 new homes approved annually. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 21 homes were approved, with no approvals recorded so far in FY-26. This limited supply is likely keeping up with demand due to population decline, offering buyers good choice.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $589,000, higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. In FY-26, $98,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Karabar records markedly lower building activity, 94.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings, with levels under the national average indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. All new construction has been standalone homes, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests at Census, indicating continued strong demand for family homes. With around 1881 people per approval, Karabar shows a mature, established area. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Karabar may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects likely to affect this region. Notable projects are the Queanbeyan Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade, Yass Road upgrade, Bungendore Road and Ellerton Drive Intersection Upgrade, and the Queanbeyan Regional Integrated Transport Plan. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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While Karabar retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.4%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Karabar has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, there are 4,671 residents in work and the unemployment rate is 0.3% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation stands at 65.4%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries for employment among residents are public administration & safety, construction, and health care & social assistance. Karabar has a particular specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share of 3.1 times the regional level.

In contrast, health care & social assistance employs just 10.3% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 16.9%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.6% and employment declined by 4.8%, resulting in a rise in unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of NSW recorded an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Karabar's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Karabar's median income is $56,730 and average income stands at $66,789. 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, current estimates for Karabar would be approximately $63,884 (median) and $75,211 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows that incomes in Karabar cluster around the 70th percentile nationally. Distribution data reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 33.6% of residents (2,841 people), aligning with surrounding regions where this cohort represents 29.9%. After housing costs, 85.6% of income remains for other expenses. Karabar's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Karabar's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 80.4% houses and 19.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 74.5% houses and 25.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Karabar was at 29.8%, similar to Non-Metro NSW's level. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (41.0%) or rented (29.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,950, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $355. Nationally, Karabar's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Karabar has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 73.2% of all households, including 33.0% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.8%, with lone person households at 24.6% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

Educational outcomes in Karabar fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate in 2020 was 20.2%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials were prevalent, with 37.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (26.3%). Educational participation was high at 29.0%, with 10.4% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 4.1% in tertiary education.

Karabar's 3 schools had a combined enrollment of 1,236 students as of 2021, serving typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 977) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix included 1 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. School capacity exceeded residential needs in 2021, with 14.6 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 10.0, indicating the area served as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Transport analysis shows 43 active public transport stops in Karabar, with a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 42 individual routes, offering 607 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 149 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 86 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 14 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Karabar is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Karabar faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover in Karabar is approximately 53%, covering about 4,511 people (~61.0% across Rest of NSW).

Mental health issues impact 9.5% of residents, while arthritis affects 9.2%. About 65.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments (compared to 68.7% in Rest of NSW). Karabar has 15.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,319 people), higher than the 13.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Karabar was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Karabar's cultural diversity is above average, with 18.5% of its population born overseas and 15.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Karabar is Christianity, comprising 57.0%, compared to 52.1% across the rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (27.7%), English (23.6%), and Irish (7.7%).

Notably, Macedonian (3.2%) is overrepresented in Karabar compared to the regional average of 1.5%. Similarly, Serbian (0.9%) and Croatian (1.2%) groups have higher representation than their respective regional averages of 0.6% and 0.9%.

Karabar's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Karabar has a median age of 38, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 but equivalent to the national norm of 38. The age group of 25-34 years shows strong representation in Karabar at 16.2%, compared to the Rest of NSW figure. However, the 65-74 age cohort is less prevalent in Karabar at 8.7%. According to the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 13.3% to 14.8%, while the 25 to 34 age group has risen from 14.9% to 16.2%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has declined from 12.8% to 11.5%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 13.5% to 12.2%. By 2041, Karabar's age profile is expected to evolve significantly, with the 85+ age group projected to grow by 63%, reaching 234 people from a starting point of 143. This growth will be led by an aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 56% of the projected growth. Meanwhile, the 65 to 74 and 45 to 54 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.