Kariong

Kariong is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Kariong's population is estimated at around 6,487 people. This figure reflects an increase of 2 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,485 residents. The current population is inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses combined with ABS ERP data released in June 2024, indicating an estimated resident population of 6,490 for Kariong and its surrounding areas. This results in a density ratio of approximately 251 persons per square kilometer. Since the Census date, natural growth contributed about 63% to overall population gains. Comparing Kariong's growth with the broader SA3 area shows it within 2.3 percentage points, indicating competitive growth fundamentals.

Future projections anticipate lower quartile growth nationwide, with Kariong expected to increase by 2 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 0.1% over the 17-year period.

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

Kariong has averaged approximately 6 new dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years ending June 2021, totalling an estimated 34 homes. As of July 2021, there have been 7 approvals recorded in FY-26. The area's population decline has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with diverse buyer choices. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $495,000.

This financial year, Kariong has also seen $284,000 in commercial approvals, indicating its residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Kariong records significantly lower building activity, with 73.0% fewer approvals per person than the regional average. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, Kariong's building activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and suggesting possible planning constraints. New development in Kariong consists of 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 92.0% houses. This change indicates diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

As of July 2021, Kariong has an estimated population of 1178 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections suggest Kariong will add 5 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. With current construction levels, housing supply is expected to adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Kariong has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Five projects are identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Northside Private Hospital, Ocean Beach Road/Rawson Road Intersection Upgrade (scheduled for completion in 2023), Transport Oriented Development - Woy Woy Station Precinct (commenced in July 2018), and Blackwall Road Intersection Upgrades (planned for completion by mid-2024).

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

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Kariong ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Kariong has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.4% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2%.

As of June 2025, 3691 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 1.8% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Kariong was 69.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance has particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In the period from June 2024 to July 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, while labour force increased by 2.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. This compares to Greater Sydney, where employment grew by 2.6%, labour force expanded by 2.9%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Kariong. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with differing growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Kariong's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

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

Kariong had a median taxpayer income of $55,157 during financial year 2022. The average income was $71,280 in the same period. These figures are higher than national averages and compare to $56,994 and $80,856 respectively for Greater Sydney. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $62,112 and $80,268 respectively, based on a 12.61% increase since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, Kariong's household income ranks at the 78th percentile ($2,200 weekly), while personal income is at the 59th percentile. Income analysis shows that 39.9% of the population (2,588 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the regional average of 30.9%. Housing costs consume 16.0% of income in Kariong. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 77th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Kariong is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Kariong's dwellings were 92.2% houses and 7.8% other types at the latest Census, compared to Sydney metro's 74.2% houses and 25.9% others. Home ownership in Kariong was 25.1%, with mortgages at 52.3% and rentals at 22.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,080, lower than Sydney metro's $2,150. Median weekly rent in Kariong was $450, higher than Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Kariong's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,080 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Kariong features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 82.9% of all households, consisting of 44.5% couples with children, 24.4% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 17.1%, with lone person households at 15.1% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 20.7%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.7%) and certificates (29.2%). Educational participation is high at 32.2%, with 11.4% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

Kariong's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,933 students. The area has varied educational conditions (ICSEA: 945) and functions as an education hub with 29.8 school places per 100 residents, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis in Kariong shows 34 active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by 27 different routes that together facilitate 467 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing just 199 meters away from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages at 66 trips per day, equating to approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kariong's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data shows relatively positive health outcomes for Kariong residents.

The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among the general population but higher than the national average among older and at-risk cohorts. Approximately 55% (~3,574 people) of the total population has private health cover. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.3 and 8.9% of residents respectively. About 69.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 64.8% across Greater Sydney. The area has 12.8% (830 people) of residents aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 24.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Kariong records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kariong's population showed cultural diversity similar to the wider region: 81.0% were born in Australia, 91.2% were citizens, and 88.9% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, with 51.4%. Judaism, however, was slightly overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (30.4%), English (28.4%), and Irish (7.2%). Notable differences included Russian (0.5% vs regional 0.4%), Welsh (0.7% vs 0.7%), and Lebanese (0.9% vs 0.3%).

Kariong's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Kariong's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37, which is slightly below Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Kariong has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.6%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.0%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 65-74 has grown from 6.4% to 7.8%, while the 5-14 age group has decreased from 15.5% to 14.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Kariong's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 120%, adding 272 residents to reach 500. Residents aged 65 and above will drive all population growth, reflecting broader demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups are projected to experience population declines.