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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, as of Nov 2025, Kariong's estimated population is around 6490, reflecting a 0.1% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 6485 people. This growth was inferred from an estimated resident population of 6490 by AreaSearch following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and six validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 251 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person. Natural growth contributed approximately 63% to overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates from these aggregations for years 2032 to 2041 are applied across all areas. Future population trends anticipate lower quartile growth nationally, with Kariong expected to increase by 2 persons by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 0%.

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

Kariong averaged approximately 6 new dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 34 homes. As of FY26, 7 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $495,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment.

This financial year, $68,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Kariong has significantly less development activity, 73.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, which is also under the national average, suggesting an established area with potential planning limitations. New building activity consists of 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% attached dwellings, indicating a shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 92.0% houses). This shift may reflect decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles seeking more diverse, affordable housing options. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1178 people in Kariong, reflecting its quiet development environment.

Future projections show Kariong adding 2 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Kariong has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects potentially affecting this region. Notable projects include Northside Private Hospital, Ocean Beach Road/Rawson Road Intersection Upgrade, Transport Oriented Development at Woy Woy Station Precinct, and Blackwall Road Intersection Upgrades. 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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The labour market strength in Kariong positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Kariong has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.5%.

As of September 2025, 3701 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was at 69.1%, higher than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance employment levels are particularly high, at 1.2 times the regional average, while professional & technical employment shows lower representation at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 11.5%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the Census working population versus resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 2.5%, labour force by 3.2%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1%, labour force expand by 2.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2260 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. 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, assuming population projections are accounted for.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Kariong had a median income among taxpayers of $55,157. The average income stood at $71,280. This is above the national average and compares to levels of $60,817 and $83,003 across Greater Sydney respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $60,044 (median) and $77,595 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 78th percentile ($2,200 weekly), while personal income sits at the 59th percentile. Income analysis reveals that 39.9% of the population (2,589 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 30.9% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 77th percentile and 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 dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.2% houses and 7.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metro had 74.2% houses and 25.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kariong was 25.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 52.3% and rented ones at 22.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,080, below Sydney metro's average of $2,150. The median weekly rent figure in Kariong was $450, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Kariong's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 constitute the remaining 17.1%, with lone person households at 15.1% and group households comprising 2.0% of the total. 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 was 20.7%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials were prevalent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.7%) and certificates (29.2%). Educational participation was high at 32.2%, with 11.4% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Kariong shows that there are 35 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 27 individual routes providing service to the area. Together, these routes facilitate 443 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Kariong is rated as excellent, with residents on average located just 199 meters from their nearest transport stop. The service frequency across all routes averages 63 trips per day, which translates to approximately 12 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 indicates relatively positive 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, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 55% (~3,575 people) of the total population has private health cover. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 9.3% and 8.9% of residents respectively. 69.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 64.8% across Greater Sydney. 12.8% (830 people) of residents are aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 24.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than 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, like the broader area, is predominantly Australian-born with 81.0%, and citizens with 91.2%. English is spoken exclusively at home by 88.9%. Christianity is the prevalent religion in Kariong at 51.4%.

While Judaism is similarly represented at 0.2% in both Kariong and Greater Sydney, notable differences exist in other ethnic groups' representation: Russian (0.5% vs 0.4%), Welsh (0.7% vs 0.7%), and Lebanese (0.9% vs 0.3%). Ancestry-wise, Australian is the highest at 30.4%, followed by English at 28.4%, and Irish at 7.2%.

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 now, the percentage of residents aged 65-74 has increased from 6.4% to 7.8%, while the percentage of those aged 5-14 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, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 25-34 and 0-4 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.