Katoomba

Katoomba 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, Katoomba's population is estimated at around 8,417 people. This figure reflects an increase of 149 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,268 people in the suburb. AreaSearch validated this estimate by examining the resident population of 8,348 from the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and accounting for an additional 54 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 380 persons per square kilometer in Katoomba. The suburb's growth rate of 1.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 1.2%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver behind this population increase.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, to anticipate future demographic trends. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a 2021 base year. Applying these growth rates by age group, Katoomba is expected to expand by 269 persons to reach an estimated population of 8,686 by the year 2041. This projected increase reflects a total rise of 1.3% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Katoomba according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Katoomba has experienced around 32 dwelling approvals each year since FY-18 to FY-22, totalling approximately 160 homes. As of FY-26, five approvals have been recorded. Despite recent 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 $530,000.

This financial year has seen $2.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential. Relative to Greater Sydney, Katoomba has 92.0% more construction activity per person. New development consists of 66.0% detached houses and 34.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. This shift reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring diverse housing options. Katoomba has around 239 people per approval, indicating low density.

AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects Katoomba to grow by 113 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Katoomba has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects likely impacting the region. Key initiatives are: Katoomba Cultural Centre and Civic Precinct Upgrade (commencing 2021), Katoomba Town Centre Upgrade (scheduled for completion in late 2023), Echo Point Precinct Upgrade (beginning mid-2022), Escarpments Estate (underway since early 2020). Below is a list of projects most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Katoomba recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Katoomba has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.5% as of June 2025, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In this month, 4,030 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.3% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Katoomba lagged behind Greater Sydney at 53.1%, compared to 60.0%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food. Notably, the area showed strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 2.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, finance & insurance had lower representation at 1.6% versus the regional average of 7.3%. Labour force levels decreased by 2.8% over the 12 months to June 2025 alongside a 2.6% employment decline, resulting in an unemployment rate fall of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Katoomba's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Katoomba has lower incomes than the national average. The median income is $42,353 and the average is $58,097. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Katoomba would be approximately $47,694 (median) and $65,423 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Katoomba fall between the 11th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the $400 - 799 bracket dominates with 26.5% of residents (2,230 people), contrasting with metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Katoomba, with only 80.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 10th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

In Katoomba, as per the latest Census, 82.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 17.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. In contrast, Sydney metropolitan area had 92.3% houses and 7.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Katoomba stood at 36.3%, with mortgaged properties at 29.3% and rented ones at 34.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,600, lower than Sydney's average of $2,033. Median weekly rent in Katoomba was $350, compared to Sydney's $400. Nationally, Katoomba's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Katoomba features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 55.4% of all households, including 17.7% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 44.6%, with lone person households at 39.6% and group households making up 5.1%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Katoomba exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Katoomba's residents aged 15 and above have a higher proportion of university qualifications than the broader SA4 region. Specifically, 34.8% of Katoomba's residents hold such qualifications, compared to 23.9% in the SA4 area. This educational advantage is evident in various levels of attainment: Bachelor degrees are held by 21.3%, postgraduate qualifications by 9.9%, and graduate diplomas by 3.6%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.1% of residents holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (21.3%).

Educational participation is notably high in Katoomba, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (7.9%), secondary education (6.6%), and tertiary education (4.6%). The area's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 1,302 students and demonstrate typical Australian school conditions, with balanced educational opportunities across distinct age groups served by the 3 primary and 1 secondary schools.

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

Katoomba has 125 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 43 routes that facilitate 3,087 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 173 meters.

On average, there are 441 daily trips across all routes, translating to about 24 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Katoomba is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant challenges for Katoomba, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% of Katoomba's total population (~4204 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 54.4% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 12.6% and 9.2% of residents respectively.

61.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Greater Sydney. Katoomba has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 25.7% (2163 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 24.3%. Health outcomes among seniors in Katoomba are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Katoomba, as per the census data from June 2016, showed cultural diversity with 10.2% of its population speaking a language other than English at home. Overseas-born residents comprised 23.4%. Christianity was the predominant religion in Katoomba, with 33.3% of people identifying as such.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, with 0.4% of Katoomba's population identifying as Jewish. Regarding ancestry, English (28.6%), Australian (21.2%), and Irish (12.0%) were the top three groups represented in Katoomba. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Hungarian was overrepresented at 0.5%, French at 0.9%, and Polish at 1.1%.

Katoomba hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Katoomba's median age is 48 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 15.5%, while the 25-34 group is smaller at 9.5% compared to Greater Sydney. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and now, the 75-84 age group has grown from 6.3% to 8.4%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 9.3% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 9.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Katoomba. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 45%, adding 319 residents to reach 1,027. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 98% of population growth, highlighting trends in demographic aging. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 0-4 age cohorts.