Kiama Downs

Kiama Downs 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 Feb 2026, Kiama Downs' estimated population is around 4,999, reflecting a decrease of 88 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,087. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 4,995 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of five new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 1,315 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 53.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. Population projections are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered areas, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for uncovered areas.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. Kiama Downs is expected to increase by 147 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 2.9% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Kiama Downs, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Kiama Downs has received around 16 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 80 homes. As of FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded. The area's population decline has not significantly impacted development activity, which remains adequate relative to other areas.

New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $647,000, indicating a focus on premium properties. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Kiama Downs has 65.0% less development activity per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. The area's development level is also lower than the national average, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists of 72.0% standalone homes and 28.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining Kiama Downs' suburban identity with a concentration of family homes. This represents a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 93.0% houses.

The area indicates a mature market with around 355 people per approval. Future projections estimate Kiama Downs to add 143 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Kiama Downs 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 has identified one major project likely affecting this region: Bombo Precinct, Springside Hill, Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan 2041, and New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services are key projects, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Kiama Downs demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Kiama Downs has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, with an estimated employment growth of 0.8% over the past year as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. By December 2025, 2,655 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 1.6% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Kiama Downs stands at 66.7%, exceeding Regional NSW's figure of 61.3%. Census responses indicate that 32.1% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Kiama Downs shows strong specialization in education & training with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.6% compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 0.8%, while labour force grew by 0.6%, leading to a 0.3 percentage point decrease in unemployment. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 1.2% and labour force decline by 0.8%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Kiama Downs' employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolations of industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

Kiama Downs' income level is above average nationally according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2023. The suburb's median income among taxpayers is $52,934 and the average income is $77,163. Regional NSW's figures are $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $57,624 (median) and $84,000 (average). Census 2021 income data shows Kiama Downs' incomes cluster around the 67th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates that 32.4% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, consistent with regional trends at 29.9%. A substantial proportion, 30.7%, earn above $3,000 weekly, suggesting strong economic capacity. After housing costs, residents retain 87.3% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Kiama Downs' dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 92.8% houses and 7.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kiama Downs was 47.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.5% and rented at 13.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,200, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent was $490, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Kiama Downs' mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,200 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 83.0% of all households, including 38.3% couples with children, 34.4% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 17.0%, with lone person households at 16.0% and group households making up 1.5%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Kiama Downs demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Kiama Downs' residents aged 15+ have higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks: 30.1% hold university qualifications (SA3 area: 19.9%, Rest of NSW: 21.3%). Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.9% holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (13.5%) and certificates (27.4%). Educational participation is high at 29.1%, with residents currently enrolled in primary education (10.1%), secondary education (8.6%), and tertiary education (3.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.1% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Kiama Downs has 68 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 13 different routes that together offer 219 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 105 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to its residential nature, and cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 97%. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, specifically 32.1%, work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 31 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop.

Kiama Downs's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics indicates robust performance across Kiama Downs. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups.

Private health cover was found to be high at approximately 57% of the total population (~2869 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis (9.0%) and mental health issues (8.1%). A significant majority, 67.8%, reported being free from medical ailments, higher than the 63.3% in Regional NSW. Among working-age residents, health outcomes were generally typical. Kiama Downs has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 25.3% (1264 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with national rankings.

Kiama Downs is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Kiama Downs has a low level of cultural diversity, with 86.8% of its residents born in Australia and 92.9% being citizens. The majority of the population speaks English only at home, at 95.9%. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kiama Downs, practiced by 53.5% of people, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

The top three ancestral groups are English (32.0%), Australian (29.0%), and Scottish (9.9%). Notably, Macedonian ancestry is higher than the regional average at 0.5%, as are Irish (9.8%) and Maltese (0.6%).

Kiama Downs hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Kiama Downs has a median age of 43, matching Regional NSW's figure and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile indicates that individuals aged 65-74 make up 15.1%, which is higher than both Regional NSW's figure and the national average of 9.5%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group comprises only 6.8% in Kiama Downs, lower than Regional NSW's figure. Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 5.3% to 7.9%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 10.6% to 13.1%. Meanwhile, the 55-64 age group has decreased from 14.5% to 11.4%, and the 25-34 cohort dropped from 8.9% to 6.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Kiama Downs's age structure. Notably, the 75-84 group is projected to grow by 25%, reaching 492 people from its current figure of 394. Conversely, population declines are anticipated for the 15-24 and 55-64 age cohorts.