Kogarah

Kogarah lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Kogarah is around 18,889. This figure represents a 15.1% increase from the 2021 Census count of 16,416 people. The latest resident population estimate of 18,886 by AreaSearch, following examination of the ABS's June 2025 ERP data release and validation of additional 548 new addresses since the Census date, indicates this growth. This results in a density ratio of 7,265 persons per square kilometer, placing Kogarah in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth exceeded both its SA4 region (6.5%) and state averages since the 2021 Census. This growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 92.0% 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. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts and aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is forecasted to experience significant population growth, expanding by 6,935 persons to reach a total of 25,824 by 2041. This reflects an increase of 36.7% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Kogarah among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Kogarah recorded approximately 165 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 828 homes. As of FY-26, 68 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 2.6 new residents per year was associated with each dwelling. The average construction cost value for new homes was $504,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment.

In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled $33.3 million, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Kogarah shows 77.0% higher new home approvals per person. New development consists of 9.0% detached houses and 91.0% townhouses or apartments. Kogarah reflects a transitioning market with approximately 222 people per approval. By 2041, Kogarah is expected to grow by 6,932 residents.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 30 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Kogarah North Urban Design Strategy Implementation, Ganellen Kogarah Town Centre Redevelopment, The Rise, and St George Hospital Redevelopment Stage 3. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Kogarah demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Kogarah has a highly educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate was 2.3% in the past year, indicating robust employment growth of 5.2%. As of December 2025, 12,695 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 1.9%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation is high at 79.5% compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. A significant proportion, 35.4%, work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance (1.5 times the regional level), professional & technical services, and retail trade. Education & training employment is under-represented at 5.5% compared to Greater Sydney's 8.9%.

The ratio of workers to residents indicates ample local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 5.2%, while labour force grew by 5.3%, maintaining a stable unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kogarah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, assuming constant population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Kogarah's median income among taxpayers is $53,182 and the average is $67,524. These figures are in line with national averages. Greater Sydney's median income is $60,817 and its average is $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Kogarah would be approximately $58,670 (median) and $74,492 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Kogarah cluster around the 60th percentile nationally. The income distribution shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captures 37.5% of the community (7,083 individuals), which aligns with the broader area where this cohort represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 19.3% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 55th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Kogarah features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Kogarah, as per the latest Census evaluation, houses comprised 20.9% of dwellings while other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other') made up 79.0%. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kogarah was at 22.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.8% and rented ones at 50.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,200, below Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Kogarah was $450, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Kogarah's median monthly mortgage repayments were higher at $2,200 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Kogarah features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.3 percent of all households, including 30.5 percent couples with children, 25.4 percent couples without children, and 9.2 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.7 percent, with lone person households at 26.4 percent and group households making up 6.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Kogarah shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Kogarah is notably higher than national averages. As of 2016, 46.0% of residents aged 15 and above held university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. University graduates comprise the largest group at 29.5%, followed by postgraduate degree holders (14.5%) and those with graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 25.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (12.2%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.4% of residents enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This includes 8.7% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 5.4% pursuing secondary education.

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

Kogarah has 71 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 24 routes, offering a total of 4,850 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 131 meters from the nearest stop. In this predominantly residential zone, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 48%, followed by trains at 31% and walking at 11%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.6 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 35.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 692 trips per day, equating to roughly 68 weekly trips per stop.

Kogarah's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Kogarah. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were assessed by AreaSearch, with younger cohorts showing very low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 54% of the total population (~10,130 people), leading that of the average SA2 area, but lower than Greater Sydney's 59.9%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, impacting 4.8 and 4.4% of residents respectively. 80.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. There are 12.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,361 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors in Kogarah rank above average but lower nationally than the broader population.

Kogarah is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kogarah has a high level of cultural diversity, with 67.2% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 61.8% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kogarah, making up 42.9% of the population. Hinduism is notably overrepresented, comprising 18.3%, compared to the Greater Sydney average of 5.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (29.4%), Chinese (14.8%), and English (9.5%). Spanish (1.1%), Greek (6.0%), and Filipino (4.4%) ethnicities are also notably overrepresented in Kogarah compared to regional averages of 0.6%, 1.9%, and 2.0% respectively.

Kogarah's population is younger than the national pattern

Kogarah's median age is 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Sydney's 37 and the national average of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 23.9%, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 8.2%. This 25-34 concentration is higher than the national figure of 14.6%. Between 2021 and now, the 15-24 age group has grown from 11.3% to 13.1%, while the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 9.2% to 8.2%. By 2041, population forecasts suggest significant demographic changes for Kogarah. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 1,145 people (57%) from 2,021 to 3,167.