Kooringal (NSW)

Kooringal has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Kooringal (NSW) is around 7,242, reflecting a decrease of 162 people since the 2021 Census. The population was reported as 7,404 in the 2021 Census. This estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,499 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Natural growth contributed approximately 55% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate a decline in overall population over this period, with the area's population expected to shrink by 488 persons by 2041. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 85 and over age group, projected to increase by 198 people.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates approximately 4 new homes approved annually in Kooringal over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 20 homes. As of FY-26, 11 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in recent years, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, maintaining a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $564,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market and high-end developments. This financial year has seen $1.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Rest of NSW, Kooringal shows significantly reduced construction activity (89.0% below regional average per person), which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties due to scarcity of new homes. This activity is also below national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent development has been entirely standalone homes, sustaining Kooringal's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space.

Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (81.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes. The location has approximately 1605 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Kooringal should see reduced pressure on housing in the future, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

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

Twelve projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics Hub (RiFL), Bourkelands Neighbourhood Shopping Centre, Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct, and HumeLink Transmission Project. The following list details those expected to be 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 drivers in Kooringal are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Kooringal has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.4%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation as of December 2025. There are 3,272 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 1.4% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is similar to Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census responses show that only 7.2% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Notably, education & training has employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.9% compared to Regional NSW's average of 5.3%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.9%, with employment decreasing by 4.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.7 percentage points in Kooringal. In Regional NSW, employment fell by 1.2%, labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that while national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Kooringal's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and not accounting for localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released on 30 June 2023, Kooringal suburb had a median income among taxpayers of $49,456 with the average level at $60,288. This is lower than national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $54,560 (median) and $66,510 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Kooringal rank modestly between the 29th and 44th percentiles. Income analysis reveals 32.4% of population (2,346 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to regional levels at 29.9%. After housing expenses, 85.7% of income remains for other expenses.

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

Dwelling structure in Kooringal, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 81.1% houses and 18.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 81.1% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kooringal was at 30.3%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (32.7%) or rented (37.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kooringal was $1,324, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Kooringal was recorded at $270, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Kooringal's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Kooringal features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 65.9% of all households, including 24.5% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 14.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.1%, with lone person households at 30.3% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the Regional NSW average.

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

Kooringal Trail's educational qualifications meet regional benchmarks but lag behind NSW. In Kooringal Trail, 22.4% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 28.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 8.4% 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

Kooringal has 36 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 58 different routes that together facilitate 888 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is considered good, with residents on average located 233 meters from the nearest stop. Most Kooringal residents commute outside the area, and cars remain the primary mode of transport at 95%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.2, lower than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, only 7.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, there are an average of 126 trips per day, which equates to approximately 24 weekly trips per stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Kooringal.

AreaSearch's assessment shows high prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (around 3,678 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.6% and 10.2% of residents respectively. 63.9% of Kooringal residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age population faces notable chronic condition rates. The area has 19.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,419 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings generally aligned with the general population.

Kooringal ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kooringal's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.9% of its population being citizens, 87.5% born in Australia, and 90.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Kooringal, comprising 56.1% of people. However, there was an overrepresentation in the 'Other' category, which made up 2.1% of Kooringal's population compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (29.1%), Australian (28.9%), and Irish (10.1%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 5.1%, German at 3.7%, and Samoan at 0.1%.

Kooringal's population is younger than the national pattern

Kooringal's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below Regional NSW's average of 43 and somewhat younger than Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Kooringal at 16.8%, compared to the Regional NSW average, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 9.3%. According to the Census conducted on August 10th, 2021, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 15.0% to 16.8%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 6.1% to 7.4%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 14.7% to 13.2%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 10.2% to 9.0%. Demographic modeling suggests Kooringal's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 90%, adding 188 residents to reach 399. Residents aged 65 and older represent all anticipated growth, while population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 65 to 74 cohorts.