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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Kununurra has an estimated 6,222 residents, up from 5,494 at the 2021 Census — a change of 728 people, or 13.3%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years, faster than 80% of areas nationally. Natural increase accounts for 54.0% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Kununurra has an estimated resident count of approximately 6,222, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS releases alongside post-Census address validations. This represents an addition of 728 people (13.3%) over the 5,494 people counted at the 2021 Census. AreaSearch arrived at this from an estimated resident tally of 6,221 following the ABS ERP release in June 2025 together with 33 validated new addresses recorded after the Census date. This population translates into a spacious density of 2.9 persons per square kilometer. With a 13.3% expansion rate since the 2021 census, the suburb of Kununurra outpaced both Rest of WA and the national average (9.5%), establishing itself as a regional growth frontrunner.
Natural increase served as the main engine of expansion, accounting for roughly 54.0% of recent population gains. Projections for the suburb of Kununurra incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 (using 2022 as baseline), complemented by ABS Greater Capital Region age-cohort projections from 2023 (utilising 2022 data) for broader coverage and outlooks beyond 2032. Looking ahead to 2041, the suburb of Kununurra is projected to expand by 609 persons based on combined SA2 figures, translating to an overall growth rate of 9.8% across the 16 years, tracking marginally beneath the national regional median.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
40 new dwellings have been approved in Kununurra over the past five years, an average of 8 a year. That places the area in the 62nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 1 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 42, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Over the past 5 financial years, residential building approvals in Kununurra have averaged roughly 8 dwellings per year, representing around 40 homes in total based on ABS figures compiled by AreaSearch. In FY-25 to date, 42 approvals have been documented. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the locality registered an influx of 5.8 people per year for every new home constructed, highlighting an acute lag in dwelling supply relative to demand that typically intensifies buyer competition and drives prices upward. Meanwhile, new residential construction exhibits an estimated average build cost of $499,000—slightly exceeding regional norms and pointing to high-standard builds.
Non-residential development has also seen steady investment, with $16.5 million in commercial approvals lodged during the current financial year. Per-capita residential approval rates in Kununurra stand at roughly two-thirds the level observed across Rest of WA and trail the Australian benchmark, positioning the locality in the 56th percentile nationally despite a recent pickup in building work. This trend highlights the established nature of the town and may reflect planning constraints. Detached houses account for 77.0% of new residential development, while townhouses or apartments comprise 23.0%, reinforcing a low-density urban fabric tailored toward family dwellings. Currently, the ratio stands at roughly 247 people per dwelling approval, indicating substantial capacity for future development. Based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, Kununurra is slated to grow by 608 residents by 2041. Should current construction volumes persist, housing supply could fall short of demographic expansion, which would likely heighten competition among purchasers and place upward pressure on values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kununurra
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 11 current infrastructure and development projects inside Kununurra, worth an estimated $2.03 billion. A further 29 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.36 billion. 15 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure upgrades, major developments, and local strategic planning play a transformative role in regional performance. AreaSearch has highlighted 11 key initiatives impacting the locality, with notable developments including the Coolibah Estate, Kununurra Town Centre Revitalisation, Aboriginal Employee Housing Kununurra, and the Kununurra Primary Health Centre.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Lakeside Park Estate
Lakeside Park is a residential land release developed by DevelopmentWA located approximately two kilometres south-east of Kununurra town centre. The estate delivers fully serviced single residential homesites and grouped housing lots close to Lake Kununurra and the Mirima National Park ranges. Civil works and staged releases form part of the regional growth strategy to support expansion across the East Kimberley.
Coolibah Estate
Located near the Kununurra town centre, Coolibah Estate is a 124-home residential development situated close to schools, childcare, medical facilities, local shops, and sporting clubs. The estate is designed to provide a diverse range of housing products including single residential, grouped housing, commercial, and mixed-use sites.
East Kimberley Regional Airport Runway Extension
Stage 2 upgrade extending the runway at East Kimberley Regional Airport (EKRA) in Kununurra from 1,829m to 2,370m and widening it from 30m to 45m to accommodate unrestricted Code 4C aircraft operations (Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320). Works include taxiway upgrades, new and upgraded aprons, communications infrastructure and lighting upgrades. The project removes current weight and passenger restrictions that limit the Virgin Australia 737-800 Perth service to as few as 146 passengers. Funded jointly by the Commonwealth ($13.5m), State ($2.5m) and Shire ($1.5m) governments.Contractor ACG commenced works on 10 March 2025 with major works targeted for completion by October 2025. Approximately 55 jobs are directly supported during construction.
Aboriginal Employee Housing Kununurra
A project to deliver six new homes for Aboriginal employees in Kununurra, funded by the State Government's North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund.
Kununurra Foreshore Plan
A comprehensive plan to manage and preserve the Lake Kununurra Foreshore, focusing on ecological preservation, cultural heritage, and future development.
Kununurra Town Centre Revitalisation
State Government commitment of $327,500 to develop revitalisation plan for Kununurra Town Centre, modernising key gateway destination into WA and the Kimberley. Partnership between Shire, MG Corporation, East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Kimberley Development Commission. Plan aims to make the town centre more welcoming, vibrant and attractive for residents, businesses and visitors, and to lay the foundation for precinct-level improvement of infrastructure and amenities.
Weaber Plain Light Industrial Estate
Development of a light industrial estate providing fully serviced lots to expand the existing industrial precinct in Kununurra. The estate supports local industry and agricultural operations within the Ord River Irrigation Area with underground power, water, and sewer connections.
Kununurra Primary Health Centre
One-stop-shop healthcare hub for East Kimberley community enabling more people to access care closer to home. Part of $54 million East Kimberley Development Package health infrastructure allocation.
3,211 residents of Kununurra are employed, from a labour force of 3,458. Unemployment sits at 7.1%, with participation at 70.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 4,590, about 74% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Kununurra features a skilled workforce with solid representation in core public and community services. Statistical area data compiled by AreaSearch indicates that 3,211 residents are employed as of March 2026, following a 3.5% lift in employment over the preceding twelve months. The local unemployment rate stands at 7.1%, which is 3.6% higher than the Regional WA figure of 3.5%. However, labour force participation remains exceptionally robust at 70.9%, compared with 65.4% across Regional WA. According to Census data, working from home was relatively uncommon, accounting for just 4.3% of workers, though Covid-19 restrictions at the time may have influenced this result.
Employment among local residents is primarily concentrated across health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. The workforce is notably specialized in health care & social assistance, holding a concentration 1.6 times that of the broader region. Conversely, mining accounts for only 1.5% of local employment, well below the 11.7% registered across Regional WA. Comparing the resident workforce to the Census working population suggests that opportunities within the immediate locality remain somewhat constrained. In the twelve months to March 2026, AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data shows Kununurra experienced a 3.5% increase in employment alongside a 3.3% expansion in the labour force, enabling the unemployment rate to decrease by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Regional WA recorded a 0.1% decline in employment, a 0.3% increase in the labour pool, and a 0.4 percentage points rise in unemployment. Long-term outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia (Mar-26) project nationwide employment gains of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Extrapolating these national industry trends across Kununurra's specific sector distribution indicates potential employment expansion of 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this weighted projection does not incorporate local population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kununurra is $2,091 a week (about $109,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,153 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $65,304 a year against an average of $77,121. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, the suburb of Kununurra had a median income among taxpayers of $65,304 with the average level standing at $77,121. This is very high nationally and compares to levels of $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $72,442 (median) and $85,550 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, individual earnings stand out at the 88th percentile nationally ($1,153 weekly).
The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 39.5% of the community (2,457 individuals), aligning with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 31.1%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.4% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kununurra had 1,608 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 67% detached houses and 8% apartments. 20% are owned with a mortgage, 65% rented and 16% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $266 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,019 a month. Rent absorbs 12.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the residential landscape in Kununurra consisted of 66.5% separate houses and 33.5% other formats including apartments and semi-detached properties, contrasting with Regional WA where houses formed 88.5% and other dwellings accounted for 11.6%. Outright home ownership stood at 15.7%, trailing regional benchmarks, with 19.6% of homes carrying a mortgage and 64.7% occupied by tenants. Typical monthly mortgage repayments reached $2,019, markedly above the Regional WA median of $1,560 and the Australian average of $1,863. In contrast, weekly rental costs sat at $266, virtually on par with Regional WA ($265) and considerably lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kununurra counted 1,608 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,821 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 71.5%, which includes 28.9% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 13.6% single-parent arrangements. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 28.5%, consisting of single-person dwellings (24.1%) and group accommodations (4.3%). The local average household size is 2.7 people, exceeding the Regional WA figure of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
28.0% of adults in Kununurra hold a university qualification, including 20.0% with a bachelor degree and 4.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.0% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,120 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 778 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in Kununurra is notably high, with 28.0% of persons aged 15+ possessing higher education degrees, outpacing both Rest of WA (17.6%) and the wider SA4 region (20.5%). This academic profile is led by bachelor degree holders at 20.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Technical and vocational pathways are equally prominent, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of 29.0% with certificates and 10.8% with advanced diplomas. Formal study engagement is substantial across the population, with 36.6% of residents attending an educational institution.
This breaks down into 17.3% enrolled in primary schools, 8.3% in secondary education, and 3.7% undertaking tertiary coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kununurra means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
79.5% of residents in Kununurra report no long-term health condition. 2.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 57.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Kununurra track closely with nationwide standards, exhibiting regular rates of chronic illness and mortality across both younger and older cohorts according to AreaSearch data. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is widespread, held by approximately 58% of residents (~3,597 people). Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent reported medical challenges locally, recorded among 5.9 and 4.8% of the community respectively. Meanwhile, 79.5% of residents reported having no medical ailments whatsoever, exceeding the 69.3% recorded for Regional WA. Working-age cohorts show high overall health, while older residents aged 65 and over represent 8.2% of the local population (510 people)—well below the 19.1% share seen in Regional WA.
Health outcomes among local seniors are especially favourable, outranking national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kununurra is largely Australian-born, at 82.0% of residents, with 14.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (24.4%) and English (23.9%). 19.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Kununurra displays a heightened degree of cultural diversity, with 18.0% of residents born abroad and 14.7% utilizing a non-English language at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 40.6% of the population. A notable religious divergence appears in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of local residents despite virtually no presence across Regional WA. The leading reported ancestries among Kununurra residents are Australian at 24.4%, English at 23.9% (below the regional level of 31.3%), and Australian Aboriginal at 19.9% (substantially above the 6.1% seen across Regional WA). Additional background variations include French ancestry at 0.5% (compared to 0.4% regionally), New Zealand background at 0.7% (compared to 0.9%), and Dutch at 1.3% (against 1.5% across the region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kununurra is 32, younger than 86% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 31.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The suburb of Kununurra has a distinct concentration of young families, with residents aged 25 - 44 constituting 36.4% of the population as at August 2026, well above the 26.6% mark across Regional WA. Conversely, seniors aged 65+ make up only 8.2%, compared to 19.1% regionally. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 32 years, down from 33 at the 2021 Census and noticeably below the Regional WA benchmark of 40 and national median of 38 from that same Census. The 45 - 64 age group has decreased since the Census, moving from 26.2% to roughly 22.4%.
Projections toward 2041 indicate that the 25 - 44 cohort will generate the largest expansion, adding 556 residents (25%) to reach 2,821, while senior demographics are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kununurra
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 this month all 11 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 33 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (5,494 at the 2021 Census → 6,222 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL50799). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.