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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
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Population
Mount Keira has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
As per AreaSearch's analysis using ABS population updates and validated new addresses, Mount Keira's estimated population was 1,610 by May 2026. This showed a decrease of 81 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded 1,691 residents. The latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) and one additional validated new address contributed to this estimate. Mount Keira's population density was 231 persons per square kilometer in May 2026. Overseas migration drove recent population growth, accounting for approximately 89.0% of overall gains.
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 from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are applied. Growth rates by age group are projected for all areas between 2032 and 2041. Mount Keira is expected to increase its population by 433 persons to 2,041 by 2041, reflecting a 26.8% total increase over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Mount Keira is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
Mount Keira has had minimal construction activity with two new dwellings approved annually on average over the past five years (13 approvals in total). This low level of development is typical of rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that with such low approval numbers, yearly growth figures can vary significantly based on individual projects.
New developments consist of 50% detached houses and 50% attached dwellings, indicating a shift from the area's current housing composition which is 92% houses. This shift reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles that require more diverse, affordable housing options. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Mount Keira is 1073 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is forecasted to gain 432 residents by 2041.
If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth for dwellings in Mount Keira.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mount Keira
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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.
Infrastructure
Mount Keira has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects that could affect this region. Major initiatives include the 2-8 Highway Avenue Multi-Dwelling Housing Development, University of Wollongong's 2016-2036 Wollongong Campus Master Plan, Wollongong Private Hospital Expansion, and Wollongong to Coniston Rail Infrastructure Upgrade. The following details projects likely most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Wollongong Private Hospital Expansion
A 12-storey western wing expansion of Wollongong Private Hospital, comprising a new 24-hour emergency department, radiation oncology (Basement Level 6), expanded operating theatres, ICU support, additional inpatient beds, a medi-hotel for recovering patients, and a new vehicular access from Urunga Parade. The proposal also includes an Indigenous birthing centre and walk-in health centre operated by the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service (IAMS) within retained heritage buildings at 366 and 368 Crown Street. Five existing Urunga Parade dwellings will be demolished. The project is a State Significant Development (SSD-84096206) currently on public exhibition through the NSW Planning Portal.
Wollongong to Coniston Rail Infrastructure Upgrade
Part of the Rail Service Improvement Program, this project involves upgrading the rail corridor between Wollongong and Coniston. Works include replacing electrical cables and overhead wiring at the Coniston substation, installing new signalling equipment, and completing civil and structural activities to support the new Mariyung fleet. These upgrades facilitate more frequent services on the South Coast Line, targeting 15-minute peak and 30-minute off-peak intervals between Wollongong and Sydney CBD.
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
The Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone is a 1,022 square kilometre area of Commonwealth waters in the Pacific Ocean, located at least 20 km offshore between Wombarra and Kiama in New South Wales. It was officially declared by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy on 15 June 2024 as Australia's fourth offshore wind zone. The zone has a potential generation capacity of around 2.9 GW, theoretically enough to power approximately 1.8 million homes, and was projected to support an estimated 1,740 construction jobs and 870 ongoing jobs. Due to a sharp drop in water depths off the coast, only floating wind turbine technology is considered viable for the zone. Feasibility licence applications were open from 17 June to 15 August 2024. Initial proponents Oceanex Energy and Equinor opted not to apply, instead focusing on the Hunter Offshore Wind Zone where they were awarded a feasibility licence for the Novocastrian project. Spanish developer BlueFloat Energy became the sole feasibility licence applicant but formally withdrew its application in January 2026, citing global commercial pressures and the wind-down of its Australian operations by parent Quantum Capital. On 23 January 2026, the Federal Government confirmed no feasibility licences would be granted in the Illawarra zone. The zone remains declared and could reopen for feasibility applications if competitive interest returns. In the meantime, the area is open for Research and Demonstration (R&D) licence applications to trial offshore renewable technologies including floating wind, wave and tidal current systems.
Rail Service Improvement Program - T4 Illawarra & Eastern Suburbs Line
A multi-billion-dollar upgrade (formerly More Trains, More Services) modernising the T4 line for higher frequency. Key works include the Digital Systems Program replacing trackside signals with ETCS Level 2 technology, platform extensions at Waterfall and Kiama for the Mariyung fleet, and power upgrades. As of May 2026, Mariyung trains have commenced passenger service on the South Coast Line (April 2026), and Digital Systems testing continues between Bondi Junction and Erskineville.
Maldon to Dombarton Freight Rail Line
The Maldon to Dombarton Railway is a proposed 35-kilometre single-track freight rail link intended to connect the Main South Line at Maldon with the Moss Vale to Unanderra line at Dombarton. This corridor aims to enhance freight access to Port Kembla and bypass Sydney's passenger network congestion. While 25 kilometres of earthworks were completed in the 1980s, the project remains in the investigative stage. Recent strategic planning, including the 2026 Draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, continues to list it as a long-term investigative initiative, though Infrastructure Australia has previously noted that costs currently outweigh the economic benefits.
Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project (Energy Storage Transition)
Following the February 2024 closure of the coal mine expansion due to regulatory and safety concerns, the site is being repurposed for renewable technology. In September 2025, Wollongong Resources and Green Gravity signed a binding agreement to deploy a world-first gravitational energy storage trial in the #4 mine shaft. The project uses excess solar and wind power to lift 60-80 tonne weights, releasing the stored energy back to the grid during peak demand. The site is currently undergoing engineering studies and regulatory approvals for production trials scheduled for 2026.
Rail Service Improvement Program (Mortdale-Kiama)
The Rail Service Improvement Program (formerly More Trains, More Services) is a multi-billion-dollar NSW Government initiative to modernize the rail network for the Mariyung fleet. The Mortdale to Kiama package involves infrastructure upgrades including the Mortdale Maintenance Centre (active maintenance and shunting works in February 2026), platform extensions at Kiama (completed), and ongoing signaling, power supply, and station improvements at Thirroul and Shellharbour Junction to enable increased service frequency on the T4 Illawarra and South Coast lines.
More Trains More Services Stage Two - Mortdale to Kiama Capital Works
A comprehensive rail infrastructure package delivered to enable the rollout of the Mariyung intercity fleet. Works included major upgrades to the Mortdale Maintenance Centre (including a new bogie exchange system), platform extensions at Kiama and other stations, and the construction of new stabling yards at Waterfall and Kiama. As of April 2026, the project has reached operational completion with the Mariyung fleet officially entering service on the South Coast Line.
Employment
Employment conditions in Mount Keira demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets
Mount Keira's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of December 2025 was 2.4%. Over the past year, employment remained relatively stable.
In comparison to Regional NSW's unemployment rate of 3.9%, Mount Keira's rate was 1.5% lower. Workforce participation was high at 68.1%, exceeding Regional NSW's rate of 60.5%. A substantial portion of residents, 34.2%, worked from home according to Census responses, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.
Mount Keira showed strong specialization in education & training with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 0.5% compared to Regional NSW's average of 5.3%. The ratio of 0.8 workers per resident indicated substantial local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.2%, while employment declined by 0.1%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Mount Keira. National employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Mount Keira's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Mount Keira's median income among taxpayers is $66,843. The average income in the suburb is $88,992. Both figures are among the highest in Australia. In comparison, Regional NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Mount Keira's median income are approximately $73,741 as of March 2026, with the average estimated to be around $98,176 during the same period. According to the 2021 Census, household incomes in Mount Keira rank at the 90th percentile, with a weekly income of $2,476. The earnings profile indicates that 29.0% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 29.9% in the same category. Mount Keira demonstrates considerable affluence with 40.2% of residents earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 87.9% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Mount Keira is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Mount Keira's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.0% houses and 8.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Keira was at 43.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (41.6%) or rented (15.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,468, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Mount Keira was $420, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Mount Keira's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,468 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Mount Keira features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households account for 80.3% of all households, including 41.8% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 19.7%, with lone person households at 16.7% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Mount Keira demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics
Mount Keira's residents aged 15 and above have a higher proportion with university qualifications (37.6%) compared to the Rest of NSW (21.3%) and SA4 region (25.2%). Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.5% of residents holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.0%) and certificates (20.5%). Educational participation is high, with 34.3% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising primary (9.9%), secondary (9.4%), and tertiary (8.4%) levels.
Educational participation is notably high, with 34.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 8.4% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Mount Keira has seven active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by ten different routes that together facilitate 274 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living 201 meters away from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential zone, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 93% of residents. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling, which exceeds the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, 34.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, an average of 39 trips are made daily, resulting in approximately 39 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Mount Keira's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions
Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Mount Keira. AreaSearch's assessment indicates low prevalence of common health conditions among both young and old age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (997 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW, which is higher than the national average of 55.7%.
The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and arthritis, impacting 7.5 and 6.7% of residents respectively. A total of 72.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 16.6% of residents aged 65 and over (267 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
In terms of cultural diversity, Mount Keira records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Mount Keira's population showed above-average cultural diversity, with 20.1% born overseas and 14.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Mount Keira, accounting for 54.6%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (26.7%), English (24.8%), and Other (7.8%).
Notably, Serbian (1.4%) and Macedonian (2.5%) groups were overrepresented in Mount Keira compared to the regional averages of 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively. Welsh ancestry was also slightly higher at 0.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Mount Keira's population is slightly older than the national pattern
The median age in Mount Keira is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 but essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Mount Keira has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (16.8%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (8.9%). According to the 2021 Census, the median age in Mount Keira decreased by 1.1 years from 40 to 39, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. Key changes show that the proportion of residents aged 25-34 grew from 9.5% to 12.4%, while the proportion of those aged 15-24 increased from 14.7% to 16.8%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 55-64 declined from 12.6% to 8.9%, and the proportion of those aged 5-14 dropped from 14.2% to 13.0%. Demographic modeling suggests that Mount Keira's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase markedly, expanding by 108 people (54%) from 199 to 308. Meanwhile, the 55-64 age group is expected to grow more modestly at 3%, adding only 3 residents.