Mount Kuring-Gai

Mount Kuring-Gai has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the population of Mount Kuring-Gai is estimated at around 1,879, reflecting an increase of 113 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 1,766. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 1,792 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. Mount Kuring-Gai's 6.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's 5.8%, marking it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 56% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year.

Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth, with Mount Kuring-Gai expected to grow by 268 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 9.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mount Kuring-Gai recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Mount Kuring-Gai has recorded approximately four residential properties granted approval each year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, this totals an estimated 23 homes. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY-26. On average, eight new residents per year are associated with every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand significantly exceeds supply.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $428,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. In the current financial year, $3.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating limited commercial development focus. When compared to Greater Sydney, Mount Kuring-Gai shows comparable new home approvals per person, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area. This level is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises 50% detached houses and 50% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns which are currently 95% houses. This shift may be due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

The estimated count of 369 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Mount Kuring-Gai is expected to grow by 181 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Present construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Mount Kuring-Gai has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified four projects expected to affect this region: Berowra Valley National Park Northern Extension, Arlington Heights Estate, Mount Colah Station Upgrade, and Newcastle-Sydney and Wollongong-Sydney Rail Line Upgrades. The following list highlights those most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Mount Kuring-Gai has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Mount Kuring-Gai has a well-educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate was 6.5% as of December 2025, which is 2.3% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Mount Kuring-Gai is broadly similar to Greater Sydney's 70.2%.

According to Census responses, 44.8% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The area has a particularly strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level. In contrast, transport, postal & warehousing employs just 3.3% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 5.3%.

The ratio of 0.7 workers for each resident indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12-month period ending in December 2025, labour force increased by 1.3%, while employment declined by 0.3%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Kuring-Gai's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Mount Kuring-Gai suburb has a median taxpayer income of $56,122 and an average of $71,677, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher than Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, the estimated median income would be approximately $61,094 and the average would be around $78,028. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Mount Kuring-Gai rank highly nationally, between the 74th and 88th percentiles for households, families, and individuals. Income distribution shows that 31.5% of residents (591 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, similar to the broader area where 30.9% occupy this bracket. Economic strength is evident with 38.5% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting increased consumer spending. High housing costs consume 15.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 88th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Mount Kuring-Gai is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Mount Kuring-Gai's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings. This contrasts with Sydney metro's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Kuring-Gai stood at 38.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 49.2% and rented ones at 12.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,648, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Mount Kuring-Gai was $568, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Mount Kuring-Gai's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,648 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Mount Kuring-Gai features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 83.9% of all households, including 47.4% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 16.1%, with lone person households at 14.7% and group households comprising 0.5%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 37.9%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 57.1%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 22.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 34.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.4%) and certificates (20.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.0% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 5.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mount Kuring-Gai has 21 operational public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 19 different routes, collectively facilitating 1,956 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good with residents typically residing 223 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 85%, with trains used by 10% of residents. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average.

Notably, 44.8% of residents work from home (2021 Census). Service frequency averages 279 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 93 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Mount Kuring-Gai is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Mount Kuring-Gai exhibits superior health outcomes as per AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups display low incidence of common health conditions.

Approximately 55% (~1,038 people) have private health cover, higher than Greater Sydney's 59.9%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (8.5%) and arthritis (8.1%), with 68.8% reporting no medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Health outcomes among working-age residents are largely typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 18.2% (341 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Senior health outcomes are above average, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Mount Kuring-Gai was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Kuring-Gai, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Data from 29/6/2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas with 27.8% born overseas and 17.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 52.6%. Judaism showed an overrepresentation of 0.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%.

For ancestry, English (28.3%) and Australian (24.1%) were substantially higher than regional averages of 19.0% and 17.8% respectively. Other ancestry was notably lower at 9.1% versus 16.0%. French (0.9%), Korean (1.1%), and Russian (0.4%) showed notable divergences in representation compared to regional averages.

Mount Kuring-Gai's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Mount Kuring-Gai is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 45-54 age group makes up 17.2% of the population in Mount Kuring-Gai, compared to Greater Sydney's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 6.2%, which is lower than the national average of 12.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 5.2% to 7.0% of the population between 2016 and 2021, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 11.9% to 13.4%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort declined from 8.1% to 6.2%, and the 35-44 group dropped from 13.6% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Mount Kuring-Gai. The 55-64 age group is expected to grow by 25 people, reaching 309 from 248, leading the demographic shift. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 63% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 15-24 and 0-4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.