Port Kembla

Port Kembla is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

The population of the Port Kembla statistical area (Lv2) is estimated to be around 5,034 as of November 2025. This figure reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census population of 5,088 people, marking a reduction of 54 individuals or approximately 1.1%. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch is 5,022, based on examination of the June 2024 ABS ERP data release and validation of additional 11 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 364 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential room for further development. The primary driver of population growth in the area has been overseas migration, contributing approximately 69.0% 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. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. According to these projections for the years 2032 to 2041, the overall population is expected to decline by 17 persons. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, particularly the 25 to 34 age group, which is projected to increase by 112 people over this period.

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

Port Kembla has had approximately 13 dwelling approvals per year based on AreaSearch analysis using statistical area data. This totals around 66 homes over the past five financial years, ending June 2025. In the current financial year up to June 2026, there has been 1 approval recorded so far. The population decline in Port Kembla suggests that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good options for buyers.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $425,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, indicating quality-focused development. There have been $4.6 million in commercial approvals this financial year, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature.

New developments consist of 75% detached houses and 25% attached dwellings, maintaining Port Kembla's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 927 people, indicating a quiet, low-activity development environment. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Port Kembla is expected to grow by 47 residents through to 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Port Kembla 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 23 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library, Port Kembla Energy Terminal, Warrawong Plaza Redevelopment, and Former Port Kembla Public School Site Residential Development. The following list details 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 Port Kembla face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Port Kembla has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 17.6% as of AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 1,932 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 13.8% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Port Kembla lags at 51.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. The area specializes in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.3% versus the regional average of 5.3%.

There are 0.8 workers for each resident, indicating local employment opportunities above the norm. From September 2024 to September 2025, Port Kembla's labour force increased by 0.3%, while employment decreased by 1.9%, causing a rise in unemployment rate of 1.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.5%, labour force fall by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Kembla's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Port Kembla has a median taxpayer income of $56,981 and an average income of $70,212 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher than the national average, contrasting with the Rest of NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $62,030 (median) and $76,433 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Port Kembla all fall between the 19th and 20th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 27.9% of residents (1,404 people), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 29.9% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 19th percentile nationally.

Port Kembla is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with strong rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Port Kembla, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 77.0% houses and 23.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Home ownership level was 39.1%, with 26.5% of dwellings mortgaged and 34.4% rented. Median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, median weekly rent figure was $340. Nationally, Port Kembla's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Port Kembla features high concentrations of lone person households, with a median household size of 2.4 people

Family households account for 65.3% of all households, including 25.2% couples with children, 23.0% couples without children, and 16.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.7%, with lone person households at 31.3% and group households making up 2.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people.

Port Kembla shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 18.0%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 27.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.3% in primary education, 6.4% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Port Kembla has 59 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services, with 34 individual routes in total. They collectively provide 2,146 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 139 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 306 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 36 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Port Kembla faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is relatively high, at approximately 55% of the total population (~2751 people). Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 9.8 and 9.5% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 64.5%, report having no medical ailments, compared to 0% in the rest of NSW. The area has a sizeable elderly population, with 19.7% of residents aged 65 and over (991 people). Health outcomes among seniors present similar challenges to those faced by the general population.

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

Port Kembla, surveyed between June 2016 and June 2021, had a population where 25.0% were born overseas and 25.0% spoke languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 61.7% of residents. This contrasted with None% practicing Christianity in Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (22.3%), Australian (21.9%), and Macedonian (11.9%). Notably, Hungarian (0.7%), Spanish (0.9%), and Serbian (0.8%) ethnicities had higher representations than the regional averages of None%.

Port Kembla's median age exceeds the national pattern

Port Kembla's median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of NSW's average of 43 but older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are prominent at 13.8%, while those aged 65-74 are comparatively smaller at 10.2% compared to Rest of NSW. Since 2021, the 0-4 age group has grown from 5.8% to 7.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 11.3% to 10.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Port Kembla. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 15%, adding 101 residents to reach 796. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 85+ cohorts.