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

As of Feb 2026, the population of the suburb of Port Kembla is estimated at around 5,035. This reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census figure of 5,088 people, a change inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population as 5,022 in June 2024 and validation of 12 new addresses since the Census date. The current population density is 364 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 69.0% to recent population gains. AreaSearch uses 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 where applicable, with growth rates by age group applied for years 2032 to 2041.

According to these projections, the suburb's population is expected to decline by 16 persons by 2041, while the 25 to 34 age group is projected to increase by 115 people.

The level of residential development activity in Port Kembla 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, shows Port Kembla has averaged around 13 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 66 homes. As of FY-26, 1 approval has been recorded so far. The area's population decline suggests new supply is likely meeting demand, offering good choice to buyers.

New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $425,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. This financial year, there have also been $4.6 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature.

New development consists of 75% detached houses and 25% attached dwellings, maintaining the area'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, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Port Kembla is expected to grow by 46 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

Twenty-three infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include the 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 likely 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 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 as of September 2025 was 17.6%, according to AreaSearch's aggregated statistical area data. In September 2025, 1,936 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 13.8% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Port Kembla was somewhat below standard at 56.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. Moderate home-based work, around 24.3% of residents, was noted based on Census responses, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Transport, postal & warehousing has a high representation with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.3% versus the regional average of 5.3%. The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.8 as per Census data, indicating above-norm local employment opportunities. Labour force increased by 0.4%, while employment decreased by 1.9% in Port Kembla during the year to September 2025, causing a rise of 1.9 percentage points in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.5%, labour force fell by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, May-25, project national employment growth of 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, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Port Kembla suburb shows median taxpayer income $56,981 and average $70,212 based on latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher than national averages of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). By September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $62,030 and average $76,433, considering Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Port Kembla fall between 19th and 20th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows income bracket $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 27.9% of residents (1,404 people), similar to regional levels at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.0% of income remaining, ranking at 19th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Port Kembla, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.0% houses and 23.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Kembla was at 39.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (26.5%) or rented (34.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,950, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Port Kembla was recorded at $340, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Port Kembla's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Port Kembla features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

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 comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

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 the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 9.8% and certificates for 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 57 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 34 individual routes, collectively providing 2146 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 139 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, with car being the dominant mode at 93%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 24.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 306 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 37 weekly trips per 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 as per AreaSearch's assessment conducted on 10th April 2022. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is high at approximately 55% of the total population (~2,751 people), compared to 51.9% in Rest of NSW. Mental health issues and arthritis were the most common conditions, affecting 9.8% and 9.5% of residents respectively, while 64.5% reported no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 19.6% of residents aged 65 and over (986 people), lower than the 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with national rankings.

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 was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 25.0% of its population born overseas and 25.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion in Port Kembla is Christianity, making up 61.7% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW. Regarding ancestry, the top three represented groups are English (22.3%), Australian (21.9%), and Macedonian (11.9%).

These figures differ from regional averages: English is lower than the average of 30.5%, Australian is also lower at 30.0%, while Macedonian is substantially higher than the average of 0.4%. Additionally, certain ethnic groups show notable differences in representation: Hungarian is notably overrepresented at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 0.2%, Spanish at 0.9% (regional average 0.3%), and Serbian at 0.8% (regional average 0.2%).

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 median age of 38. The age profile shows a prominent group of 25-34 year-olds (14.3%) and a comparatively smaller group of 65-74 year-olds (10.3%) compared to Rest of NSW. Between 2021 and the present, the 0-4 age group has increased from 5.8% to 7.5%, while the 25-34 cohort has grown from 13.0% to 14.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has declined from 11.3% to 10.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Port Kembla. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 11%, adding 80 residents to reach a total of 801. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 65-74 age cohorts.