Kununurra

An assessment of population growth drivers in Kununurra reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Kununurra's population was approximately 8,414 as of February 2026. This figure shows an increase of 937 people, representing a 12.5% rise from the 2021 Census total of 7,477. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 8,315 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Kununurra's growth rate exceeded both national (9.9%) and Rest of WA averages between 2021 and February 2026, making it a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 53.7% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, and post-2032 estimations, AreaSearch used growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population dynamics suggest a median increase for non-metropolitan Australia, with Kununurra expected to gain approximately 880 persons by 2041, reflecting a total growth of 9.3% over the 17-year period.

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

Kununurra has received approximately 15 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 75 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 29 recorded approvals. On average, 7.7 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating high demand outstripping new supply. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $426,000, targeting the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This financial year has seen $16.5 million in commercial approvals, showing moderate commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of WA, Kununurra records about 67% of building activity per person and ranks at the 34th percentile nationally, suggesting relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing properties. Recent development has been exclusively detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. Notably, developers are constructing more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (71.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 502 people, reflecting Kununurra's quiet and low-activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Kununurra will gain 781 residents by 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections but potentially heightening buyer competition as the population grows.

Kununurra has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

The area's performance is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 18 such projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include East Kimberley Regional Airport Runway Extension, Weaber Plain Light Industrial Estate, Kununurra Foreshore Plan, and Coolibah Estate. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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Employment conditions in Kununurra face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Kununurra has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 8.8% as of September 2024. Over the past year, it maintained relative employment stability.

As of September 2025, 3944 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 5.5% higher than Rest of WA's rate of 3.3%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of WA's 67.2%. Census responses show that only 4.8% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety.

Kununurra specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Mining employs just 2.8% of local workers compared to Rest of WA's 11.7%. Employment opportunities exist locally but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels remained stable while labour force increased by 0.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. Rest of WA recorded employment growth of 1.4% with unemployment falling 0.2 percentage points during this period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia for May-25 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kununurra's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The Kununurra SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $60,888 and an average income of $71,555 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This was higher than the national average median income of $59,973 and average income of $74,392 for Rest of WA during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated median income by September 2025 would be approximately $66,745, and average income would be around $78,439. According to census data, individual earnings at the 80th percentile nationally were $1,016 weekly. In Kununurra SA2, the majority of residents (35.8%, or 3,012 people) fell into the income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 per week. After housing costs, residents retained 87.7% of their income.

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

Kununurra's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.0% houses and 28.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro WA's 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kununurra stood at 16.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.9% and rented ones at 67.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, above Non-Metro WA's average of $1,560. Weekly rent in Kununurra was $230, compared to Non-Metro WA's $265. Nationally, Kununurra's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $375.

Kununurra features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.1% of all households, including 27.7% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 15.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.9%, with lone person households at 25.8% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of WA average of 2.5.

Kununurra faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rates are notable at 24.2%, surpassing the Rest of WA average of 17.6%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 17.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (29.1%).

Educational participation is high at 35.9%, including 18.0% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health outcomes in Kununurra are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Kununurra's health indicators show below-average outcomes.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence suggest common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 55% (~4,619 people) of Kununurra's total population has private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (6.0%) and diabetes (4.9%). 79.0% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.3% in the rest of WA. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Kununurra has 7.4% (621 people) of its population aged 65 and over, lower than Rest of WA's 19.2%. Health outcomes among seniors rank higher than the general population nationally.

In terms of cultural diversity, Kununurra records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Kununurra's cultural diversity aligns with its broader region, with 76.8% citizens, 84.7% born in Australia, and 85.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 44.6%. The 'Other' category is overrepresented at 2.1%, compared to 0.7% regionally.

Top ancestry groups are Australian Aboriginal (28.1%), Australian (21.8%), and English (21.6%). Notably, French (0.6%) and Maori (0.5%) are overrepresented, while Sri Lankan is underrepresented at 0.2%.

Kununurra's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Kununurra's median age is 32 years, which is younger than the Rest of WA's median age of 40 and the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group comprises 20.2% of Kununurra's population, compared to 17.6% in the Rest of WA and 14.4% nationally. Conversely, the 65-74 age group makes up 5.6% of Kununurra's population, lower than the national average of 7.2%. Between 2021 and present, Kununurra's median age has decreased by 1.2 years to 32 from 33. The 25-34 age group grew from 17.4% to 20.2%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 14.7% to 17.0%. Meanwhile, the 45-54 cohort declined from 13.8% to 11.2% and the 5-14 age group decreased from 15.5% to 13.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Kununurra. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 24%, adding 410 residents to reach a total of 2,113. Conversely, both the 75-84 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.