Kununurra

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Kununurra's population is around 8,414 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 937 people (12.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,477 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,315 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 49 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Kununurra's 12.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%) and the Rest of WA, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, which contributed approximately 53.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth across all areas in the years post-2032, AreaSearch is utilising the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to increase by 880 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, recording a gain of 9.3% in total over the 17 years.

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 experienced around 15 dwellings receiving development approval each year, totalling 75 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 34 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 7.7 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand significantly exceeds new supply, which usually results in price growth and increased buyer competition, while new dwellings are developed at an average construction cost of $426,000, demonstrating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. There have also been $16.5 million in commercial approvals this financial year, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development.

Compared to the Rest of WA, Kununurra records about 67% of the building activity per person while it places among the 34th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. This is similarly under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. Further, recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (71.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The estimated count of 502 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Kununurra will gain 781 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 18 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the East Kimberley Regional Airport Runway Extension, Weaber Plain Light Industrial Estate, Kununurra Foreshore Plan, and Coolibah Estate, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

The labour market performance in Kununurra lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Kununurra possesses a skilled workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 9.2%, and 1.0% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 3,975 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 5.7% above Regional WA's rate of 3.5%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation is on par with Regional WA's 67.4%. Based on Census responses, a low 4.8% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. The area has a particular employment specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. In contrast, mining employs just 2.8% of local workers, below Regional WA's 11.7%. While local employment opportunities exist in the area, it appears many residents commute elsewhere for work, based on the count of Census working population to local population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.0% and the labour force increased by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.4 percentage points. By comparison, Regional WA recorded employment growth of 1.0% and labour force growth of 1.4%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Kununurra. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Kununurra's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

The Kununurra SA2 shows a median taxpayer income of $60,888 and an average of $71,555 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. This is above the national average, contrasting with Regional WA's median income of $59,973 and average income of $74,392. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $66,745 (median) and $78,439 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals individual earnings stand out at the 80th percentile nationally ($1,016 weekly). Looking at income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 35.8% of residents (3,012 people), aligning with the metropolitan region where this cohort likewise represents 31.1%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.7% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power.

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

Dwelling structure within Kununurra, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 71.0% houses and 28.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional WA's 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Kununurra lagged that of Regional WA, at 16.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (15.9%) or rented (67.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Regional WA average at $2,000, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $230, compared to Regional WA's $1,560 and $265. Nationally, Kununurra's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 70.1% of all households, comprising 27.7% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 15.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.9%, with lone person households at 25.8% and group households comprising 4.1% of the total. The median household size of 2.7 people is larger than the Regional 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 educational profile stands out regionally, with university qualification rates (24.2% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the Rest of WA average of 17.6%, reflecting the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees lead at 17.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (29.1%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 35.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 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

Health indicators suggest below-average outcomes in Kununurra, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is fairly high at approximately 55% of the total population (~4,619 people).

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and diabetes, impacting 6.0% and 4.9% of residents, respectively, while 79.0% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 69.3% across Regional WA. Working-age residents are notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 7.4% of residents aged 65 and over (621 people), which is lower than the 19.2% in Regional WA. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.

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 was found to be roughly in line with the wider region's average in terms of cultural diversity, with 76.8% of its population being citizens, 84.7% born in Australia, and 85.1% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Kununurra is Christianity, which makes up 44.6% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Other, which comprises 2.1% of the population, compared to 0.7% across Regional WA.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Kununurra are Australian Aboriginal, comprising 28.1% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 6.1%, Australian, comprising 21.8% of the population, which is notably lower than the regional average of 28.4%, and English, comprising 21.6% of the population, which is notably lower than the regional average of 31.3%. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: French is notably overrepresented at 0.6% of Kununurra (vs 0.4% regionally), Maori at 0.5% (vs 1.0%) and Sri Lankan at 0.2% (vs 0.1%).

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

Kununurra's median age of 32 years stands materially younger than Regional WA's 40 as well as considerably younger than the 38-year national average. The 25 - 34 age group shows strong representation at 20.2% compared to Regional WA, whereas the 65 - 74 cohort is less prevalent at 5.6%. This 25 - 34 concentration is well above the national 14.4%. In the period since 2021, the area has become younger, with the median age dropping 1.2 years to 32 from 33. Key changes show the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 17.4% to 20.2% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 14.7% to 17.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.8% to 11.2% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 15.5% to 13.5%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Kununurra. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 24%, adding 410 residents to reach 2,113. In contrast, both the 75 to 84 and 5 to 14 age groups will see reduced numbers.