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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Kununurra has an estimated 8,443 residents, up from 7,477 at the 2021 Census — a change of 966 people, or 12.9%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years, faster than 79% of areas nationally. Overseas migration accounts for 53.9% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research by AreaSearch, the resident count in Kununurra stands at approximately 8,443 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 966 people (12.9%) compared to the 2021 Census, when 7,477 people were counted. Such demographic movement is deduced from ABS estimated resident population data showing 8,441 as of June 2025 alongside 62 validated new addresses recorded following the Census date. With a density of 0.10 persons per square kilometer, residents enjoy a considerable amount of open space. By recording a 12.9% gain since the 2021 census, Kununurra outpaced the national average (9.5%) as well as the Rest of WA, establishing itself as a standout growth locality in the broader area.
International inward migration served as the primary catalyst for demographic expansion, generating roughly 53.9% of total population additions in recent times. Projections compiled by the ABS/Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions (published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline) have been incorporated by AreaSearch. Where localized data is unavailable, or to model trends occurring post-2032, growth rates across age segments from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023, utilizing 2022 data) are applied. Evaluating these anticipated demographic adjustments, population growth is projected to track marginally beneath the non-metropolitan median, with Kununurra forecast to gain 788 persons by 2041 relative to current annual ERP benchmarks, representing a cumulative rise of 9.3% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
118 new dwellings have been approved in Kununurra over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That places the area in the 67th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 24 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 79% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Kununurra have tracked at an annual mean of roughly 23 units, aggregating to 118 homes over the past 5 financial years. Across this period (spanning FY-22 and FY-26), the influx has averaged 4.5 new residents per year per finished dwelling, indicating that local demand outstrips construction activity and typically drives property competition and pricing higher. Expected construction costs for new dwellings average $516,000, which sits slightly higher than regional standards and highlights an emphasis on quality builds. Meanwhile, commercial construction activity remains moderate, supported by $16.5 million in commercial development approvals recorded this financial year.
On a per-capita basis, building approvals in Kununurra sit 13.0% below the level seen across Rest of WA, placing the locality within the 58th percentile nationally despite an uptick in construction pace over recent periods. This below-average volume relative to the national benchmark indicates established settlement patterns and possible planning restrictions. Detached houses account for 79.0% of new residential development, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 21.0%, thereby preserving the low-density urban fabric and providing spacious family properties. The presence of 370 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights a subdued, low-volume development landscape. Based on current quarterly figures from AreaSearch, Kununurra is projected to add 786 residents by 2041. Given existing construction trajectories, residential supply is expected to adequately absorb this growth, creating supportive purchasing conditions and potentially enabling demographic gains beyond baseline expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Kununurra
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 13 current infrastructure and development projects inside Kununurra, worth an estimated $3.63 billion. A further 44 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $13 billion. 17 are already under construction and 17 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local economic and social outcomes are heavily shaped by strategic infrastructure works, major developments, and regional planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects expected to influence the district, with principal developments comprising the East Kimberley Regional Airport Runway Extension, Weaber Plain Light Industrial Estate, Kununurra Foreshore Plan, and Coolibah Estate.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
East Kimberley Regional Airport Runway Extension
Stage 2 upgrade extending the runway at East Kimberley Regional Airport (EKRA) in Kununurra from 1,829m to 2,370m and widening it from 30m to 45m to accommodate unrestricted Code 4C aircraft operations (Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320). Works include taxiway upgrades, new and upgraded aprons, communications infrastructure and lighting upgrades. The project removes current weight and passenger restrictions that limit the Virgin Australia 737-800 Perth service to as few as 146 passengers. Funded jointly by the Commonwealth ($13.5m), State ($2.5m) and Shire ($1.5m) governments.Contractor ACG commenced works on 10 March 2025 with major works targeted for completion by October 2025. Approximately 55 jobs are directly supported during construction.
Kununurra Foreshore Plan
A comprehensive plan to manage and preserve the Lake Kununurra Foreshore, focusing on ecological preservation, cultural heritage, and future development.
Coolibah Estate
Located near the Kununurra town centre, Coolibah Estate is a 124-home residential development situated close to schools, childcare, medical facilities, local shops, and sporting clubs. The estate is designed to provide a diverse range of housing products including single residential, grouped housing, commercial, and mixed-use sites.
Aboriginal Employee Housing Kununurra
A project to deliver six new homes for Aboriginal employees in Kununurra, funded by the State Government's North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund.
Lakeside Park Estate
Lakeside Park is a residential land release developed by DevelopmentWA located approximately two kilometres south-east of Kununurra town centre. The estate delivers fully serviced single residential homesites and grouped housing lots close to Lake Kununurra and the Mirima National Park ranges. Civil works and staged releases form part of the regional growth strategy to support expansion across the East Kimberley.
Kununurra Primary Health Centre
One-stop-shop healthcare hub for East Kimberley community enabling more people to access care closer to home. Part of $54 million East Kimberley Development Package health infrastructure allocation.
Kununurra Town Centre Revitalisation
State Government commitment of $327,500 to develop revitalisation plan for Kununurra Town Centre, modernising key gateway destination into WA and the Kimberley. Partnership between Shire, MG Corporation, East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Kimberley Development Commission. Plan aims to make the town centre more welcoming, vibrant and attractive for residents, businesses and visitors, and to lay the foundation for precinct-level improvement of infrastructure and amenities.
Weaber Plain Light Industrial Estate
Development of a light industrial estate providing fully serviced lots to expand the existing industrial precinct in Kununurra. The estate supports local industry and agricultural operations within the Ord River Irrigation Area with underground power, water, and sewer connections.
4,036 residents of Kununurra are employed, from a labour force of 4,391. Unemployment sits at 8.1%, with participation at 66.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Kununurra features a capable local workforce underpinned by solid representation across core services, experiencing an estimated 3.8% employment growth over the past year alongside an unemployment rate of 8.1%. With 4,036 residents employed as of March 2026, the local jobless rate sits 4.6% higher than the Regional WA figure of 3.5%, pointing to capacity for labor market improvement, while labor force participation aligns closely with the Regional WA benchmark of 65.4%. Census figures recorded just 4.8% of workers operating from home, though the influence of Covid-19 restrictions provides important context for this figure.
Major sectors generating resident employment include health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. Health care & social assistance represents a notable regional specialization, claiming a local workforce share 1.4 times that of the broader region. Conversely, the mining sector accounts for only 2.8% of jobs among residents, falling well short of the 11.7% recorded in Regional WA. While local jobs are available, commuting metrics derived from Census worker counts relative to resident populations suggest a significant proportion of employees travel outside the immediate locality for work. Analyses of ABS and SALM records by AreaSearch indicate that throughout the year ending March 2026, resident employment rose by 3.8% while the workforce expanded by 3.3%, yielding a 0.4 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Conversely, Regional WA registered a 0.1% decline in employment and a 0.3% increase in its labor force, leading to a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future hiring demand in Kununurra. When applying national five- and ten-year sectoral growth trajectories—forecast at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally—to the local industrial profile, projected employment expands by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years (calculated as a simple weighted extrapolation for illustration, without adjusting for local demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Kununurra is $1,858 a week (about $97,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,016 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $60,888 a year against an average of $71,555. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxation statistics aggregated by AreaSearch from ATO postcode data for financial year 2023 show taxpayers in the Kununurra SA2 recorded a median income of $60,888 and an average of $71,555. These figures exceed national benchmarks and compare to $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA, respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% following financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $67,543 (median) and $79,376 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed individual earnings at the 80th percentile across Australia ($1,016 weekly). The $1,500 - 2,999 earning bracket is the largest category, encompassing 35.8% of residents (3,022 people), mirroring the regional distribution where this group accounts for 31.1%.
After meeting housing expenses, households retain 87.7% of their earnings, demonstrating substantial disposable income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Kununurra had 2,122 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 71% detached houses and 6% apartments. 16% are owned with a mortgage, 68% rented and 16% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $230 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 12.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing composition in Kununurra consisted of 71.0% separate houses and 28.9% other dwellings (including semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and other residential types), contrasted with 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings throughout Regional WA. Outright home ownership stood at 16.4%, trailing the Regional WA rate, while remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (15.9%) or occupied by tenants (67.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment of $2,000 significantly surpassed the Regional WA figure of $1,560, whereas median weekly rent was $230, below the regional benchmark of $265.
Across Australia, Kununurra records higher monthly mortgage commitments than the national average of $1,863, alongside weekly rents that sit substantially below the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Kununurra counted 2,122 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,396 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 25% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent the primary living arrangement at 70.1% of all households, consisting of couples with children (27.7%), couples without children (24.8%), and single parent families (15.5%). The remaining 29.9% are non-family arrangements, with lone person households representing 25.8% and group households comprising 4.1%. The area has a median household size of 2.7 people, exceeding the Regional WA average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.2% of adults in Kununurra hold a university qualification, including 17.3% with a bachelor degree and 4.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 78% of areas nationally. A further 29.1% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 1,377 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 749 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The educational attainment of Kununurra residents is distinct within the regional landscape, with 24.2% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees compared to 17.6% across Rest of WA. Bachelor degrees constitute 17.3%, postgraduate qualifications account for 4.2%, and graduate diplomas represent 2.7%. Vocational education is also widely held, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications, including 9.7% with advanced diplomas and 29.1% with certificates. A significant segment of the community engages in study, with 35.9% of residents actively enrolled in educational institutions. Primary education accounts for 18.0% of the local population, while 8.2% attend secondary school and 3.0% are enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Kununurra means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
79.0% of residents in Kununurra report no long-term health condition. 2.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 10.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
General health metrics for Kununurra indicate below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch research into mortality and chronic illness, with common health conditions exhibiting slightly elevated prevalence across both younger and older cohorts, while private health insurance uptake is comparatively strong at approximately 55% of the total population (~4,635 people). Asthma and diabetes represent the primary medical conditions recorded locally, diagnosed in 6.0 and 4.9% of residents respectively, whereas 79.0% of the population reported no chronic health issues compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Working-age cohorts demonstrate favorable health profiles with low instances of chronic ailments.
Residents aged 65 and over constitute 8.4% of the population (712 people), notably below the 19.1% share recorded across Regional WA, with local seniors achieving high national health standings relative to the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Kununurra is largely Australian-born, at 84.7% of residents, with 14.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (28.1%) and Australian (21.8%). 28.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Kununurra broadly align with regional figures, with 76.8% holding Australian citizenship, 84.7% born in Australia, and 85.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, representing 44.6% of residents. The category of Other shows the clearest divergence from regional patterns, accounting for 2.1% of local residents compared to 0.7% in Regional WA. Looking at ancestral lineage (based on parents' country of birth), Australian Aboriginal heritage represents the largest group at 28.1% of the population, considerably higher than the 6.1% regional average. In contrast, Australian ancestry accounts for 21.8% (against 28.4% regionally) and English ancestry represents 21.6% (against 31.3% regionally).
Divergences are also evident among other backgrounds: French heritage is represented by 0.6% of the local population (compared to 0.4% regionally), Maori at 0.5% (versus 1.0%), and Sri Lankan at 0.2% (versus 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Kununurra is 32, younger than 88% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 31.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Kununurra exhibits a pronounced concentration of young family cohorts, with adults aged 25 - 44 representing 35.8% of the community as at August 2026 compared to 26.6% across Regional WA, while seniors aged 65+ make up 8.4% compared to 19.1% regionally. AreaSearch estimates the median age at 32 as at August 2026, down from 33 at the 2021 Census and 8 years younger than the Regional WA figure of 40 recorded at that Census, while the national median was 38 at the same Census. The proportion of residents in the 45 - 64 bracket contracted from 25.7% at the Census to an estimated 21.9%.
Projections indicate adults aged 25 - 44 will drive future expansion, increasing by 732 (24%) to reach 3,754 by 2041, whereas older cohorts are forecast to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Kununurra
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 this month all 13 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 62 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (7,477 at the 2021 Census → 8,443 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (510011265). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.