Kununurra
Statistical Area - sa2

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 8,305 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 828 people, marking a 11.1% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 7,477. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,315 in June 2024 and the addition of two validated new addresses post-Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.10 persons per square kilometer. Kununurra's growth rate since the 2021 Census exceeded both the national average (8.6%) and that of non-metro areas, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 53.7% to overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 growth estimates, AreaSearch employs 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 trends suggest a median-level increase for Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Kununurra expected to grow by 880 persons by 2041, representing a total gain of 10.7% 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 per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 75 approvals between FY2021 and FY2025, with one approval so far in FY2026. An average of 7.7 new residents per year has been associated with each dwelling built over the past five financial years. This has led to a significant demand exceeding supply, resulting in price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction cost value for new dwellings is $416,000. Commercial approvals this financial year have reached $16.5 million, indicating moderate commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of Western Australia, Kununurra records around 67% of building activity per person and ranks in the 35th percentile nationally for assessed areas, leading to relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing properties. This is below the national average, suggesting an established area with potential planning limitations.

Recent development has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining Kununurra's traditional low-density character focused on family homes. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests, indicating strong demand for family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 502 people, reflecting a quiet, low-activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Kununurra will gain 890 residents by 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may face heightened competition as the population grows.

Kununurra has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 19 projects that are expected to 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 projects likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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

Kununurra has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented, and an unemployment rate of 8.4% as of June 2025. There are 3,857 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 5.2% higher than Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%.

Workforce participation in Kununurra is similar to Rest of WA's at 59.4%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. Notably, health care & social assistance has a significant presence with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Mining, however, has limited presence in Kununurra with only 2.8% of residents employed in this sector compared to 11.7% regionally.

Many local residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.3%, employment decreased by 2.6%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points in Kununurra. In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment grow by 1.1% and unemployment fall by 0.6 percentage points during the same period. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025, national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kununurra's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2%% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

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

Kununurra's median taxpayer income was $57,545 and average was $67,958 in financial year 2022. This is higher than the national averages of $57,323 (median) and $71,163 (average). By March 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $64,226 and average $75,848, based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. According to Census 2021 data, individual earnings at the 80th percentile nationally were $1,016 weekly. In Kununurra, the income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominated with 35.8% of residents (2,973 people). This aligns with the national trend where this cohort also represents a significant portion. After housing costs, residents retained 87.7% of their income.

Kununurra is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Kununurra, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.0% houses and 28.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro WA's 79.3% houses and 20.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kununurra was at 16.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.9% and rented dwellings at 67.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Non-Metro WA's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Kununurra was $230, compared to Non-Metro WA's $200. Nationally, Kununurra's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute 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 smaller than the Rest of WA average of 2.8.

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 at 24.2% of residents aged 15+, exceeding the Rest of WA average of 17.6%. Bachelor degrees lead at 17.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 9.7% and certificates at 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. Eight schools operate within Kununurra, educating approximately 1,377 students. The educational mix includes three primary, one secondary, and four K-12 schools.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Kununurra's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Kununurra shows excellent health outcomes with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

Approximately 53% (~4,434 people) have private health cover, which is quite high. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and diabetes, affecting 6.0 and 4.9% of residents respectively. A total of 79.0% report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 79.9% in the rest of WA. Kununurra has 7.7% (636 people) of its population aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, mirroring 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's cultural diversity aligns with its broader region, with 76.8% of residents being citizens, 84.7% born in Australia, and 85.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 44.6% of Kununurra's population. The 'Other' category shows overrepresentation in Kununurra with 2.1%, compared to 1.5% region-wide.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian Aboriginal (28.1%), Australian (21.8%), and English (21.6%). Notable differences exist for French (0.6% vs regional 0.5%), Maori (0.5% vs 0.5%), and Sri Lankan (0.2% vs 0.1%) groups.

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

Kununurra's median age is 32 years, which is significantly younger than the Rest of WA's 40 years and the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group makes up 19.8% of Kununurra's population, compared to the Rest of WA, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 5.8%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and now, Kununurra's median age has decreased by 1 year to 32 from 33. During this period, the 25-34 age group increased from 17.4% to 19.8%, while the 35-44 cohort grew from 14.7% to 16.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 13.8% to 11.7%, and the 55-64 group decreased from 11.9% to 10.4%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Kununurra, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow by 29%, adding 472 residents to reach 2,113. In contrast, both the 75-84 and 85+ age groups are expected to see a reduction in numbers.