NSW · Wollongong Council

Kembla Grange, NSW, 2526

Desirability index

44.4/100

#409 among Metro Sydney suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Kembla Grange is a small locality in the Wollongong area, home to around 1,452 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 1,067 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with falling year-on-year trends (-6%), roughly 734.8 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $750 (flats $460, houses $760), strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.

Population

Population
1,452
Median age
29
Median household income / week
$2,574
Dwelling vacancy
3.5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
17 of 479
Median monthly mortgage
$2,338
Employment rate
73.1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
30 / 93 / 0

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$460
Houses (January to March 2026)
$760
All types (January to March 2026)
$750
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
82

Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Data sources & freshness

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
1,067
Against the person
218
Against property
453
Rate per 1,000 residents
734.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 7 residents
State safety percentile
29.2th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
-6%

Most common offence types

  • Fraud78
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment71
  • Malicious Damage To Property66
  • Steal From Motor Vehicle71
  • Transport Regulatory Offences121

Data sources & freshness

  • BOCSAR postcode crime statisticsNSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows

Public transport

41 public transport stops in this suburb

  • CCP West Dapto Rd
  • Kembla Grange Station
  • Kembla Grange Station, Platform 1
  • Kembla Grange Station, West Dapto Rd
  • Princes Hwy Opp Kembla Grange Station

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

270 planning-related records

2026· 10 proposals
  • June 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development
    100 WYLLIE ROAD KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Under Assessment
  • May 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    11 ACREAGE STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    11 RIVERSLEIGH STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • April 2026

  • Industrial development; Hours of operation and trading
    1 CANTERBURY ROAD KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • Subdivision
    290 WEST DAPTO ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    636A NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • February 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    3 MAPLETON TERRACE STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    86 NEESON ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Additional Information Requested
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    46 EMILA ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • January 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor)
    441 PRINCES HIGHWAY KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Under Assessment
2025· 21 proposals
  • October 2025

  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    45 PASTURELAND STREET STREAM HILL 2526Withdrawn
  • Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Light industry
    10 CANTERBURY ROAD KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    20 BISHOP DRIVE STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    1 FARMSTEAD CLOSE STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)
    57 NEESON ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • September 2025

  • Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure; Light industry; Local distribution premise
    1 CANTERBURY ROAD KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    12 CLAYTON CLOSE STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    49 PASTURELAND STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • August 2025

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    5 DUFFY STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Multi-dwelling housing (terraces); Residential Accommodation
    1 LLOYD DAVIES AVENUE STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • July 2025

  • Subdivision
    141 DARKES ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    23 SANCTUARY STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Subdivision
    141 DARKES ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • April 2025

  • Industrial development; Erection of a new structure
    1 CANTERBURY ROAD KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space
    451 Princes Highway Kembla Grange 2526Withdrawn
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    45 PASTURELAND STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care
    150 SHEAFFES ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • March 2025

  • Resource recovery facility; Hours of operation and trading; Waste or resource management facility
    132 West Dapto Road KEMBLA GRANGEDetermined
  • February 2025

  • Subdivision
    105 DARKES ROAD KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    49 PASTURELAND STREET STREAM HILL 2526Withdrawn
  • January 2025

  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    68 NEESON ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Determined
2024· 12 proposals
  • November 2024

  • Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Light industry
    10 CANTERBURY ROAD KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • August 2024

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    Lot 52, 3 Springvale Street STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation
    86 NEESON ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    4 RIVERSLEIGH STREET STREAM HILL 2526Withdrawn
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    7 PHARLAP AVENUE KEMBLA GRANGE 2526Determined
  • July 2024

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    9 LEMON GROVE STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • May 2024

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    19 MAPLETON TERRACE STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    47 PASTURELAND STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development
    11 SPRINGVALE STREET STREAM HILL 2526Determined
2023· 62 proposals

62 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2022· 33 proposals

33 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 79 proposals

79 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2020· 53 proposals

53 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Princes Hwy at Kembla Grange PlBus stop
  • Princes Hwy opp Kembla Grange PlBus stop
  • Public toilets
  • Wollongong Waste and Resource Recovery ParkRecycling
  • Weighbridge

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

4 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Ian McLennan ParkPark
  • McPhail ReservePark
  • Mogomorra ParkPark
  • Stane Dyke ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
9/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlaysState government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
7
Parks (OSM)
5

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover featuresOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
44.4/100
Cohort rank
#409 among Metro Sydney suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • CCP West Dapto Rdtransport
  • Kembla Grange Stationtransport
  • Kembla Grange Station, Platform 1transport
  • Kembla Grange Station, West Dapto Rdtransport
  • Princes Hwy Opp Kembla Grange Stationtransport
  • Ian McLennan Parkgovernmentpark
  • McPhail Reservegovernmentpark
  • Mogomorra Parkgovernmentpark
  • Stane Dyke Parkgovernmentpark
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)planning57 NEESON ROAD STREAM HILL 2526Lodged 01 Oct 2025 · Determined

Data sources & freshness

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