Median house price
$1.06M
+7.1% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Mount Kembla, 2526
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,093
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
-0.4%
Median age
42
Median income
$2,824/wk
Employment rate
62.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,060,000
Languages at home
6.2%non-English
Most common: Italian, Hindi, Macedonian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Mount Kembla is a hillside smaller community in Wollongong Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with family life visible on every street. Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out.
There is not a full local strip here: residents typically travel to a nearby suburb for a broader choice of shops and services. Open space is thinner than in many metro suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because safety lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus schools and education. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Mount Kembla snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$750/wk
Houses $760 · Units $460
Population (ERP)
1,093
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
3.9%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#293
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
44th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
46th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
75th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 38.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4105th in Australia
- State rank
- 1277th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #293 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #720 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
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 house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,060,000
- Median price change
- +7.1%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
1,093(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · -0.4% over 5 years · 46th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- -0.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +4
- Change in 5 years
- -4
- Growth rank in NSW
- 46th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,100), extrapolated at -0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,083
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $2,824
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 14 of 363
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,600
- Employment rate
- 62.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 339 / 5 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 68
- Against the person
- 14
- Against property
- 29
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 62.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 77 residents
- State safety percentile
- 43.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.3%
Most common offence types
- Fraud78
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment71
- Malicious Damage To Property66
- Steal From Motor Vehicle71
- Transport Regulatory Offences121
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 1,070.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 75th
School list
- Mount Kembla Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1050 · 68th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 159 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Illawarra Christian SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1091 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 30% · 800 students · Top SEA quarter 37% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
26 public transport stops in this suburb
- 212 Cordeaux Rd
- Cordeaux Rd After Stones Rd
- Cordeaux Rd Before Bradley Av
- Cordeaux Rd Opp Mount Kembla Public School
- Mt Kembla Rural Fire Brigade, Cordeaux Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
21 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 1 playgrounds · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 0 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 26 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.92
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(1)
- Mt Kembla HotelPub
Community(1)
- Mount Kembla Public SchoolSchool
Mount Kembla
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Playground
- Sports field
Transport(16)
16 bus stops
Other(1)
- Australia PostPost office
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Figtree Private Hospital (3.0 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 36
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 32.9
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 5 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation273 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation364 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2/227A Cordeaux Road, Mount Kembla, 2526Determined
April 2026
- Home business; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure317 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
January 2026
- Subdivision87 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
2025· 11 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 CUDGEE CRESCENT MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure54 STONES ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation37 Stones Road Mount Kembla 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure86 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation273 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
July 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure565 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool31 AVON PARADE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation31 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
May 2025
- Place of public worship; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Car park356 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Access ramp; Minor building alterations (external); Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care4 BENJAMIN ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces161 Cordeaux Road, MOUNT KEMBLAWithdrawn
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure82 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation100 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure229 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
June 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation275 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool227B CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Subdivision; Residential Accommodation161 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
January 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Access ramp; Minor building alterations (external); Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care4 BENJAMIN ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool104 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
2023· 7 proposals
August 2023
- Subdivision of land354 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing273 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
July 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development256 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
May 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development87 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition; Garages, carports and car parking spaces211 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
April 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development94 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
February 2023
- Dwelling161 Cordeaux Road, MOUNT KEMBLADetermined
2022· 11 proposals
November 2022
- Subdivision of land227 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
September 2022
- Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development26 STAFFORD ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Retaining walls, protection of trees16A JAMES ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing6 BRADLEY AVENUE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition25 WILLIAM JAMES DRIVE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
August 2022
- Subdivision of land209 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
July 2022
- Other268 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
June 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Retaining walls, protection of trees6 ARALUEN AVENUE MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
March 2022
- Dwelling229 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development262 CORDEAUX ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
- Shed30 STONES ROAD MOUNT KEMBLA 2526Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Cunningham
- Member of Parliament
- Alison BYRNES (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,139
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 32.5%Labor 67.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.4 km away).
Coalition 33.7%Labor 66.3%
1.2 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Mount KemblaLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Cordeaux HeightsLabor 64.1% · Coalition 35.9% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Figtree WestLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Figtree HeightsLabor 66.9% · Coalition 33.1% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
- Unanderra WestLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Wollongong Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.