Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Kiama
10 km²
A typical resident in Kiama is 52, making it far older than most similar areas. This New South Wales community is a haven for retirees, with seniors making up 32.4% of the population. It is a well-educated and affluent area where many people own their homes outright. The town's character is defined by a high proportion of older adults and a strong connection to the coast, resulting in a relaxed pace of life with high rates of volunteering.
Explore Kiama by topic
Kiama is far older than the national figure, with 32.4% of residents aged 65 and over. Conversely, children under 15 make up only 14.5% of the population, which is well below the state and national averages.
People born overseas make up 18.3% of the community, which is higher than most similar areas but still well below the New South Wales average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 89% of residents. While the 5.6% who use another language at home is higher than in similar areas, it remains far below the state and national figures.
More than half of the community identifies as Christian. However, 40.5% of residents report no religion, a figure that is well above the New South Wales average.
The area is highly qualified, with 30.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is well above the national figure. School advantage scores are also much higher than in most similar areas.
Typical weekly household income is $1,572, which is a little below the state and national figures. Despite this, 13.4% of people earn $2,000 or more per week, a proportion much higher than in most similar areas.
Reflecting its older population, 33.2% of residents have a long-term health condition, which is well above the national average. Additionally, 7.1% need help with daily activities, a figure much higher than most areas.
Local residents are very active in their community, with 19.6% volunteering—well above the national figure. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members compared to most areas.
The First Nations community in Kiama has a Year 12 completion rate of 58.4%, which is far above the state and national averages. Household incomes for First Nations people are also well above those seen across Australia.
Homes tend to be smaller, with 2.3 people per household. This is partly because 28.4% of people live alone, which is well above the New South Wales average.
Home ownership is strong, with 45.4% of homes owned outright—far above the national figure. However, those who rent pay a typical weekly rent of $478, which is among the highest for similar areas.
The area is very car-dependent, yet 27% of people work from home, which is well above the national average. Most homes have one or two vehicles, and very few rely on public transport for commuting.
Kiama has seen significant movement recently, with 41.8% of people moving in the last five years. This is a little above the state and national figures.
The local workforce is smaller than usual, as the proportion of adults working or looking for work is far below the national figure. Health care, education, and construction are the main industries.
The town is very walkable, with 95.7% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport. Residents also have far better access to health services and groceries within a 15-minute walk than the state average.