🔍

Kareela

NSW 2232 • Greater Sydney

3,572
Population (2021)
$143,780
Median Household Income
1.60 km²
Area
$695/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyAffluentLeafyEstablishedQuiet

About Kareela

Kareela is an established residential suburb in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, located approximately 25 kilometres south of the CBD within the Sutherland Shire Council area. With a population of 3,572 and a median age of 42, the suburb is a well-regarded family destination featuring quiet, tree-lined streets and predominantly detached houses. The median household income of $2,765 per week places Kareela among the more affluent suburbs in its region, reflecting its desirability and the high proportion of owner-occupied family homes.

Residents enjoy access to everyday amenities including a Coles supermarket, local parks, and schools within easy reach. The suburb sits close to Sutherland and Kirrawee stations on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, offering reliable rail connections to the Sydney CBD. Kareela's character is defined by its peaceful, leafy streetscape, strong community ties, and a multicultural population drawing heavily on English, Australian, Irish, Chinese, and Greek heritage — making it a genuinely welcoming place for families across backgrounds.

Kareela falls under postcode 2232 and is governed by Sutherland Shire Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Miranda electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2232
Urban Area
Sutherland Shire - West
LGA / Council
Sutherland Shire
Federal Electorate
Cook
State Electorate
Miranda
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.02°, 151.08°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.60 km²
Elevation
37m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Kareela for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1.74M
47 sales · ▲ 7.3% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.13M
5 sales · ▲ 8.2% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$695
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,000
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
42 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kirrawee
2 km
24 min
Sutherland
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • Route 976, 978 — Sutherland Station / Sydney CBD (via train) 10-15 min to station

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
25 km
By Train
Approx 45-55 min to Town Hall via T4 Illawarra Line from Kirrawee or Sutherland
By Car (Peak)
35-55 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-35 min

🛣️ Close to the Princes Highway and F6 Freeway; short bus or drive to Kirrawee or Sutherland stations

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; local Coles and amenities within driving distance; residential streets are walkable but not conducive to car-free daily life

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Bates Drive & Freya Street Kareela 2232 NSW

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Sutherland Shire Local Government Area, which contains Kareela. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
82.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.2%
Motor vehicle theft
49.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.3%
Non-DV assault
243.5 / 100k
2yr Up 16.2% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
6.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
101.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 9.8%
View all 62 offence types for Sutherland Shire →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,459
Census 2021
3,572
▲ 3.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$41,132
Personal Income 2021
$51,116
▲ 24.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$51,116 / yr
$983/wk
Household
$143,780 / yr
$2765/wk
Family
$154,128 / yr
$2964/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,681
Born Overseas 837

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 137
  • 2. England 135
  • 3. New Zealand 53
  • 4. Germany 36
  • 5. Greece 26
  • 6. Philippines 25
  • 7. Egypt 23
  • 8. Italy 23
  • 9. Hong Kong 20
  • 10. Ireland 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,228
Australian 1,137
Irish 420
Chinese 316
Scottish 314
Greek 185
Italian 182
German 137
Lebanese 66
Indian 45

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,778
Both parents born in Australia
1,229
Both parents born overseas
501
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
60.5%
No Religion
32.9%
Buddhism
1.1%
Islam
1.0%
Hinduism
1.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
199 (5.6%)
5-14 years
553 (15.5%)
15-19 years
224 (6.3%)
20-24 years
178 (5.0%)
25-34 years
230 (6.4%)
35-44 years
525 (14.7%)
45-54 years
518 (14.5%)
55-64 years
363 (10.2%)
65-74 years
418 (11.7%)
75-84 years
313 (8.8%)
85+ years
57 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kareela known for? +

Kareela is an established residential suburb in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, located approximately 25 kilometres south of the CBD within the Sutherland Shire Council area.

How far is Kareela from Sydney CBD? +

Kareela is approximately 25 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 35-55 min during peak hour and 25-35 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately Approx 45-55 min to Town Hall via T4 Illawarra Line from Kirrawee or Sutherland.

Does Kareela have public transport? +

Kareela is served by Kirrawee station (2 km, approximately 24 min walk) on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line. Local bus services including Route 976, 978 also connect residents to Sutherland Station / Sydney CBD (via train).

What is the population of Kareela? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kareela has a population of approximately 3,572 residents.

Is Kareela a good place to live? +

Kareela is considered a good place for families, with a suburban setting and access to schools, parks, and local services. Its community character makes it appealing to households at various life stages.

What is the postcode for Kareela? +

The postcode for Kareela in NSW is 2232.

What is the average income in Kareela? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kareela is about $983 per week (around $51,100 per year). The median household income is $2,765 per week and the median family income is $2,964 per week.

What is the median house price in Kareela? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,741,000, up 7.3% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,125,000, up 8.2% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Kareela? +

The median age in Kareela is 42. The largest age group is 5–14 (553 residents, around 15%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Kareela a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Kareela is part of the Sutherland Shire LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Kareela? +

In Kareela, the median weekly rent is $695, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $3,000 (2021 Census).