🔍

Katoomba

NSW 2780 • Greater Sydney

8,268
Population (2021)
$60,892
Median Household Income
22.15 km²
Area
$350/wk
Median Rent
Tourist HubBlue MountainsBushwalkingArts & CultureHistoric

About Katoomba

Katoomba is the main town and administrative centre of the City of Blue Mountains in New South Wales, situated 102 km west of Sydney CBD at an elevation of 1,017 metres. With a population of 8,268 (2021 census), it serves as the cultural and commercial hub of the upper Blue Mountains. The town is renowned as the gateway to the Three Sisters and the surrounding Blue Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Its name derives from the Aboriginal word meaning "shining falling water".

Katoomba offers a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with galleries, live music venues, and the biennial Vertical Film Festival. The main street features eclectic cafes, bookshops, and boutiques with a distinct bohemian character. Popular with bushwalkers, nature lovers, and creative professionals, the town attracts both tourists and residents seeking a mountain lifestyle. Local amenities include schools, medical facilities, The Edge cinema, and a range of dining options.

Katoomba falls under postcode 2780 and is governed by Blue Mountains Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Blue Mountains electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2780
Urban Area
Katoomba
LGA / Council
Blue Mountains
Federal Electorate
Macquarie
State Electorate
Blue Mountains
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.71°, 150.29°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
22.15 km²
Elevation
1031m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$855K
213 sales · ▲ 1.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$700K
29 sales · ▲ 38.1% 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)
$350
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,600
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6%

78 state housing + 149 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Katoomba
0.3 km
4 min
Leura
3 km
Blue Mountains Line
Medlow Bath
4.5 km
Blue Mountains Line
Wentworth Falls
7 km
Blue Mountains Line

Bus Services

  • 685, 686 — Echo Point / Scenic World 10-15 min
  • 690 — Leura / Wentworth Falls 15-25 min
  • 698 — Blackheath / Mount Victoria 20-30 min

Commute to Sydney

Distance
102 km
By Train
1h 50min - 2h 10min
By Car (Peak)
1h 40min - 2h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 20min - 1h 30min

🛣️ Blue Mountains Line trains run hourly off-peak; express services during peak

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is walkable with shops and station close together; outer areas are hilly and car-dependent

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    34 Parke Street Katoomba 2780 NSW
  • Woolworths
    Parke and Waratah Street Katoomba 2780 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 6 heritage-listed places in or near Katoomba, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Katoomba Post Office (former)
59-61 Katoomba Street Katoomba • SHR #01453
Mount St Marys College and Convent
10-14 Civic Place Katoomba • SHR #01681
Katoomba Railway Station and yard group
Main Western railway, Katoomba • SHR #01174
Carrington Hotel
Katoomba Street, Katoomba • SHR #00280
Lilianfels
10-16 Panorama Drive Katoomba • SHR #00431
The Paragon
63-69 Katoomba Street, Katoomba • SHR #01959

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
87.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 9.4%
Motor vehicle theft
46.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.1%
Non-DV assault
219.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
7.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
128 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.6%
View all 62 offence types for Blue Mountains →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,964
Census 2021
8,268
▲ 3.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,860
Personal Income 2021
$33,748
▲ 16.9% 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
$33,748 / yr
$649/wk
Household
$60,892 / yr
$1171/wk
Family
$86,788 / yr
$1669/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,062
Born Overseas 1,848

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 460
  • 2. New Zealand 165
  • 3. Germany 85
  • 4. China 83
  • 5. United States 77
  • 6. Philippines 74
  • 7. Vietnam 64
  • 8. India 56
  • 9. Scotland 50
  • 10. Ireland 39

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,474
Australian 2,574
Irish 1,452
Scottish 1,147
German 497
Italian 276
Australian Aboriginal 259
Chinese 175
Dutch 137
Polish 136

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,168
Both parents born in Australia
2,280
Both parents born overseas
1,434
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
56.8%
Christianity
30.5%
Buddhism
3.1%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.4%
Judaism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
316 (3.8%)
5-14 years
826 (10.0%)
15-19 years
410 (5.0%)
20-24 years
360 (4.4%)
25-34 years
857 (10.4%)
35-44 years
1,035 (12.5%)
45-54 years
1,270 (15.4%)
55-64 years
1,256 (15.2%)
65-74 years
1,284 (15.5%)
75-84 years
520 (6.3%)
85+ years
142 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Katoomba known for? +

Katoomba is the main town and administrative centre of the City of Blue Mountains in New South Wales, situated 102 km west of Sydney CBD at an elevation of 1,017 metres. With a population of 8,268 (2021 census), it serves as the cultural and commercial hub of the upper Blue Mountains.

How far is Katoomba from Sydney? +

Katoomba is approximately 102 kilometres from Sydney. The drive takes around 1h 40min - 2h 15min during peak hour and 1h 20min - 1h 30min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 1h 50min - 2h 10min.

Does Katoomba have public transport? +

Katoomba is served by Katoomba station (0.3 km, approximately 4 min walk) on the Blue Mountains Line (Sydney Trains Intercity). Local bus services including 685, 686 also connect residents to Echo Point / Scenic World.

What is the population of Katoomba? +

According to the 2021 Census, Katoomba has a population of approximately 8,268 residents.

Is Katoomba a good place to live? +

Katoomba offers a unique blend of historic character and residential living. It suits those who appreciate heritage surroundings and a close-knit community, while remaining connected to regional services.

What is the postcode for Katoomba? +

The postcode for Katoomba in NSW is 2780.

What is the average income in Katoomba? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Katoomba is about $649 per week (around $33,700 per year). The median household income is $1,171 per week and the median family income is $1,669 per week.

What is the median house price in Katoomba? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $855,000, up 1.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $700,000, up 38.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Katoomba? +

The median age in Katoomba is 48. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,284 residents, around 16%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Katoomba a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Katoomba is part of the Blue Mountains 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 Katoomba? +

In Katoomba, the median weekly rent is $350, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,600 (2021 Census).