🔍

Kembla Grange

NSW 2526 • Rest of NSW

1,452
Population (2021)
$133,848
Median Household Income
14.47 km²
Area
$570/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyGrowth SuburbNew DevelopmentCommuter BeltAffordable

About Kembla Grange

Kembla Grange is a fast-growing residential suburb located approximately 9 kilometres south-west of Wollongong and 92 kilometres south of Sydney, within the City of Wollongong local government area. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 1,452 — a remarkable increase from just 252 in 2016 — driven by significant new housing development that has transformed former industrial and rural land into a modern family suburb. With a median age of 29 and a median household income of approximately $2,574 per week, Kembla Grange is one of the youngest and most prosperous emerging suburbs in the Illawarra region.

The suburb is home to the Kembla Grange Racecourse, a popular thoroughbred racing venue that has long been a landmark of the area and draws visitors from across the Illawarra and beyond. Residents benefit from the Kembla Grange railway station on the South Coast Line, which provides regular services to Wollongong and connections onwards to Sydney's Central Station. Close to the bushland escarpment of Mount Kembla and with new community infrastructure supporting its growth, the suburb has become a sought-after destination for first home buyers and young families seeking affordability within easy reach of Wollongong's CBD and beaches.

Kembla Grange falls under postcode 2526 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Keira electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2526
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Keira
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.46°, 150.80°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
14.47 km²
Elevation
26m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$570
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,338
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
29 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.1%

0 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kembla Grange
1.5 km
18 min

Bus Services

  • Illawarra Bus Routes — Wollongong CBD 20-30 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
92 km
By Train
Approx. 1 hr 30 min–2 hr to Central via South Coast Line (change at Wollongong or direct express)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 20 min–2 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min–1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Good rail access via Kembla Grange station; close to Princes Motorway for Sydney commute

Walkability Car-Dependent

Kembla Grange is a developing suburb where most errands still require a car, though rail access to Wollongong reduces car dependency for commuters

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.9%
Motor vehicle theft
190.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
342.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
11.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
371.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.5%
View all 62 offence types for Wollongong →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
252
Census 2021
1,452
▲ 476.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,944
Personal Income 2021
$57,512
▲ 64.6% 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
$57,512 / yr
$1106/wk
Household
$133,848 / yr
$2574/wk
Family
$137,228 / yr
$2639/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,187
Born Overseas 210

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 35
  • 2. England 32
  • 3. New Zealand 15
  • 4. Ireland 11
  • 5. North Macedonia 10
  • 6. Thailand 10
  • 7. Bosnia & Herzegovina 9
  • 8. China 7
  • 9. United States 7
  • 10. Afghanistan 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 580
English 509
Scottish 121
Italian 114
Irish 110
German 61
Indian 56
Macedonian 55
Australian Aboriginal 47
Dutch 40

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

818
Both parents born in Australia
351
Both parents born overseas
226
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.3%
No Religion
38.1%
Islam
1.6%
Buddhism
1.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
190 (13.1%)
5-14 years
202 (13.9%)
15-19 years
83 (5.7%)
20-24 years
86 (5.9%)
25-34 years
333 (22.9%)
35-44 years
246 (16.9%)
45-54 years
122 (8.4%)
55-64 years
95 (6.5%)
65-74 years
65 (4.5%)
75-84 years
22 (1.5%)
85+ years
5 (0.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kembla Grange known for? +

Kembla Grange is known for its racecourse — the Kembla Grange Racecourse is one of the Illawarra's premier thoroughbred racing venues — and for its remarkable growth from a small locality to a thriving new suburb since the mid-2010s.

How far is Kembla Grange from Sydney? +

Kembla Grange is approximately 92 kilometres south of Sydney, about a 1 hour 20 minute to 2 hour drive depending on traffic, or roughly 1.5–2 hours by train via the South Coast Line.

Does Kembla Grange have public transport? +

Yes — Kembla Grange has its own railway station on the South Coast Line, serviced by Sydney Trains, with regular connections to Wollongong (15 min) and Sydney Central (approx. 1.5–2 hr). Bus services also link the suburb to Wollongong CBD.

What is the population of Kembla Grange? +

Kembla Grange had a population of 1,452 at the 2021 Census — up dramatically from just 252 in 2016 — making it one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Wollongong area, driven by new residential development.

Is Kembla Grange a good place to live? +

Kembla Grange is a strong choice for young families and first home buyers seeking newer, more affordable housing within commuting distance of Wollongong and Sydney. With a railway station, proximity to bushland, and a rapidly growing community, it offers good lifestyle value for those willing to be at the frontier of a developing suburb.

What is the postcode for Kembla Grange? +

Kembla Grange's postcode is 2526, shared with nearby suburbs including Unanderra and Brownsville.

What is the average income in Kembla Grange? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kembla Grange is about $1,106 per week (around $57,500 per year). The median household income is $2,574 per week and the median family income is $2,639 per week.

What is the age profile of Kembla Grange? +

The median age in Kembla Grange is 29. The largest age group is 25–34 (333 residents, around 23%). Around 33% of residents are under 20 and about 6% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Kembla Grange a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Kembla Grange is part of the Wollongong 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 Kembla Grange? +

In Kembla Grange, the median weekly rent is $570, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,338 (2021 Census).