🔍

Kiama

NSW 2533 • Rest of NSW

7,904
Population (2021)
$81,744
Median Household Income
9.79 km²
Area
$478/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetiree-HavenTourist HubHistoricVillage Feel

About Kiama

Kiama is a picturesque coastal town on the New South Wales Illawarra Coast, located approximately 120 kilometres south of Sydney within the Kiama local government area. With a population of 7,904 and a notably high median age of 52, Kiama is a well-loved destination for retirees and sea-changers who are drawn to its relaxed lifestyle and natural beauty. The town spreads across nearly 10 square kilometres of elevated hilly terrain at around 55 metres above sea level, offering sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean and surrounding farmland.

Kiama is famous for its iconic blowhole — one of the largest in the world — which draws visitors year-round and defines the town's identity as a coastal tourism destination. The compact town centre along Terralong Street offers a Woolworths supermarket, cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops, while the historic harbour precinct with its lighthouse and rock pools is a beloved local icon. Excellent schools, a strong community spirit, and regular events including the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival make it a fulfilling place to live, and regular train services to Sydney and Wollongong keep the town well connected for those who need to travel.

Kiama falls under postcode 2533 and is governed by Kiama Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kiama electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2533
Urban Area
Kiama
LGA / Council
Kiama
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
Kiama
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.67°, 150.85°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
9.79 km²
Elevation
55m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.43M
131 sales · ▼ 0.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.03M
98 sales · ▲ 13.2% 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)
$478
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
52 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.5%

30 state housing + 18 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kiama
0.6 km
8 min

Bus Services

  • Route 142 — Berry / Nowra 20-30 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
120 km
By Train
1 hr 50 min to Central via T4 Illawarra Line
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min-2 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Picturesque coastal town with direct train to Sydney; Wollongong 30 km north

Walkability Very Walkable

Compact town centre with shops, cafes, and waterfront all within easy walking distance

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Kiama View Shopping Centre, 143 Terralong Street Kiama 2533 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 10 heritage-listed places in or near Kiama, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Kiama Reservoir (WS 0231)
Irvine Street, Kiama • SHR #01626
CBC Bank (former)
16-20 Manning Street Kiama • SHR #00143
Masonic Temple
46 Collins Street Kiama • SHR #00474
Wooden Terraces
42-44 Collins Street Kiama • SHR #00473
Kiama Reservoir (WS 0232)
Irvine Street, Kiama • SHR #01627
Kiama Post Office
24 Terralong Street Kiama • SHR #01426
Scots Presbyterian Church, Land and Trees
Shoalhaven Street, Kiama • SHR #00120
Wooden Terraces
24-40 Collins Street Kiama • SHR #00472
Bombo Railway Station group
Illawarra railway, Bombo • SHR #01092
Kiama Railway Station Group and Turntable
Illawarra railway, Kiama • SHR #01176

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
103.6 / 100k
2yr Down 50.0% 10yr —
Motor vehicle theft
142.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Non-DV assault
151 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
4.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
194.2 / 100k
2yr Down 48.3% 10yr Down 8.5%
View all 62 offence types for Kiama →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,881
Census 2021
7,904
▲ 14.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,852
Personal Income 2021
$41,548
▲ 22.7% 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
$41,548 / yr
$799/wk
Household
$81,744 / yr
$1572/wk
Family
$105,508 / yr
$2029/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,163
Born Overseas 1,445

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 500
  • 2. New Zealand 114
  • 3. United States 68
  • 4. Scotland 62
  • 5. Germany 54
  • 6. China 51
  • 7. South Africa 50
  • 8. Netherlands 36
  • 9. Ireland 34
  • 10. Canada 30

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,501
Australian 2,900
Irish 1,230
Scottish 984
German 319
Italian 232
Australian Aboriginal 166
Dutch 124
Chinese 107
Welsh 96

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,671
Both parents born in Australia
1,754
Both parents born overseas
1,029
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.0%
No Religion
40.5%
Buddhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
348 (4.4%)
5-14 years
797 (10.1%)
15-19 years
356 (4.5%)
20-24 years
297 (3.8%)
25-34 years
719 (9.1%)
35-44 years
792 (10.0%)
45-54 years
861 (10.9%)
55-64 years
1,178 (14.9%)
65-74 years
1,302 (16.5%)
75-84 years
868 (11.0%)
85+ years
385 (4.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kiama known for? +

Kiama is a picturesque coastal town on the New South Wales Illawarra Coast, located approximately 120 kilometres south of Sydney within the Kiama local government area.

How far is Kiama from Sydney CBD? +

Kiama is a rural locality in NSW. Access to the nearest CBD requires a private vehicle, as public transport options are very limited.

Does Kiama have public transport? +

Kiama has no public transport services. A private vehicle is essential for all travel in this area.

What is the population of Kiama? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kiama has a population of approximately 7,904 residents.

Is Kiama a good place to live? +

Kiama is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Kiama? +

The postcode for Kiama in NSW is 2533.

What is the average income in Kiama? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kiama is about $799 per week (around $41,500 per year). The median household income is $1,572 per week and the median family income is $2,029 per week.

What is the median house price in Kiama? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,430,000, down 0.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,027,500, up 13.2% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Kiama? +

The median age in Kiama is 52. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,302 residents, around 16%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Kiama a safe area? +

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

In Kiama, the median weekly rent is $478, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).