🔍

Mount Kembla

NSW 2526 • Rest of NSW

1,083
Population (2021)
$146,848
Median Household Income
6.11 km²
Area
$440/wk
Median Rent
HistoricVillageNatureEscarpmentFamily-Friendly

About Mount Kembla

Mount Kembla is a small, scenic village nestled in the Illawarra escarpment, approximately 12 kilometres west of Wollongong in New South Wales. With a population of around 800, it sits at the base of Mount Kembla (534m) within the Wollongong local government area. The village has a poignant history, most notably the 1902 Mount Kembla mine disaster, which claimed 96 lives and remains one of Australia's worst mining tragedies. Today it is a quiet, close-knit community with a mix of long-term residents and newer arrivals drawn by the natural setting.

Mount Kembla offers a peaceful, semi-rural lifestyle surrounded by lush rainforest and walking trails leading into the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. The village has a general store, a heritage-listed miners' cottage precinct, and the popular Mount Kembla Village Hotel. Residents enjoy easy access to Wollongong's beaches, university, and shopping while retreating to a tranquil, leafy environment. The area attracts nature lovers, families, and professionals who appreciate the blend of village charm and proximity to urban amenities.

Mount Kembla 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
Cunningham
State Electorate
Keira
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.43°, 150.82°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
6.11 km²
Elevation
84m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.25M
18 sales · ▲ 29.5% 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)
$440
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,600
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
42 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Unanderra Station
4.5 km
55 mins
Kembla Grange Station
5 km
60 mins

Bus Services

  • 37 — Wollongong via Unanderra 25 mins

Commute to Wollongong CBD

Distance
12 km
By Train
20-25 mins (from Unanderra)
By Bus
25-30 mins
By Car (Peak)
20-25 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
15 mins

🛣️ Most residents drive to Unanderra or Wollongong; Sydney CBD ~90 mins by train from Unanderra

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small village with a pub and general store; car needed for most shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Mount Kembla, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Mount Kembla Mine Disaster Site Ruins and Setting
Kembla Heights • SHR #02099

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wollongong Local Government Area, which contains Mount Kembla. 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
1,068
Census 2021
1,083
▲ 1.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$43,160
Personal Income 2021
$52,104
▲ 20.7% 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
$52,104 / yr
$1002/wk
Household
$146,848 / yr
$2824/wk
Family
$156,416 / yr
$3008/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 907
Born Overseas 160

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 51
  • 2. New Zealand 16
  • 3. India 13
  • 4. Ireland 9
  • 5. Italy 7
  • 6. Canada 6
  • 7. North Macedonia 6
  • 8. Scotland 6
  • 9. United States 6
  • 10. Germany 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 473
Australian 430
Irish 126
Scottish 126
Italian 82
German 55
Dutch 27
Australian Aboriginal 24
Indian 20
Macedonian 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

645
Both parents born in Australia
257
Both parents born overseas
164
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.4%
No Religion
39.2%
Hinduism
1.4%
Islam
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
42 (3.9%)
5-14 years
180 (16.6%)
15-19 years
78 (7.2%)
20-24 years
62 (5.7%)
25-34 years
82 (7.6%)
35-44 years
131 (12.1%)
45-54 years
152 (14.0%)
55-64 years
171 (15.8%)
65-74 years
104 (9.6%)
75-84 years
54 (5.0%)
85+ years
14 (1.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Kembla known for? +

Mount Kembla is a small, scenic village nestled in the Illawarra escarpment, approximately 12 kilometres west of Wollongong in New South Wales. With a population of around 800, it sits at the base of Mount Kembla (534m) within the Wollongong local government area.

How far is Mount Kembla from Wollongong CBD? +

Mount Kembla is approximately 12 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. The drive takes around 20-25 mins during peak hour and 15 mins off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 20-25 mins (from Unanderra).

Does Mount Kembla have public transport? +

Mount Kembla is served by Unanderra Station station (4.5 km, approximately 55 mins walk) on the South Coast Line (Sydney–Kiama/Bomaderry). Local bus services including 37 also connect residents to Wollongong via Unanderra.

What is the population of Mount Kembla? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mount Kembla has a population of approximately 1,083 residents.

Is Mount Kembla a good place to live? +

Mount Kembla 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 Mount Kembla? +

The postcode for Mount Kembla in NSW is 2526.

What is the average income in Mount Kembla? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Mount Kembla is about $1,002 per week (around $52,100 per year). The median household income is $2,824 per week and the median family income is $3,008 per week.

What is the median house price in Mount Kembla? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,250,000, up 29.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Mount Kembla? +

The median age in Mount Kembla is 42. The largest age group is 5–14 (180 residents, around 17%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Mount Kembla a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Mount Kembla 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 Mount Kembla? +

In Mount Kembla, the median weekly rent is $440, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,600 (2021 Census).