🔍

Port Kembla

NSW 2505 • Rest of NSW

5,088
Population (2021)
$68,016
Median Household Income
13.62 km²
Area
$340/wk
Median Rent
CoastalMulticulturalAffordableHistoricIndustrial

About Port Kembla

Port Kembla is an industrial and residential suburb located on the southern edge of Wollongong, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney within the City of Wollongong local government area. Covering over 13 square kilometres and home to 5,088 residents, the suburb is best known for its working harbour and long industrial history centred around the steelworks that have shaped the area for over a century. The median household income of around $1,308 per week and median age of 42 reflect a predominantly working-class community with deep roots in the region.

Port Kembla has a strong multicultural character, with a notable Macedonian community alongside English and Australian-heritage families — reflecting the waves of workers who settled here during the industrial boom of the twentieth century. The suburb includes access to Port Kembla Beach and is adjacent to the working port precinct, with some residential pockets offering coastal and harbour views. Residents benefit from proximity to Wollongong's broader amenities while enjoying lower housing costs than many comparable coastal suburbs in the region.

Port Kembla falls under postcode 2505 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wollongong electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2505
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Wollongong
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.47°, 150.91°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
13.62 km²
Elevation
0m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$985K
73 sales · ▲ 3.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$755K
12 sales · ▲ 16.6% 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)
$340
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.7%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Port Kembla
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Route 34, 35 — Wollongong CBD 15-20 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
85 km
By Train
1 hr 20 min to Central via T4 Illawarra Line
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 15 min-1 hr 35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr-1 hr 15 min

🛣️ Industrial harbour suburb; BlueScope steelworks dominates local employment

Walkability Car-Dependent

Industrial area with limited walkable amenity; car or train to Wollongong for most services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Hill 60/ Illowra Battery
Military Road, Port Kembla • SHR #01492

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wollongong Local Government Area, which contains Port 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
5,014
Census 2021
5,088
▲ 1.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,908
Personal Income 2021
$33,696
▲ 35.3% 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
$33,696 / yr
$648/wk
Household
$68,016 / yr
$1308/wk
Family
$91,468 / yr
$1759/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,592
Born Overseas 1,200

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. North Macedonia 410
  • 2. Italy 121
  • 3. England 100
  • 4. New Zealand 83
  • 5. Greece 46
  • 6. United States 25
  • 7. Germany 23
  • 8. Philippines 21
  • 9. Canada 14
  • 10. Vietnam 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,487
Australian 1,461
Macedonian 793
Italian 435
Irish 396
Scottish 330
Australian Aboriginal 219
Greek 154
German 150
Dutch 74

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,372
Both parents born in Australia
1,807
Both parents born overseas
624
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
57.4%
No Religion
33.8%
Islam
0.9%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
295 (5.8%)
5-14 years
578 (11.4%)
15-19 years
229 (4.5%)
20-24 years
315 (6.2%)
25-34 years
662 (13.0%)
35-44 years
627 (12.3%)
45-54 years
622 (12.2%)
55-64 years
714 (14.0%)
65-74 years
524 (10.3%)
75-84 years
328 (6.4%)
85+ years
199 (3.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Port Kembla known for? +

Port Kembla is an industrial and residential suburb located on the southern edge of Wollongong, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney within the City of Wollongong local government area.

How far is Port Kembla from Sydney CBD? +

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

Does Port Kembla have public transport? +

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

What is the population of Port Kembla? +

According to the 2021 Census, Port Kembla has a population of approximately 5,088 residents.

Is Port Kembla a good place to live? +

Port Kembla 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 Port Kembla? +

The postcode for Port Kembla in NSW is 2505.

What is the average income in Port Kembla? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Port Kembla is about $648 per week (around $33,700 per year). The median household income is $1,308 per week and the median family income is $1,759 per week.

What is the median house price in Port Kembla? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $985,000, up 3.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $755,000, up 16.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Port Kembla? +

The median age in Port Kembla is 42. The largest age group is 55–64 (714 residents, around 14%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Port Kembla a safe area? +

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

In Port Kembla, the median weekly rent is $340, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).