Port Kembla (NSW)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside recent address records confirmed by Districts post-Census, the suburb of Port Kembla has an estimated residency of 5,041 individuals as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 47 residents (0.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 5,088 individuals. The variation is deduced from a resident headcount of 5,015, calculated by Districts using the most recent ABS ERP statistics from June 2025 in combination with 11 confirmed new addresses established after the Census. This level of residency yields a density of 364 persons per square kilometer, indicating low crowding and capacity for future expansion. Overseas arrivals served as the primary demographic driver, accounting for roughly 69.0% of all population growth in recent times.

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The suburb of Port Kembla is characterized by a qualified labor force with solid representation in essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 17.8% and steady employment levels over the prior year, based on Districts compilations of localized statistical data. As of March 2026, 1,950 residents are employed, whereas the jobless rate stands 13.7% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, pointing to capacity for improvement, and workforce participation lags slightly at 56.3% compared to the Regional NSW standard of 60.6%. Census figures indicate that a moderate 24.3% of the workforce operated from home, though this may reflect temporary pandemic restrictions.

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The suburb of Port Kembla records a median taxpayer income of $56,981 and an average income of $70,212, according to postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by Districts for financial year 2023. These figures exceed national benchmarks and contrast with a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.32% since financial year 2023, contemporary values are estimated at approximately $62,861 (median) and $77,458 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Port Kembla between the 19th and 20th national percentiles. Income distribution shows the $1,500 - 2,999 range is the most common, accounting for 27.9% of residents (1,406 people), mirroring regional trends where fall in this bracket. Affordability pressures are pronounced, with residents retaining only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile.

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Residential structures in the suburb of Port Kembla at the time of the latest Census consisted of 77.0% standalone houses and 23.0% alternative dwellings (such as semi-detached homes and apartments), compared to Regional NSW's split of 82.6% houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings. Meanwhile, the home ownership rate in the suburb of Port Kembla matched the Regional NSW benchmark at 39.1%, with remaining properties held under mortgages (26.5%) or rented (34.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was registered at $1,950, which is considerably higher than the Regional NSW median of $1,733, while weekly rent was recorded at $340, compared to $330 in Regional NSW. Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Port Kembla exceed the Australian average of $1,863, whereas rents sit below the national average of $375.

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Families represent the majority of households at 65.3%, consisting of couples with children at 25.2%, couples without children at 23.0%, and single parents with children at 16.3%. Independent and shared households account for the remaining 34.7%, with single-person households representing 31.3% and group living situations making up 2.9% of the total. The median household occupancy is 2.4 people, matching the average for Regional NSW.

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Educational attainment in the area presents some difficulties, as university degree holders (18.0%) are represented at a level well below the NSW standard of 32.2%. This situation indicates both an educational deficit and a target for focused training programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 37.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (27.6%).

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Analysis of public transit reveals 57 operational transit stops within the suburb of Port Kembla, consisting of both rail and bus facilities. These transport options are connected to 34 separate routes, which combine to support 2,146 passenger journeys weekly. Transit access is rated highly, with homes positioned an average of 139 meters from the closest transport point. Due to the area's residential nature, most workers travel out of the suburb—private vehicles remain the primary transit mode at 93%. Car ownership stands at an average of 1.2 vehicles per home, below the regional benchmark. Approximately 24.3% of workers perform their duties from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-era rules.

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Health statistics show notable challenges in the suburb of Port Kembla, according to Districts evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic illness rates, with common health concerns observed in both younger and older demographics, while the level of private health insurance coverage is relatively high at roughly 55% of the population (~2,754 people). This is higher than the 51.9% recorded throughout Regional NSW.

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The suburb of Port Kembla shows a higher level of cultural diversity than most regional areas, with 25.0% of the population born outside Australia and 25.0% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation in the suburb of Port Kembla, accounted for by 61.7% of residents. This compares to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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At 42 years, the median age in the suburb of Port Kembla is close to the Regional NSW average of 43 years, though older than the national median of 38 years. Demographic distribution indicates that residents aged 25 - 34 are especially prominent (14.2%), while those in the 65 - 74 bracket are less common (10.4%) than in Regional NSW. Since 2021, the proportion of children aged 0 to 4 has risen from 5.8% to 7.1%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 13.0% to 14.2%. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 age group has contracted from 11.3% to 10.3%. Population projections for point to shifts in the local age profile. The to bracket shows the fastest projected growth at , expanding by residents to a total of . Conversely, population declines are forecast for residents aged + and those aged to .

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Port Kembla currently has an estimated 357 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 213 children aged 0-2 and 142 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 21% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 371 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 437. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.8 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.