Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Katoomba suburb profile
Katoomba, NSW · Postcode 2780
This Katoomba suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Katoomba, NSW (postcode 2780). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Katoomba with nearby suburbs.
Katoomba at a glance
Population
8,268
Median rent
$350/wk
Household income
$1,171/wk
Median age
48
Katoomba trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+3.1% over 10 years
Population
8,268
was 7,964 in 2016
+304 · +3.8%
Median rent
$350/wk
was $300/wk in 2016
+$50 · +16.7%
Household income
$1,171/wk
was $976/wk in 2016
+$195 · +20%
Median age
48
was 46 in 2016
+2 · +4.3%
Dig deeper: Katoomba population growth · Katoomba then and now
Katoomba vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for Katoomba, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-16.7% vs area
- Katoomba$350/wk
- Nearby$410/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-36.5% vs area
- Katoomba$1,171/wk
- Nearby$1,653/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
+20% vs area
- Katoomba48
- Nearby46.5
- NSW40
Personal income
-19.7% vs area
- Katoomba$649/wk
- Nearby$777.5/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How Katoomba compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Katoomba sits around the national middle for socio-economic advantage. It shows limited economic resources.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 3963.9
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 4967.2
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2934.1
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 81,025
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Katoomba on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Katoomba, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Katoomba people
- Population
- 8,268
- Median age
- 48
- Born overseas
- 22.4%
- Average household size
- 2.1
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Katoomba income
- Median household income
- $1,171/wk
- Median personal income
- $649/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Katoomba housing
- Median rent
- $350/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,600/mo
- Separate houses
- 68.1%
- Flats & apartments
- 9.1%
- Owned outright
- 29.2%
- Mortgaged
- 23.6%
- Rented
- 27.9%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 16.9%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Katoomba work
- Employment to population
- 49.9%
- Unemployment rate
- 6%
- Year 12 or above
- 60.1%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2780)
Compare Katoomba with nearby suburbs
Katoomba in numbers
Katoomba had 8,268 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 278th most populous suburb or locality in NSW out of 4,347. The median age is 48, 17% above the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.1 people. 22.4% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 29.2% own their home outright, 23.6% are paying a mortgage, 27.9% rent. Separate houses make up 68.1% of dwellings, with 9.1% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $350/wk, 12% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,171/wk, 35% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 6%. 60.1% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 3 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 3.8% (from 7,964 to 8,268). Median rent moved from $300/wk to $350/wk (+16.7%).
Katoomba suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Katoomba, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Katoomba was $350/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Katoomba, NSW?
- Katoomba had 8,268 residents at the 2021 Census, up 3.8% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Katoomba?
- Median household income in Katoomba was $1,171/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Katoomba?
- 27.9% of occupied homes in Katoomba were rented, 29.2% were owned outright and 23.6% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Katoomba suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Katoomba. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology