Katoomba, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Katoomba NSW is 8,268 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Katoomba is $649 per week ($33,748 per year). Median rent in Katoomba is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Katoomba has a median age of 48 years, older than the national median of 38. Katoomba has a population density of 373 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Katoomba is England. The most common religion is No religion (55.4% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Vietnamese. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Katoomba is $1,600.

There were 255 recorded offences in Katoomba in 2025-26, a rate of 31 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (77 offences).

Population
8,268
Census 2021
Median income
$649/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$350/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
48years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Katoomba vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Katoomba is $649 a week, 15% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,570th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $350 a week, $35 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 29.9% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 48, 5 years older than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureKatoombaTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$649/wk$765/wk −15%$766/wk
Household income$1,171/wk$1,704/wk −31%$1,637/wk
Rent$350/wk$385/wk −9%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,600/mo$1,965/mo −19%$1,733/mo
Median age4843 +5 yrs42
Rent share of household income29.9%22.6% +7.3 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Katoomba, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Katoomba Population

8,268 residents at the 2021 Census.

Katoomba Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$649/wk
$33,748 per year
Ranked 6,329 of 14,663
Median Rent
$350/wk
$1,517 per month
Ranked 3,104 of 14,663
Median Age
48years
10 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,600/mo
Avg household size: 2.1 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Katoomba Rent Prices & Affordability

30% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,171/wk
Median rent $350/wk
Rent to income 29.9%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Katoomba against your income

About $5,074 a month
Median rent $350/wk
Left after rent $821/wk
Rent share 29.9%

Katoomba Schools

4
schools nearby
3
government
1019
avg ICSEA score
1,267
total students
Katoomba Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 210 students
1035
ICSEA
Katoomba High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 862 students
1034
ICSEA
St Canice's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 67 students
1020
ICSEA
Katoomba North Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 128 students
986
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Katoomba, with a map

Katoomba Map

Katoomba, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Katoomba, New South Wales: 33.7039°S, 150.2955°E

Katoomba Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (4)

People in Katoomba

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.9% (3,960) Female 52.1% (4,314)

Population Density

373
people per km²
8,268 people · 22.1 km²

Households

2.1
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,669
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
5.6%
New Zealand
2.0%
Germany
1.0%
China
1.0%
United States of America
0.9%
Philippines
0.9%
Vietnam
0.8%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Vietnamese
0.8%
German
0.7%
Mandarin
0.7%
Spanish
0.6%
French
0.5%
Italian
0.4%
Thai
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
42.0%
Australian
31.1%
Irish
17.6%
Scottish
13.9%
German
6.0%
Italian
3.3%
Australian Aboriginal
3.1%
Chinese
2.1%
Dutch
1.7%
Polish
1.6%
French
1.4%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
55.4%
Catholic
12.4%
Anglican
9.5%
Not stated
6.9%
Buddhism
3.1%
Christian (other)
2.1%
Uniting Church
1.4%
Other religions
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

3.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
32.7% 2,336
Separated
4.0% 282
Divorced
14.6% 1,040
Widowed
4.4% 315
Never married
44.3% 3,160

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
34.7%
Couple: children under 15
33.2%
Couple: no children under 15
12.4%
One parent: children under 15
10.2%
One parent: no children under 15
9.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
39.5%
2 persons
35.0%
3 persons
12.1%
4 persons
8.6%
5 persons
3.2%
6+ persons
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Katoomba

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,762 occupied private dwellings in Katoomba at the 2021 Census, 33.5% were rented, 35.1% owned outright and 28.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.4% 51 dwellings
Owned outright
35.1% 1,321 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
28.4% 1,067 dwellings
Rented
33.5% 1,259 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.7% 64 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.4%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.4%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
7.2%
2 bedrooms
28.0%
3 bedrooms
43.2%
4 bedrooms
16.3%
5 bedrooms
4.0%
6+ bedrooms
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.5%
$300-$449/mo
4.3%
$450-$599/mo
2.4%
$600-$799/mo
5.9%
$800-$999/mo
6.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
16.5%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
18.1%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
22.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
10.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
7.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
14.3%
1 vehicle
49.0%
2 vehicles
26.0%
3 vehicles
7.2%
4+ vehicles
3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Katoomba

Employment

Employed full-time
24.3% 1,531 people
Employed part-time
24.0% 1,511 people
Unemployed
3.6% 225 people
Not in labour force
48.1% 3,031 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
35.6%
Community & Personal Service
15.1%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.1%
Managers
12.5%
Clerical & Administrative
10.2%
Labourers
5.6%
Sales Workers
5.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.1%
$1-$149/wk
1.3%
$150-$299/wk
2.4%
$300-$399/wk
3.9%
$400-$499/wk
10.0%
$500-$649/wk
8.7%
$650-$799/wk
7.8%
$800-$999/wk
7.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.4%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.4%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.8%
$4,000+/wk
5.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.3%
$1-$149/wk
3.8%
$150-$299/wk
7.0%
$300-$399/wk
5.3%
$400-$499/wk
5.9%
$500-$649/wk
5.9%
$650-$799/wk
11.1%
$800-$999/wk
11.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
7.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.0%
$3,500+/wk
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
55.3%
Did not go to work
26.7%
Walked only
9.1%
Car (passenger)
3.9%
Train
1.7%
Truck
1.0%
Other
0.7%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%
Bicycle
0.4%
Bus
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
65.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
22.5%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.8%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.9%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
32.3%
Certificate III/IV
26.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.0%
Postgraduate Degree
15.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.6%
Certificate I/II
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Society & Culture
21.6%
Management & Commerce
14.1%
Health
12.5%
Creative Arts
12.2%
Education
9.7%
Engineering
8.2%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.8%
Architecture & Building
5.2%
Agriculture & Environment
3.7%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.4%
Information Technology
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.0%
Secondary: Government
23.5%
Vocational Education
18.3%
Pre-school
8.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.6%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
6.2%
Primary: Catholic
4.4%
Secondary: Catholic
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
88.3%
Has need for assistance
7.4%
Need for assistance not stated
4.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,235
Asthma
310
Arthritis
304
Heart disease
254
Lung condition
248
Diabetes
230
Cancer
126
Stroke
112
Kidney disease
98
Dementia
27

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.2% 962
Did not provide
85.8% 5,823

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
19.7% 1,340
Not a volunteer
80.3% 5,456

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 6
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 5
Previously served
2.8% 189
Never served
97.1% 6,618

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
39.4%
1 child
16.9%
2 children
24.1%
3 children
12.9%
4 children
5.1%
5+ children
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
34
1951: 1960
117
1961: 1970
295
1971: 1980
262
1981: 1990
261
1991: 2000
229
2001: 2010
243
2011: 2015
137
2016
44
2017
37
2018
60
2019
57
2020
14

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

16.5%
moved in the last year
42.2%
moved in the last 5 years
6.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
53.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,562
Moved from NSW
736
Moved: same area (SA2)
436
Moved from overseas
36
Moved from VIC
27
Moved from QLD
23
Moved from TAS
9
Moved from ACT
9
Moved from SA
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.4%
5: 14 hours
33.8%
15: 29 hours
15.5%
30+ hours
9.9%
Did not do domestic work
20.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
79.9%
Step family: no other children
14.9%
Blended family: no other children
4.1%
Other couple: children only
0.6%
Intact family: other children present
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Katoomba Crime Statistics

255 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Other Against Property
77
Theft
52
Assault
30
Other Against Person
23
Drug Offences
22
Property Damage
20
Weapons
18
Sexual Offences
11
Domestic Violence
1
Traffic
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Canowindra
Income: $609/wk Rent: $220/wk $130/wk less rent
Temora
Income: $645/wk Rent: $240/wk $110/wk less rent
Manilla
Income: $533/wk Rent: $260/wk $90/wk less rent
Belmont South
Income: $643/wk Rent: $273/wk $77/wk less rent
Valla
Income: $674/wk Rent: $310/wk $40/wk less rent
Marks Point
Income: $659/wk Rent: $318/wk $32/wk less rent
Nabiac
Income: $562/wk Rent: $330/wk $20/wk less rent
Belmont (NSW)
Income: $697/wk Rent: $340/wk $10/wk less rent

Suburbs near Katoomba

The closest suburb to Katoomba is Leura, 4.1 km away.

Leura
4.1 km away · income $753/wk · rent $430/wk
Blackheath
7.3 km away · income $740/wk · rent $380/wk
Wentworth Falls
8.3 km away · income $740/wk · rent $430/wk
Bullaburra
11.8 km away · income $729/wk · rent $400/wk
Lawson (NSW)
12.9 km away · income $732/wk · rent $387/wk

Compare Katoomba

Frequently Asked Questions About Katoomba

What is the population of Katoomba NSW?

The population of Katoomba NSW is 8,268 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 373 people per km². Katoomba is ranked #851 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Katoomba?

The median personal income in Katoomba NSW is $649 per week, or $33,748 per year. The median household income is $1,171 per week. Family income is $1,669 per week. Katoomba is ranked #6,329 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Katoomba?

Median rent in Katoomba NSW is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Rent represents 29.9% of household income, which is considered moderate. Katoomba ranks #3,104 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Katoomba?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Katoomba NSW is $1,600. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Katoomba?

The median age in Katoomba NSW is 48 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Katoomba a good suburb to live in?

Katoomba is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 8,268. The median income is $649/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (29.9% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 12085. All dollar figures in AUD.