Jamberoo
Jamberoo's 1,910 residents form an older, settled market, with a median age of 50, or 10 years above the national figure. Housing is strongly detached, with 96.5% of dwellings separate houses and 53.0% containing four or more bedrooms. Compared with Kiama's more urban coastal setting, Jamberoo has a lower-density profile across 58.88 square kilometres, at 32.4 people per square kilometre. A high 35.9% work-from-home rate supports its appeal to flexible workers, while household income sits at the 81.4th percentile nationally. The combination of space, established ownership and remote-work capacity helps explain its family and lifestyle orientation.
Local council: Kiama
Population
1,910
Median Age
50.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,131/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
29
Jamberoo is most suited to buyers seeking detached space rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 96.5% of dwellings, while 53.0% have four or more bedrooms and another 39.5% have three bedrooms, creating a broad family-home base. Compared with Kiama's more urban housing choices, the local stock is more likely to prioritise land, storage and outdoor living. Ownership is established, with 54.4% of households owning outright and 33.4% paying a mortgage. A typical mortgage repayment benchmark is $2,600 per month, equal to 28.2% of household income, below the usual mortgage-stress threshold. The 35.9% work-from-home rate may also reduce commuting pressure for suitable buyers.
For Buyers
Jamberoo is most suited to buyers seeking detached space rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 96.5% of dwellings, while 53.0% have four or more bedrooms and another 39.5% have three bedrooms, creating a broad family-home base. Compared with Kiama's more urban housing choices, the local stock is more likely to prioritise land, storage and outdoor living. Ownership is established, with 54.4% of households owning outright and 33.4% paying a mortgage. A typical mortgage repayment benchmark is $2,600 per month, equal to 28.2% of household income, below the usual mortgage-stress threshold. The 35.9% work-from-home rate may also reduce commuting pressure for suitable buyers.
For Investors
Jamberoo's investment case is tied to limited rental supply, larger homes and ongoing local activity rather than a high-density apartment market. Only 10.6% of households rent, and the weekly rent benchmark is $498, while the vacancy rate is 8.8%, so leasing assumptions should be tested carefully against property type and tenant demand. The stock is dominated by separate houses at 96.5%, with 53.0% offering four or more bedrooms, which can suit families but may require higher maintenance budgets. There were 31 development matters in 12 months, including dwelling structures and subdivision modifications. Compared with a more rental-heavy suburb, Jamberoo requires close attention to vacancy, resale depth and the cost of managing larger homes.
Development Activity
Total DAs
163
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-27.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Jamberoo
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Jamberoo has an older resident profile, with a median age of 50 that is 10 years above the national figure. University attainment is 36.9%, or 6.8 percentage points above the national comparison, while the overseas-born share is 13.7%, 7.9 points below the national figure. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry are the largest reported groups, at 920, 330 and 236 people respectively. Christianity accounts for 990 responses and no religion for 765. Compared with nearby Kiama and Minnamurra, Jamberoo presents a more settled, Anglo-leaning profile. Residential stability is high because 79.3% of residents stayed at the same address over the reference period, while turnover was 20.7%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.5%
Houses
3.0%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Jamberoo's housing stock is overwhelmingly detached: 96.5% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with only 0.5% apartments and 3.0% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix is also spacious, with 53.0% of homes containing four or more bedrooms and 39.5% containing three. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, this supports owner-occupiers seeking land and larger floorplans, but it can increase upkeep and resale exposure. Tenure is stable, with 54.4% owned outright, 33.4% mortgaged and 10.6% rented. Mortgage repayments average $2,600 per month, or 28.2% of household income, while rent represents 23.4%, indicating neither tenure is currently flagged for housing stress. Weekly rent is $498 and vacancy is 8.8%.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $498.
$750
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $830 · units $650
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$838
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.8%
Unoccupied
65
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.2%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
44.2%
Couples with children
47.9%
Couples, no children
6.8%
Single parent
559
Total families
Economy & Employment
Jamberoo's employment base is spread across healthcare, education, construction, professional and technical services, and public administration. Healthcare leads at 15.1% or 97 workers, followed by education at 14.0% or 90, while construction contributes 10.9% or 70. Compared with a single-industry rural economy, this mix gives local employment more than one service and trades pathway. Professionals number 225 and managers 171, ahead of trades at 128, supporting the suburb's relatively high household-income position at the 81.4th percentile. The unemployment rate is 1.7% and participation is 56.3%, while 604 people are outside the labour force. Full-time workers number 466 and part-time workers 326, reflecting a mixed employment pattern shaped partly by the median age of 50.
Unemployment
1.7%
Labour Force
901
Unemployed
15
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.6%
Part-time
36.8%
Participation
56.3%
Employed
886
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.9%
Postgraduate
10.1%
Born Overseas
13.7%
Dwellings
665
Transport to Work
Jamberoo suits residents who value space and a village setting but can rely on a car for most daily travel. The suburb covers 58.88 square kilometres at 32.4 people per square kilometre, and 56.0% of workers drive a car, compared with just 0.4% using public transport. Walking or cycling accounts for 5.2%, while 35.9% work from home, so commuting needs vary by household. Families have access to 1 local school, Jamberoo Public School, a government primary school. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address, particularly for students needing secondary or non-government options. Compared with more transit-oriented parts of the Kiama area, Jamberoo offers lower-density living but requires more planning for school runs, shopping and regional travel.
Drive
56.0%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
5.2%
Work from Home
35.9%
Growth Outlook
Growth signals in Jamberoo are centred on incremental housing activity and strong residential stability. There were 31 development matters over 12 months, including new dwelling structures and subdivision modifications, while 79.3% of residents stayed at the same address and turnover was 20.7%. Compared with a high-turnover commuter market, that combination suggests change is more likely to occur through additions, alterations and selective new homes than rapid renter churn. The detached profile, with 96.5% separate houses, gives development activity a land-intensive character. A 35.9% work-from-home rate may support continued demand from flexible workers, while the current population of 1,910 provides a small base in which individual projects can have a noticeable local effect.
Population trend: Kiama council area
Jamberoo sits in the Kiama council area. These are the council area's residents, not Jamberoo's.
Residents 2025
23,139
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
-0.1%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Jamberoo compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jamberoo a good suburb to live in?
Jamberoo suits households seeking low-density living, larger homes and a settled environment. The population is 1,910, the median age is 50, and 35.9% work from home. Compared with more urban areas, daily life is more car dependent because only 0.4% use public transport.
What is the median house price in Jamberoo?
Jamberoo's current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales and current listings rather than inferred from rent. The local rental benchmark is $498 per week, and 96.5% of dwellings are separate houses, so comparisons should focus on detached homes with similar land, condition and bedroom counts.
What schools are in Jamberoo?
Jamberoo has 1 local school: Jamberoo Public School, a government primary school. Families seeking secondary or non-government options should check the exact enrolment zone and nearby school locations before purchasing, as local access depends on year level and transport arrangements.
Is Jamberoo safe?
A current safety assessment should use recent incident information for the exact street and property rather than relying on the suburb's 1,910 residents or 58.88 square kilometre area. Buyers and renters should also inspect lighting, traffic conditions, school-zone activity and evening access during an onsite visit.
Is Jamberoo good for property investment?
Jamberoo may suit investors targeting detached family homes, with 10.6% of households renting and a weekly rent benchmark of $498. However, the 8.8% vacancy rate warrants conservative leasing assumptions. A further 31 development matters in 12 months means investors should monitor additions, subdivisions and competing stock.
How is Jamberoo's population changing?
Jamberoo has 1,910 residents today, with 79.3% staying at the same address and 20.7% turning over. There were 31 development matters in 12 months, including dwelling and subdivision work. Compared with a rapidly shifting rental market, these figures point to gradual change through established households and selective new housing.
What development is happening in Jamberoo?
There were 31 development matters in the past 12 months. The recorded activity includes dwelling house structures and subdivision modifications, indicating a mix of home alterations and land-related changes rather than only large apartment projects. Buyers should check approvals, completion status and the effect on neighbouring properties.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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