NSW 2558 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Kearns

A 56.8% share of homes with four or more bedrooms makes Kearns a strongly family-sized market, while its 2,693 residents occupy only 2.36 square kilometres. The suburb's 57.4% mortgage tenure and household income at the 81.8th percentile point to an established mortgage-belt profile rather than a high-turnover rental market. Its median age of 36 is 4 years below the national figure, while 24.8% of residents were born overseas, 3.2 percentage points above national levels. Compared with nearby Raby and Eschol Park, Kearns reads as a compact detached-home community where larger households shape demand because 54.4% of families are couples with children.

Local council: Campbelltown (NSW)

Kearns urban fabric map

Population

2,693

Median Age

36.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,147/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

8

2.36 km²· 1,141.6 people/km²· Family income $2,312/wk

Homebuyers prioritising detached space will find a clear housing pattern in Kearns. Separate houses account for 95.9% of dwellings, compared with 4.1% semi-detached homes, and 56.8% of properties have four or more bedrooms, while another 39.8% have three bedrooms. The tenure mix also points to established owner demand, with 57.4% of households paying a mortgage and 27.6% owning outright, versus 15.0% renting. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,037 sits alongside mortgage-to-income of 21.9%, higher than rent-to-income at 19.6%. This suits families seeking room because the average household size is 3.1 people.

For Buyers

Homebuyers prioritising detached space will find a clear housing pattern in Kearns. Separate houses account for 95.9% of dwellings, compared with 4.1% semi-detached homes, and 56.8% of properties have four or more bedrooms, while another 39.8% have three bedrooms. The tenure mix also points to established owner demand, with 57.4% of households paying a mortgage and 27.6% owning outright, versus 15.0% renting. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,037 sits alongside mortgage-to-income of 21.9%, higher than rent-to-income at 19.6%. This suits families seeking room because the average household size is 3.1 people.

For Investors

Kearns is more owner-occupier focused than rental-led: 15.0% of households rent, lower than the 57.4% mortgage share. Weekly rent is $420 and the vacancy rate is 2.7%, giving investors useful reference points but also signalling a smaller tenant pool than in heavily rental-oriented suburbs. Eight development applications were recorded across 12 months, including a secondary dwelling example, so local change appears incremental rather than dominated by large new projects. Compared with a high-rental market, investor demand here is more dependent on family-house tenants because 95.9% of dwellings are separate houses and 56.8% contain four or more bedrooms.

Development Activity

Total DAs

51

Last 12 Months

8

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-33.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
10
Swimming Pool / Spa
4
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
2
Hospitality / Food Premises
1
Other
1
Signage / Advertising
1
New Dwelling
1

Schools in Kearns

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Kearns Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Demographics

Kearns has a median age of 36, which is 4 years below the national figure, and its average household size of 3.1 is 0.6 above the national comparison. Families are central to the profile because 54.4% of families are couples with children, while 28.4% are couples without children and 16.4% are one-parent families. University attainment is 26.6%, 3.5 percentage points below national levels. Overseas-born residents account for 24.8%, 3.2 points above national levels. English ancestry is the largest listed group at 744 people, followed by Other at 491, Irish at 197, Scottish at 185 and Italian at 155. Christianity counts 1,565 people, compared with 662 reporting no religion and 239 Islam.

Age Distribution

0-14
20.7%
15-24
14.1%
25-44
27.7%
45-64
28.2%
65+
9.5%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.7%
2 bed
2.7%
3 bed
39.8%
4+ bed
56.8%

Dwelling Structure

95.9%

Houses

4.1%

Townhouse

0.0%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 27.6% Mortgage 57.4% Rent 15.0%

Kearns is overwhelmingly detached, with 95.9% of dwellings classified as separate houses and 4.1% semi-detached, a much higher separate-house share than the semi-detached figure. The bedroom profile reinforces that suburban structure: 56.8% of homes have four or more bedrooms and 39.8% have three bedrooms, while only 2.7% have two bedrooms and 0.7% have zero or one. Ownership is also prominent, with 27.6% owned outright and 57.4% under mortgage, compared with 15.0% rented. Household income is $2,147 per week at the 81.8th percentile, while the monthly mortgage figure is $2,037 and weekly rent is $420. This supports family-oriented housing demand because larger homes and mortgage tenure dominate.

Mortgage / mo

$2,037

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $420.

$650

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $650

HH Size

3.1

Personal Income / wk

$908

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

2.7%

Unoccupied

24

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

19.6%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.9%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Arabic
97
Hindi
17
Urdu
15
Italian
13
Samoan
13

Ancestry

English
744
Other
491
Irish
197
Scottish
185
Italian
155
Ancestry NS
106

Household Composition

54.4%

Couples with children

28.4%

Couples, no children

16.4%

Single parent

758

Total families

Economy & Employment

Kearns' employment base is spread across healthcare at 14.7% with 127 workers, construction at 12.0% with 104, education at 11.1% with 96, public administration at 10.3% with 89 and manufacturing at 9.5% with 82. The occupational mix includes 251 clerical and administrative workers, 230 professionals, 188 trades workers, 160 managers and 154 community or personal service workers. Participation is 67.2%, unemployment is 3.9% and the full-time employment rate is 56.6%. Household income sits at the 81.8th percentile, above the national midpoint, which fits a workforce combining professional, administrative and trade roles. The industry spread matters because it reduces reliance on a single local employment category.

Unemployment

3.9%

Labour Force

1,438

Unemployed

56

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

56.6%

Part-time

25.8%

Participation

67.2%

Employed

1,382

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Clerical/Admin 251
Professionals 230
Trades 188
Managers 160
Community/Personal 154
Machinery/Drivers 140
Sales 127
Labourers 102

Top Industries

Healthcare 14.7%
Construction 12.0%
Education 11.1%
Public Admin 10.3%
Manufacturing 9.5%

University

26.6%

Postgraduate

5.8%

Born Overseas

24.8%

Dwellings

857

Transport to Work

Kearns is compact at 2.36 square kilometres, which can make local trips manageable, but daily travel is strongly car oriented. The 63.7% share of residents driving to work is much higher than the 0.8% using public transport, while 0.4% walk or cycle and 31.4% work from home. One named local school, Kearns Public School, provides government primary education; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address and investigate secondary options for later years. The average household size is 3.1 people, consistent with demand for practical family services. A suburb-level crime rate is not available for a simple safety comparison, so current NSW Police information and an inspection at different times remain important.

Drive

63.7%

Public Transport

0.8%

Walk / Cycle

0.4%

Work from Home

31.4%

Growth Outlook

Kearns has 2,693 residents, with 85.9% staying at the same address and a 14.1% turnover rate. Compared with a high-churn suburb, that pattern points to a more settled population whose growth is likely to be gradual and household-led. Eight development applications across 12 months indicate some local activity, including a secondary dwelling proposal and retail-related works, but the visible pipeline is modest. Future change will depend on whether incremental additions continue because 95.9% of homes are separate houses and 56.8% have four or more bedrooms, leaving limited evidence of a broad apartment-led transformation. Buyers assessing longer-term growth should check current regional forecasts and council planning updates.

Population trend: Campbelltown (NSW) council area

Kearns sits in the Campbelltown (NSW) council area. These are the council area's residents, not Kearns's.

Residents 2025

191,285

Growth, 5 yr average

+1.7%/yr

2020 to 2025

Growth, last year

+1.4%

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 Kearns compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 18%
Household Income
Top 18%
Rent Level
Top 13%
Apartments
Bottom 0%
Renters
Bottom 50%
Uni Educated
Top 43%
Public Transport
Bottom 14%
Born Overseas
Top 20%
Density
Top 14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kearns a good suburb to live in?

Kearns suits households seeking detached space and a settled routine: 95.9% of dwellings are separate houses, 56.8% have four or more bedrooms, and 85.9% of residents stayed at the same address. Car use is high at 63.7%, while public transport use is 0.8%, so daily convenience depends heavily on driving.

What is the median house price in Kearns?

A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales. Kearns is 95.9% separate houses, with 56.8% of homes containing four or more bedrooms, so the relevant benchmark should be for detached houses rather than apartments. The housing profile also includes 57.4% mortgage holders and 27.6% outright owners.

What schools are in Kearns?

Kearns Public School is the named local school, and it is a government primary school. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cross suburb edges. With 2,693 residents and an average household size of 3.1, nearby secondary options may also matter for longer-term planning.

Is Kearns safe?

There is no suburb crime rate to support a simple yes or no. Check current NSW Police information and inspect the streets at different times across Kearns' 2.36 square kilometres. The suburb has a 14.1% turnover rate, so prospective residents should assess the specific street, nearby routes and evening activity before deciding.

Is Kearns good for property investment?

Kearns can suit a long-term investor seeking family-house demand, but the rental base is relatively small: 15.0% rent, compared with 57.4% mortgage tenure. Weekly rent is $420 and vacancy is 2.7%; eight development applications in 12 months indicate some local activity. Confirm current yields, sales prices and tenant demand before buying.

How is Kearns's population changing?

Kearns has 2,693 residents, with 85.9% staying at the same address and 14.1% turning over. That points to a relatively established population rather than rapid churn. Household structure remains family weighted: 54.4% of families are couples with children and average household size is 3.1. Check updated council and regional forecasts for the forward outlook.

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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