Kotara
Separate houses dominate 88.5% of Kotara's 2.5 km2 footprint, a proportion well above the national average, and the suburb sits at SEIFA decile 8 across three indexes, placing it in the upper-advantage tier nationally. Household income reaches the 78.1st percentile, and 40.9% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 10.8 points above the national figure. The median house price of $940,000 combined with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1% suggests owners are managing repayments comfortably relative to the suburb's income base. Resident stability is high, with 77.5% of people having stayed put in the five years prior to the last census.
Population
3,980
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,077/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
74
Median House
$940K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price in Kotara is $940,000, up 6.4% from $903,750 in 2024 to $961,500 in 2025. Detached houses account for 88.5% of the stock, a figure far higher than most comparable suburbs, while semi-detached dwellings make up the remaining 11.5%. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant product at 57.1% of dwellings, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 30.9%, signalling a family-oriented market with limited small-dwelling options. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1% sits below the 30% stress threshold, which is meaningful given that household income is in the 78.1st percentile nationally. Outright owners represent 36.2% of households and mortgage holders 42.3%, a distribution consistent with an established, wealth-accumulating suburb.
For Buyers
The median house price in Kotara is $940,000, up 6.4% from $903,750 in 2024 to $961,500 in 2025. Detached houses account for 88.5% of the stock, a figure far higher than most comparable suburbs, while semi-detached dwellings make up the remaining 11.5%. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant product at 57.1% of dwellings, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 30.9%, signalling a family-oriented market with limited small-dwelling options. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1% sits below the 30% stress threshold, which is meaningful given that household income is in the 78.1st percentile nationally. Outright owners represent 36.2% of households and mortgage holders 42.3%, a distribution consistent with an established, wealth-accumulating suburb.
For Investors
Renters account for 21.6% of Kotara households and weekly rent averages $460, which is below the Sydney metropolitan median, reflecting the suburb's family-house character rather than unit-led rental demand. Vacancy sits at 4.4%, above the 3% threshold that signals tighter rental conditions, indicating some softness in the current market. Development activity ran to 73 applications in the past 12 months, led by dwelling approvals and commercial works, consistent with ongoing upgrade investment rather than large new supply. Overseas migration drives net population growth at 98 persons per year compared to 24 via internal migration, providing a steady demand base. The gentrification score of 51 places Kotara in an active phase, with real income growth of 25.5% over the decade supporting long-term capital appreciation.
Development Activity
Total DAs
365
Last 12 Months
74
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Kotara iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Kotara South Public School
K-6 · 309 students
Demographics
Kotara's median age of 39 is one year below the national figure, pointing to a working-family profile rather than an aging community. University qualifications reach 40.9%, which is 10.8 points above the national average, the highest skill concentration in the area. The overseas-born share is 12.6%, compared to 21.6% nationally, making this one of the less internationally diverse suburbs in NSW. Ancestry leans strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,799 residents), Scottish (527) and Irish (491) are the three largest groups. Average household size of 2.6 is consistent with national norms, though the household composition skews toward couples with children (1,383 families) versus couples without children (829). Volunteering runs at 16.3%, suggesting an engaged community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.5%
Houses
11.5%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Kotara's housing profile is defined by detached houses, which make up 88.5% of all dwellings, a concentration higher than most NSW suburbs. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 57.1% and four-plus bedrooms add another 30.9%, which leaves very little stock for single occupants or downsizers. Tenure is split with 36.2% owning outright, 42.3% on mortgages and 21.6% renting. Prices rose from $903,750 in 2024 to $961,500 in 2025, a 6.4% move over one year. Rent-to-income stands at 22.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 24.1% is similarly comfortable relative to the suburb's income level. The semi-detached segment at 11.5% provides the only real entry point below the house-price median.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$460
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$927
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.4%
Unoccupied
68
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.3%
Couples, no children
3,280
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 23.5% of the local workforce (351 residents), well above the national industry share, followed by Education at 14.7% (220) and Professional/Tech at 9.6% (143). Construction and Public Admin each contribute around 9%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 634 workers, with Managers (272), Clerical/Admin (263) and Community/Personal (244) filling out a white-collar-leaning employment base. The unemployment rate is 4.2% and the full-time rate reaches 60.4%. The SEIFA IRSD score of 1,061 places the suburb at decile 8 nationally, and the IEO score of 1,054 also rates decile 8 for education and occupation advantage. Real income growth of 25.5% over the decade is above the national trend.
Unemployment
3.1%
Labour Force
10,197
Unemployed
315
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.4%
Part-time
35.4%
Participation
64.3%
Employed
1,979
Occupations
Top Industries
University
40.9%
Postgraduate
9.7%
Born Overseas
12.6%
Dwellings
1,470
Transport to Work
Kotara is almost entirely car-dependent, with 91.4% of residents commuting by car, compared to a national average well below that, and only 0.3% using public transport. This reflects the suburb's low-density, detached-house character in a regional city context. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families access education in neighbouring areas. The IRSAD decile 8 score signals a low-disadvantage environment, and only 4.4% of residents (171 people) need daily assistance. Housing stress is well contained, with both rent-to-income at 22.1% and mortgage-to-income at 24.1% below the 30% stress threshold. Resident stability is notably high, with 77.5% of people remaining at the same address over the five-year census period.
Drive
91.4%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.77%/yr
(+135 people/yr)
EstablishedKotara's population grew 10.3% over the past decade, reaching 17,554 in 2025 from a base of around 15,900 in 2011. Annual growth is running at 0.77%, adding approximately 135 persons per year. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 98 net arrivals annually, versus 24 from internal migration. Medium forecasts project the SA2 population reaching 18,183 by 2031, a continuation of the current growth rate. The gentrification score of 51 puts the suburb in an active phase, supported by a 41.4% rise in rents over the period and a 25.5% real income increase. Affordability improved from 47.8% in 2011 to 43.8% in 2021, a trend that is better than the national average for established suburbs, making this an active rather than declining market.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+98
Net Internal / yr
+24
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +11% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kotara compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kotara a good suburb to live in?
Kotara ranks at SEIFA decile 8 on three indexes, placing it in the upper-advantage tier nationally. Household income sits in the 78.1st percentile and 40.9% of residents hold university qualifications, 10.8 points above the national average. Housing stress is low, with mortgage-to-income at 24.1% below the 30% threshold, and 77.5% of residents stayed in the same address over the census period.
What is the median house price in Kotara?
The median house price is $940,000, rising 6.4% from $903,750 in 2024 to $961,500 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $460 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $2,167. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1% is below the 30% stress benchmark.
What schools are in Kotara?
No schools are recorded inside the Kotara suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Locally, 40.9% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 10.8 points above the national figure, reflecting a well-educated resident base.
Is Kotara safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Kotara in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 8 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, in the upper-advantage tier nationally. Only 4.4% of residents (171 people) need daily assistance, and housing stress is low, both consistent with a stable, low-disadvantage community.
Is Kotara good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $460 against a $940,000 median gives a gross yield around 2.5%, low but in line with established NSW family suburbs. Vacancy at 4.4% is slightly above the 3% benchmark. The gentrification score of 51 sits in the active phase, with 25.5% real income growth over the decade and net overseas migration of 98 per year supporting demand.
How is Kotara's population changing?
Population grew 10.3% over the past decade and is currently adding around 135 residents per year, a 0.77% annual rate. Overseas migration contributes 98 net arrivals annually, the primary driver. Medium forecasts project growth to 18,183 by 2031, continuing the current trajectory.
How much development is happening in Kotara?
73 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including new dwelling constructions and commercial works. This is a moderate level for a 2.5 km2 established suburb, consistent with ongoing upgrade activity and infill rather than large greenfield supply.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
Explore Kotara on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map