Gymea vs Kareela

Gymea is the younger of the two, with a median age of 39 against 42 in Kareela. In both, most households own their home. In Kareela, the large majority of homes are detached houses and most households are couple families. On these figures, Gymea tends to suit people living alone, while Kareela suits couples.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Kareela

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (14 vs 3)
  • carries lower crime risk (22/100 vs 48/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (88% vs 45%)
  • But Gymea has more childcare (10 vs 2)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Gymea

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (33% vs 5%)
  • has cheaper rent ($500/wk vs $695/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Gymea

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 75/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Gymea

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (5 vs 1)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (55% vs 12%)
  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 75/100)
  • But Kareela carries lower crime risk (22/100 vs 48/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Gymea

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (8.3% vs 3.3%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

Gymea and Kareela drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Gymea Kareela
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Gymea Kareela
Walkability 84 / 75
Gymea — Walkability: 84/100 Kareela — Walkability: 75/100
Safety 52 / 78
Gymea — Safety: 52/100 Kareela — Safety: 78/100
Low fire risk 5 / 100
Gymea — Low fire risk: 5/100 Kareela — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Gymea has more residents (8,219 vs 3,572); Kareela rents higher ($695/wk vs $500/wk).

Gymea Kareela
Population 8,219
+57% vs other
 3,572
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +8.3% +3.3%
Median age 39 42
Median household income $106,548/yr $143,780/yr
+35% vs other
Median weekly rent $500/wk $695/wk
+39% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Gymea Kareela
0-4 7.1% / 5.6%
Gymea — 0-4: 7.1% Kareela — 0-4: 5.6%
5-14 11.7% / 15.5%
Gymea — 5-14: 11.7% Kareela — 5-14: 15.5%
15-19 4.7% / 6.3%
Gymea — 15-19: 4.7% Kareela — 15-19: 6.3%
20-24 5.0% / 5.0%
Gymea — 20-24: 5.0% Kareela — 20-24: 5.0%
25-34 13.4% / 6.4%
Gymea — 25-34: 13.4% Kareela — 25-34: 6.4%
35-44 15.1% / 14.7%
Gymea — 35-44: 15.1% Kareela — 35-44: 14.7%
45-54 13.3% / 14.5%
Gymea — 45-54: 13.3% Kareela — 45-54: 14.5%
55-64 12.1% / 10.2%
Gymea — 55-64: 12.1% Kareela — 55-64: 10.2%
65-74 8.8% / 11.7%
Gymea — 65-74: 8.8% Kareela — 65-74: 11.7%
75-84 6.2% / 8.8%
Gymea — 75-84: 6.2% Kareela — 75-84: 8.8%
85+ 2.6% / 1.6%
Gymea — 85+: 2.6% Kareela — 85+: 1.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Gymea 44.0% couple families
Gymea — Couple Families: 44.0% Gymea — Lone Person: 35.8% Gymea — One Parent Families: 15.4% Gymea — Group Household: 3.2% Gymea — Other Families: 1.6%
Kareela 69.6% couple families
Kareela — Couple Families: 69.6% Kareela — Lone Person: 17.0% Kareela — One Parent Families: 12.1% Kareela — Group Household: 0.9% Kareela — Other Families: 0.4%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Gymea 32.6% renting
Gymea — Owned Outright: 33.3% Gymea — Mortgage: 34.1% Gymea — Renting: 32.6%
Kareela 4.9% renting
Kareela — Owned Outright: 47.4% Kareela — Mortgage: 47.7% Kareela — Renting: 4.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Gymea Kareela
Bachelor Degree 15.3% / 16.6%
Gymea — Bachelor Degree: 15.3% Kareela — Bachelor Degree: 16.6%
Certificate III & IV 14.7% / 12.5%
Gymea — Certificate III & IV: 14.7% Kareela — Certificate III & IV: 12.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 10.4% / 9.6%
Gymea — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.4% Kareela — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.6%
Postgraduate Degree 4.6% / 5.9%
Gymea — Postgraduate Degree: 4.6% Kareela — Postgraduate Degree: 5.9%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.9% / 2.3%
Gymea — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9% Kareela — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.6%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Gymea Kareela
England 4.0% / 3.8%
Gymea — England: 4.0% Kareela — England: 3.8%
China 1.5% / 3.8%
Gymea — China: 1.5% Kareela — China: 3.8%
New Zealand 1.5% / 1.5%
Gymea — New Zealand: 1.5% Kareela — New Zealand: 1.5%
Philippines 1.0% / 0.7%
Gymea — Philippines: 1.0% Kareela — Philippines: 0.7%
Germany — / 1.0%
Gymea — Germany: not among its largest Kareela — Germany: 1.0%
Greece — / 0.7%
Gymea — Greece: not among its largest Kareela — Greece: 0.7%
South Africa 0.6% / —
Gymea — South Africa: 0.6% Kareela — South Africa: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Gymea 44.7% houses
Gymea — Houses: 44.7% Gymea — Townhouses: 22.8% Gymea — Flats / Apartments: 32.5%
Kareela 88.5% houses
Kareela — Houses: 88.5% Kareela — Townhouses: 11.2% Kareela — Flats / Apartments: 0.3%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Gymea Kareela
Median house price $1,830,000 $1,741,000
Median unit price $955,000 —
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 24 days
from 42 sales
 22 days
from 53 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Gymea Kareela
3 bed $1.67M / $1.59M
Gymea — 3 bed: $1.67M (38 sales) Kareela — 3 bed: $1.59M (23 sales)

38 vs 23 sales

4 bed $1.99M / $1.74M
Gymea — 4 bed: $1.99M (38 sales) Kareela — 4 bed: $1.74M (43 sales)

38 vs 43 sales

5 bed $1.91M / $2.01M
Gymea — 5 bed: $1.91M (7 sales) Kareela — 5 bed: $2.01M (18 sales)

7 vs 18 sales

Zoning mix

Kareela has more land zoned for conservation (34% vs 3%).

Gymea Kareela
Residential 73% 33%
Environmental 3% 34%
Parks and recreation 4% 28%
Infrastructure and transport 17% 4%
Commercial 3% 1%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Gymea Kareela
New dwellings approved 1,449
across Sutherland
same for both
Approvals change year on year +117%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Gymea Kareela
Houses 4.3%
$1,240/wk on $1.5M
 —
Units 4.5%
$730/wk on $840K
 —

Ranking within NSW

Gymea Kareela
House price Higher than 83% of NSW Higher than 80% of NSW
Income Higher than 72% of NSW Higher than 94% of NSW
Schools Higher than 83% of NSW Higher than 12% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 94% of NSW Higher than 90% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 25% of NSW Higher than 51% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 86% of NSW Higher than 90% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 91% of NSW Higher than 87% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 86% of NSW —
Rental yield (units) Higher than 44% of NSW —

Liveability

Gymea is more walkable (84 vs 75); Kareela scores higher overall (69 vs 62).

Gymea Kareela
Grade B
same for both
Score 62/100 69/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Gymea carries more bushfire risk (95 vs 0); Gymea carries more crime risk (48 vs 22).

Gymea Kareela
Bushfire High
95/100
 None
0/100
Crime Moderate
48/100
 Low
22/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Gymea Kareela
Inside the suburb 4 3
Rated above peers 2 0
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 2 0

Schools in Gymea

  • Gymea North Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • Gymea Technology High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • St Catherine Labouré Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Sydney Montessori School Independent · Combined below peers

Schools in Kareela

  • Kareela Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Aspect South East Sydney School, Kareela Independent · Primary · Special school
  • Bates Drive School Government · Combined · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Gymea Kareela
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 2 0
Parks & reserves 3 14
Childcare 10 2
GPs 5 1
Pharmacies 5 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 3 0
Waterways 8 0

Mobility

Gymea Kareela
Walkability score 84/100 75/100
Distance to Sydney 29.6 km
+2% vs other
 29 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 38 min 37 min
Public transport score 79/100
Rail · Bus
 76/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 136.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 73.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.3%
postcode 2227
 1.5%
postcode 2232
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 25
postcode 2227
 22
postcode 2232

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Gymea Kareela
Worked from Home 43.8% / 49.0%
Gymea — Worked from Home: 43.8% Kareela — Worked from Home: 49.0%
Car (driver) 46.0% / 43.2%
Gymea — Car (driver): 46.0% Kareela — Car (driver): 43.2%
Train 4.6% / 2.9%
Gymea — Train: 4.6% Kareela — Train: 2.9%
Car (passenger) 3.1% / 3.1%
Gymea — Car (passenger): 3.1% Kareela — Car (passenger): 3.1%
Walked Only 2.2% / 0.9%
Gymea — Walked Only: 2.2% Kareela — Walked Only: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (49.0%).

Setting

Gymea Kareela
Elevation 70 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 39 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 4.2 km 3.9 km

NBN connectivity

Gymea Kareela
Connectivity score 84/100 78/100
Most common technology Fibre to the curb Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 29%
3,979 premises
 11%
1,253 premises

Climate

Gymea Kareela
Annual rainfall 1,038 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Gymea Kareela
PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 16.1 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.79 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Gymea Kareela
Average residential rate $1,552/yr
same for both
Council Sutherland
same for both

Federal electorate

Gymea Kareela
Division Cook
same for both
Member Simon Kennedy
same for both
Party Liberal
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Gymea Kareela
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Gymea

Apartments Outer Parks Premium River Townhouses Urban

Kareela

Outer Parks Quiet River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Gymea

Gymea vs Miranda Gymea vs Kirrawee Gymea vs Sylvania Gymea vs Gymea Bay Gymea vs Grays Point

Other comparisons with Kareela

Kareela vs Kirrawee Kareela vs Sylvania Kareela vs Jannali Kareela vs Oyster Bay
Full data on Gymea Full data on Kareela
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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