Kangaroo Valley vs Upper Kangaroo River

Kangaroo Valley is the younger of the two, with a median age of 54 against 58 in Upper Kangaroo River. In both, the large majority of households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Upper Kangaroo River, about half of households are people living alone. On these figures, Upper Kangaroo River tends to suit people living alone.

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

Kangaroo Valley

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (5 vs 0)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (2 vs 0)
  • But Upper Kangaroo River carries lower crime risk (32/100 vs 42/100)

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

Kangaroo Valley

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper rent ($310/wk vs $500/wk)
  • leaves renters under less rental stress (20% vs 28%)

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

Commuting to the city

Kangaroo Valley

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (133 min vs 138 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (157.6 km vs 161.1 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Upper Kangaroo River

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (32/100 vs 42/100)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (33% vs 26%)

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

Investors

Upper Kangaroo River

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (23.8% vs -2.6%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
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.

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Walkability 5 / 10
Kangaroo Valley — Walkability: 5/100 Upper Kangaroo River — Walkability: 10/100
Safety 58 / 68
Kangaroo Valley — Safety: 58/100 Upper Kangaroo River — Safety: 68/100
Low fire risk 24 / 42
Kangaroo Valley — Low fire risk: 24/100 Upper Kangaroo River — Low fire risk: 42/100

Demographics

Kangaroo Valley has more residents (856 vs 151); Upper Kangaroo River rents higher ($500/wk vs $310/wk).

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Population 856
+82% vs other
 151
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -2.6% +23.8%
Median age 54 58
Median household income $82,056/yr $92,612/yr
+13% vs other
Median weekly rent $310/wk $500/wk
+61% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
0-4 4.3% / —
Kangaroo Valley — 0-4: 4.3% Upper Kangaroo River — 0-4: not among its largest
5-14 9.9% / 6.0%
Kangaroo Valley — 5-14: 9.9% Upper Kangaroo River — 5-14: 6.0%
15-19 4.9% / 2.0%
Kangaroo Valley — 15-19: 4.9% Upper Kangaroo River — 15-19: 2.0%
20-24 2.7% / 3.3%
Kangaroo Valley — 20-24: 2.7% Upper Kangaroo River — 20-24: 3.3%
25-34 7.2% / 7.3%
Kangaroo Valley — 25-34: 7.2% Upper Kangaroo River — 25-34: 7.3%
35-44 8.3% / 9.9%
Kangaroo Valley — 35-44: 8.3% Upper Kangaroo River — 35-44: 9.9%
45-54 13.1% / 13.2%
Kangaroo Valley — 45-54: 13.1% Upper Kangaroo River — 45-54: 13.2%
55-64 24.1% / 22.5%
Kangaroo Valley — 55-64: 24.1% Upper Kangaroo River — 55-64: 22.5%
65-74 16.9% / 22.5%
Kangaroo Valley — 65-74: 16.9% Upper Kangaroo River — 65-74: 22.5%
75-84 6.9% / 10.6%
Kangaroo Valley — 75-84: 6.9% Upper Kangaroo River — 75-84: 10.6%
85+ 2.3% / —
Kangaroo Valley — 85+: 2.3% Upper Kangaroo River — 85+: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (24.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Valley 44.0% lone person
Kangaroo Valley — Lone Person: 44.0% Kangaroo Valley — Couple Families: 38.8% Kangaroo Valley — One Parent Families: 12.9% Kangaroo Valley — Other Families: 2.4% Kangaroo Valley — Group Household: 1.9%
Upper Kangaroo River 54.8% lone person
Upper Kangaroo River — Lone Person: 54.8% Upper Kangaroo River — Couple Families: 45.2% Upper Kangaroo River — One Parent Families: 0.0% Upper Kangaroo River — Other Families: 0.0% Upper Kangaroo River — Group Household: 0.0%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Other Families Group Household

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Valley 12.8% renting
Kangaroo Valley — Owned Outright: 53.4% Kangaroo Valley — Mortgage: 33.8% Kangaroo Valley — Renting: 12.8%
Upper Kangaroo River 5.1% renting
Upper Kangaroo River — Owned Outright: 76.3% Upper Kangaroo River — Mortgage: 18.6% Upper Kangaroo River — Renting: 5.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Bachelor Degree 16.9% / 28.5%
Kangaroo Valley — Bachelor Degree: 16.9% Upper Kangaroo River — Bachelor Degree: 28.5%
Certificate III & IV 12.1% / 11.9%
Kangaroo Valley — Certificate III & IV: 12.1% Upper Kangaroo River — Certificate III & IV: 11.9%
Postgraduate Degree 8.2% / 13.2%
Kangaroo Valley — Postgraduate Degree: 8.2% Upper Kangaroo River — Postgraduate Degree: 13.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.1% / 7.3%
Kangaroo Valley — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.1% Upper Kangaroo River — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.3%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.2% / —
Kangaroo Valley — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.2% Upper Kangaroo River — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (28.5%).

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.

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
England 7.2% / 9.3%
Kangaroo Valley — England: 7.2% Upper Kangaroo River — England: 9.3%
New Zealand 2.7% / 2.6%
Kangaroo Valley — New Zealand: 2.7% Upper Kangaroo River — New Zealand: 2.6%
Scotland — / 2.0%
Kangaroo Valley — Scotland: not among its largest Upper Kangaroo River — Scotland: 2.0%
Germany 1.2% / —
Kangaroo Valley — Germany: 1.2% Upper Kangaroo River — Germany: not among its largest
South Africa 1.1% / —
Kangaroo Valley — South Africa: 1.1% Upper Kangaroo River — South Africa: not among its largest
Canada 0.8% / —
Kangaroo Valley — Canada: 0.8% Upper Kangaroo River — Canada: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (9.3%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Valley 90.8% houses
Kangaroo Valley — Houses: 90.8% Kangaroo Valley — Flats / Apartments: 3.8% Kangaroo Valley — Townhouses: 5.3%
Upper Kangaroo River 97.0% houses
Upper Kangaroo River — Houses: 97.0% Upper Kangaroo River — Flats / Apartments: 3.0% Upper Kangaroo River — Townhouses: 0.0%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Median house price $1,282,500 $1,250,000
Median unit price $710,000 —
Median land price $1,800,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 88 days
from 7 sales
 —

Zoning mix

Upper Kangaroo River has more rural and farming land (51% vs 30%); Kangaroo Valley has more land zoned for conservation (60% vs 48%).

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Environmental 60% 48%
Rural and farming 30% 51%
Infrastructure and transport 9% 0%
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

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
New dwellings approved 854
across Shoalhaven
same for both
Approvals change year on year -10%
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
House price Higher than 74% of NSW Higher than 65% of NSW
Income Higher than 50% of NSW Higher than 60% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 48% of NSW Higher than 57% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 21% of NSW Higher than 41% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 79% of NSW Higher than 78% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 48% of NSW Higher than 27% of NSW

Liveability

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Grade C —
Score 37/100 —
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Kangaroo Valley carries more crime risk (42 vs 32); Kangaroo Valley carries more bushfire risk (76 vs 58).

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Bushfire High
76/100
 Moderate
58/100
Crime Moderate
42/100
 Low
32/100
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

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Inside the suburb 2 0
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Kangaroo Valley

  • Kangaroo Valley Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • The Scots College, Glengarry campus Independent · Secondary

Schools in Upper Kangaroo River

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Amenities in the suburb

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Cafes & restaurants 2 0
Parks & reserves 5 0
Childcare 2 0
GPs 1 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 1 0
Beaches 1 0
Waterways 30 5

Mobility

Upper Kangaroo River sits further from the CBD (161.1 km vs 157.6 km).

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Walkability score 5/100 10/100
Distance to Sydney 157.6 km 161.1 km
+2% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 133 min 138 min
Electric vehicle share 0.9%
postcode 2577
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 56
postcode 2577
same for both

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.

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Car (driver) 52.2% / 34.8%
Kangaroo Valley — Car (driver): 52.2% Upper Kangaroo River — Car (driver): 34.8%
Worked from Home 32.2% / 48.5%
Kangaroo Valley — Worked from Home: 32.2% Upper Kangaroo River — Worked from Home: 48.5%
Walked Only 10.7% / 12.1%
Kangaroo Valley — Walked Only: 10.7% Upper Kangaroo River — Walked Only: 12.1%
Car (passenger) 2.9% / 4.5%
Kangaroo Valley — Car (passenger): 2.9% Upper Kangaroo River — Car (passenger): 4.5%
Bicycle 1.2% / —
Kangaroo Valley — Bicycle: 1.2% Upper Kangaroo River — Bicycle: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (52.2%).

Setting

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Elevation 172 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 190 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 27.5 km
971 m to a named beach
 20.4 km

NBN connectivity

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Connectivity score 29/100 18/100
Most common technology Fixed wireless Satellite (Sky Muster)
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
533 premises
 0%
58 premises

Climate

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Annual rainfall 974 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Council rates

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Average residential rate $1,501/yr
same for both
Council Shoalhaven
same for both

Federal electorate

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Division Gilmore
same for both
Member Fiona Phillips
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Kangaroo Valley Upper Kangaroo River
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Kangaroo Valley

Retirees Rural

Upper Kangaroo River

Retirees Rural

More comparisons

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Other comparisons with Upper Kangaroo River

Upper Kangaroo River vs Robertson Upper Kangaroo River vs Barrengarry Upper Kangaroo River vs Wattamolla
Full data on Kangaroo Valley Full data on Upper Kangaroo River
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

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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