Kurri Kurri vs Pelaw Main

Comparing Kurri Kurri and Pelaw Main, NSW: Kurri Kurri has more residents (6,174 vs 1,080); Kurri Kurri is more walkable (82 vs 24); and Kurri Kurri carries more crime risk (87 vs 54).

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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Kurri Kurri has more childcare (6 vs 1)
  • Pelaw Main has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

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

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Commuting to the city

Pelaw Main

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (108 min vs 113 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (145 km vs 148.1 km)
  • But Kurri Kurri is more walkable (82/100 vs 24/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Kurri Kurri

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (82/100 vs 24/100)
  • But Pelaw Main carries lower crime risk (54/100 vs 87/100)

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

Investors

Kurri Kurri

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.1% vs 2.8%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
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.

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Walkability 82 / 24
Kurri Kurri — Walkability: 82/100 Pelaw Main — Walkability: 24/100
Safety 13 / 46
Kurri Kurri — Safety: 13/100 Pelaw Main — Safety: 46/100
Low fire risk 29 / 27
Kurri Kurri — Low fire risk: 29/100 Pelaw Main — Low fire risk: 27/100

Demographics

Kurri Kurri has more residents (6,174 vs 1,080).

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Population 6,174
+83% vs other
 1,080
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +2.2% +5.8%
Median age 38 39
Median household income $65,208/yr
+6% vs other
 $61,048/yr
Median weekly rent $320/wk
+3% vs other
 $310/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
0-4 6.5% / 5.0%
Kurri Kurri — 0-4: 6.5% Pelaw Main — 0-4: 5.0%
5-14 11.6% / 14.4%
Kurri Kurri — 5-14: 11.6% Pelaw Main — 5-14: 14.4%
15-19 5.6% / 5.8%
Kurri Kurri — 15-19: 5.6% Pelaw Main — 15-19: 5.8%
20-24 6.7% / 6.9%
Kurri Kurri — 20-24: 6.7% Pelaw Main — 20-24: 6.9%
25-34 15.4% / 12.9%
Kurri Kurri — 25-34: 15.4% Pelaw Main — 25-34: 12.9%
35-44 10.4% / 9.5%
Kurri Kurri — 35-44: 10.4% Pelaw Main — 35-44: 9.5%
45-54 12.3% / 13.9%
Kurri Kurri — 45-54: 12.3% Pelaw Main — 45-54: 13.9%
55-64 12.0% / 11.7%
Kurri Kurri — 55-64: 12.0% Pelaw Main — 55-64: 11.7%
65-74 10.6% / 13.1%
Kurri Kurri — 65-74: 10.6% Pelaw Main — 65-74: 13.1%
75-84 5.9% / 4.4%
Kurri Kurri — 75-84: 5.9% Pelaw Main — 75-84: 4.4%
85+ 2.8% / 1.8%
Kurri Kurri — 85+: 2.8% Pelaw Main — 85+: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Kurri Kurri 40.2% lone person
Kurri Kurri — Lone Person: 40.2% Kurri Kurri — Couple Families: 31.5% Kurri Kurri — One Parent Families: 23.3% Kurri Kurri — Group Household: 3.4% Kurri Kurri — Other Families: 1.6%
Pelaw Main 39.3% lone person
Pelaw Main — Lone Person: 39.3% Pelaw Main — Couple Families: 32.3% Pelaw Main — One Parent Families: 23.8% Pelaw Main — Group Household: 3.7% Pelaw Main — Other Families: 0.9%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Kurri Kurri 34.7% renting
Kurri Kurri — Owned Outright: 30.4% Kurri Kurri — Mortgage: 34.9% Kurri Kurri — Renting: 34.7%
Pelaw Main 29.4% renting
Pelaw Main — Owned Outright: 35.3% Pelaw Main — Mortgage: 35.3% Pelaw Main — Renting: 29.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Certificate III & IV 19.9% / 21.3%
Kurri Kurri — Certificate III & IV: 19.9% Pelaw Main — Certificate III & IV: 21.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 4.8% / 4.7%
Kurri Kurri — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.8% Pelaw Main — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.7%
Bachelor Degree 4.5% / 4.6%
Kurri Kurri — Bachelor Degree: 4.5% Pelaw Main — Bachelor Degree: 4.6%
Postgraduate Degree 0.7% / 0.8%
Kurri Kurri — Postgraduate Degree: 0.7% Pelaw Main — Postgraduate Degree: 0.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.6% / 0.7%
Kurri Kurri — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.6% Pelaw Main — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.3%).

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.

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
England 1.6% / 1.7%
Kurri Kurri — England: 1.6% Pelaw Main — England: 1.7%
New Zealand 0.7% / 0.5%
Kurri Kurri — New Zealand: 0.7% Pelaw Main — New Zealand: 0.5%
Philippines 0.6% / 0.4%
Kurri Kurri — Philippines: 0.6% Pelaw Main — Philippines: 0.4%
Thailand 0.2% / 0.6%
Kurri Kurri — Thailand: 0.2% Pelaw Main — Thailand: 0.6%
Germany 0.2% / 0.4%
Kurri Kurri — Germany: 0.2% Pelaw Main — Germany: 0.4%
Scotland 0.3% / 0.3%
Kurri Kurri — Scotland: 0.3% Pelaw Main — Scotland: 0.3%
India 0.2% / —
Kurri Kurri — India: 0.2% Pelaw Main — India: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (1.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Kurri Kurri 83.0% houses
Kurri Kurri — Houses: 83.0% Kurri Kurri — Townhouses: 13.3% Kurri Kurri — Flats / Apartments: 3.7%
Pelaw Main 90.1% houses
Pelaw Main — Houses: 90.1% Pelaw Main — Townhouses: 4.2% Pelaw Main — Flats / Apartments: 5.7%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Median house price $735,000
same for both
Median unit price $500,000 —
Median land price $507,500 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 51 sales
 13 days
from 8 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.

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
3 bed $740K / $742K
Kurri Kurri — 3 bed: $740K (69 sales) Pelaw Main — 3 bed: $742K (20 sales)

69 vs 20 sales

4 bed $795K / $700K
Kurri Kurri — 4 bed: $795K (24 sales) Pelaw Main — 4 bed: $700K (8 sales)

24 vs 8 sales

Zoning mix

Pelaw Main has more land zoned for conservation (38% vs 4%); Pelaw Main has more rural and farming land (19% vs 5%).

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Residential 60% 7%
Environmental 4% 38%
Industrial 18% 31%
Rural and farming 5% 19%
Infrastructure and transport 6%
same for both
Parks and recreation 4% 0%
Commercial 3% 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

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
New dwellings approved 719
across Cessnock
same for both
Approvals change year on year -31%
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.

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Houses 4.1%
$590/wk on $750K
 2.8%
$480/wk on $885K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
House price Higher than 23% of NSW Higher than 27% of NSW
Income Higher than 27% of NSW Higher than 23% of NSW
Schools Higher than 9% of NSW —
Walkability Higher than 93% of NSW Higher than 72% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 65% of NSW Higher than 52% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 21% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 73% of NSW Higher than 75% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 77% of NSW Higher than 15% of NSW

Liveability

Kurri Kurri is more walkable (82 vs 24).

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Grade D
same for both
Score 22/100 18/100
Socio-economic band high-need area
decile 1/10
same for both

Risk profile

Kurri Kurri carries more crime risk (87 vs 54).

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Bushfire High
71/100
 High
73/100
Crime High
87/100
 Moderate
54/100
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 3
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Inside the suburb 3 1
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 3 0
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Kurri Kurri

  • Holy Spirit Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Kurri Kurri High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Kurri Kurri Public School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Pelaw Main

  • Pelaw Main Public School Government · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Supermarkets 2 0
Parks & reserves 7 5
Childcare 6 1
GPs 3 0
Pharmacies 2 0
Hospitals 1 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 2 0
Fuel stations 1 0
Waterways 0 3

Mobility

Kurri Kurri sits further from the CBD (148.1 km vs 145 km).

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Walkability score 82/100 24/100
Distance to Sydney 148.1 km
+2% vs other
 145 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 113 min 108 min
Public transport score 77/100
Bus
 28/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 81.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 5.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 4.5 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 0.2%
postcode 2327
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 40
postcode 2327
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.

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Car (driver) 80.4% / 80.9%
Kurri Kurri — Car (driver): 80.4% Pelaw Main — Car (driver): 80.9%
Worked from Home 12.2% / 11.9%
Kurri Kurri — Worked from Home: 12.2% Pelaw Main — Worked from Home: 11.9%
Car (passenger) 4.9% / 5.2%
Kurri Kurri — Car (passenger): 4.9% Pelaw Main — Car (passenger): 5.2%
Walked Only 2.0% / 1.2%
Kurri Kurri — Walked Only: 2.0% Pelaw Main — Walked Only: 1.2%
Bus 0.4% / 0.9%
Kurri Kurri — Bus: 0.4% Pelaw Main — Bus: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (80.9%).

Setting

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Elevation 34 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 35 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 27.4 km 26.6 km

NBN connectivity

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Connectivity score 65/100 68/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 32%
3,164 premises
 42%
467 premises

Climate

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Annual rainfall 804 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.0°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 5.1°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.72 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Average residential rate $1,405/yr
same for both
Council Cessnock
same for both

Federal electorate

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Division Hunter
same for both
Member Dan Repacholi
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Kurri Kurri Pelaw Main
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Kurri Kurri

Parks

Pelaw Main

Acreage

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Other comparisons with Pelaw Main

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Full data on Kurri Kurri Full data on Pelaw Main
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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