Median house price
$885k
+14% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Berkeley, 2506
Est. population · Jun 2025
7,845
Growth (1 yr)
+0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.3%
Median age
40
Median income
$1,217/wk
Employment rate
45.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$885,000
Languages at home
21.1%non-English
Most common: Macedonian, Arabic, Portuguese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Berkeley is a practical mid-sized suburb in Wollongong Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
Desirability lands around average here: softer community and employment, plus schools and education weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Berkeley snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$665/wk
Population (ERP)
7,845
+0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.1%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#226
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
64th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
44th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
17th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 51.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 28% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2018th in Australia
- State rank
- 598th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #226 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #437 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $670
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 33
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $885,000
- Median price change
- +14.1%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
7,845(June 2025)
+0.3% annual · +0.3% over 5 years · 44th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.3%
- 5-year growth
- +0.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +26
- Change in 5 years
- +21
- Growth rank in NSW
- 44th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~8,000), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 7,798
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $1,217
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 124 of 2,993
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 45.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,553 / 79 / 243
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 694
- Against the person
- 188
- Against property
- 275
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 88.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 41 residents
- State safety percentile
- 64.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.6%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order68
- Domestic Violence Related Assault55
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment84
- Malicious Damage To Property69
- Steal From Retail Store48
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 926
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 17th
School list
- Berkeley West Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 868 · 6th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 157 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Illawarra Sports High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 937 · 20th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 926 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Berkeley Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 926 · 17th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 259 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
112 public transport stops in this suburb
- Hopman Cres After Warwick St
- Hopman Cres At Newcombe St
- Nan Tien Temple, Nolan St
- Warwick St After Hunt Pl
- Warwick St At Newcombe St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
113 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 2 pubs · 1 fast food · 1 libraries · 1 places of worship · 3 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 1 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 112 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 38/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.13
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.51
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.38
Food & drink(4)
- Cafe
- Fast food
- Berkeley HotelPub
- Berkeley Sports ClubPub
Shopping(1)
- Convenience store
Community(5)
- Berkeley Community HallCommunity centre
- Library
- Berkeley Public SchoolSchool
Berkeley
- Berkeley West Public SchoolSchool
Berkeley
- Illawarra Sports High SchoolSchool
Berkeley
Sport & outdoors(12)
- Gladstone ParkPark
- Macedonia ParkPark
- West Berkeley ParkPark
- Picnic area
- Playground (3)
- Illawarra Sports StadiumSports centre
Hooka Creek Road, Berkeley
- Field 1Sports field
- Field 2Sports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool
Transport(50)
50 bus stops
Other(18)
- Artwork
- Observation TowerAttraction
- Bell
- Nan Tien Gratitude BellBell
- Bench (4)
- Bicycle Parking
- Fitness Equipment (2)
- Pilgrim Lodge (Nan Tien Temple)Hotel
- Parking (14)
- Mobil BerkeleyPetrol station
- Petrol station
- Picnic Table (4)
- Nan Tien TemplePlace of worship
- Australia PostPost office
- Public Toilet Berkeley Community Centre ParkPublic toilets
2 Winnima Way, Berkeley
- Public toilets
- Shelter (4)
- Waste Basket
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Gladstone ParkPark
- Macedonia ParkPark
- West Berkeley ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 13
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Nan Tien Temple
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Port Kembla Hospital (3.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 291
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 37.1
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 19 proposals
August 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 ESSEX STREET BERKELEY 2506Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure15 BRISTOL STREET BERKELEY 2506Under Assessment
July 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure29 CAROONA STREET BERKELEY 2506Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)462 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation31 HOPMAN CRESCENT BERKELEY 2506Under Assessment
June 2026
- Demolition; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Centre-based child care; Recreation facility (indoor); Retail Premise65 WINNIMA WAY BERKELEY 2506Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation508/-/DP1322305Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 STAFFORD STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation11 GALLOP STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4 NORFOLK STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Demolition4 NORFOLK STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure448 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Agriculture26 WAREHOUSE PLACE BERKELEY 2506Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external)47 SHEARWATER DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation19 WOLLAMAI CRESCENT BERKELEY 2506Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool24 PENNANT CRESCENT BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)2 WIRRI PLACE BERKELEY 2506Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)24 GANNET AVENUE BERKELEY 2506Deferred Commencement
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure109 SHEARWATER DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Determined
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)10 DUCHESS COURT BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure592 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure15 BRISTOL STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2506/-/DP1313419Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision7 GEORGE STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Supporting Development78 NOTTINGHAM STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure626 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure18 CAROONA STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure1 ELEBAN PLACE BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 GILLARD PLACE BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility40 Winnima Way Berkeley 2506 NSWDetermined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport10 LEICESTER STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure32 PENNANT CRESCENT BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation78 NOTTINGHAM STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
July 2025
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure3 ESSEX STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure31 DERBY STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure109 SHEARWATER DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Determined
June 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure27 BERKELEY ROAD BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation26 KENT STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
May 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation2 CUMBERLAND STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure100 SHEARWATER DRIVE BERKELEY 2506Withdrawn
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 NARRIAH PLACE BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 COVENTRY STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Subdivision6 EMPEROR COURT BERKELEY 2506Determined
March 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure31 DERBY STREET BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure1 ELEBAN PLACE BERKELEY 2506Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation20 PENNANT CRESCENT BERKELEY 2506Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Nan Tien Buddhist Temple and Monastery180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley SHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Cunningham
- Member of Parliament
- Alison BYRNES (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,139
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 32.5%Labor 67.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.3 km away).
Coalition 26.2%Labor 73.8%
6.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.7 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Berkeley SouthLabor 74.3% · Coalition 25.7% TPP (2025)0.4 km away
- Berkeley WestLabor 73.5% · Coalition 26.5% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- BerkeleyLabor 73.0% · Coalition 27.0% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Unanderra SouthLabor 67.8% · Coalition 32.2% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Lake HeightsLabor 69.7% · Coalition 30.3% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Wollongong Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.