Median house price
$905k
+11% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Dapto, 2530
Est. population · Jun 2025
11,296
Growth (1 yr)
+0.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.3%
Median age
39
Median income
$1,475/wk
Employment rate
54.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$905,000
Languages at home
7.2%non-English
Most common: Macedonian, Spanish, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Dapto is a practical established suburb in Wollongong Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. School and preschool provision is plentiful within the local area.
Local shops and services are well covered, which makes the suburb easy to live in day to day. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Daily life works well on foot, with buses and trains also serving the suburb.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.
Local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus growth momentum push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as community and employment, plus safety look more ordinary among similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Dapto snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$700/wk
Houses $730 · Units $500
Population (ERP)
11,296
+0.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.0%
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
#51
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
30th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
41st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
33rd
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
- 66.0/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 6% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 467th in Australia
- State rank
- 112th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #51 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #84 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $730
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $700
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 156
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $905,000
- Median price change
- +10.5%
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
11,296(June 2025)
+0.2% annual · +2.3% over 5 years · 41th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.2%
- 5-year growth
- +2.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +23
- Change in 5 years
- +254
- Growth rank in NSW
- 41th 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 (~11,550), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 10,954
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,475
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 175 of 4,355
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,880
- Employment rate
- 54.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 3,542 / 535 / 95
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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 561
- Against the person
- 152
- Against property
- 216
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 49.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 72 residents
- State safety percentile
- 29.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +6.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order123
- Domestic Violence Related Assault129
- Fraud127
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment174
- Malicious Damage To Property153
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
- 7
- Median school ICSEA (7 schools)
- 968
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 33th
School list
- Lakelands Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 952 · 26th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 370 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 0.1 km awayView on My School →
- Dapto High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 968 · 33th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 988 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Koonawarra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 838 · 4th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 192 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- St John's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1038 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 623 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Kanahooka High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 912 · 13th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 581 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Mount Brown Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 975 · 35th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 346 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Dapto Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1006 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 790 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 2.0 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
158 public transport stops in this suburb
- CCP Station St
- Dapto Station
- ENT Bong Bong Rd
- Entrance2
- LKR Station 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
136 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 restaurants · 2 cafes · 2 pubs · 5 supermarkets · 2 pharmacies · 5 fast food · 1 libraries · 7 places of worship
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 158 public transport stops
- Good everyday shopping nearby — 7 shops and services
- Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 92/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.18
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.73
Food & drink(11)
- Alexander's CafeCafe
102 Princes Highway, Dapto
- The ShedCafe
- Dapto Pie Shop (was Dapto Diner)Fast food
- Domino'sFast food
- Kebab ShopFast food
- KFCFast food
- McDonald'sFast food
- Dapto HotelPub
- Dapto Leagues ClubPub
- AttaboyRestaurant
106 Princes Highway, Dapto
- Julio's PizzaRestaurant
Unit 1 76 Byamee Street, Dapto
Shopping(9)
- Coles ExpressConvenience store
- Convenience store
- ALDISupermarket
72-96 Princes Highway
- ColesSupermarket
75-87 Princes Highway
- IGASupermarket
- Pilipinas EmporiumSupermarket
Unit 2 76 Byamee Street, Dapto
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(4)
- Dapto District LibraryLibrary
- Dapto High SchoolSchool
Dapto
- Lakelands Public SchoolSchool
Dapto
- St John's Catholic Primary SchoolSchool
8 Jerematta Street
Health & services(4)
- Dapto Family Medical CentreMedical clinic
- Dapto Medical & Dental CentreMedical clinic
1-11 Bong Bong Road
- Pharmacy (2)
Sport & outdoors(11)
- Hartigan ParkPark
- Lakelands ParkPark
- Park
- Playground (2)
- Dapto Citizens Bowls ClubSports centre
- Dapto PoolSports centre
- Dapto Bowling ClubSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Entertainment(1)
- RibbonwoodArts centre
Transport(42)
38 bus stops · 4 train stations
Other(33)
- BWSAlcohol
- Enchanted Skin & BeautyBeauty salon
- Bench (2)
- Bike Lockers - Dapto StationBicycle Parking
- Big WDepartment Store
75 Princes Highway
- Drinking water
- Evie NetworksEV charging
- Dapto Fire StationFire station
88 Byamee Street, Dapto
- Garden
- Centrelink DaptoInformation
41 Baan Baan Street
- Dapto MallMall
- Parking (16)
- 7-ElevenPetrol station
- Coles ExpressPetrol station
152-158 Princes Highway
- Petrol station
- Picnic Table (2)
- Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
- Dapto Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
- Illawarra Community Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
- Place of worship
- St AidansPlace of worship
- St John's Catholic ChurchPlace of worship
- Uniting Church DaptoPlace of worship
- Dapto Police StationPolice
- Post Box (3)
- Australia PostPost office
- Dapto Post OfficePost office
Unit G116 75-87 Princes Highway, Dapto
- Public toilets
- Taxi (2)
- Telephone
- Ticket Validator (4)
- Vending machine
- Dapto Community Health CentreYes
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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Hartigan ParkPark
- Khan ParkPark
- Kundle Street ReservePark
- Lakelands ParkPark
- Lion's ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 22
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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
7 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Baptist Church
- Dapto Anglican Church
- Illawarra Community Baptist Church
- Place of worship
- St Aidans
- St John's Catholic Church
- Uniting Church Dapto
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 5
- Nearest hospital
- Shellharbour Hospital (7.3 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Dapto Community Health CentreYes
- Dapto Family Medical CentreDoctor
- Dapto Medical & Dental CentreBong Bong RoadDoctor
- PharmacyPharmacy
- PharmacyPharmacy
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)
- 414
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 36.7
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· 22 proposals
July 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 KAPOOKA AVENUE DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Animal boarding or training establishment89-99 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 PARKSIDE DRIVE DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)33 WEROWI STREET DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation98-100 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure46 LAKELANDS DRIVE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation60 BILLABONG AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure82 MARSHALL STREET DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah39 AMARAL AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
May 2026
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure24 YORKSHIRE ROAD DAPTO 2530Additional Information Requested
- Mobile food and drink outlet; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australiashop 2 76 Byamee Street Dapto 2530Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure32 ST JAMES CRESCENT DAPTO 2530Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Health consulting room25 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space14 BAAN BAAN STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure176 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development8 PARKSIDE DRIVE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Animal boarding or training establishment89-99 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Determined
January 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure9 BARELLAN AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure39 TIMBERI AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation172 COMPTON STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support29 PARKSIDE DRIVE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation204 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Additional Information Requested
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space52 LAKELANDS DRIVE DAPTO 2530Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 TERESA PLACE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation33 LAKELANDS DRIVE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure36A CARLYLE CLOSE DAPTO 2530Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers73 LAKELANDS DRIVE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Shop76 BYAMEE STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation13 COMPTON STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
October 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure36 BROWN AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia81 COMPTON STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space41 BAAN BAAN STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care70-76 MARSHALL STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)61 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; Light industry82 MARSHALL STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool42 CORONET PLACE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Subdivision18 MOUNT BROWN ROAD DAPTO 2530Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 CORMACK AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
May 2025
- Restaurant or cafe; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and tradingSHOP 2 6-10 PRINCES HIGHWAY DAPTO 2530Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure72 LAVER ROAD DAPTO 2530Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development3 CORMACK AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure109 YALUNGA STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure23 AMARAL AVENUE DAPTO 2530Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah35 PARKSIDE DRIVE DAPTO 2530Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 BAAN BAAN STREET DAPTO 2530Determined
March 2025
- Temporary building, structure or use; Swimming pool32 CARLYLE CLOSE DAPTO 2530Determined
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)
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
- Whitlam
- Member of Parliament
- Carol BERRY (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 130,093
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -2.1 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 43.8%Labor 56.3%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.5 km away).
Coalition 33.7%Labor 66.3%
10.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -8.3 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Dapto EastLabor 66.8% · Coalition 33.2% TPP (2025)0.2 km away
- DaptoLabor 59.4% · Coalition 40.6% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- KoonawarraLabor 67.5% · Coalition 32.5% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Dapto SouthLabor 60.2% · Coalition 39.8% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Horsley SouthLabor 62.3% · Coalition 37.7% TPP (2025)1.8 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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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.