Median house price
$905k
+11% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Haywards Bay, 2530
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,317
Growth (1 yr)
+0.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.9%
Median age
38
Median income
$2,308/wk
Employment rate
64.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$905,000
Languages at home
12.6%non-English
Most common: Spanish, Urdu, Greek
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Haywards Bay is a quieter smaller community in Wollongong Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Distance from the metro area around Sydney is part of the appeal, with regional hubs closer to hand than the city. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer growth momentum compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Haywards Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$700/wk
Houses $730 · Units $500
Population (ERP)
1,317
+0.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
2.3%
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
#211
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
30th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
40th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 35.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4488th in Australia
- State rank
- 1424th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #211 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #754 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
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
1,317(June 2025)
+0.1% annual · +1.9% over 5 years · 40th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.1%
- 5-year growth
- +1.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +25
- Growth rank in NSW
- 40th 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 (~1,350), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,280
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $2,308
- Dwelling vacancy
- 2.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 10 of 429
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,383
- Employment rate
- 64.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 408 / 4 / 0
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)
- 65
- Against the person
- 18
- Against property
- 25
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 49.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 71 residents
- State safety percentile
- 29.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.1%
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
Public transport
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- Hayward Bay Dr After Wollingurry St
- Hayward Bay Dr After Wollingurry 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
14 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 fast food · 1 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 5/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.78
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.56
Food & drink(1)
- Hungry Jack'sFast food
Shopping(1)
- Reddy ExpressConvenience store
Sport & outdoors(3)
- Park (2)
- Playground
Transport(1)
1 bus stops
Other(3)
- Garden (3)
- Parking (4)
- ShellPetrol station
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Shellharbour Hospital (4.6 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)
- 49
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 37.2
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· 1 proposal
August 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure31 BAYVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Under Assessment
2025· 6 proposals
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool27 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool13 ATHANLIN AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Electricity generating facility (non-solar or wind); Electricity generating facility (solar and wind)2 MACQUARIE PLACE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool9 DELTAVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool17 RIVERSIDE CRESCENT HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 FARMHOUSE LANE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
2024· 5 proposals
November 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure49 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 DELTAVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
September 2024
- Home business; Home occupation; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia15 EASTPOINT AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
July 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah6B CREOLE PLACE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
2023· 6 proposals
November 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house4 JOHNSTON AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
September 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing1 TALLAWARRA CRESCENT HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
July 2023
- Change of use16 BAYVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
March 2023
- Food and drink premises; Take-away food and drink premises6 MACQUARIE PLACE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs21 JOHNSTON AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
February 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing102 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
2022· 8 proposals
November 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing10 DELTAVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
October 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing13 WOLLINGURRY STREET HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
August 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing10 TALLAWARRA CRESCENT HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
July 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing42 GERONGAR CRESCENT HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
May 2022
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development2 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
April 2022
- Other18 MACQUARIE PLACE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
March 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing96 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing15 PENINSULA AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
2021· 8 proposals
November 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing19 BAYVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
October 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing18 DELTAVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing94 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
June 2021
- Signage; Other18 MACQUARIE PLACE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
April 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs72 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development181 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Withdrawn
March 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing8 DELTAVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
February 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing72 HAYWARDS BAY DRIVE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
2020· 4 proposals
October 2020
- Pools / decks / fencing19 DELTAVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
September 2020
- Alterations and additions to residential development17 GERONGAR CRESCENT HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing6 WATERVIEW AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 2530Determined
August 2020
- Pools / decks / fencing31 PENINSULA AVENUE HAYWARDS BAY 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 4.7 km away).
Coalition 39.2%Labor 60.8%
4.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -4.4 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Albion Park RailLabor 59.7% · Coalition 40.3% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Oak FlatsLabor 59.4% · Coalition 40.6% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- Dapto SouthLabor 60.2% · Coalition 39.8% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
- Albion ParkLabor 55.8% · Coalition 44.2% TPP (2025)3.5 km away
- Oak Flats EastLabor 62.0% · Coalition 38.0% TPP (2025)3.6 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)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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.