Median house price
$1.52M
+20% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Russell Vale, 2517
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,718
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.8%
Median age
39
Median income
$1,715/wk
Employment rate
58.3%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,520,000
Languages at home
5%non-English
Most common: Spanish, Italian, Macedonian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Russell Vale is a practical smaller community 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. Local schools rate highly against similar suburbs.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because safety lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Russell Vale snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$778/wk
Houses $975 · Units $570
Population (ERP)
1,718
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.5%
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
#175
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
27th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
52nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
63rd
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
- 39.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3772nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1153rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #175 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #690 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $570
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $975
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $778
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 52
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,520,000
- Median price change
- +20.1%
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
1,718(June 2025)
+0.6% annual · +0.8% over 5 years · 52th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.6%
- 5-year growth
- +0.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +10
- Change in 5 years
- +14
- Growth rank in NSW
- 52th 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 (~1,750), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,593
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,715
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 27 of 599
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 58.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 458 / 88 / 31
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)
- 80
- Against the person
- 17
- Against property
- 33
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 46.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 94 residents
- State safety percentile
- 26.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.8%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions44
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment48
- Malicious Damage To Property55
- Steal From Motor Vehicle46
- Transport Regulatory Offences100
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)
- 1,037
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 63th
School list
- Aspect South Coast SchoolSpecial · Independent · ICSEA 1017 · 54th percentile · LBOTE 22% · 129 students · Top SEA quarter 16% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Russell Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1040 · 64th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 262 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Corrimal Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1013 · 53th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 227 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- St Columbkille's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1073 · 76th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 339 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Woonona Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1070 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 519 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Woonona High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1030 · 60th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 767 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Woonona East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1037 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 200 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.9 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
12 public transport stops in this suburb
- Princes Hwy After Broker St
- Princes Hwy At Rixons Pass Rd
- Princes Hwy Before Collaery Rd
- Princes Hwy Opp Broker St
- Princes Hwy Opp Collaery Rd
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
23 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 12 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 18/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.26
Community(1)
- Russell Vale Public SchoolSchool
Russell Vale
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Russell Vale Public Golf CourseGolf course
- Cawley ParkPark
- John Parker ReservePark
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
Entertainment(1)
- Viewpoint
Transport(5)
5 bus stops
Other(6)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Bunnings WarehouseDoityourself
- Drinking water (3)
- Fountain
- Parking (2)
- Seawind CatamaransSports
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cawley ParkPark
- John Parker ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- 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
- Bulli District Hospital (2.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- 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)
- 45
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 26.2
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· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Car park7 WATTS LANE RUSSELL VALE 2517Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 Neville Avenue Russell ValeWithdrawn
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport46 YORK ROAD RUSSELL VALE 2517Withdrawn
March 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)8 EAST STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation52 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool13 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 NEVILLE AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development18 MORETON STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 BROKER STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
2025· 16 proposals
December 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)619 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Additional Information Requested
November 2025
- Demolition12 CHANNON STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Landscaping structures2 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Landscaping structures4 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
September 2025
- Office Premise; 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 Australia644-646 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision11 LESLIE STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation78 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation36 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation76 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Withdrawn
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation13 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)26 WILLIAMS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool14 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
January 2025
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure644-646 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)639 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
2024· 15 proposals
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah62 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation21 BROKER STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation52 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool14 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure618 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)31 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 BROKER STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure64 YORK ROAD RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 COLLAERY ROAD RUSSELL VALE NSW 2517Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)619 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 WILLIAMS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
February 2024
- Subdivision655 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 LIVISTONA CLOSE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure64 YORK ROAD RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure644-646 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
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
- 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 2.9 km away).
Coalition 30.0%Labor 70.0%
2.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Russell ValeLabor 68.3% · Coalition 31.7% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- WoononaLabor 73.0% · Coalition 27.0% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Woonona CentralLabor 69.0% · Coalition 31.0% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Woonona EastLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
- CorrimalLabor 69.2% · Coalition 30.8% TPP (2025)2.4 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)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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.