Median house price
$1.3M
+8.8% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Tarrawanna, 2518
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,221
Growth (1 yr)
+1.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.9%
Median age
48
Median income
$1,449/wk
Employment rate
49.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,300,000
Languages at home
15.6%non-English
Most common: Italian, Macedonian, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Wollongong Council, Tarrawanna is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. 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. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Desirability lands below average here: softer community and employment weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with schools and education, plus growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Tarrawanna snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Houses $825 · Units $520
Population (ERP)
2,221
+1.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.3%
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
#103
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
62nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
75th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
48th
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
- 33.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4975th in Australia
- State rank
- 1595th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #103 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #790 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)
- $520
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $825
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 155
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,300,000
- Median price change
- +8.8%
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
2,221(June 2025)
+1.3% annual · +3.9% over 5 years · 75th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.3%
- 5-year growth
- +3.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +29
- Change in 5 years
- +83
- Growth rank in NSW
- 75th 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 (~2,250), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,184
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,449
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 38 of 885
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 49.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 529 / 253 / 61
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)
- 190
- Against the person
- 40
- Against property
- 67
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 85.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 55 residents
- State safety percentile
- 61.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +14.8%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault92
- Fraud86
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment110
- Malicious Damage To Property131
- Transport Regulatory Offences364
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 1,002
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 48th
School list
- Tarrawanna Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 982 · 38th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 164 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Balgownie Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1076 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 329 students · Top SEA quarter 32% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Wollongong Flexible SchoolSpecial · Independent · ICSEA 895 · 10th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 71 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- St Columbkille's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1073 · 76th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 339 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Fairy Meadow Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1002 · 48th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 342 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 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
18 public transport stops in this suburb
- Alpini Park, Caldwell Av
- Caldwell Av Opp Alpini Park
- Meadow St Opp Harrigan St
- Tarrawanna Community Hall, Meadow St
- Tarrawanna Public School, Meadow 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
24 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Decent local green space — 4 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 18 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 27/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.83
Community(1)
- Tarrawanna Public SchoolSchool
Tarrawanna
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Alpini ParkPark
- Blaker ParkPark
- Park
- Playground
- Sports field
Entertainment(1)
- Viewpoint
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(3)
- Bench (3)
- Picnic Table (3)
- Tarrawanna Post OfficePost office
104 Meadow Street
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
- Alpini ParkPark
- Blaker ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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 (5.1 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)
- 73
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 32.9
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· 5 proposals
July 2026
- Subdivision40A MEADS AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure74 MEADOW STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Additional Information Requested
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool18 BROOKER STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 Meadow Street TarrawannaDetermined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure27 BERTRAM CLOSE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
2025· 9 proposals
October 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies20 PROSSER CLOSE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Subdivision39 BROOKER STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool22 MEADS AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 MEADS AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation35 HENRY STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Home business; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia13 BROOKER STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Withdrawn
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Fences64 MEADOW STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Withdrawn
April 2025
- Demolition15 KENDALL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation15 KENDALL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
2024· 7 proposals
December 2024
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia66 CALDWELL AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
November 2024
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure7 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
October 2024
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space4 HENRY STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
August 2024
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Carport17 HENRY STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure34 BELLAMBI STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Seniors housing; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support78 CALDWELL AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
February 2024
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation33 MEADOW STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
2023· 12 proposals
December 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses11 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
November 2023
- Demolition86 CALDWELL AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision7 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
July 2023
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land40 MEADS AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Withdrawn
- Subdivision of land6 KEIRA STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development28 CALDWELL AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
June 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing1 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development2A CALDWELL AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
April 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development24 PENDLETON CLOSE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Demolition; Shed1 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
March 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development28 MEADS AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
February 2023
- Stratum / community title subdivision33 MEADOW STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
2022· 8 proposals
December 2022
- Dwelling39 BROOKER STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development54 MEADS AVENUE TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
November 2022
- Dwelling11 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Dual occupancy16 BELLAMBI STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
October 2022
- Demolition; Shed1 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
- Alterations and additions to commercial development; Food and drink premises; Small bar81 MEADOW STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
September 2022
- Dwelling18A HARRIGAN STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
August 2022
- Demolition11 CORRIMAL STREET TARRAWANNA 2518Determined
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
- Overlay applies
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 3.1 km away).
Coalition 31.8%Labor 68.2%
0.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- TarrawannaLabor 70.6% · Coalition 29.4% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- BalgownieLabor 67.1% · Coalition 32.9% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Balgownie CentralLabor 63.9% · Coalition 36.1% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- CorrimalLabor 69.2% · Coalition 30.8% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Fairy MeadowLabor 71.3% · Coalition 28.7% TPP (2025)2.0 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)
- 4/10
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.