NSW · Wollongong Council

Thirroul, 2515

Est. population · Jun 2025

6,511

Growth (1 yr)

+0.5%

Growth (5 yr)

+1.9%

Median age

43

Median income

$2,281/wk

Employment rate

60.5%

Median house price · October to December 2025

$2,000,000

Languages at home

6.8%non-English

Most common: Spanish, French, Italian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

65.5/100
Good

Top 7% of New South Wales' suburbs

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • High desirability
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • Café precinct
What Thirroul is known for: Coastal, High desirability, Green suburb, Excellent transport, Café precinct

Suburb profile

Thirroul wears its coastal identity openly, a mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix. Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses and trains keep the wider city within easy reach. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.

Local crime has been trending higher of late. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.

Desirability rates good overall, led by community and employment, plus schools and education, while growth momentum land closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.

At a glance

Thirroul snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$2M

+11% change

Median rent

$900/wk

Houses $1,063 · Units $675

Population (ERP)

6,511

+0.5% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

6.9%

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

#7

among Coastal & beach · Established

Safety

28th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

50th

percentile in NSW

Advantage (IRSAD)

10/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

89th

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
65.5/100 — Good
State standing
Top 7% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
515th in Australia
State rank
130th in NSW
Peer rank
#7 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#17 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$675
Houses (January to March 2026)
$1,063
All types (January to March 2026)
$900
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
69
Median house price (October to December 2025)
$2,000,000
Median price change
+11.1%

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

Population

Estimated resident population

6,511(June 2025)

+0.5% annual · +1.9% over 5 years · 50th percentile in NSW

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.5%
5-year growth
+1.9%
Change in 1 year
+33
Change in 5 years
+119
Growth rank in NSW
50th 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 (~6,700), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
6,348
Median age
43
Median household income / week
$2,281
Dwelling vacancy
6.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
169 of 2,465
Median monthly mortgage
$2,600
Employment rate
60.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,735 / 293 / 247 (+ 20 other)

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident PopulationAustralian 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 ProfileAustralian 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)
308
Against the person
64
Against property
120
Rate per 1,000 residents
47.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 99 residents
State safety percentile
27.8th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+26.1%

Most common offence types

  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment36
  • Malicious Damage To Property48
  • Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault28
  • Steal From Motor Vehicle36
  • Transport Regulatory Offences137

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

  • BOCSAR postcode crime statisticsNSW 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)
1,119
Median ICSEA percentile
89th
School list
  • Thirroul Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1119 · 89th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 367 students · Top SEA quarter 49% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
  • St Michael's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1130 · 91th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 183 students · Top SEA quarter 49% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
  • Bulli Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1069 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 318 students · Top SEA quarter 34% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

44 public transport stops in this suburb

  • FTB Railway Pde
  • Thirroul Station
  • Thirroul Station, Platform 1
  • Thirroul Station, Platform 2
  • Thirroul Station, Platform 3

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

186 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

2 restaurants · 4 cafes · 2 pubs · 1 bars · 2 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 4 fast food · 1 bakeries

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Highly walkable for everyday errands
  • Great for outdoor family life15 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport44 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation15 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
98/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.63
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
2.21
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.36
Food & drink(14)
  • Sareven BakehouseBakery

    Unit 1 367 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul

  • Pickled PoetBar
  • Black Market CoffeeCafe
  • Bread, Expresso & ThirroulCafe
  • Seafoam CafeCafe

    6 Railway Parade, Thirroul

  • Two Mountains MerchantsCafe

    Unit 3 364 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul

  • Bergies Fish CafeFast food
  • Flanagan's Fish CafeFast food
  • SubwayFast food
  • Thirroul Crust PizzaFast food
  • Beaches HotelPub
  • Ryans HotelPub
  • Altitude 1148Restaurant
  • Thirroul Bowling ClubRestaurant
Shopping(3)
  • ColesSupermarket

    282-298 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

  • IGASupermarket
Community(4)
  • 1st Thirroul Scout HallCommunity centre

    35 Surfers Parade, Thirroul

  • Thirroul Railway Institute HallCommunity centre

    14 Railway Parade

  • Thirroul LibraryLibrary

    352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

  • Thirroul Public SchoolSchool

    Thirroul

Health & services(3)
  • Ramsay Clinic ThirroulHospital

    72 Phillip Street

  • Medical clinic
  • Thirroul Central ChemistPharmacy

    King Street

Sport & outdoors(31)
  • MatremagaGym
  • Armagh ParkPark
  • D H Lawrence ReservePark
  • Leishman ParkPark
  • Park (7)
  • Robert Rankin ParkPark
  • Robinsville ParkPark
  • South Thirroul Beach ReservePark
  • Tingara ParkPark
  • W.F. Jackson ParkPark
  • Picnic area
  • Playground (2)
  • Batting CagesSports field
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool (9)
  • Thirroul Olympic PoolSwimming pool
Entertainment(3)
  • Anita's TheatreTheatre
  • Viewpoint (2)
Transport(21)

17 bus stops · 4 train stations

Other(42)
  • Local LiquorAlcohol
  • wombatAntiques

    228 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

  • RediATMATM
  • Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery CentreAttraction
  • ANZBank
  • Commonwealth BankBank
  • IMBBank
  • NZ Nails & FootspaBeauty salon
  • Bench (8)
  • Steel City Cycle WorksBicycle

    365 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

  • Bike Lockers - Thirroul Station, Railway PdeBicycle Parking
  • Bike Lockers - Thirroul Station, Station StBicycle Parking
  • Thirroul Dance AcademyDance
  • Drinking water (6)
  • Thirroul Fire StationFire station

    240 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul

  • Thirroul GalleryGallery

    228 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

  • Flame Tree Food Co-opGrocery
  • Spicy AppleHairdresser
  • Blessed BowlsIce Cream

    Unit 4 309 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul

  • Gelato EmporiumIce Cream
  • Information (2)
  • Southern Gateway CentreInformation

    Princes Motorway

  • Thirroul PlazaMall
  • Thirroul Beach MotelMotel
  • Parking (27)
  • Parking Space (15)
  • Thirroul Service StationPetrol station
  • Picnic Table (2)
  • St MichaelPlace of worship
  • St Michael's Catholic ChurchPlace of worship
  • Australia PostPost Box
  • Post Box
  • Thirroul Post OfficePost office
  • Public Bookcase
  • Public toilets
  • Shelter (3)
  • Thirroul Railway Stationers and NewsagencyStationery
  • Taxi
  • Telephone (2)
  • Ticket Validator (5)
  • Vending machine
  • Waste Basket (6)

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 insightsSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

8 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Armagh ParkPark
  • D H Lawrence ReservePark
  • Leishman ParkPark
  • Robert Rankin ParkPark
  • Robinsville ParkPark
  • South Thirroul Beach ReservePark
  • Tingara ParkPark
  • W.F. Jackson ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
20
Parks (OSM)
15

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

Places of worship

2 places of worship within ~1.5 km

  • St Michael
  • St Michael's Catholic Church

From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
Ramsay Clinic Thirroul (0.6 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • DoctorDoctor
  • Ramsay Clinic ThirroulPhillip StreetHospital
  • Thirroul Central ChemistKing StreetPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
110
Participants per 1,000 residents
16.9

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

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 normalsWorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.

2026· 29 proposals
  • August 2026

  • Independent living units; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    19 TASMAN PARADE THIRROUL 2515Under Assessment
  • Independent living units; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    8-10 TASMAN PARADE THIRROUL 2515Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    17 Corbett Avenue Thirroul 2515Under Assessment
  • July 2026

  • Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    20 CORBETT AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    424 LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE THIRROUL 2515Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    14 CORNOCK AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Under Assessment
  • June 2026

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    4 JONES STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    53 LACHLAN STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • May 2026

  • Restaurant or cafe; Small bar; Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading
    260 LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    63A REDMAN AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers
    20 HICKS ROAD THIRROUL 2515Additional Information Requested
  • April 2026

  • Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    222-226 LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    5 ARTHUR STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    39 ROBINSVILLE CRESCENT THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    20 CORBETT AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise
    271-275 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, ThirroulDetermined
  • March 2026

  • Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    56 REDMAN AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Minor building alterations (external)
    10 ANN STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    63A REDMAN AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool
    38 Lachlan Street, thirroul 2515Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    96 PRINCES HIGHWAY THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    32 GEORGE STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • February 2026

  • Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    20 SOUDAN STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    25 STATION STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    92-94 PRINCES HIGHWAY THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    6 GUM TREE LANE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    41 HIGH STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • January 2026

  • Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure
    5 PASS AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    63 PHILLIP STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
2025· 17 proposals
  • December 2025

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    AMY STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external)
    11A REDMAN AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    62 ARMAGH PARADE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    54 FORDS ROAD THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • November 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    17 SOUDAN STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    50 HIGH STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • October 2025

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    25 BATH STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    16A PASS AVENUE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    56 ARMAGH PARADE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • September 2025

  • Demolition; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses
    41 ARMAGH PARADE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    59 HIGH STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    15 THE LOOKOUT THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    14 ARUNTA DRIVE THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • August 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    9 THE WAVES THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • July 2025

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    39 ROBINSVILLE CRESCENT THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    37 MCCAULEY STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined
  • June 2025

  • Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    50 HIGH STREET THIRROUL 2515Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • RoadworksLawrence Hargrave Drive, Church Street09 Aug 2026 – 24 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closuresState road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • Thirroul Railway Station GroupIllawarra railway, ThirroulSHR

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage registerState heritage authority · current · Updated

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 overlaysState 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 4.2 km away).

Coalition 27.3%Labor 72.7%

5.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +2.7 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • ThirroulLabor 72.9% · Coalition 27.1% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
  • Thirroul EastLabor 74.2% · Coalition 25.8% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
  • BulliLabor 69.7% · Coalition 30.3% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
  • AustinmerLabor 76.5% · Coalition 23.5% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
  • Bulli CentralLabor 69.0% · Coalition 31.0% TPP (2025)2.3 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

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

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.