NSW · Wollongong Council
Wollongong, NSW, 2500
Desirability index
68.6/100
How this score is calculated#228 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Wollongong is a mid-sized suburb in the Wollongong area, home to around 20,446 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 7,381 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with relatively stable year-on-year trends (-3%), roughly 361.0 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $650 (flats $620, houses $720), 9 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 20,446
- Median age
- 35
- Median household income / week
- $1,549
- Dwelling vacancy
- 12.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 1,326 of 10,848
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 56.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 599 / 702 / 7,365
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $720
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 758
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 7,381
- Against the person
- 1,086
- Against property
- 2,279
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 361
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 19 residents
- State safety percentile
- 21.2th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -2.7%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions1025
- Malicious Damage To Property396
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault312
- Steal From Retail Store502
- Transport Regulatory Offences1491
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 9
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 1,077
- Illawarra Hospital SchoolSpecial
- Lindsay Park Public SchoolPrimary
- Mount St Thomas Public SchoolPrimary
- Novo Education SpaceSpecial
- Smiths Hill High SchoolSecondary
- St Mary Star of the Sea CollegeSecondary
- The Illawarra Grammar SchoolCombined
- Wollongong Public SchoolPrimary
- Wollongong West Public SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
192 public transport stops in this suburb
- Collegians Club, Flinders St
- Flinders St After Gipps St
- Keira St At Victoria St
- Princes Hwy Opp Bourke St
- Wollongong Central, Keira St, Stand F
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksMarket Street, Kembla Street21 Jun 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
657 planning-related records
2026· 51 proposals
June 2026
- 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; Recreation facility (indoor)17 VICTORIA STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Signage; Advertising and signage172-174 KEIRA STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure8 FLINDERS STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 PARK STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 8-10 PARKSIDE AVENUE WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation32 CLIFF ROAD WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Fences201 CHURCH STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 SWAN STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Demolition; Place of public worship; Advertising and signage; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Building identification sign74 CHURCH STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
May 2026
- 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; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care111-119 CROWN STREET WOLLONGONGUnder Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1 44 CAMPBELL STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Storage premises117 CORRIMAL STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure20 MERCURY STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation44-46 FLINDERS STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure300-302 CROWN STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool25 ROWLAND AVENUE WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Subdivision30 ELLEN STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 ROSS STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation2 BELMORE STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Additional Information Requested
- Seniors housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure39-45 STAFF STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)66-68 KEIRA STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 MANGERTON ROAD WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Subdivision13 OSBORNE STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 ELLEN STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition68 BURELLI STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)48 URUNGA PARADE WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation17 COLLEEN GROVE WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
March 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure35 STAFF STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 PARK STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Dwelling house; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Residential Accommodation33 SMITH STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia59-61 KEMBLA STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink175 KEIRA STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 FLINDERS STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure27 JUTLAND AVENUE WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)199 CHURCH STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure171 CHURCH STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Business premises; Advertising and signage; 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; Automotive/truck premises; Hours of operation and trading15 DENISON STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure102 KEMBLA STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise197-199 KEIRA STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Additional Information Requested
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure89 EVANS STREET WOLLONGONG 2500Additional Information Requested
2025· 92 proposals
92 proposals lodged in 2025. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2024· 101 proposals
101 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 88 proposals
88 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 124 proposals
124 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 140 proposals
140 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 61 proposals
61 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
395 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Pinot & PicassoArts centre
Unit 1 10 Thomas Street, Wollongong
- ATM
- CashcardATM
41 Burelli Street
- Commonwealth BankATM
- IMBATM
Wollongong
- IMB BankATM
- St.GeorgeATM
- WestpacATM
Crown Street
- BurekBakery
- Oz Bánh Mì BakeryBakery
Crown Street, Wollongong
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
13 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Belmore Lions ParkPark
- Brighton LawnPark
- Flagstaff Hill ParkPark
- George Dodd ReservePark
- George Parker ReservePark
- Greenhouse ParkPark
- Harold Cox ParkPark
- Lang ParkPark
- Market SquarePark
- McCabe ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 15
- Emergency department
- On site
- Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceKembla Streetblood_donation
- Chemist Warehousepharmacy
- Chemist WarehouseCrown Streetpharmacy
- Cowin Chiropractic ClinicGladstone Avenuealternative
- Downtown PharmacyCrown Streetpharmacy
- Hospital Hill Pharmacypharmacy
- Illawarra Cancer Care Centreclinic
- Illawarra Radiology GroupDenison Streetclinic
- Jones DentalCrown Streetdentist
- South Coast Private Hospitalhospital
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
9 state heritage places
- Little Milton31-33 Smith Street WollongongSHR
- Regent Theatre197 Keira Street WollongongSHR
- Shop87 Crown Street WollongongSHR
- St Michael's Cathedral & RectoryChurch Street, WollongongSHR
- Wollongong East Post Office91 Crown Street WollongongSHR
- Wollongong Harbour PrecinctCliff Road and Endeavour Drive, WollongongSHR
- Wollongong Hospital Nurses HomeDarling Street, WollongongSHR
- Wollongong Original Telegraph Office & Post Office11 Market Street, WollongongSHR
- Wollongong Railway Station GroupIllawarra railway, WollongongSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 16
- Parks (OSM)
- 16
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 68.6/100
- Cohort rank
- #228 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Collegians Club, Flinders Sttransport
- Flinders St After Gipps Sttransport
- Keira St At Victoria Sttransport
- Princes Hwy Opp Bourke Sttransport
- Wollongong Central, Keira St, Stand Ftransport
- Little Miltonheritage31-33 Smith Street WollongongSHR
- Regent Theatreheritage197 Keira Street WollongongSHR
- Shopheritage87 Crown Street WollongongSHR
- St Michael's Cathedral & RectoryheritageChurch Street, WollongongSHR
- Wollongong East Post Officeheritage91 Crown Street WollongongSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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