Median house price
$1.52M
+20% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Woonona, 2517
Est. population · Jun 2025
13,354
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.8%
Median age
43
Median income
$1,816/wk
Employment rate
55.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,520,000
Languages at home
6.4%non-English
Most common: Italian, Spanish, German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Woonona is a coastal established suburb where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. City outings and nearby suburbs add variety without undoing the coastal pace of everyday life. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Education outcomes and school provision stand out relative to comparable suburbs. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Daily life works well on foot, with buses and trains also serving the suburb.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
Growth momentum, plus community and employment push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as safety look more ordinary among similar coastal suburbs.
At a glance
Woonona snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$778/wk
Houses $975 · Units $570
Population (ERP)
13,354
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.3%
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
#8
among Coastal & beach · Established
Safety
27th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
52nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
71st
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
- 516th in Australia
- State rank
- 131st in NSW
- Peer rank
- #8 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #18 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
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
13,354(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
- +76
- Change in 5 years
- +103
- 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 (~13,750), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 12,374
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,816
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 262 of 4,898
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,200
- Employment rate
- 55.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,929 / 789 / 888 (+ 26 other)
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)
- 622
- Against the person
- 128
- Against property
- 253
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 46.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 97 residents
- State safety percentile
- 27th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.2%
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)
- 1,058
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 71th
School list
- Woonona Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1070 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 519 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Woonona High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1030 · 60th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 767 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Woonona East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1037 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 200 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Russell Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1040 · 64th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 262 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Waniora Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1077 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 264 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Bulli High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1058 · 71th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 979 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1121 · 90th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 412 students · Top SEA quarter 48% · 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
90 public transport stops in this suburb
- ENT Park Rd
- ENT Railway Pde
- Level Crossing
- Platform 2
- Woonona Station
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
141 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
4 restaurants · 3 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 bars · 2 supermarkets · 6 fast food · 2 bakeries · 5 places of worship
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 15 parks mapped in suburb, 6 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 90 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 85/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.24
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.37
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.21
Food & drink(17)
- Egg and Flour BakeryBakery
- Phil NguyenBakery
- The Little PrinceBar
Globe Lane
- Cafeli HouseCafe
- Earth & Soul CafeCafe
- North Break CafeCafe
Unit 1 1 Park Road, Woonona
- Domino'sFast food
- Fast food
- McDonald'sFast food
370-372 Princes Highway
- NeptunesFast food
- The StationFast food
- Woonona Beach ShopFast food
- Woonona Bulli RSLPub
- Bon Aroma PizzaRestaurant
- Hog's Breath CafeRestaurant
- Moon SushiRestaurant
- Woonona Pizza KitchenRestaurant
Shopping(3)
- Woonona Fruit BasketGreengrocer
- IGASupermarket
- Supermarket
Community(3)
- Woonona East Public SchoolSchool
19 Corinda Avenue, Woonona
- Woonona High SchoolSchool
Woonona
- Woonona Primary SchoolSchool
Woonona
Health & services(1)
- Woonona MedicalMedical clinic
Sport & outdoors(19)
- F.S. (sep) Woods ParkPark
- Gahans ParkPark
- Gordon Hutton ParkPark
- Hollymount ParkPark
- Park (6)
- Pendlebury ParkPark
- Playground (6)
- Ball's PaddockSports field
- Sports field
Entertainment(1)
- Viewpoint
Transport(30)
27 bus stops · 3 train stations
Other(29)
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- ATM
- RediATMATM
- SalvosCharity
- Drinking water
- Bulli Fire StationFire station
325-327 Princes Highway
- Hairdresser
- Motel
- Carole Avenue ReserveNature Reserve
- Nature Reserve
- Woonona East News AgencyNewsagent
- IGA Parking LotParking
- Parking (35)
- Woonona Bowling Club Parking LotParking
- Woonona RSL Parking LotParking
- Purpose PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapist
371 Princes Highway, Woonona
- Picnic Table (2)
- Church hallPlace of worship
- Place of worship (3)
- Woonona Presbyterian Community ChurchPlace of worship
- Woonona East Post OfficePost office
Shop 4 The Circle
- Woonona Post OfficePost office
- Public Bookcase
30 Alfred Street, Woonona
- Woonona Presbyterian Community ChurchPublic Bookcase
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- Distinktion TattooTattoo
- Taxi
- Ticket Validator (2)
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
10 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Carole Avenue ReserveNature reserve
- Collins ParkPark
- F.S. (sep) Woods ParkPark
- Gahans ParkPark
- Gordon Hutton ParkPark
- Hollymount ParkPark
- Lighthorse ParkPark
- Nicholson ParkPark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
- Pendlebury ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 18
- 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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
5 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Church hall
- Place of worship (3)
- Woonona Presbyterian Community Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Bulli District Hospital (1.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Purpose PhysiotherapyPrinces HighwayPhysiotherapist
- Woonona MedicalDoctor
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)
- 350
- 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· 33 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 DORRIGO AVENUE WOONONA 2517Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 KIANDRA ROAD WOONONA 2517Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure16 ALFRED STREET WOONONA 2517Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development28 DORIS AVENUE WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 STANHOPE STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 STEPHEN DRIVE WOONONA 2517Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 JOHN STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation56 RUSSELL STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Demolition58 CARRINGTON STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
May 2026
- Business premises; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 RUSSELL STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure16 ALFRED STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation18 HOPETOUN STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure22 HALLEY CRESCENT WOONONA 2517Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool14 MITCHELL ROAD WOONONA 2517Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 10 LANG STREET WOONONA 2517Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 KULGOA ROAD WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure29 DUKE STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation8 KAREELA ROAD WOONONA 2517Determined
- Subdivision20 JOHN BUCKLAND AVENUE WOONONA 2517Under Assessment
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation16 KURRABA ROAD WOONONA 2517Additional Information Requested
- Temporary building, structure or use; Shipping containersDP976637 Ocean Park WoononaDetermined
March 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation19 Russell Street, WoononaDetermined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure16 ALFRED STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation57 CAMPBELL STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool13 THOMAS COLLAERY PLACE WOONONA 2517Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure21 THOMPSON STREET WOONONA 2517Additional Information Requested
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia6 CARLIE PLACE WOONONA 2517Determined
- Demolition5 HIGH STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 BALL STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Subdivision398 PRINCES HIGHWAY WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure41 JOANNE STREET WOONONA 2517Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading429-431 PRINCES HIGHWAY WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45D POPES ROAD WOONONA 2517Determined
2025· 13 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 LASSITER AVENUE WOONONA 2517Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure87A STEPHEN DRIVE WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure74 STEPHEN DRIVE WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45D POPES ROAD WOONONA 2517Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2A KULGOA ROAD WOONONA 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 KIANDRA ROAD WOONONA 2517Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation22 BEACH DRIVE WOONONA 2517Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation17 PEPPERMINT CIRCUIT WOONONA 2517Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool19 ROYAL CRESCENT WOONONA 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)39 HOPETOUN STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)18 THOMAS COLLAERY PLACE WOONONA 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation20 LAWRENCE STREET WOONONA 2517Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences3 HALLEY CRESCENT WOONONA 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 30.3%Labor 69.7%
2.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Woonona CentralLabor 69.0% · Coalition 31.0% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- WoononaLabor 73.0% · Coalition 27.0% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Russell ValeLabor 68.3% · Coalition 31.7% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- Woonona EastLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Bulli CentralLabor 69.0% · Coalition 31.0% TPP (2025)1.9 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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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.