NSW · Wollongong Council
Fairy Meadow, 2519
Current weather
10.1°CClear sky
67% humidity · 6.7 km/h wind · 17.5° / 6° today · 2.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Life in Fairy Meadow revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. The beach sets the tone, while nearby towns and coastal pockets add variety without a long journey. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix. There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by housing affordability and schools and education, while local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 7,512
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $1,407
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 168 of 3,168
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 52.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 234 / 585 / 665
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 · 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)
- $550
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $825
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $725
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 140
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 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)
- 457
- Against the person
- 95
- Against property
- 177
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 60.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 79 residents
- State safety percentile
- 38.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +11%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud68
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment70
- Malicious Damage To Property81
- Steal From Retail Store61
- Transport Regulatory Offences163
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 · 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
- 6
- Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
- 1,053
- Fairy Meadow Public SchoolPrimary
- Good Samaritan Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
- Keira High SchoolSecondary
- Mount Ousley Public SchoolPrimary
- Towradgi Public SchoolPrimary
- Wollongong High School of the Performing ArtsSecondary
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 · 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
114 public transport stops in this suburb
- CCP Montague
- Elliotts Rd
- Fairy Meadow Station
- STR/LFT Elliotts E
- STR/LFT Elliotts W
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
291 planning-related records
2026· 16 proposals
June 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)11-13 PRINCES HIGHWAY FAIRY MEADOW 2519Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space7 SQUIRES WAY FAIRY MEADOW 2519Under Assessment
- Subdivision2 ELLIOTTS ROAD FAIRY MEADOW 2519Under Assessment
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation12 KINGSFORD STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure33 DAISY STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure125 MEADOW STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Additional Information Requested
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure5 ELLIOTTS ROAD FAIRY MEADOW 2519Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation8 MAXWELL STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
March 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; Minor building alterations (external)63 STOREY STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Under Assessment
- Demolition27 HOPEWOOD CRESCENT FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure36 CHAPMAN STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Subdivision66 STOREY STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)24 SMITH STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Shop77 JARDINE STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Withdrawn
- 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; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading135-143 PRINCES HIGHWAY FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure10-12 SOUDAN STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Additional Information Requested
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool9 RANN STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 GARRATT AVENUE FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink130-136 Princes Highway Fairy Meadow NSW 2519Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)11-13 PRINCES HIGHWAY FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)31/DP262886Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise201 pioneer road fairy meadowDetermined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation129 MEADOW STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Additional Information Requested
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Car park42 MCGRATH STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Centre-based child care33 NORMAN STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure103 CABBAGE TREE LANE FAIRY MEADOW 2519Withdrawn
October 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation11 JARDINE STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Supporting Development24 HELEN BRAE AVENUE FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Medical centre; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Health services facility48 PRINCES HIGHWAY FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Demolition56 STOREY STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support28 ELLENGOWAN CRESCENT FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)66 STOREY STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation26 BASSETT STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Shipping containers17 PRINCES HIGHWAY FAIRY MEADOWDetermined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink130-136 Princes Highway Fairy Meadow NSW 2519Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool9 RANN STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure34 BASSETT STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure24 SMITH STREET FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
- Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure7 SQUIRES WAY FAIRY MEADOW 2519Determined
July 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure31/1314234Determined
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
111 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- ATM
- IMBATM
- BendigoBank
- Bench (4)
- Bicycle Parking
- Bike Lockers - Fairy Meadow Station, Montague StBicycle Parking
- Balgownie Rd at Meadow StBus stop
- Balgownie Rd at Strathallan AvBus stop
- Balgownie Rd before Alexander StBus stop
- Balgownie Rd opp Guest ParkBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Balfour ParkPark
- Centaur ParkPark
- Cram ParkPark
- Dymock Street ReservePark
- Guest ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Campus DentalPrinces Highwaydentist
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 10
- Parks (OSM)
- 9
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 65.9/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 7% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 379th in Australia
- State rank
- 149th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #13 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #26 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- ATMamenitiesatm
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- BPamenitiesfuel
- Balgownie Rd at Meadow Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Balgownie Rd at Strathallan Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Balgownie Rd before Alexander Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Balgownie Rd opp Guest Parkamenitiesbus_stop
- Balgownie Rd opp Meadow Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Balgownie Rd opp Strathallan Avamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
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.