NSW · Wollongong Council
Lake Heights, 2502
Current weather
10.1°CClear sky
67% humidity · 6.7 km/h wind · 17.5° / 6° today · 2.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Lake Heights sits up in the Wollongong hills, a mid-sized suburb where elevation and tree cover define the mood. The metro area remains accessible without feeling caught up in the inner-city rush. Ridge-top pockets and tree cover give the area a cooler, greener hillside feel.
Families and commuters make up much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in growth momentum and parks and green space. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 4,105
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,356
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 111 of 1,610
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 50.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 106 / 88 / 168
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)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $598
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 80
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)
- 565
- Against the person
- 111
- Against property
- 227
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 137.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 37 residents
- State safety percentile
- 87.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +14%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order111
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment121
- Malicious Damage To Property126
- Steal From Retail Store176
- Transport Regulatory Offences131
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 941
- Lake Heights Public SchoolPrimary
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
69 public transport stops in this suburb
- 388 Northcliffe Dr
- Gloria Cres At Lake Heights Rd
- Lakes Heights Public School, Northcliffe Dr
- Northcliffe Dr At Lake Heights Rd
- Northcliffe Dr Before Lake Heights Rd
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).
155 planning-related records
2026· 11 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35 WERINGA AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation23 TREVOR AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
May 2026
- Home business; Hours of operation and trading16 HINGSTON CLOSE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support34 CANBERRA ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
March 2026
- Subdivision89 WHIMBREL AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah18 BUENA VISTA AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space44 ST CLOUD CRESCENT LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure314 FLAGSTAFF ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision10 AITKIN PLACE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Subdivision88 BARINA AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Under Assessment
January 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6 KARRABAH CRESCENT LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
2025· 22 proposals
December 2025
- Place of public worship; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care78 DENISE STREET LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
November 2025
- Subdivision10 AITKIN PLACE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Supporting Development302 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure314 FLAGSTAFF ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation54 MIRRABOOKA ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 JACANA PLACE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool18 CANBERRA ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation18 NOBLE PARADE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 LAKE HEIGHTS ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space8 LAKE HEIGHTS ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 134 SHEARWATER DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation42 GRAND VIEW PARADE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
May 2025
- 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 drink14-26 WERINGA AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure314 FLAGSTAFF ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)25 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35 WERINGA AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia262 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces161 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure1-3 CLAREMONT AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Operational consent requested
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support34 CANBERRA ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure109 WERINGA AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure286 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
2024· 7 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space8 LAKE HEIGHTS ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah18 BUENA VISTA AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure40 LAKE HEIGHTS ROAD LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces161 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
August 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure163 NORTHCLIFFE DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)33 KINGSLEY DRIVE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 RANCHBY AVENUE LAKE HEIGHTS 2502Determined
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
25 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (7)
- 151 Northcliffe DrBus stop
- 388 Northcliffe DrBus stop
- Lakes Heights Public School, Northcliffe DrBus stop
- Northcliffe Dr at Lake Heights RdBus stop
- Northcliffe Dr at St Cloud CresBus stop
- Northcliffe Dr before Lake Heights RdBus stop
- Northcliffe Dr opp Buena Vista AveBus stop
- Northcliffe Dr opp Lake Heights Public SchoolBus stop
- Northcliffe Dr opp Lake Heights RdBus 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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Barnes ParkPark
- Lake Heights ReservePark
- Ranchby Avenue ParkPark
- Von Guerard ParkPark
- Wollamai ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- 33.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4608th in Australia
- State rank
- 1474th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #292 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #741 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 151 Northcliffe Dramenitiesbus_stop
- 388 Northcliffe Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
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.