Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
NSW · Shellharbour Council
Lake Illawarra, 2528
Population
3,288
Median age
43
Median income
$1,069/wk
Employed
45.2%
Languages at home
10.2%non-English
Top: Arabic, Spanish, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Lake Illawarra revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. The coast is the anchor, with regional towns nearby for markets, dining and weekend exploring. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
The area suits established families and long-term locals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible.
The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Living here
Desirability
- Desirability score
- 45.8/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 39% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2605th in Australia
- State rank
- 823rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #45 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #88 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $515
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $720
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $665
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 138
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
Population
- Population
- 3,288
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,069
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 114 of 1,541
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 45.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 127 / 379 / 316
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.
Community & culture
10.2% speak a language other than English at home; 19.9% born overseas
- Language at home
- 2,717 English only · 309 other
- Non-English at home
- 10.2%
- Born overseas
- 599 (19.9%)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 174 (5.3%)
- Australian citizens
- 2,858
- Languages spoken at home (other than English)
- 12
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
- Arabic20 · 22.5%
- Spanish12 · 13.5%
- Italian8 · 9%
- Greek7 · 7.9%
- Macedonian7 · 7.9%
- Malayalam7 · 7.9%
- Portuguese7 · 7.9%
- Thai6 · 6.7%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, and Indigenous status (usual residence).
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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 255
- Against the person
- 72
- Against property
- 99
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 77.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 46 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +15.2%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order188
- Domestic Violence Related Assault130
- Fraud123
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment178
- Malicious Damage To Property161
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
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 924
- Lake Illawarra High SchoolSecondary
- Lake Illawarra South 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
64 public transport stops in this suburb
- Peterborough Av At View St
- Pur Pur Av After Shellharbour Rd
- Pur Pur Av At Ocean St
- Pur Pur Av Before Stanley St
- Shellharbour Rd Opp Peterborough Av
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)
Amenities
81 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 fast food · 7 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb, 7 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 64 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.3
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.52
Food & drink(1)
- Pep's TakeawayFast food
3 Reddall Parade, Lake Illawarra
Community(2)
- Lake Illawarra South Public SchoolSchool
119-129 Reddall Parade, Lake Illawarra
- Lake Illawarra PCYCSocial Centre
156 Reddall Parade, Lake Illawarra
Sport & outdoors(13)
- Elouera ParkPark
- Graham ParkPark
- Henderson ParkPark
- Keith Fletcher ParkPark
- Mrs Halls ParkPark
- Playground (7)
- Sports field
Transport(24)
24 bus stops
Other(16)
- Bbq (3)
- Shellharbour City CouncilBbq
- Bench (3)
- Car Master AutoCar repair
6 Commerce Drive
- Drinking water
- Cleaning TableFishing
- Fitness Station (2)
- Garden (3)
- Parking (11)
- Parking Space (2)
- 7-Eleven Lake IllawarraPetrol station
Unit 2 4 Peterborough Avenue, Lake Illawarra
- Picnic Table
- Public toilets
- Shelter (8)
- Slipway
- Waste Basket
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 from OpenStreetMap & Census) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Elouera ParkPark
- Graham ParkPark
- Henderson ParkPark
- Keith Fletcher ParkPark
- Mrs Halls ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
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.
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 · Period: seasonal · Updated on site · Static grid from WorldClim monthly averages
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
146 planning-related records
2026· 13 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation17 ALBERT STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)15 REDDALL PARADE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure95 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 Reddall Parade, Lake IllawarraUnder Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13A Reddall Parade Lake IllawarraAdditional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure155 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation68 QUEEN STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation23 VIEW STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal)74 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure7 ALBERT STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure89 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation42 PETERBOROUGH AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure34 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
2025· 22 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure36 ADDISON AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure9 DAY STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
October 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure155 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation33 THOMAS STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
September 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Heavy Industrial Storage EstablishmentUNIT 1 2 COMMERCE DR, LAKE ILLAWARRA NSW 2528Withdrawn
- Demolition; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care22 QUEEN STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation42 PETERBOROUGH AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
August 2025
- Demolition42 PETERBOROUGH AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure26 ANTHONY STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure34 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage173 REDDALL PARADE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home11 GIRRAWEEN AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal)19 Albert st Lake Illawarra NSW 2528Determined
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure14 ANTHONY STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure166 PUR PUR AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Erection of a new structure; General industry6 COMMERCE DRIVE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure82 QUEEN STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
June 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Respite day care centre31 REDDALL PARADE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Withdrawn
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure34 DAY STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
March 2025
- Demolition; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure82 QUEEN STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Withdrawn
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure91 ADDISON AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
February 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool8 KOTARI PARADE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
2024· 5 proposals
December 2024
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure14 ANTHONY STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Withdrawn
November 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool133 REDDALL PARADE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
- Demolition10 KING STREET LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
October 2024
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure26 PETERBOROUGH AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
September 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool15 ADDISON AVENUE LAKE ILLAWARRA 2528Determined
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)
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
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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
Recent changes
- 7-Eleven Lake IllawarraamenitiesUnit 2 4 Peterborough Avenue, Lake Illawarrafuel
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Car Master Autoamenities6 Commerce Drivecar_repair
- Cleaning Tableamenitiesfishing
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Shellharbour Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.