NSW · Wollongong Council
North Wollongong, 2500
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
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
North Wollongong is a coastal smaller community where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. Coastal character runs through daily life, with the wider region offering extra trips and outings when you want them. Salt air and open horizons give the suburb a relaxed, outdoor feel year-round.
The community skews younger, with young professionals alongside longer-term residents. Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker safety and schools and education against similar coastal suburbs, even with parks and green space and transport and access holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 2,299
- Median age
- 30
- Median household income / week
- $1,549
- Dwelling vacancy
- 12.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 139 of 1,133
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 59%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 55 / 76 / 749
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)
- $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.
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)
- 390
- Against the person
- 57
- Against property
- 121
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 169.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 40 residents
- State safety percentile
- 94.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -2.5%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions1025
- Malicious Damage To Property396
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault312
- Steal From Retail Store502
- Transport Regulatory Offences1491
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
- 945
- Para Meadows SchoolSpecial
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
53 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bourke St Before Cliff Rd
- Bourke St Before Noel St
- Bourke St Opp Church St
- Bourke St Opp Park St
- Princes Hwy Opp Achilles 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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
82 planning-related records
2026· 11 proposals
May 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)12 EXETER AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise6 FLINDERS STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
April 2026
- Small bar; Hours of operation and trading12 6-8 RALPH BLACK DRIVE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Subdivision122-126 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry59 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Neighbourhood supermarket6 FLINDERS STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
February 2026
- Retail Premise; Hours of operation and trading4B Flinders Street NORTH WOLLONGONG NSW 2500Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure26 AJAX AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation17 PORTER STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Withdrawn
- Signage; Advertising and signageInnovation Campus 7-9 Squires Way NORTH WOLLONGONGDetermined
January 2026
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure49 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
2025· 9 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 PORTER STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
August 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Business identification sign2 STATION STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
July 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Neighbourhood supermarket6 FLINDERS STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Industrial development; Erection of a new structure39-41 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
June 2025
- 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; Hardware and building supply22 RALPH BLACK DRIVE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool6 BODE AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
March 2025
- Demolition; Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure111-115 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
January 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah4 ACHILLES AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Industrial development; Erection of a new structure107-109 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Withdrawn
2024· 16 proposals
December 2024
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (indoor); Recreation facility (outdoor)7-9 Squires Way, North WollongongDetermined
September 2024
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4 BLACKET STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 NOEL STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
July 2024
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)1 50 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 EXETER AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
June 2024
- 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; Light industry1 47 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Industrial development; Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure122-126 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Air-conditioning units; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Hot water systems; Landscaping structures; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool52 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
March 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Landscaping structures18 EXETER AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure26 AJAX AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 FLINDERS STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
February 2024
- Subdivision42 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure30 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
- Demolition; Industrial development; Erection of a new structure39-41 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
January 2024
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure49 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
2023· 4 proposals
December 2023
- Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise9 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
October 2023
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station1 81 MONTAGUE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Residential flat building22 PLEASANT AVENUE NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Deferred Commencement
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure30 BOURKE STREET NORTH WOLLONGONG 2500Determined
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
119 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Dan Murphy'sAlcohol
North Wollongong
- Pepe's On The BeachBar
- Bench (13)
- B-Line BikesBicycle
- Bicycle Parking (3)
- Transport for NSWBicycle Parking
- Books
- Bourke St before Cliff RdBus stop
- Bourke St opp Park StBus stop
- Bus 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
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- J P Galvin ParkPark
- Puckey's Estate ReservePark
- Stuart ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · 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.
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
Heritage
2 state heritage places
- Balgownie Migrant Workers Hostel: Huts 201, 204 and 210Squires Way, Fairy MeadowSHR
- North Beach PrecinctCliff Road, WollongongSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- childcarechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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)
- 12
- 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
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 45.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 37% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2522nd in Australia
- State rank
- 792nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #10 among Coastal & beach · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #83 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- B-Line Bikesamenitiesbicycle
- BM SkylightsamenitiesUnit 4 13 Ralph Black Driveskylight_installer
- 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.