NSW · Wollongong Council
Russell Vale, 2517
Current weather
10.1°CClear sky
67% humidity · 6.7 km/h wind · 17.5° / 6° today · 2.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Cycling
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Russell Vale is a practical smaller community in Wollongong, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. You get space and calm here, while the city and neighbouring suburbs are still close enough for regular outings. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. Reasonable public transport access helps with commuting and getting around locally. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because transport and access and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,593
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,715
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 27 of 599
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 58.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 32 / 88 / 31
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)
- $570
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $975
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $778
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 52
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)
- 80
- Against the person
- 17
- Against property
- 33
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 50.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 94 residents
- State safety percentile
- 27.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
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 · 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
- 1,040
- Russell Vale 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
12 public transport stops in this suburb
- Princes Hwy After Broker St
- Princes Hwy At Rixons Pass Rd
- Princes Hwy Before Collaery Rd
- Princes Hwy Opp Broker St
- Princes Hwy Opp Collaery 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).
96 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Car park7 WATTS LANE RUSSELL VALE 2517Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 Neville Avenue Russell ValeUnder Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport46 YORK ROAD RUSSELL VALE 2517Withdrawn
March 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)8 EAST STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation52 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Under Assessment
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool13 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 NEVILLE AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development18 MORETON STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 BROKER STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
2025· 16 proposals
December 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)619 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Additional Information Requested
November 2025
- Demolition12 CHANNON STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Landscaping structures2 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Landscaping structures4 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
September 2025
- Office Premise; 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 Australia644-646 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision11 LESLIE STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation78 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation36 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation76 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Withdrawn
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation13 TALLOWOODS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)26 WILLIAMS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool14 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
January 2025
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure644-646 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)639 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
2024· 15 proposals
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah62 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation21 BROKER STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation52 KEERONG AVENUE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool14 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure618 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)31 TERANIA STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 BROKER STREET RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure64 YORK ROAD RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 COLLAERY ROAD RUSSELL VALE NSW 2517Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)619 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 WILLIAMS CRESCENT RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
February 2024
- Subdivision655 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 LIVISTONA CLOSE RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure64 YORK ROAD RUSSELL VALE 2517Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure644-646 PRINCES HIGHWAY RUSSELL VALE 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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
14 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Princes Hwy after Broker StBus stop
- Princes Hwy at Rixons Pass RdBus stop
- Princes Hwy before Collaery RdBus stop
- Princes Hwy opp Broker StBus stop
- Princes Hwy opp Collaery RdBus stop
- Drinking water (3)
- Fountain
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cawley ParkPark
- John Parker ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 5/10
- 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
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)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- 38.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3800th in Australia
- State rank
- 1198th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #324 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #663 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
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- Fountainamenitiesfountain
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Princes Hwy after Broker Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Princes Hwy at Rixons Pass Rdamenitiesbus_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.