NSW · Wollongong Council
Unanderra, 2526
Current weather
10.1°CClear sky
67% humidity · 6.7 km/h wind · 17.5° / 6° today · 2.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Unanderra is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in Wollongong with everyday amenities close at hand. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together.
Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots. 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 metro suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 5,476
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,211
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 106 of 2,236
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 43.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 160 / 201 / 252
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)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $760
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $750
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 82
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)
- 349
- Against the person
- 71
- Against property
- 148
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 63.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 77 residents
- State safety percentile
- 42.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.7%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud78
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment71
- Malicious Damage To Property66
- Steal From Motor Vehicle71
- Transport Regulatory Offences121
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,066.5
- Cedars Christian CollegeCombined
- Cedars Christian College - AspireSpecial
- Farmborough Road Public SchoolPrimary
- St Pius X Catholic Primary 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
143 public transport stops in this suburb
- FTB Berkley Rd
- FTB Prince Hwy
- STR Berkley Rd E
- STR/LFT To P1/2
- Unanderra Station
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksM1 Princes Motorway02 Jul 2026 – 15 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
257 planning-related records
2026· 12 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah74 WAPLES ROAD UNANDERRA 2526Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care64 CENTRAL ROAD UNANDERRA 2526Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure7 CUMMINS STREET UNANDERRA 2526Under Assessment
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Business identification sign68 WAPLES ROAD UNANDERRA 2526Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure5 COACHWOOD DRIVE UNANDERRA 2526Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)46 HURT PARADE UNANDERRA 2526Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Car park37 PRINCES HIGHWAY UNANDERRA 2526Determined
March 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Light industry21 DOYLE AVENUE UNANDERRA 2526Under Assessment
February 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure5 COACHWOOD DRIVE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 THORNBURY AVENUE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces12 HURT PARADE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
January 2026
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading2 TALLEGALLA STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
2025· 28 proposals
December 2025
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Service station229-233 PRINCES HIGHWAY UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure; Supporting Development16 GLASTONBURY AVENUE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)3 TRESNAN STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Specialised Retail Premises39A PRINCES HIGHWAY UNANDERRA 2526Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation211 PRINCES HIGHWAY UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia32 10 SYLVESTER AVENUE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting DevelopmentHARGREAVES STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Demolition181 PRINCES HIGHWAY UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure55 JENKINS STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
September 2025
- Industrial development; Warehouse or distribution centre; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Light industry37 GLASTONBURY AVENUE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation26 THORNBURY AVENUE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters52-54 INDUSTRIAL ROAD UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1 LEIGH CRESCENT UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; School74 WAPLES ROAD UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Moveable dwelling46 LINDSAY STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure5 GRAHAM STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
July 2025
- Office Premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia183-187 PRINCES HIGHWAY UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation64 ALBERT STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure43 ROSE PARADE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
June 2025
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26-28 INVESTIGATOR DRIVE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 HIBISCUS PLACE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Seniors housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure70 WAPLES ROAD UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Supporting Development1 BEVELES AVENUE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
May 2025
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 LADY PENRHYN DRIVE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)HARGREAVES STREET UNANDERRA 2526Determined
March 2025
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia219 PRINCES HIGHWAY UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care11 MAYNES PARADE UNANDERRA 2526Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)21 RICKARD ROAD UNANDERRA 2526Determined
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
81 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (3)
- Bike Lockers - Unanderra Station, Princes HwyBicycle Parking
- Berkeley Rd W opp Unanderra StationBus stop
- Cedars Christian College, Waples RdBus stop
- Central Rd after Ridley PdeBus stop
- Central Rd at Carr PdeBus stop
- Central Rd at Leigh CresBus stop
- Central Rd before Staff RdBus stop
- Central Rd opp Carr PdeBus stop
- Central Rd opp West Illawarra RSL ClubBus 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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Orana ParkPark
- Parish Memorial ParkPark
- Todd ParkPark
- Unanderra ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Kindy Korner Child Care Centrechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- 53.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 24% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1601st in Australia
- State rank
- 511th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #188 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #355 among Metro Sydney 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
- Ambiance RistoranteamenitiesUnit 4 63-67 Princes Highway, Unanderrarestaurant
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- BHP Sports Stadiumamenitiessports_centre
- Baileys Diesel GroupamenitiesUnit 1 244 Nolan Streetcar_parts
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Berkeley Rd W opp Unanderra Stationamenitiesbus_stop
- Bike Lockers - Unanderra Station, Princes Hwyamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Cedars Christian College, Waples 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.