🔍

Barrack Heights

NSW 2528 • Rest of NSW

6,003
Population (2021)
$69,680
Median Household Income
2.42 km²
Area
$380/wk
Median Rent
CoastalAffordableFamily-FriendlyMulticulturalLakeside

About Barrack Heights

Barrack Heights is a coastal suburb in the Shellharbour local government area on the South Coast of New South Wales, approximately 100 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of around 6,003, it is a working-class community with strong English, Australian, and Macedonian heritage. The suburb sits close to Lake Illawarra and the coast, offering an affordable alternative to Sydney with a median age of 41.

The suburb provides a laid-back coastal lifestyle with proximity to Warilla Beach and Lake Illawarra for water sports and fishing. Shellharbour City Centre and Stockland Shellharbour shopping centre are nearby for retail needs. Barrack Heights is popular with families and long-term residents, offering affordable housing with a median rent of $380/week. Local schools, parks, and sporting facilities serve the community, and the nearby Shellharbour Marina and village add to the area's appeal.

Barrack Heights falls under postcode 2528 and is governed by Shellharbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Shellharbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2528
Urban Area
Shellharbour
LGA / Council
Shellharbour
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Shellharbour
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.56°, 150.85°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.42 km²
Elevation
11m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Barrack Heights for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$851K
101 sales · ▲ 6.4% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$690K
18 sales · ▲ 16% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$380
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,863
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.8%

229 state housing + 18 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Shellharbour Junction
3.5 km
South Coast Line (Sydney Trains)
Warilla
2 km
25 min
Lake Illawarra
3 km
South Coast Line

Bus Services

  • 34, 34A — Shellharbour to Warilla 10-15 min
  • 76 — Wollongong via Warilla 40-50 min

Commute to Sydney

Distance
100 km
By Train
2h 10min (via Wollongong)
By Car (Peak)
1h 40min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 20min

🛣️ Most residents work locally in Shellharbour/Wollongong rather than commuting to Sydney. Train to Wollongong ~30 min.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Residential streets with limited footpaths; shops and station require driving or bus for most residents

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Shellharbour Local Government Area, which contains Barrack Heights. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
201.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.4%
Motor vehicle theft
182.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
267.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
331 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.2%
View all 62 offence types for Shellharbour →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,900
Census 2021
6,003
▲ 1.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,832
Personal Income 2021
$32,136
▲ 19.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$32,136 / yr
$618/wk
Household
$69,680 / yr
$1340/wk
Family
$82,888 / yr
$1594/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,540
Born Overseas 1,172

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 271
  • 2. North Macedonia 168
  • 3. New Zealand 49
  • 4. Scotland 47
  • 5. Germany 45
  • 6. Italy 44
  • 7. Croatia 43
  • 8. Philippines 39
  • 9. Thailand 24
  • 10. Wales 21

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,291
Australian 2,188
Scottish 532
Irish 451
Australian Aboriginal 399
Macedonian 295
Italian 269
German 229
Maltese 113
Greek 88

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,262
Both parents born in Australia
1,622
Both parents born overseas
819
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.4%
No Religion
37.5%
Islam
1.1%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
327 (5.4%)
5-14 years
773 (12.9%)
15-19 years
390 (6.5%)
20-24 years
331 (5.5%)
25-34 years
731 (12.2%)
35-44 years
741 (12.3%)
45-54 years
716 (11.9%)
55-64 years
759 (12.6%)
65-74 years
683 (11.4%)
75-84 years
422 (7.0%)
85+ years
135 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barrack Heights known for? +

The suburb provides a laid-back coastal lifestyle with proximity to Warilla Beach and Lake Illawarra for water sports and fishing.

How far is Barrack Heights from Sydney CBD? +

Barrack Heights is approximately 100 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 1h 40min in peak hour and 1h 20min off-peak.

Does Barrack Heights have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Shellharbour Junction (3.5 km away, approximately null walk) on the South Coast Line (Sydney Trains). Bus services include 34, 34A, running to Shellharbour to Warilla in approximately 10-15 min.

What is the population of Barrack Heights? +

According to the 2021 Census, Barrack Heights has a population of 6,003 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Barrack Heights a good place to live? +

Barrack Heights is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. Shellharbour City Centre and Stockland Shellharbour shopping centre are nearby for retail needs.

What is the postcode for Barrack Heights? +

The postcode for Barrack Heights is 2528. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Barrack Heights? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Barrack Heights is about $618 per week (around $32,100 per year). The median household income is $1,340 per week and the median family income is $1,594 per week.

What is the median house price in Barrack Heights? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $851,000, up 6.4% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $690,000, up 16% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Barrack Heights? +

The median age in Barrack Heights is 41. The largest age group is 5–14 (773 residents, around 13%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Barrack Heights a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Barrack Heights is part of the Shellharbour LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Barrack Heights? +

In Barrack Heights, the median weekly rent is $380, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,863 (2021 Census).