🔍

Berkeley

NSW 2506 • Rest of NSW

7,798
Population (2021)
$63,284
Median Household Income
7.32 km²
Area
$290/wk
Median Rent
AffordableLakesideFamily-FriendlyWorking ClassIllawarra

About Berkeley

Berkeley is a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, located 92 kilometres south of Sydney and 10 kilometres south of Wollongong CBD. With a population of around 7,800, it sits on the northern shore of Lake Illawarra. Originally a farming community, Berkeley was developed in the 1950s and 1960s primarily as a public housing area to address the region's post-war housing shortage. The suburb has a working-class character with an increasingly diverse community.

Berkeley offers affordable living with scenic lakeside surroundings. Residents enjoy access to Lake Illawarra for fishing, boating, and walking along the foreshore. The suburb has local shops at Berkeley Village, several primary schools, and community facilities including Berkeley Community Centre. Families and first-home buyers are drawn to the area for its affordability compared to surrounding suburbs. Nearby Illawarra Escarpment walking trails and the lake foreshore provide outdoor recreation options.

Berkeley falls under postcode 2506 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wollongong electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 NSW Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2506
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Wollongong
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.48°, 150.84°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
7.32 km²
Elevation
14m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$810K
119 sales · ▲ 3.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$778K
18 sales · ▼ 4% 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)
$290
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
21.4%

584 state housing + 31 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Unanderra
2.5 km
30 min
Kembla Grange
3 km
36 min
Dapto
4.5 km
55 min

Bus Services

  • 34 — Berkeley to Wollongong via Unanderra 30 min
  • 37 — Berkeley to Dapto 15 min

Commute to Wollongong CBD

Distance
10 km
By Train
15-20 min from Unanderra
By Bus
30-35 min
By Car (Peak)
15-20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
12-15 min

🛣️ Sydney CBD ~90 min by train from Unanderra

Walkability Car-Dependent

Local shops within walking distance but most amenities and employment require a car or bus

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    65 Winnima Way Berkeley 2506 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Berkeley, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Nan Tien Buddhist Temple and Monastery
180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley • SHR #02083

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.9%
Motor vehicle theft
190.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
342.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
11.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
371.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.5%
View all 62 offence types for Wollongong →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,605
Census 2021
7,798
▲ 2.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,908
Personal Income 2021
$29,536
▲ 18.6% 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
$29,536 / yr
$568/wk
Household
$63,284 / yr
$1217/wk
Family
$80,132 / yr
$1541/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,655
Born Overseas 1,677

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 240
  • 2. North Macedonia 222
  • 3. Lebanon 79
  • 4. New Zealand 72
  • 5. Philippines 68
  • 6. Vietnam 67
  • 7. Italy 64
  • 8. Scotland 56
  • 9. Germany 46
  • 10. Chile 35

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,529
English 2,329
Scottish 558
Macedonian 503
Australian Aboriginal 490
Irish 487
Italian 441
German 234
Lebanese 195
Maltese 135

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,632
Both parents born in Australia
2,643
Both parents born overseas
1,025
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.3%
No Religion
32.3%
Islam
6.3%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
437 (5.6%)
5-14 years
1,041 (13.3%)
15-19 years
459 (5.9%)
20-24 years
486 (6.2%)
25-34 years
973 (12.5%)
35-44 years
920 (11.8%)
45-54 years
990 (12.7%)
55-64 years
1,068 (13.7%)
65-74 years
765 (9.8%)
75-84 years
432 (5.5%)
85+ years
220 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Berkeley known for? +

Berkeley offers affordable living with scenic lakeside surroundings.

How far is Berkeley from Sydney CBD? +

Berkeley is approximately 10 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 15-20 min in peak hour and 12-15 min off-peak.

Does Berkeley have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Unanderra (2.5 km away, approximately 30 min walk) on the T4 South Coast Line. Bus services include 34, running to Berkeley to Wollongong via Unanderra in approximately 30 min.

What is the population of Berkeley? +

According to the 2021 Census, Berkeley has a population of 7,798 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Berkeley a good place to live? +

Berkeley is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. Residents enjoy access to Lake Illawarra for fishing, boating, and walking along the foreshore.

What is the postcode for Berkeley? +

The postcode for Berkeley is 2506. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Berkeley? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Berkeley is about $568 per week (around $29,500 per year). The median household income is $1,217 per week and the median family income is $1,541 per week.

What is the median house price in Berkeley? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $810,000, up 3.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $777,500, down 4% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Berkeley? +

The median age in Berkeley is 40. The largest age group is 55–64 (1,068 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Berkeley a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Berkeley is part of the Wollongong 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 Berkeley? +

In Berkeley, the median weekly rent is $290, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).