Bulli

NSW 2516 • Rest of NSW

6,798
Population (2021)
$121,212
Median Household Income
8.66 km²
Area
$370/wk
Median Rent
CoastalFamily-FriendlyVillage AtmosphereBeachsideCommuter-Friendly

About Bulli

Bulli is a coastal suburb located in the northern Illawarra region of New South Wales, approximately 68 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD. Nestled between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Tasman Sea, the suburb has a population of around 6,800 residents. Bulli is characterised by its relaxed village atmosphere, tree-lined streets, and a strong sense of community that has developed over more than a century of settlement.

The suburb offers an enviable coastal lifestyle with Bulli Beach and nearby Sandon Point providing excellent swimming, surfing, and rock pool experiences. The village centre along the Princes Highway features a mix of cafés, restaurants, and local shops. Bulli is popular with families and professionals who appreciate the combination of coastal living with relatively easy access to both Wollongong and Sydney via rail and the M1 Motorway.

Bulli falls under postcode 2516 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Heathcote electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2516
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.33°, 150.90°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
8.66 km²
Elevation
90m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.73M
96 sales · ▲ 19% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$935K
29 sales · ▲ 26.4% 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)
$370
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,525
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
8.2%

181 state housing + 12 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bulli
0.5 km
6 min
Wombarra
2.5 km
30 min
Thirroul
3 km
35 min
Austinmer
4.5 km
55 min

Bus Services

  • 34 — Wollongong 25 min
  • 34 — Thirroul 10 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
68 km
By Train
1 hr 40 min
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min

🛣️ Direct train to Sydney Central via South Coast Line

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Village centre amenities within walking distance; car useful for broader area.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Cnr Princess Highway & Molloy Street Bulli 2516 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Bulli, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

240 Princes Highway Bulli • SHR #00263
Railway Street, Bulli • SHR #01829

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
190.2 / 100k
Non-DV assault
342.5 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
11.3 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
371.3 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,105
Census 2021
6,798
11.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$39,780
Personal Income 2021
$49,504
24.4% 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
$49,504 / yr
$952/wk
Household
$121,212 / yr
$2331/wk
Family
$145,392 / yr
$2796/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,632
Born Overseas 966

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 276
  • 2. New Zealand 77
  • 3. South Africa 50
  • 4. Scotland 44
  • 5. United States 32
  • 6. Ireland 30
  • 7. Netherlands 29
  • 8. Germany 28
  • 9. Philippines 27
  • 10. Canada 26

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,790
Australian 2,769
Irish 928
Scottish 882
Italian 292
German 255
Dutch 185
Australian Aboriginal 180
Chinese 90
Welsh 83

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,129
Both parents born in Australia
1,348
Both parents born overseas
1,118
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.2%
Christianity
45.7%
Buddhism
0.8%
Islam
0.6%
Hinduism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
433 (6.4%)
5-14 years
1,060 (15.6%)
15-19 years
463 (6.8%)
20-24 years
350 (5.1%)
25-34 years
601 (8.8%)
35-44 years
998 (14.7%)
45-54 years
1,017 (15.0%)
55-64 years
868 (12.8%)
65-74 years
621 (9.1%)
75-84 years
281 (4.1%)
85+ years
107 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bulli known for? +

The suburb offers an enviable coastal lifestyle with Bulli Beach and nearby Sandon Point providing excellent swimming, surfing, and rock pool experiences.

How far is Bulli from Sydney CBD? +

Bulli is approximately 68 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 1 hr 30 min in peak hour and 1 hr 10 min off-peak.

Does Bulli have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Bulli (0.5 km away, approximately 6 min walk) on the South Coast Line. Bus services include 34, running to Wollongong in approximately 25 min.

What is the population of Bulli? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bulli has a population of 6,798 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Bulli a good place to live? +

Bulli is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The village centre along the Princes Highway features a mix of cafés, restaurants, and local shops.

What is the postcode for Bulli? +

The postcode for Bulli is 2516. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Bulli? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bulli is about $952 per week (around $49,500 per year). The median household income is $2,331 per week and the median family income is $2,796 per week.

What is the median house price in Bulli? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,725,000, up 19% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $935,000, up 26.4% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bulli? +

The median age in Bulli is 40. The largest age group is 5–14 (1,060 residents, around 16%). Around 29% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bulli a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bulli 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 Bulli? +

In Bulli, the median weekly rent is $370, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,525 (2021 Census).