🔍

Calderwood

NSW 2527 • Rest of NSW

3,013
Population (2021)
$126,412
Median Household Income
14.25 km²
Area
$580/wk
Median Rent
Growth SuburbFamily-FriendlyNew EstateIllawarraAffordable

About Calderwood

Calderwood is a rapidly growing suburb in the City of Shellharbour in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, lying northwest of Albion Park. With a population that surged from 173 in 2016 to over 3,000 at the 2021 census, it is one of the Illawarra's fastest-growing new communities. The suburb sits at an elevation of 43 metres on gently sloping land between the Illawarra escarpment and the coastal plain, undergoing major suburban development by Lendlease.

Calderwood is being developed as a master-planned community with new homes, parks, playgrounds, and walking trails designed for young families. The Calderwood Valley estate offers a mix of housing on the edge of a scenic rural backdrop with views to the escarpment. Residents access shopping and services in nearby Albion Park and Shellharbour, while beaches at Shellharbour and Kiama are a short drive away. The suburb attracts first-home buyers and young families seeking affordable housing in the Illawarra with a modern, community-focused lifestyle.

Calderwood falls under postcode 2527 and is governed by Shellharbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kiama electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2527
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Shellharbour
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Kiama
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.56°, 150.73°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
14.25 km²
Elevation
43m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$915K
198 sales · ▼ 4.7% 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)
$580
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,470
Avg Household Size
3.1 people
Median Age
30 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Albion Park Rail Station
5 km
N/A (drive required)
Shellharbour Junction Station
7 km
N/A (drive required)

Bus Services

  • Premier Illawarra local routes — Albion Park / Shellharbour 15-20 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
1.5-2 hours (drive to Albion Park Rail then train)
By Bus
N/A (no direct service to Sydney)
By Car (Peak)
1.5-2 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.25 hours

🛣️ Most residents commute locally to Wollongong (35 km, 30 min drive) or Shellharbour. Sydney commute is long but possible via train from Albion Park Rail.

Walkability Car-Dependent

A new estate still developing its amenities. Some parks and paths exist but a car is needed for shopping, schools, and services.

🛒 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 Calderwood. 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
173
Census 2021
3,013
▲ 1641.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$41,184
Personal Income 2021
$58,552
▲ 42.2% 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
$58,552 / yr
$1126/wk
Household
$126,412 / yr
$2431/wk
Family
$128,648 / yr
$2474/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,558
Born Overseas 411

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 77
  • 2. India 56
  • 3. Philippines 39
  • 4. New Zealand 23
  • 5. South Africa 14
  • 6. Ireland 13
  • 7. North Macedonia 13
  • 8. Netherlands 11
  • 9. Fiji 10
  • 10. Scotland 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,352
English 1,165
Scottish 245
Irish 238
Italian 143
Australian Aboriginal 127
German 118
Indian 103
Spanish 77
Maltese 72

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,816
Both parents born in Australia
661
Both parents born overseas
470
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.8%
No Religion
40.4%
Hinduism
1.0%
Islam
0.9%
Buddhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
387 (12.8%)
5-14 years
487 (16.2%)
15-19 years
127 (4.2%)
20-24 years
130 (4.3%)
25-34 years
789 (26.2%)
35-44 years
498 (16.5%)
45-54 years
216 (7.2%)
55-64 years
189 (6.3%)
65-74 years
146 (4.8%)
75-84 years
30 (1.0%)
85+ years
6 (0.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Calderwood known for? +

Calderwood is being developed as a master-planned community with new homes, parks, playgrounds, and walking trails designed for young families.

How far is Calderwood from Sydney CBD? +

Calderwood is approximately 100 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 1.5-2 hours in peak hour and 1.25 hours off-peak.

Does Calderwood have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Albion Park Rail Station (5 km away, approximately N/A (drive required) walk) on the South Coast Line (NSW Trains). Bus services include Premier Illawarra local routes, running to Albion Park / Shellharbour in approximately 15-20 min.

What is the population of Calderwood? +

According to the 2021 Census, Calderwood has a population of 3,013 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Calderwood a good place to live? +

Calderwood is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The Calderwood Valley estate offers a mix of housing on the edge of a scenic rural backdrop with views to the escarpment.

What is the postcode for Calderwood? +

The postcode for Calderwood is 2527. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Calderwood? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Calderwood is about $1,126 per week (around $58,600 per year). The median household income is $2,431 per week and the median family income is $2,474 per week.

What is the median house price in Calderwood? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $915,000, down 4.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Calderwood? +

The median age in Calderwood is 30. The largest age group is 25–34 (789 residents, around 26%). Around 33% of residents are under 20 and about 6% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Calderwood a safe area? +

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

In Calderwood, the median weekly rent is $580, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,470 (2021 Census).