🔍

Dapto

NSW 2530 • Rest of NSW

10,954
Population (2021)
$76,700
Median Household Income
7.37 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
AffordableIllawarra RegionFamily SuburbRegional Hub

About Dapto

Dapto anchors Wollongong's southwestern residential expansion, about 90 kilometres south of Sydney and 10 kilometres from Wollongong's centre. This suburb of roughly 11,000 residents serves as a retail and service hub for surrounding suburbs, with a train station providing access to the broader Illawarra region.

Families are drawn by affordability - genuine houses at prices that would buy a unit closer to Sydney. The community has a working-class character, with residents who value practical living. Shopping centres serve daily needs, while Wollongong's beaches and facilities are a short drive away. It's not fancy, but it offers honest value for young families trying to establish themselves.

Dapto falls under postcode 2530 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Shellharbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2530
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Shellharbour
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.50°, 150.80°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
7.37 km²
Elevation
24m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$831K
173 sales · ▲ 4.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$695K
43 sales · ▲ 5.3% 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)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,880
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.8%

139 state housing + 21 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
70-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-90 min

🛣️ Located 80 km from Sydney CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    TEMPORARY CLOSURE AS OF 29/7/07 Byamee Street Dapto 2530 NSW
  • Woolworths
    75-87 Princes Highway Dapto 2530 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Horsley Homestead
Bong Bong Road, Dapto • SHR #00134

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wollongong Local Government Area, which contains Dapto. 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
10,730
Census 2021
10,954
▲ 2.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,964
Personal Income 2021
$35,672
▲ 23.2% 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
$35,672 / yr
$686/wk
Household
$76,700 / yr
$1475/wk
Family
$92,248 / yr
$1774/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 8,878
Born Overseas 1,702

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 582
  • 2. New Zealand 111
  • 3. Scotland 93
  • 4. Philippines 73
  • 5. North Macedonia 54
  • 6. Germany 51
  • 7. Italy 47
  • 8. Netherlands 43
  • 9. Malta 37
  • 10. Wales 35

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 4,609
Australian 4,491
Scottish 1,150
Irish 1,055
Australian Aboriginal 519
Italian 458
German 456
Dutch 199
Maltese 190
Macedonian 152

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

6,394
Both parents born in Australia
2,512
Both parents born overseas
1,606
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.5%
No Religion
41.2%
Islam
1.0%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
663 (6.1%)
5-14 years
1,330 (12.1%)
15-19 years
704 (6.4%)
20-24 years
708 (6.5%)
25-34 years
1,468 (13.4%)
35-44 years
1,326 (12.1%)
45-54 years
1,334 (12.2%)
55-64 years
1,221 (11.1%)
65-74 years
1,093 (10.0%)
75-84 years
798 (7.3%)
85+ years
303 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dapto known for? +

Dapto is a well-established residential suburb in Wollongong, NSW, with a population of approximately 10,954 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Dapto from Sydney CBD? +

Dapto is approximately 80 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 55-90 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Dapto have public transport? +

Dapto is served by local bus services connecting to the broader NSW network. Nearby train stations provide access to Sydney CBD.

What is the population of Dapto? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dapto has a population of approximately 10,954 residents.

Is Dapto a good place to live? +

Dapto offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $48,586, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Dapto? +

The postcode for Dapto, NSW is 2530.

What is the average income in Dapto? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Dapto is about $686 per week (around $35,700 per year). The median household income is $1,475 per week and the median family income is $1,774 per week.

What is the median house price in Dapto? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $831,000, up 4.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $695,000, up 5.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Dapto? +

The median age in Dapto is 39. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,468 residents, around 13%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Dapto a safe area? +

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

In Dapto, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,880 (2021 Census).