🔍

Helensburgh

NSW 2508 • Rest of NSW

6,576
Population (2021)
$129,480
Median Household Income
18.48 km²
Area
$535/wk
Median Rent
LeafyFamily-FriendlyBushlandCommuter BeltEstablished

About Helensburgh

Helensburgh is a leafy urban locality perched on the Illawarra Escarpment at 219 metres elevation, situated approximately 50 kilometres south of Sydney and 25 kilometres north of Wollongong within the City of Wollongong local government area. With a population of 6,576 and a median age of 38, the suburb attracts young families and professionals seeking a bush-fringe lifestyle while maintaining access to both Sydney and Wollongong for employment. The median household income of ,490 per week reflects a relatively affluent, predominantly owner-occupier community.

Surrounded by the Royal National Park and Garawarra State Conservation Area, Helensburgh offers exceptional access to bushwalking trails, waterfalls, and natural attractions including the popular Figure Eight Pools. A Coles supermarket and local shops along Walker Street meet everyday needs, while the Helensburgh train station on the Illawarra Line provides direct commuter rail connections to Sydney and Wollongong. The suburb's combination of natural beauty, good schools, and strong community feel makes it a standout choice for families seeking a peaceful, nature-connected lifestyle without straying too far from the city.

Helensburgh falls under postcode 2508 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Heathcote electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2508
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Heathcote
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.18°, 150.98°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
18.48 km²
Elevation
219m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.3M
72 sales · ▲ 3.4% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$800K
35 sales · ▼ 8% 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)
$535
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,500
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.4%

30 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Helensburgh
0.8 km
10 min

Bus Services

  • Route 841 — Wollongong 30-40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
50 km
By Train
1 hr 5 min to Central via T4
By Car (Peak)
55-70 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
45-55 min

🛣️ Direct train to Sydney; F6 freeway provides road access

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre within walking distance but most services require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    19-31 Walker Street Helensburgh 2508 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 3 heritage-listed places in or near Helensburgh, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Helensburgh Railway Station group
Tunnel Road, North Of, Helensburgh • SHR #01168
Lilyvale railway tunnels
Illawarra railway, Lilyvale • SHR #01179
Royal National Park Coastal Cabin Communities
Royal National Park , Royal National Park • SHR #01878

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wollongong Local Government Area, which contains Helensburgh. 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
6,383
Census 2021
6,576
▲ 3.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$43,004
Personal Income 2021
$51,012
▲ 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
$51,012 / yr
$981/wk
Household
$129,480 / yr
$2490/wk
Family
$141,336 / yr
$2718/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,628
Born Overseas 814

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 297
  • 2. New Zealand 75
  • 3. Scotland 37
  • 4. United States 34
  • 5. South Africa 28
  • 6. India 24
  • 7. Canada 21
  • 8. Germany 18
  • 9. China 17
  • 10. Ireland 17

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 3,022
English 2,911
Irish 910
Scottish 768
German 210
Australian Aboriginal 207
Italian 185
Dutch 131
Maltese 84
Chinese 79

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,243
Both parents born in Australia
1,047
Both parents born overseas
1,081
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.9%
No Religion
44.5%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.5%
Islam
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
504 (7.7%)
5-14 years
971 (14.8%)
15-19 years
433 (6.6%)
20-24 years
382 (5.8%)
25-34 years
745 (11.3%)
35-44 years
966 (14.7%)
45-54 years
932 (14.2%)
55-64 years
807 (12.3%)
65-74 years
501 (7.6%)
75-84 years
264 (4.0%)
85+ years
80 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Helensburgh known for? +

Helensburgh is a leafy urban locality perched on the Illawarra Escarpment at 219 metres elevation, situated approximately 50 kilometres south of Sydney and 25 kilometres north of Wollongong within the City of Wollongong local government area.

How far is Helensburgh from Sydney CBD? +

Helensburgh is a rural locality in NSW. Access to the nearest CBD requires a private vehicle, as public transport options are very limited.

Does Helensburgh have public transport? +

Helensburgh has no public transport services. A private vehicle is essential for all travel in this area.

What is the population of Helensburgh? +

According to the 2021 Census, Helensburgh has a population of approximately 6,576 residents.

Is Helensburgh a good place to live? +

Helensburgh is considered a good place for families, with a suburban setting and access to schools, parks, and local services. Its community character makes it appealing to households at various life stages.

What is the postcode for Helensburgh? +

The postcode for Helensburgh in NSW is 2508.

What is the average income in Helensburgh? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Helensburgh is about $981 per week (around $51,000 per year). The median household income is $2,490 per week and the median family income is $2,718 per week.

What is the median house price in Helensburgh? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,295,500, up 3.4% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $799,999, down 8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Helensburgh? +

The median age in Helensburgh is 38. The largest age group is 5–14 (971 residents, around 15%). Around 29% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Helensburgh a safe area? +

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

In Helensburgh, the median weekly rent is $535, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,500 (2021 Census).