🔍

Lake Heights

NSW 2502 • Rest of NSW

4,105
Population (2021)
$70,512
Median Household Income
1.63 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
AffordableMulticulturalLakesideFamily-FriendlySuburban

About Lake Heights

Lake Heights is a diverse residential suburb in the Wollongong metropolitan area, situated approximately 7 kilometres south of Wollongong CBD within the City of Wollongong Council. With a population of 4,105 and a median age of 36, the suburb has a mixed demographic profile shaped by significant Macedonian, Italian, and Lebanese communities alongside an established Australian-born majority. The median household income of $1,356 per week sits below the Wollongong average, reflecting a working-class and lower-middle-income character with a mix of renters and long-term homeowners. The suburb takes its name from its proximity to Lake Illawarra to the south.

Lake Heights is served by bus routes connecting to Wollongong CBD and the surrounding lakeside suburbs, while the Illawarra railway line is accessible at nearby Berkeley or Kooragang. Lake Illawarra provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and walking along its foreshore. Local amenities include primary schools, neighbourhood shops, and reserves, while the Berkeley industrial area and Wollongong's commercial centres are close at hand. The suburb has a strong community spirit with notable multicultural ties — particularly among its Macedonian and Italian communities — and offers affordable housing relative to Sydney, attracting young families and first-home buyers.

Lake Heights falls under postcode 2502 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wollongong electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2502
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Wollongong
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.48°, 150.87°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.63 km²
Elevation
40m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$870K
69 sales · ▲ 6.1% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$888K
18 sales · ▲ 49.8% 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)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.9%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Unanderra
2.5 km
N/A
Berkeley (no station — nearest is Unanderra)
3 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Route 54, 55 — Wollongong CBD (Crown Street) 15-20 min

Commute to Wollongong CBD

Distance
7 km
By Train
Bus to Unanderra then T4 South Coast Line; or drive to Wollongong. No direct rail from suburb.
By Car (Peak)
15-25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Primarily accessed by car or bus; Princes Highway connects north to Wollongong and south to Shellharbour

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; local shops and schools are accessible but the suburb lacks a walkable commercial centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wollongong Local Government Area, which contains Lake Heights. 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
3,845
Census 2021
4,105
▲ 6.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,376
Personal Income 2021
$32,396
▲ 27.7% 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
$32,396 / yr
$623/wk
Household
$70,512 / yr
$1356/wk
Family
$84,812 / yr
$1631/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,744
Born Overseas 1,203

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. North Macedonia 147
  • 2. Italy 97
  • 3. England 88
  • 4. Lebanon 56
  • 5. New Zealand 41
  • 6. Malta 39
  • 7. Germany 35
  • 8. Philippines 35
  • 9. Croatia 28
  • 10. India 27

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,068
English 911
Italian 387
Macedonian 330
Scottish 234
Irish 228
Australian Aboriginal 175
Lebanese 152
German 131
Maltese 127

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,520
Both parents born in Australia
1,830
Both parents born overseas
597
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.8%
No Religion
28.5%
Islam
9.1%
Hinduism
0.9%
Buddhism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
318 (7.7%)
5-14 years
553 (13.5%)
15-19 years
229 (5.6%)
20-24 years
256 (6.2%)
25-34 years
594 (14.5%)
35-44 years
506 (12.3%)
45-54 years
453 (11.0%)
55-64 years
436 (10.6%)
65-74 years
357 (8.7%)
75-84 years
282 (6.9%)
85+ years
115 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lake Heights known for? +

Lake Heights is a diverse residential suburb in the Wollongong metropolitan area, situated approximately 7 kilometres south of Wollongong CBD within the City of Wollongong Council.

How far is Lake Heights from Wollongong CBD? +

Lake Heights is approximately 7 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. The drive takes around 15-25 min during peak hour and 10-15 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately Bus to Unanderra then T4 South Coast Line; or drive to Wollongong. No direct rail from suburb..

Does Lake Heights have public transport? +

Lake Heights is served by Unanderra station (2.5 km, approximately N/A walk) on the South Coast Line (T4). Local bus services including Route 54, 55 also connect residents to Wollongong CBD (Crown Street).

What is the population of Lake Heights? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lake Heights has a population of approximately 4,105 residents.

Is Lake Heights a good place to live? +

Lake Heights 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 Lake Heights? +

The postcode for Lake Heights in NSW is 2502.

What is the average income in Lake Heights? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lake Heights is about $623 per week (around $32,400 per year). The median household income is $1,356 per week and the median family income is $1,631 per week.

What is the median house price in Lake Heights? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $870,000, up 6.1% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $887,500, up 49.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Lake Heights? +

The median age in Lake Heights is 36. The largest age group is 25–34 (594 residents, around 14%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lake Heights a safe area? +

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

In Lake Heights, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).