🔍

Lake Illawarra

NSW 2528 • Rest of NSW

3,288
Population (2021)
$55,588
Median Household Income
1.67 km²
Area
$328/wk
Median Rent
LakesideAffordableFamily-FriendlyCommuter BeltQuiet

About Lake Illawarra

Lake Illawarra is a coastal suburb situated on the southern shores of its namesake lake, approximately 100 kilometres south of Sydney and 14 kilometres south of Wollongong, within the City of Shellharbour council area. With a population of 3,288 and a median age of 43, the suburb has a well-established, working-class character with a mix of families and older residents. The median household income of around $1,069 per week sits below the national average, and housing is predominantly low-density residential with affordable entry points.

The lake itself is the suburb's defining feature, attracting fishing, boating, and water sports enthusiasts throughout the year. Residents are well-placed for everyday needs, with bus connections to Wollongong for retail, healthcare, and employment, while the nearby Shellharbour City Centre provides additional shopping and dining. The suburb has a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere and appeals to those seeking an affordable lifestyle within reach of the South Coast's beaches and lagoons.

Lake Illawarra falls under postcode 2528 and is governed by Shellharbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Shellharbour electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 NSW Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2528
Urban Area
Shellharbour
LGA / Council
Shellharbour
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Shellharbour
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.54°, 150.87°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.67 km²
Elevation
4m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$893K
30 sales · ▲ 3.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$715K
45 sales · ▲ 2.9% 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)
$328
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
15.1%

200 state housing + 15 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Dapto
7.5 km
N/A (car or bus required)

Bus Services

  • Route 31, 32 — Wollongong City Centre 25-35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
Bus to Dapto station, then T4 South Coast Line — approx 90-100 min to Town Hall
By Car (Peak)
90-110 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
70-80 min

🛣️ Wollongong CBD is 14km north and is the practical daily destination for most residents (20-25 min drive)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; limited local shops and bus routes connect to Wollongong for major 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 Lake Illawarra. 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
3,163
Census 2021
3,288
▲ 4.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,584
Personal Income 2021
$31,616
▲ 23.6% 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
$31,616 / yr
$608/wk
Household
$55,588 / yr
$1069/wk
Family
$75,452 / yr
$1451/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,416
Born Overseas 599

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 154
  • 2. New Zealand 41
  • 3. Philippines 30
  • 4. Scotland 23
  • 5. Germany 21
  • 6. Malta 21
  • 7. Italy 19
  • 8. Thailand 19
  • 9. Bosnia & Herzegovina 17
  • 10. Croatia 17

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,245
Australian 1,166
Scottish 302
Irish 271
Australian Aboriginal 162
German 117
Italian 114
Spanish 69
Filipino 51
Maltese 47

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,748
Both parents born in Australia
847
Both parents born overseas
425
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.2%
No Religion
39.2%
Islam
1.4%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
184 (5.6%)
5-14 years
336 (10.2%)
15-19 years
162 (4.9%)
20-24 years
215 (6.5%)
25-34 years
431 (13.1%)
35-44 years
365 (11.1%)
45-54 years
382 (11.6%)
55-64 years
529 (16.1%)
65-74 years
368 (11.2%)
75-84 years
227 (6.9%)
85+ years
95 (2.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lake Illawarra known for? +

Lake Illawarra is known for the large coastal lagoon that borders the suburb, offering year-round fishing, boating, and water recreation. The suburb has a relaxed, community feel and is popular with families and retirees seeking affordable living close to the South Coast.

How far is Lake Illawarra from Sydney? +

Lake Illawarra is approximately 100 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD, making it roughly a 70-80 minute drive off-peak or up to 110 minutes during peak hour. Wollongong, the nearest major city, is just 14 kilometres to the north.

Does Lake Illawarra have public transport? +

Bus services connect Lake Illawarra to Wollongong, and Dapto train station on the T4 South Coast Line is approximately 7.5 kilometres away. A car is the most convenient way to get around, but bus services do provide access to Wollongong for work and shopping.

What is the population of Lake Illawarra? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lake Illawarra has a population of 3,288 residents, with a median age of 43. The suburb has a predominantly Australian-born population with strong English and Scottish heritage.

Is Lake Illawarra a good place to live? +

Lake Illawarra offers a laid-back, affordable lifestyle with the bonus of lake frontage and proximity to the Illawarra region's beaches and parks. It suits families, retirees, and anyone who prefers a quieter pace of life within reach of Wollongong's amenities.

What is the postcode for Lake Illawarra? +

The postcode for Lake Illawarra is 2528.

What is the average income in Lake Illawarra? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lake Illawarra is about $608 per week (around $31,600 per year). The median household income is $1,069 per week and the median family income is $1,451 per week.

What is the median house price in Lake Illawarra? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $892,500, up 3.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $715,000, up 2.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Lake Illawarra? +

The median age in Lake Illawarra is 43. The largest age group is 55–64 (529 residents, around 16%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lake Illawarra a safe area? +

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

In Lake Illawarra, the median weekly rent is $328, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).