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Lucas Heights

NSW 2234 • New South Wales

4
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
9.93 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
InstitutionalNuclear ResearchBushlandScienceUnique
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About Lucas Heights

Lucas Heights is a unique suburb in southern Sydney, located 31 kilometres southwest of the CBD in the Sutherland Shire. With a population of just 4 at the 2021 census across 9.9 square kilometres, it is effectively an institutional rather than residential suburb. Lucas Heights is home to the ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) campus, which operates Australia's only nuclear research reactor, OPAL, and the Australian Synchrotron's sibling facility.

Lucas Heights is dominated by the ANSTO nuclear research facility, making it one of Sydney's most unusual suburbs. The surrounding area is largely bushland, with the Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park (waste facility) also located within the suburb. Despite its proximity to residential Barden Ridge and Engadine, the suburb itself has virtually no permanent residents. It is significant nationally as the centre of Australia's nuclear science research and the production of nuclear medicine.

Lucas Heights falls under postcode 2234 and is governed by the Sutherland Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Hughes, while state elections fall under the Miranda electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2234
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Sutherland
Federal Electorate
Hughes
State Electorate
Miranda
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.02°, 151.00°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
9.93 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2234

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2234, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$57,146
Median 2023–24
$69,740
▲ 22.0% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$89,312

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2234; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Engadine Station
4 km
N/A
Loftus Station
5 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Transdev 988 — Engadine to Lucas Heights (ANSTO) 10 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
31 km
By Train
40 min (from Engadine, T4 line)
By Bus
10 min to Engadine then train
By Car (Peak)
40-55 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30 min

🛣️ Primarily an institutional suburb. ANSTO staff commute in; virtually no residents commute out.

Walkability Car Essential

Institutional/bushland suburb with no residential services. ANSTO campus has internal facilities for staff.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
4
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Sutherland Local Government Area, which contains Lucas Heights. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
82.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.2%
Motor vehicle theft
49.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.3%
Non-DV assault
243.5 / 100k
2yr Up 16.2% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
6.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
101.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 9.8%
View all 62 offence types for Sutherland →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lucas Heights known for? +

Lucas Heights is a unique suburb in southern Sydney, located 31 kilometres southwest of the CBD in the Sutherland Shire. With a population of just 4 at the 2021 census across 9.9 square kilometres, it is effectively an institutional rather than residential suburb.

How far is Lucas Heights from Sydney CBD? +

Lucas Heights is approximately 31 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 40-55 min during peak hour and 30 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 40 min (from Engadine, T4 line).

Does Lucas Heights have public transport? +

Lucas Heights is served by Engadine Station station (4 km, approximately N/A walk) on the T4 Illawarra Line / T8 Airport Line (Cronulla branch). Local bus services including Transdev 988 also connect residents to Engadine to Lucas Heights (ANSTO).

What is the population of Lucas Heights? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lucas Heights has a population of approximately 4 residents. It is one of the smaller localities in NSW.

Is Lucas Heights a good place to live? +

Lucas Heights offers a suburban lifestyle in NSW. The area suits those looking for a quieter setting away from major urban centres.

What is the postcode for Lucas Heights? +

The postcode for Lucas Heights in NSW is 2234.

Is Lucas Heights a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Lucas Heights is part of the Sutherland 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.