🔍

Oak Flats

NSW 2529 • Rest of NSW

6,840
Population (2021)
$77,376
Median Household Income
3.76 km²
Area
$440/wk
Median Rent
CoastalFamily-FriendlyEstablishedCommuter BeltAffordable

About Oak Flats

Oak Flats is a coastal residential suburb located in the Shellharbour City Council area on the New South Wales Illawarra coast, approximately 85 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of 6,840, the suburb has grown from its origins as a modest coastal settlement into an established residential community. The median age of 42 and a median household income of around $1,488 per week reflect a predominantly working-class to middle-income demographic, with a notable Aboriginal community representing around 4.5 per cent of residents.

Oak Flats sits close to the shores of Lake Illawarra, offering residents access to waterfront recreation including fishing, boating, and walking trails. The suburb is served by Oak Flats railway station on the South Coast Line, providing a direct commute to Wollongong and Sydney. Housing consists largely of established freestanding homes on generous blocks, and the area offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with easy access to the beaches and shopping centres of nearby Shellharbour and Warilla.

Oak Flats falls under postcode 2529 and is governed by Shellharbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Shellharbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2529
Urban Area
Shellharbour
LGA / Council
Shellharbour
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Shellharbour
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.56°, 150.82°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.76 km²
Elevation
15m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$914K
98 sales · ▲ 2.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$810K
54 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)
$440
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.1%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Oak Flats
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Route 70, 71 — Shellharbour / Wollongong 15-20 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
90 km
By Train
1 hr 30 min to Central via T4 Illawarra Line
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 15 min-1 hr 35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr-1 hr 15 min

🛣️ Illawarra suburb with direct train to Sydney; Shellharbour City Centre 3 km away

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Station and local shops accessible on foot; car needed for larger shopping centres

🛒 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 Oak Flats. 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
6,415
Census 2021
6,840
▲ 6.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,588
Personal Income 2021
$36,296
▲ 22.7% 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
$36,296 / yr
$698/wk
Household
$77,376 / yr
$1488/wk
Family
$93,964 / yr
$1807/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,331
Born Overseas 1,166

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 333
  • 2. Germany 90
  • 3. New Zealand 75
  • 4. Italy 42
  • 5. Scotland 42
  • 6. North Macedonia 39
  • 7. Philippines 35
  • 8. Netherlands 27
  • 9. India 22
  • 10. Wales 22

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,708
Australian 2,675
Irish 607
Scottish 592
German 361
Australian Aboriginal 305
Italian 301
Spanish 134
Dutch 126
Macedonian 112

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,867
Both parents born in Australia
1,657
Both parents born overseas
981
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.0%
No Religion
42.1%
Islam
1.0%
Buddhism
1.0%
Hinduism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
352 (5.1%)
5-14 years
837 (12.2%)
15-19 years
372 (5.4%)
20-24 years
430 (6.3%)
25-34 years
857 (12.5%)
35-44 years
757 (11.1%)
45-54 years
801 (11.7%)
55-64 years
999 (14.6%)
65-74 years
828 (12.1%)
75-84 years
449 (6.6%)
85+ years
157 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oak Flats known for? +

Oak Flats is a coastal residential suburb located in the Shellharbour City Council area on the New South Wales Illawarra coast, approximately 85 kilometres south of Sydney.

How far is Oak Flats from Sydney CBD? +

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

Does Oak Flats have public transport? +

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

What is the population of Oak Flats? +

According to the 2021 Census, Oak Flats has a population of approximately 6,840 residents.

Is Oak Flats a good place to live? +

Oak Flats is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Oak Flats? +

The postcode for Oak Flats in NSW is 2529.

What is the average income in Oak Flats? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Oak Flats is about $698 per week (around $36,300 per year). The median household income is $1,488 per week and the median family income is $1,807 per week.

What is the median house price in Oak Flats? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $913,750, up 2.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $810,000, up 8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Oak Flats? +

The median age in Oak Flats is 42. The largest age group is 55–64 (999 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Oak Flats a safe area? +

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

In Oak Flats, the median weekly rent is $440, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).