🔍

Tarrawanna

NSW 2518 • Rest of NSW

2,184
Population (2021)
$75,348
Median Household Income
2.51 km²
Area
$340/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyVillage FeelEscarpmentQuietEstablished

About Tarrawanna

Tarrawanna is a quiet residential suburb nestled at the base of the Illawarra Escarpment, 7 kilometres north of the Wollongong CBD in the City of Wollongong. With a population of 2,184 (2021 census) and a median age of 48, this is a settled, family-oriented community on the traditional lands of the Dharawal people. The name is believed to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning "place of many trees."

The suburb has a charming village centre with cafés, food outlets, a microbrewery, and a hairdresser, creating a genuine community hub. Families are drawn to the safe, leafy streets, Tarrawanna Public School, and easy access to escarpment bushwalking trails with panoramic views. Annual events like the Tarrawanna Village Fair and Art Show foster strong community bonds. The elevated position gives many homes escarpment views, while beaches are just a short drive away.

Tarrawanna falls under postcode 2518 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Keira electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 NSW Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2518
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Keira
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.38°, 150.88°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.51 km²
Elevation
105m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.4M
23 sales · ▼ 1.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$810K
8 sales · ▼ 5.5% 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)
$340
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
14.9%

95 state housing + 32 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Fairy Meadow
2.5 km
30 min
Corrimal
2 km
25 min
Balgownie (no station)
1.5 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • 3, 7, 8 — Wollongong CBD via Fairy Meadow and Corrimal 15-25 min
  • 90 — Wollongong to Thirroul express 20 min

Commute to Wollongong

Distance
7 km
By Train
15-20 min (from Fairy Meadow or Corrimal stations)
By Bus
15-25 min (Routes 3, 7, 8)
By Car (Peak)
15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10 min

🛣️ No train station in Tarrawanna itself—Corrimal and Fairy Meadow stations are closest. Buses run regularly along Princes Highway.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Village shops walkable; bus stops on Princes Highway for Wollongong; car helpful but not essential for daily needs

🛒 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 Tarrawanna. 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
2,069
Census 2021
2,184
▲ 5.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,376
Personal Income 2021
$35,048
▲ 38.1% 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
$35,048 / yr
$674/wk
Household
$75,348 / yr
$1449/wk
Family
$103,064 / yr
$1982/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,663
Born Overseas 456

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 78
  • 2. Italy 54
  • 3. New Zealand 31
  • 4. Scotland 22
  • 5. North Macedonia 21
  • 6. India 19
  • 7. Netherlands 19
  • 8. United States 14
  • 9. Germany 13
  • 10. South Africa 13

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 756
English 738
Scottish 226
Irish 222
Italian 219
German 70
Dutch 64
Macedonian 57
Australian Aboriginal 44
Greek 39

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,113
Both parents born in Australia
640
Both parents born overseas
299
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.6%
No Religion
32.7%
Islam
2.0%
Buddhism
1.3%
Hinduism
0.9%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
94 (4.3%)
5-14 years
245 (11.2%)
15-19 years
108 (4.9%)
20-24 years
107 (4.9%)
25-34 years
209 (9.6%)
35-44 years
232 (10.6%)
45-54 years
274 (12.5%)
55-64 years
279 (12.8%)
65-74 years
217 (9.9%)
75-84 years
258 (11.8%)
85+ years
161 (7.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tarrawanna known for? +

Tarrawanna is a quiet residential suburb nestled at the base of the Illawarra Escarpment, 7 kilometres north of the Wollongong CBD in the City of Wollongong.

How far is Tarrawanna from Wollongong? +

Tarrawanna is approximately 7 kilometres from Wollongong. The drive takes around 15 min during peak hour and 10 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 15-20 min (from Fairy Meadow or Corrimal stations).

Does Tarrawanna have public transport? +

Tarrawanna is served by Fairy Meadow station (2.5 km, approximately 30 min walk) on the T4 South Coast Line (Sydney to Kiama/Port Kembla). Local bus services including 3, 7, 8 also connect residents to Wollongong CBD via Fairy Meadow and Corrimal.

What is the population of Tarrawanna? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tarrawanna has a population of approximately 2,184 residents.

Is Tarrawanna a good place to live? +

Tarrawanna 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 Tarrawanna? +

The postcode for Tarrawanna in NSW is 2518.

What is the average income in Tarrawanna? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Tarrawanna is about $674 per week (around $35,000 per year). The median household income is $1,449 per week and the median family income is $1,982 per week.

What is the median house price in Tarrawanna? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,400,000, down 1.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $810,000, down 5.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Tarrawanna? +

The median age in Tarrawanna is 48. The largest age group is 55–64 (279 residents, around 13%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Tarrawanna a safe area? +

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

In Tarrawanna, the median weekly rent is $340, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).