🔍

Warilla

NSW 2528 • Rest of NSW

6,226
Population (2021)
$51,324
Median Household Income
2.48 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
LakesideSuburbanAffordableEstablishedQuiet

About Warilla

Warilla is a residential suburb on the northern shores of Lake Illawarra, within the City of Shellharbour council area, approximately 85 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD on the NSW South Coast. With a population of 6,226 and a median age of 45, it has an established, older demographic profile. Median household income of $987 per week is below the state average, giving the suburb a working-class character and making it one of the more affordable options along the Illawarra coast.

The suburb sits at low elevation beside Lake Illawarra, which provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and waterside walking. Residents have access to local parks, primary and secondary schools, and are within easy reach of the Shellharbour City Centre for shopping and services. Wollongong, with its full range of hospitals, universities, and retail, is around 20 minutes to the north. Warilla has a notably diverse community with strong Aboriginal, English, and European heritage roots, fostering a close-knit neighbourhood character.

Warilla 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
-34.55°, 150.86°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.48 km²
Elevation
7m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$845K
83 sales · ▲ 3% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$691K
26 sales · ▲ 4.7% 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)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
45 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
18.4%

431 state housing + 30 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Route 31, 32 — Wollongong City Centre / Shellharbour 20-30 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
90 km
By Train
No direct rail; bus to Dapto or Shellharbour Junction then T4 South Coast Line to Central (approx 100-115 min total)
By Car (Peak)
75-90 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ Shellharbour LGA coastal suburb; Princes Highway and Southern Freeway provide road access north to Wollongong

Walkability Car-Dependent

Residential suburb with limited walkable amenities; car required for most shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • ALDI
    43 - 57 Shellharbour Road, Warilla NSW 2528

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Shellharbour Local Government Area, which contains Warilla. 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
6,449
Census 2021
6,226
▼ 3.5% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,180
Personal Income 2021
$27,612
▲ 14.2% 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
$27,612 / yr
$531/wk
Household
$51,324 / yr
$987/wk
Family
$69,576 / yr
$1338/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,609
Born Overseas 1,013

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 279
  • 2. Scotland 68
  • 3. New Zealand 59
  • 4. Philippines 50
  • 5. Germany 49
  • 6. North Macedonia 42
  • 7. Italy 27
  • 8. Netherlands 19
  • 9. Thailand 19
  • 10. Wales 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,403
English 2,306
Scottish 516
Irish 510
Australian Aboriginal 479
German 258
Italian 168
Spanish 121
Dutch 95
Macedonian 87

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,410
Both parents born in Australia
1,370
Both parents born overseas
847
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.7%
No Religion
37.6%
Islam
1.2%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
318 (5.1%)
5-14 years
721 (11.6%)
15-19 years
373 (6.0%)
20-24 years
361 (5.8%)
25-34 years
642 (10.3%)
35-44 years
630 (10.1%)
45-54 years
779 (12.5%)
55-64 years
864 (13.9%)
65-74 years
736 (11.8%)
75-84 years
593 (9.5%)
85+ years
205 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Warilla known for? +

Warilla is a residential suburb on the northern shores of Lake Illawarra, within the City of Shellharbour council area, approximately 85 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD on the NSW South Coast. With a population of 6,226 and a median age of 45, it has an established, older demographic profile.

How far is Warilla from Sydney CBD? +

Warilla is approximately 85 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Drive times vary depending on traffic conditions.

Does Warilla have public transport? +

Warilla is served by local bus routes. For specific timetables and routes, check Transport NSW or the relevant state transport authority.

What is the population of Warilla? +

According to the 2021 Census, Warilla has a population of approximately 6,226 residents. It is a well-established suburb within the Shellharbour (City).

Is Warilla a good place to live? +

Warilla offers affordable housing options and practical suburban living, making it a good choice for first home buyers, families, and those on a budget who still want access to regional amenities.

What is the postcode for Warilla? +

The postcode for Warilla, NSW is 2528.

What is the average income in Warilla? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Warilla is about $531 per week (around $27,600 per year). The median household income is $987 per week and the median family income is $1,338 per week.

What is the median house price in Warilla? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $845,000, up 3% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $691,250, up 4.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Warilla? +

The median age in Warilla is 45. The largest age group is 55–64 (864 residents, around 14%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Warilla a safe area? +

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

In Warilla, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).