West Wollongong

NSW 2500 • Rest of NSW

5,223
Population (2021)
$86,944
Median Household Income
1.97 km²
Area
$370/wk
Median Rent
SuburbanMid-RangeFamily-FriendlyCommuter Belt

About West Wollongong

West Wollongong is a compact residential suburb within the City of Wollongong, located approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney's CBD along the Illawarra coast. Covering just under 2 square kilometres, the suburb is densely settled with a population of around 5,223 and a relatively young median age of 35. Median household income of approximately $1,672 per week sits broadly in line with Greater Wollongong averages.

The suburb benefits from its location within the Wollongong urban area, offering easy access to the Wollongong CBD, Crown Street Mall, and the city's beaches just a short distance to the east. Regular train services on the South Coast line connect residents to Sydney and regional destinations. A mix of young professionals, families, and students—many associated with the nearby University of Wollongong—give the suburb a diverse and active community feel.

West Wollongong falls under postcode 2500 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Keira electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2500
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.43°, 150.87°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.97 km²
Elevation
35m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.16M
67 sales · ▲ 11.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$825K
55 sales · ▲ 35.2% 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)
$370
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,123
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
35 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.8%

66 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Wollongong
2 km
24 min
Lysaghts (West Wollongong)
1.2 km
15 min

Bus Services

  • Route 34, 35 — Wollongong City Centre 10-15 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
Wollongong station (bus or walk) then T4 South Coast Line to Central approx 80-95 min
By Car (Peak)
70-85 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-70 min

🛣️ Western Wollongong suburb backing onto the Illawarra escarpment; Princes Motorway provides road access north

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Proximity to Wollongong city centre makes some errands walkable; hills limit walkability further west

🛒 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 West Wollongong. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
190.2 / 100k
Non-DV assault
342.5 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
11.3 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
371.3 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,827
Census 2021
5,223
8.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,940
Personal Income 2021
$39,468
27.6% 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
$39,468 / yr
$759/wk
Household
$86,944 / yr
$1672/wk
Family
$111,280 / yr
$2140/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,686
Born Overseas 1,269

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 131
  • 2. India 86
  • 3. New Zealand 72
  • 4. China 67
  • 5. North Macedonia 45
  • 6. Thailand 44
  • 7. Croatia 39
  • 8. Italy 36
  • 9. Philippines 33
  • 10. Greece 32

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,647
Australian 1,616
Irish 575
Scottish 496
Italian 296
German 187
Serbian 159
Macedonian 139
Chinese 133
Greek 123

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,447
Both parents born in Australia
1,734
Both parents born overseas
748
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.5%
No Religion
36.6%
Islam
4.1%
Buddhism
1.6%
Hinduism
1.0%
Sikhism
0.4%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
313 (6.0%)
5-14 years
642 (12.3%)
15-19 years
357 (6.8%)
20-24 years
571 (10.9%)
25-34 years
710 (13.6%)
35-44 years
730 (14.0%)
45-54 years
640 (12.3%)
55-64 years
531 (10.2%)
65-74 years
370 (7.1%)
75-84 years
240 (4.6%)
85+ years
122 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is West Wollongong known for? +

West Wollongong is known as a well-positioned residential suburb offering proximity to Wollongong's city centre, Crown Street Mall, and the spectacular Illawarra Escarpment. The suburb has a diverse community and offers good value relative to Sydney.

How far is West Wollongong from Sydney? +

West Wollongong is approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney, with a train journey of around 90 minutes to Central Station or a drive of approximately 90 minutes via the M1/Princes Highway.

Does West Wollongong have public transport? +

West Wollongong is served by local bus routes connecting to the Wollongong CBD and Wollongong station, where the South Coast Line provides regular train services to Sydney. Bus access to the city centre is frequent and convenient.

What is the population of West Wollongong? +

According to the 2021 Census, West Wollongong has a population of approximately 5,223 residents within the City of Wollongong local government area.

Is West Wollongong a good place to live? +

West Wollongong offers convenient urban living near Wollongong's city centre with access to beaches, the escarpment, and good transport links to Sydney. It suits professionals, students at the University of Wollongong, and families seeking Illawarra lifestyle at a reasonable price.

What is the postcode for West Wollongong? +

The postcode for West Wollongong is 2500.

What is the average income in West Wollongong? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in West Wollongong is about $759 per week (around $39,500 per year). The median household income is $1,672 per week and the median family income is $2,140 per week.

What is the median house price in West Wollongong? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,159,000, up 11.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $825,000, up 35.2% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of West Wollongong? +

The median age in West Wollongong is 35. The largest age group is 35–44 (730 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 14% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is West Wollongong a safe area? +

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

In West Wollongong, the median weekly rent is $370, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,123 (2021 Census).