Berkeley
NSW 2506 • Rest of NSW
About Berkeley
Berkeley is a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, located 92 kilometres south of Sydney and 10 kilometres south of Wollongong CBD. With a population of around 7,800, it sits on the northern shore of Lake Illawarra. Originally a farming community, Berkeley was developed in the 1950s and 1960s primarily as a public housing area to address the region's post-war housing shortage. The suburb has a working-class character with an increasingly diverse community.
Berkeley offers affordable living with scenic lakeside surroundings. Residents enjoy access to Lake Illawarra for fishing, boating, and walking along the foreshore. The suburb has local shops at Berkeley Village, several primary schools, and community facilities including Berkeley Community Centre. Families and first-home buyers are drawn to the area for its affordability compared to surrounding suburbs. Nearby Illawarra Escarpment walking trails and the lake foreshore provide outdoor recreation options.
Berkeley falls under postcode 2506 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wollongong electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- 34 — Berkeley to Wollongong via Unanderra 30 min
- 37 — Berkeley to Dapto 15 min
Commute to Wollongong CBD
🛣️ Sydney CBD ~90 min by train from Unanderra
Local shops within walking distance but most amenities and employment require a car or bus
Supermarkets Nearby
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Coles65 Winnima Way Berkeley 2506 NSW
Schools
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Berkeley Public School ICSEA 9264271 1171 315 Flagstaff Road
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Berkeley West Public School ICSEA 8684271 1478 Nolan St
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Illawarra Sports High School ICSEA 9374271 1099 Gura St
Heritage-Listed Places
There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Berkeley, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
Crime Statistics
NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Berkeley by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Berkeley Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Berkeley" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
584 state housing + 31 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 240
- 2. North Macedonia 222
- 3. Lebanon 79
- 4. New Zealand 72
- 5. Philippines 68
- 6. Vietnam 67
- 7. Italy 64
- 8. Scotland 56
- 9. Germany 46
- 10. Chile 35
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)