🔍

Wongawilli

NSW 2530 • Rest of NSW

1,213
Population (2021)
$62,140
Median Income
4.40 km²
Area
$600/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyMulticulturalIllawarraHistoricBushland

About Wongawilli

Wongawilli is a residential suburb on the southern fringe of Wollongong, nestled at the foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment within the City of Wollongong local government area. With a 2021 population of 1,213 and a youthful median age of just 31, it is a family-oriented community dominated by young couples and children. The median household income of approximately $2,841 per week is well above both regional and national averages, reflecting its appeal to established and dual-income households. The suburb has a diverse multicultural character, with notable Italian, Macedonian, Indian, and Greek communities alongside its majority Australian and British heritage.

Wongawilli has a long history tied to coal mining — the Wongawilli Colliery opened in 1916 and helped shape the area's early settlement. Today the suburb blends small rural properties with newer family homes set against the dramatic backdrop of the Illawarra Escarpment, with a NSW Rural Fire Service station and a community hall hosting the Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club. Residents enjoy proximity to Wollongong's beaches, the University of Wollongong, and the broader Illawarra's retail and dining precinct, while escarpment trails are within easy reach for outdoor enthusiasts. The suburb is well-connected to the M1 Motorway, placing Sydney approximately 80 kilometres north.

Wongawilli falls under postcode 2530 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Shellharbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2530
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Shellharbour
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.47°, 150.75°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.40 km²
Elevation
122m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Dapto
4 km
Not practical on foot

Bus Services

  • Illawarra Bus Co local routes — Wollongong CBD / Dapto 20-35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
Drive or bus to Dapto (~4 km), then South Coast Line to Sydney Central (~1 hr 30 min)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 20 min - 1 hr 50 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr - 1 hr 20 min

🛣️ M1/Princes Highway provides route to Sydney; local car practical for suburb travel

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A semi-rural residential suburb where a car is needed for daily errands; Dapto and Wollongong provide the nearest shops and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 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 Wongawilli by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Wongawilli Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Wongawilli" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$600
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,600
Avg Household Size
3.4 people
Median Age
31 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
141
Census 2021
1,213
▲ 760.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$43,940
Income 2021
$62,140
▲ 41.4% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 972
Born Overseas 201

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 51
  • 2. England 30
  • 3. New Zealand 11
  • 4. North Macedonia 8
  • 5. Croatia 7
  • 6. Italy 7
  • 7. Philippines 6
  • 8. Greece 5
  • 9. Sri Lanka 5
  • 10. Chile 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 484
English 404
Scottish 95
Irish 80
Italian 76
Macedonian 56
Indian 50
German 43
Greek 38
Maltese 28

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

672
Both parents born in Australia
338
Both parents born overseas
163
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
61.3%
No Religion
31.6%
Hinduism
1.3%
Islam
1.0%
Buddhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
136 (11.2%)
5-14 years
219 (18.1%)
15-19 years
67 (5.5%)
20-24 years
51 (4.2%)
25-34 years
237 (19.5%)
35-44 years
229 (18.9%)
45-54 years
125 (10.3%)
55-64 years
101 (8.3%)
65-74 years
31 (2.6%)
75-84 years
12 (1.0%)
85+ years
5 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wongawilli known for? +

Wongawilli is known for its coal mining heritage — the Wongawilli Colliery opened in 1916 — and its scenic setting at the foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment. The suburb has a distinctive multicultural community and a mix of rural properties and newer family homes.

How far is Wongawilli from Wollongong? +

Wongawilli is approximately 10 kilometres south-west of Wollongong CBD, typically a 15–20 minute drive, with Dapto being the nearest major suburb and train station at around 4 kilometres.

Does Wongawilli have public transport? +

Wongawilli is served by local Illawarra Bus Company routes connecting to Dapto and Wollongong. The nearest train station is Dapto (approximately 4 km), on the South Coast Line with regular services to Wollongong and Sydney. A car is helpful for local travel within the suburb.

What is the population of Wongawilli? +

According to the 2021 Census, Wongawilli has a population of 1,213 residents with a very young median age of 31, reflecting a community strongly skewed towards young families and couples with children.

Is Wongawilli a good place to live? +

Wongawilli offers a semi-rural family lifestyle within easy reach of Wollongong's beaches, university, and amenities. Its above-average household incomes, escarpment scenery, and multicultural community make it a distinctive and appealing pocket of the Illawarra.

What is the postcode for Wongawilli? +

The postcode for Wongawilli, NSW is 2530, shared with nearby suburbs including Dapto and Koonawarra in the Wollongong area.