Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Lake Illawarra suburb profile
Lake Illawarra, NSW · Postcode 2528
This Lake Illawarra suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Lake Illawarra, NSW (postcode 2528). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Lake Illawarra with nearby suburbs.
Lake Illawarra at a glance
Population
3,288
Median rent
$328/wk
Household income
$1,069/wk
Median age
43
Lake Illawarra trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+6.5% over 10 years
Population
3,288
was 3,163 in 2016
+125 · +4%
Median rent
$328/wk
was $280/wk in 2016
+$48 · +17.1%
Household income
$1,069/wk
was $898/wk in 2016
+$171 · +19%
Median age
43
was 43 in 2016
0 · 0%
Dig deeper: Lake Illawarra population growth · Lake Illawarra then and now
Lake Illawarra vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for Lake Illawarra, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-21.9% vs area
- Lake Illawarra$328/wk
- Nearby$432.5/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-42% vs area
- Lake Illawarra$1,069/wk
- Nearby$1,600.5/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
+7.5% vs area
- Lake Illawarra43
- Nearby41.5
- NSW40
Personal income
-24.8% vs area
- Lake Illawarra$608/wk
- Nearby$702.5/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How Lake Illawarra compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Lake Illawarra ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 1888.3
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1880.4
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1889.7
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 2888.9
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Lake Illawarra on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Lake Illawarra, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Lake Illawarra people
- Population
- 3,288
- Median age
- 43
- Born overseas
- 18.2%
- Average household size
- 2.1
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Lake Illawarra income
- Median household income
- $1,069/wk
- Median personal income
- $608/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Lake Illawarra housing
- Median rent
- $328/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,733/mo
- Separate houses
- 46.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 20.5%
- Owned outright
- 24.7%
- Mortgaged
- 19.5%
- Rented
- 44.7%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 7.4%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Lake Illawarra work
- Employment to population
- 45.2%
- Unemployment rate
- 6.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 34.7%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2528)
Compare Lake Illawarra with nearby suburbs
Lake Illawarra in numbers
Lake Illawarra had 3,288 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 43, 5% above the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.1 people. 18.2% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 24.7% own their home outright, 19.5% are paying a mortgage, 44.7% rent. Separate houses make up 46.2% of dwellings, with 20.5% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $328/wk, 18% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,069/wk, 41% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 6.2%. 34.7% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 1 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 4% (from 3,163 to 3,288). Median rent moved from $280/wk to $328/wk (+17.1%).
Lake Illawarra suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Lake Illawarra, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Lake Illawarra was $328/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Lake Illawarra, NSW?
- Lake Illawarra had 3,288 residents at the 2021 Census, up 4% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Lake Illawarra?
- Median household income in Lake Illawarra was $1,069/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Lake Illawarra?
- 44.7% of occupied homes in Lake Illawarra were rented, 24.7% were owned outright and 19.5% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Lake Illawarra suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Lake Illawarra. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology