Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
North Wollongong suburb profile
North Wollongong, NSW · Postcode 2500
This North Wollongong suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for North Wollongong, NSW (postcode 2500). 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 North Wollongong with nearby suburbs.
North Wollongong at a glance
Population
2,299
Median rent
$395/wk
Household income
$1,549/wk
Median age
30
North Wollongong 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
-7.4% over 10 years
Population
2,299
was 2,608 in 2016
-309 · -11.8%
Median rent
$395/wk
was $350/wk in 2016
+$45 · +12.9%
Household income
$1,549/wk
was $1,294/wk in 2016
+$255 · +19.7%
Median age
30
was 27 in 2016
+3 · +11.1%
Dig deeper: North Wollongong population growth · North Wollongong then and now
North Wollongong vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for North Wollongong, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-6% vs area
- North Wollongong$395/wk
- Nearby$361.5/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-16% vs area
- North Wollongong$1,549/wk
- Nearby$1,705.5/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
-25% vs area
- North Wollongong30
- Nearby36
- NSW40
Personal income
-12.3% vs area
- North Wollongong$709/wk
- Nearby$789/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How North Wollongong compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
North Wollongong sits above average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide. It shows limited economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 51,008
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 81,026.4
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1891.5
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 91,073.3
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
North Wollongong on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for North Wollongong, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
North Wollongong people
- Population
- 2,299
- Median age
- 30
- Born overseas
- 29.5%
- Average household size
- 2.0
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
North Wollongong income
- Median household income
- $1,549/wk
- Median personal income
- $709/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
North Wollongong housing
- Median rent
- $395/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,950/mo
- Separate houses
- 14.7%
- Flats & apartments
- 66.1%
- Owned outright
- 17%
- Mortgaged
- 11.5%
- Rented
- 57.8%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 12.3%
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
North Wollongong work
- Employment to population
- 59%
- Unemployment rate
- 8.7%
- Year 12 or above
- 73%
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 2500)
Compare North Wollongong with nearby suburbs
North Wollongong in numbers
North Wollongong had 2,299 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 30, 27% below the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2 people. 29.5% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 17% own their home outright, 11.5% are paying a mortgage, 57.8% rent. Flats and apartments make up 66.1% of dwellings, with 14.7% separate houses. Median rent was $395/wk, close to the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,549/wk, 14% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 8.7%. 73% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 5 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population fell 11.8% (from 2,608 to 2,299). Median rent moved from $350/wk to $395/wk (+12.9%).
North Wollongong suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in North Wollongong, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in North Wollongong was $395/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in North Wollongong, NSW?
- North Wollongong had 2,299 residents at the 2021 Census, down 11.8% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in North Wollongong?
- Median household income in North Wollongong was $1,549/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in North Wollongong?
- 57.8% of occupied homes in North Wollongong were rented, 17% were owned outright and 11.5% were owned with a mortgage.
About this North Wollongong suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching North Wollongong. 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