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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
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Population
An assessment of population growth drivers in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends
As of May 2026, Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's population is approximately 20,979. This figure represents an increase of 218 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,761. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 20,974 as of June 2025 and an additional 111 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,329 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 79.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.
AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, population projections indicate an increase just below the median of regional areas nationally. By 2041, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, the area is expected to grow by 1,348 persons, reflecting a total gain of 6.4% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is lower than average in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets
Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale has received around 79 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending FY25. This totals 397 homes approved since FY21. As of FY26, 49 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.2 new residents arrive per new home built each year between FY21 and FY25, indicating supply meets or exceeds demand.
New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $431,000. In FY26, $6.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale shows approximately 66% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 46th percentile nationally for buyer options. Recent construction comprises 49.0% detached dwellings and 51.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from existing housing patterns (currently 70.0% houses). The area has approximately 374 people per dwelling approval.
Population forecasts indicate Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale will gain 1,343 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 17 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones are Woonona Place, The Plaza Woonona Specialist Retail and Recreational Centre, Bulli Hospital Site Redevelopment, and Bulli Bypass Feasibility Study. Below is a list of most relevant projects.
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Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bellambi Estate Renewal Project
A long-term urban renewal led by Homes NSW to transform the Bellambi social housing estate into a modern community. The project proposes delivering up to 2,500 new social, affordable, and market homes, with at least 30 percent dedicated to social housing. Key features include building heights ranging from 3 to 6 storeys, a new local center with retail and services, a public plaza, improved streetscapes, and upgraded community open spaces. The project aims for a 30 percent tree canopy cover and is currently in the assessment phase following public exhibition of the rezoning proposal in early 2026.
Woonona Place
IRT Group's Woonona Place is an approved seniors housing redevelopment of the existing IRT Woonona site. The project will deliver five buildings with 98 independent living units, new basement parking, additions and refurbishment to the Flametree Residential Care Services, a social and wellness centre with hydrotherapy and allied health spaces, a clubhouse, landscaped open spaces and adaptive reuse of the heritage church as a restaurant and community hub.
The Plaza Woonona Specialist Retail and Recreational Centre
A mixed-use specialist retail and recreational development featuring six individual retail spaces, a gymnasium, a health spa with a 25m swimming pool, and a 0-6 year old childcare centre. The facility includes secure basement parking with allocated spaces for each tenancy and visitor parking, ideally located along the Princes Highway with street access.
Russell Vale Underground Expansion Project (Energy Storage Transition)
Following the February 2024 closure of the coal mine expansion due to regulatory and safety concerns, the site is being repurposed for renewable technology. In September 2025, Wollongong Resources and Green Gravity signed a binding agreement to deploy a world-first gravitational energy storage trial in the #4 mine shaft. The project uses excess solar and wind power to lift 60-80 tonne weights, releasing the stored energy back to the grid during peak demand. The site is currently undergoing engineering studies and regulatory approvals for production trials scheduled for 2026.
Electrify 2515 Community Pilot
The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot is an $11.8 million Australian-first initiative providing subsidies and expert support to 500 households across the 2515 and 2516 postcodes in northern Illawarra, NSW, to replace gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives, install smart energy management devices, and access home battery subsidies. Delivered by Rewiring Australia, Brighte, and Endeavour Energy with $5.4 million in ARENA funding, the project collects real-world data on consumer behaviour, grid impacts, and barriers to electrification to inform nationwide household energy transition policy. Stage one (60 homes) was completed by mid-2025. The main rollout of 440 homes is underway (September 2025 to August 2026). In March 2026, the pilot expanded southward into Bulli (2516 postcode), with more than 100 households now participating across Austinmer, Clifton, Coledale, Scarborough, Thirroul, Wombarra, and Bulli. Research and analysis continues until September 2027.
Sandon Point Seniors Housing Development
Proposed seniors housing development at Sandon Point, Bulli by Anglicare Sydney. The concept includes a residential aged care facility, independent living units, communal facilities, services, access and car parking to support a retirement village community. The NSW Planning Portal lists SSD-68529462 with current status as SEARs Expired, indicating the most recent SSD process is not currently progressing through active assessment.
Corrimal Transport Oriented Development Area
The Corrimal Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program enables high-density residential growth within 400m of the station. The flagship project, 'The Works Corrimal' (formerly Corrimal Coke Works), is a masterplanned precinct delivering roughly 850 dwellings and 9ha of parkland. As of 2026, construction is progressing on Stage 1 (179 apartments), while Stage 2A is undergoing assessment for built form variations. The development integrates heritage preservation of historic chimneys and coke ovens with modern apartments and a retail plaza.
Thirroul Plaza Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Thirroul Plaza into a mixed-use precinct combining residential apartments, an expanded Coles supermarket, additional retail and community spaces. A previous 82-apartment, six-tower proposal was rejected by the NSW Land and Environment Court in 2022. Developer Thirroul Plaza Developments Pty Ltd has engaged development manager SolidVoid to lead a community-inclusive master planning process. An 829-person Big Ideas Community Survey was completed in 2024 and workshops are underway. In early 2025 the developer lodged an Expression of Interest with the NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) for State Significant Development status; this was deferred pending further information. A revised proposal with fewer apartments than the rejected scheme is expected to be submitted via either the HDA or an alternative planning pathway.
Employment
The labour market in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia
Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.8% as of December 2021. Over the past year, employment stability has been relatively high.
As of December 2025, 10,728 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%, 0.2% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is 65.0%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census responses indicate that 38.8% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.
Notably, the area has a high concentration in education & training, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.3% of Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale's workforce compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 0.5% while labour force also rose by 0.5%, keeping unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 1.2% and labour force decrease by 0.8%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that over five years, national employment is expected to expand by 6.6%, and over ten years, it is forecast to grow by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale's employment mix indicates potential local employment growth of 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released on 30 June 2023, Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $61,691 and an average income of $81,588. Nationally, these figures are high compared to the median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215 in Regional NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for median income would be approximately $68,058 and average income would be around $90,008 by March 2026. Census data from 2021 shows household, family, and personal incomes in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale cluster around the 60th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates that 27.8% of the population (5,832 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the broader area where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Economic strength is evident with 31.3% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 64th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region
The dwelling structure in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale, as per the latest Census, consisted of 69.8% houses and 30.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale was at 37.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.1% and rented ones at 23.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,349, while the median weekly rent was $390. In comparison, Regional NSW had averages of $1,733 for mortgage repayments and $330 for rents. Nationally, Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,349 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $390 compared to the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households comprise 73.2% of all households, including 36.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.8%, with lone person households at 24.9% and group households making up 1.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators
The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 30.3% among residents aged 15+, surpassing both the Rest of NSW average (21.3%) and the SA4 region average (25.2%). Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (24.8%).
Educational participation is high, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.9% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Public transport analysis indicates that there are 102 active transport stops operating within Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. There are 39 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 1,728 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 227 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The dominant mode of transport remains the car at 92%.
Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions, a high 38.8% of residents work from home. Service frequency averages 246 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age groups.
Approximately 60% of the total population (12,566 people) has private health cover, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 9.4% and 8.2% of residents respectively. 67.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among the working-age population are generally typical. The area has 19.3% of residents aged 65 and over (4,048 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, with national rankings broadly aligned with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale had a low cultural diversity, with 85.4% of its population born in Australia, 92.9% being citizens, and 93.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 51.8%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (29.5%), Australian (29.2%), and Irish (8.9%).
Notably, Welsh (0.9%) and Dutch (1.7%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5% and 1.0%, respectively. Scottish ancestry was also relatively high at 8.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's population is slightly older than the national pattern
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's median age is 41 years, which is lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 but higher than Australia's national average of 38. The age group of 45-54 years makes up 13.7% of the population in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale compared to Regional NSW, while the 65-74 cohort is less prevalent at 10.3%. According to data from the 2021 Census and subsequent updates, the age group of 15 to 24 years has increased from 11.3% to 13.6%, whereas the age group of 5 to 14 years has decreased from 14.4% to 12.8%. By the year 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's age profile. The age group of 25 to 34 years is expected to grow by 20%, adding 387 residents to reach a total of 2,372. Conversely, population declines are projected for the age groups of 55 to 64 years and 5 to 14 years.