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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
Avondale has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Avondale (NSW) is around 1,941, reflecting a 14.5% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 1,695 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 1,874 in June 2024, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS and an additional validated new address since the Census date. The population density is approximately 106 persons per square kilometer. Avondale's growth rate exceeded that of both Rest of NSW (5.9%) and its SA3 area during this period. Interstate migration contributed about 40% of overall population gains, with other factors such as overseas migration and natural growth also being positive influences. AreaSearch projections for the suburb, based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 using a 2022 base year, suggest an above median population growth trend.
By 2041, the population is projected to expand by 258 persons, reflecting a 9.8% increase over the 17-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is lower than average in Avondale according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets
Avondale has seen approximately 13 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 69 homes. Up to FY26, there have been 5 approvals recorded. The average population growth per year for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25 is 0.5 people. This suggests that supply has met or exceeded demand, providing more buyer choices while supporting potential population growth above projections.
New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $350,000. In FY26, there have been $8.1 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Avondale has recorded 26.0% higher construction activity per person over the past five years. This has maintained reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand, despite a recent easing in construction activity. Recent construction comprises 30.0% standalone homes and 70.0% medium to high-density housing.
This shift from the area's current housing composition of 72.0% houses reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles that require more diverse, affordable housing options. Avondale's population growth is projected to add approximately 191 residents by 2041, based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Avondale has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Nine projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to impact the area, significantly influencing its performance. These projects include Cleveland Road Upgrade - Stage 1 (Fowlers Road South), West Dapto Sports Hub and Community Centre, Forestview at St Luke's Village, and West Dapto Urban Release Area. The following list details those projects most relevant to the area.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Regional Multi-Sports, Aquatics & Leisure Facility
The Regional Multi-Sports, Aquatics & Leisure Facility is a priority advocacy project for Shellharbour City Council aimed at addressing the long-term sporting and recreational needs of the Illawarra region. The proposed development involves a phased approach to create an all-purpose indoor and outdoor hub, featuring a state-of-the-art aquatic center and multi-sport courts. The project is designed to serve as a headquarters for regional sports associations and host major events, ensuring equitable access for diverse community groups. Current efforts focus on securing state and federal funding while progressing a comprehensive business case and community consultation to ensure financial sustainability.
West Dapto Urban Release Area
The West Dapto Urban Release Area (WDURA) is the largest urban growth project in New South Wales outside the Sydney metropolitan region, spanning approximately 3,000 to 4,500 hectares. The long-term master plan facilitates the delivery of 19,500 new dwellings to house an estimated 59,000 residents over a 50-year horizon. As of early 2026, major infrastructure works are active, including the Cleveland Road Stage 1 upgrade (widening to four lanes) and the West Dapto Road upgrade, with the latter scheduled to reopen to traffic in July 2026. The precinct features eight future centers, including three major town centers at Bong Bong, Darkes, and Marshall Mount, alongside extensive community facilities, schools, and sustainable stormwater networks. The project is supported by the West Dapto Development Contributions Plan 2024, which seeks to secure over $1.57 billion in infrastructure funding.
Shellharbour Airport Master Plan Upgrades
Comprehensive long-term development planning for Shellharbour Airport. The Master Plan (adopted May 2024) evaluates current infrastructure and considers future needs, proposing three scenarios for expanding commercial airline operations (medium or large aircraft) and establishing a vibrant business hub. The next stage, active for up to 2 years, involves detailed safety and business cases for expanded operations, including modelling and analysis of impacts like aircraft noise and flight paths. Prior infrastructure work, including a new terminal and the initial stage of the Aviation Business Park, was part of a $20.35 million upgrade. Future upgrades could include runway lengthening, terminal enhancements, and additional parking, depending on the viability assessment.
Forestview at St Luke's Village
A new social and affordable housing development at St Luke's Village providing 51 homes primarily for women over 55, featuring tailored support coordinators, lifetime tenancy guarantees, and integration with the broader retirement living community to reduce social isolation and promote dignity for residents.
M1 Princes Motorway South-Facing Ramps at Dapto
Transport for NSW is planning new south-facing entry and exit ramps to better connect Dapto and nearby suburbs to the M1 Princes Motorway. Options under investigation include locations at Kanahooka Rd, Fowlers Rd or Emerson Rd. Community consultation in late 2023 to early 2024 showed strong support. Planning is ongoing with matched NSW and Australian Government funding for planning and further design.
Forest Reach
Forest Reach is a masterplanned residential community nestled at the foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment, 18 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. The development comprises approximately 530 residential lots, 108 townhomes, and a 236-home land lease community for over 50s, totaling around 874 dwellings across 115 hectares. The community features multiple precincts including Crest View, Cascade Crossing, and Eucalyptus, with two proposed local parks, 4.74 hectares of riparian corridors, and over 22 kilometres of walking and bike paths. Originally developed by Stockland, the project was acquired by AVID Property Group in May 2025, with first residents already moved in and ongoing staged development. The estate includes significant bulk earthworks involving 1.5 million cubic metres of material reworking.
Tallawarra Lands Master Planned Development
A 320-hectare master planned community on the western shore of Lake Illawarra with residential land, local centres, employment lands, tourism uses and public open space including 2.6 km of activated foreshore. Current DA (Northern Precinct) proposes subdivision of 431 residential lots, three super lots, new east-west road link, Gilba Road upgrades, drainage and revegetation works, to be delivered in three phases.
Cleveland Road Upgrade - Stage 1 (Fowlers Road South)
Stage 1 of the Cleveland Road Upgrade involves widening 440 metres of Fowlers Road (South) from two to four travel lanes, including kerb and gutter construction, stormwater drainage, street lighting, and new shared paths. This project forms part of the long-term West Dapto Access Strategy to support housing growth and improve connectivity in the West Dapto Urban Release Area. The upgrade is essential infrastructure to support the development of 3,000 new homes and connect emerging communities to major arterials like the M1 and Princes Highway.
Employment
AreaSearch assessment indicates Avondale faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets
Avondale has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 7.9% as of an unspecified past year. As of December 2025831 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.9% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.
Workforce participation is lower at 58.1%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census data, 24.0% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade, with notable concentration in construction at 1.4 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.5% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%.
The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates more employment opportunities than usual. Over a 12-month period ending unspecified, employment remained stable while labour force increased by 0.6%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 1.2% and labour force decline by 0.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Avondale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on 1st July 2023, the suburb of Avondale had a median income among taxpayers of $56,379 and an average income of $69,504. These figures are slightly above national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates project median income to be approximately $61,374 and average income to be around $75,662 as of September 2025. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Avondale rank modestly, between the 33rd and 37th percentiles. Income analysis shows that the majority of residents, 32.1% or 623 people, fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, a pattern also seen in the region where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Avondale, with only 83.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 37th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Avondale is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region
Dwelling structure in Avondale, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 71.5% houses and 28.5% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Regional NSW's dwelling structure of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. In Avondale, the level of home ownership was at 34.6%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 39.1% and rented dwellings making up 26.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,903, recorded as of 28 August 2016, which is above the Regional NSW average. The median weekly rent figure for Avondale was $300 during this period, compared to Regional NSW's figures of $1,733 and $330 respectively. Nationally, Avondale's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 as of 28 August 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Avondale has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size
Family households constitute 73.3% of all households, including 28.8% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 13.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for 26.7%, with lone person households at 25.5% and group households making up 2.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the Regional NSW average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Avondale shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators
The area has university qualification rates of 14.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.1%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 45.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 34.1%.
Educational participation is high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.4% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 2.8% 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
Avondale has 16 operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by six different routes, offering a total of 267 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 178 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outside Avondale, with cars being the primary mode of transport at 96%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 24% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
The service frequency averages 38 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Avondale is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Avondale faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups.
Approximately 54% of Avondale's total population (~1,056 people) has private health cover, slightly higher than Regional NSW's 51.9%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.9%) and mental health issues (9.5%), with 63.7% of residents reporting no medical ailments, similar to Regional NSW's 63.3%. Working-age residents have notably high chronic condition rates. Avondale has 18.2% of residents aged 65 and over (353 people), lower than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Avondale ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Avondale's population showed low cultural diversity, with 84.6% born in Australia, 91.9% being citizens, and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 56.1%, slightly higher than Regional NSW's 55.9%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.6%), Australian (27.2%), and Scottish (7.5%).
Notably, Spanish (1.2% vs regional 0.3%), Hungarian (0.6% vs 0.2%), and Macedonian (1.9% vs 0.4%) populations were higher than the regional averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Avondale's population is slightly older than the national pattern
The median age in Avondale is 39 years, which is significantly below Regional NSW's average of 43 but essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Avondale has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (16.3%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (6.1%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 35-44 grew from 11.1% to 13.4%, while the 25-34 cohort increased from 15.1% to 16.3%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 11.2% to 10.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Avondale's age structure. The 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 25%, reaching 394 people from the current 316. Conversely, the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.