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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
Fairy Meadow has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
The estimated population of the suburb of Fairy Meadow is around 7,802 as of May 2026. This figure reflects a growth of 290 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,512. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 7,790 in June 2025 and an additional 38 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,281 persons per square kilometer, above the national average assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 3.9% since the census is within 0.8 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.7%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of Fairy Meadow's population gains during recent periods.
For future projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia's 2024 projections for each SA2 area with a 2022 base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a 2021 base year are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Fairy Meadow is projected to have an above median population growth of national non-metropolitan areas, with an expected expansion of 1,515 persons, reflecting a total increase of 19.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Fairy Meadow, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally
Fairy Meadow has seen around 15 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending FY26, totalling approximately 75 homes. As of FY26, seven approvals have been recorded. The average construction cost value for new dwellings is $555,000, indicating a focus on premium properties. In FY26, Fairy Meadow has seen $12.9 million in commercial development approvals.
Compared to the rest of NSW, Fairy Meadow's building activity is 66.0% below the regional average per person. The dwelling types approved include 47.0% detached dwellings and 53.0% townhouses or apartments. As of FY26, there are around 557 people per dwelling approval in Fairy Meadow. Future projections estimate an increase of 1,503 residents by 2041.
Future projections show Fairy Meadow adding 1,503 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Fairy Meadow
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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
Fairy Meadow has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified a total of eleven projects expected to affect the area. Notable projects include Mount Ousley Interchange, Elements at IRT Towradgi Beach, 68-74 Princes Highway Mixed-Use Development, and Fairy Meadow Ambulance Station. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Irvine Street Gwynneville Precinct Planning Proposal
A major urban renewal project led by Homes NSW to rezone approximately 134 lots in the Gwynneville precinct. The proposal aims to replace aging 1950s social housing with up to 1,250 modern dwellings, featuring building heights of 3 to 6 storeys. A key feature is the commitment to 50% social and affordable housing (625 dwellings), with the remainder as private market housing including options for students and seniors. The plan includes rezoning from R2 Low Density to R4 High Density and increasing public open space.
Wollongong to Coniston Rail Infrastructure Upgrade
Part of the Rail Service Improvement Program, this project involves upgrading the rail corridor between Wollongong and Coniston. Works include replacing electrical cables and overhead wiring at the Coniston substation, installing new signalling equipment, and completing civil and structural activities to support the new Mariyung fleet. These upgrades facilitate more frequent services on the South Coast Line, targeting 15-minute peak and 30-minute off-peak intervals between Wollongong and Sydney CBD.
Elements at IRT Towradgi Beach
A major redevelopment of the IRT Towradgi Retirement Village site. While a 2025 proposal for an 87-unit seniors living community (Elements at IRT Towradgi Beach) was not approved by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel in April 2026 due to site constraints including flooding, IRT Group is currently exploring alternative development pathways to deliver diverse and accessible housing on the land.
Fairy Meadow Ambulance Station
New purpose-built ambulance station with internal parking for up to five emergency vehicles, a wash bay, administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, logistics and storage. Delivered under the NSW RAIR program to enhance emergency health care for the Wollongong community.
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.
Mount Ousley Interchange
Joint Australian and NSW Government project to replace the existing at-grade M1 Princes Motorway and Mount Ousley Road intersection with a safer grade-separated interchange at the gateway to Wollongong. Works include a heavy vehicle bypass lane, separate southbound off-ramps for light and heavy vehicles, two heavy vehicle safety ramps, bridge structures, signalised intersections, a commuter car park, active transport links, University of Wollongong access improvements and noise walls. Major construction is underway by Fulton Hogan. In April 2026 the first heavy vehicle safety ramp opened to traffic and bridge girder installation was progressing, with completion on track for 2028.
Level 33 Gipps Street Development
Large-scale mixed-use residential development by Level 33 on the former Bunnings Warehouse site at the corner of Gipps and Flinders Streets in Wollongong. The expanded proposal comprises 1,500 apartments across six towers - three rising approximately 140m (40 storeys) and three at approximately 100m (27 storeys) - with 220 affordable apartments included to access height and floor space bonuses under NSW planning law. Ground floors feature commercial, retail and childcare uses. The project requires a concurrent rezoning. The NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) recommended the project be declared State Significant Development in July 2025, and a scoping report and Environmental Impact Statement are being prepared. Estimated project cost is approximately $500 million. The site is within 800m of North Wollongong railway station.
University of Wollongong 2016-2036 Wollongong Campus Master Plan
Long-term campus master plan guiding physical development of UOW's Wollongong campus through 2036. The plan provides for upgraded Northfields Avenue frontage, improved pedestrian and cycle gateways, new and refurbished academic buildings, additional student accommodation, better public transport access, green space protection, sustainability measures and capacity for about 3000 extra students and about 80000 square metres of additional floor space.
Employment
Fairy Meadow shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia
Fairy Meadow has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.8% as of December 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of that date, 3,982 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 1.9% above Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.
Workforce participation was 62.8%, slightly higher than Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census responses indicated that 29.8% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area showed strong specialization in finance & insurance, with an employment share twice the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 0.3% compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%.
Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 0.7% and labour force by 0.6%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 1.2% and labour force by 0.8%, with a rise in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Fairy Meadow's employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Fairy Meadow's median income among taxpayers is $48,852 and average is $65,661. This is slightly lower than national averages. Regional NSW has a median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Fairy Meadow would be approximately $53,894 (median) and $72,437 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals incomes rank modestly in Fairy Meadow, between the 23rd and 29th percentiles. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 29.0% of residents (2,262 individuals), aligning with broader area trends where this cohort represents 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 24th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Fairy Meadow displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
In Fairy Meadow, as per the latest Census, 57.4% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 42.6% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Regional NSW where 82.6% of dwellings are houses and 17.4% are other types. Home ownership in Fairy Meadow stood at 35.4%, with mortgaged properties at 22.5% and rented ones at 42.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, significantly higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Fairy Meadow was $390 compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Fairy Meadow's mortgage repayments are higher at $2,167 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are also higher at $390 against the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Fairy Meadow features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size
Family households comprise 61.1% of all households, including 23.8% couples with children, 23.3% couples without children, and 12.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 38.9%, consisting of 30.9% lone person households and 7.9% group households. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the Regional NSW average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
The educational profile of Fairy Meadow exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics
The area's university qualification rate is 28.1%, exceeding the Rest of NSW average of 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 17.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.1% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (25.5%).
Educational participation is high at 31.9%, with 10.6% in tertiary education, 8.1% in primary education, and 6.3% pursuing secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Fairy Meadow has 68 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 43 individual routes, collectively providing 2,803 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 160 meters to the nearest stop. As primarily residential, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode at 86%, with 4% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average.
In 2021 Census data, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions, 29.8% of residents work from home. Service frequency averages 400 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 41 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Fairy Meadow is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts
Fairy Meadow faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment.
Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is approximately 53% of the total population (~4,128 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.3%) and mental health issues (9.2%). Conversely, 66.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents show a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. The area has 18.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,443 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Fairy Meadow was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Fairy Meadow's population showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets, with 27.3% born overseas and 23.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Fairy Meadow, accounting for 51.9%. Islam, however, was overrepresented at 5.1%, compared to Regional NSW's 0.8%.
The top three ancestral groups were English (23.7%), Australian (23.3%), and Other (10.6%). Notably, Serbian (1.0%) and Italian (7.2%) groups were overrepresented in Fairy Meadow compared to regional averages of 0.2% and 2.1%, respectively. Macedonian was also overrepresented at 1.0%, compared to the region's 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Fairy Meadow's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms
The median age in Fairy Meadow is 37 years, which is lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 and close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 25-34 are prominent (17.7%), while those aged 65-74 are comparatively smaller (8.5%) than in Regional NSW. Between 2021 and now, the median age has decreased by 1.2 years from 38 to 37, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. During this period, the proportion of individuals aged 25-34 grew from 14.8% to 17.7%, while those aged 15-24 increased from 15.7% to 17.8%. Conversely, the proportion of individuals aged 45-54 declined from 12.0% to 10.4%, and those aged 55-64 dropped from 11.4% to 10.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Fairy Meadow. Notably, the number of individuals aged 25-34 is expected to grow by 43% (591 people), reaching 1,972 from 1,380. In contrast, the number of individuals aged 55-64 is projected to decline by 78 people.