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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
The median house price in Illawong is $2.01m, with units at $1.24m. House values have moved 4.3% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Illawong has an estimated 7,485 residents, up from 7,427 at the 2021 Census. That puts 1,573 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on demographic evaluations by AreaSearch using ABS population releases for the wider region alongside newly verified addresses since the Census, the suburb of Illawong has an estimated population of 7,485 as of May 2026. This indicates a growth of 58 people (0.8%) from the 2021 Census, which registered 7,427 residents. This adjusted figure of 7,485 is calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP data combined with 9 newly validated addresses since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 1,572 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical density across national locations analyzed by AreaSearch.
The 0.8% increase in the suburb of Illawong since the Census is within 2.3 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (3.1%), indicating competitive growth dynamics. The primary contributor to local growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 68.0% of the overall population gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, NSW State Government projections released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are substituted. Projections by age bracket from these files are applied to all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Based on these combined SA2 projections, future population trends are expected to align with the lower quartile of national rates, with the region forecast to grow by 5 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 0.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
24 new dwellings have been approved in Illawong over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 0.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
According to building approval figures from the ABS compiled by AreaSearch for the statistical area, the suburb of Illawong averages approximately 4 residential approvals per year, totaling an estimated 24 homes over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 3 during FY-26 so far. Because the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) saw an average of only 0.1 new residents added per year for each new dwelling, housing supply is keeping pace with or outstripping demand, offering home buyers more choices while creating capacity for growth beyond projections.
Meanwhile, newly built properties carry an average construction value of $805,000, indicating that developers are focusing on the higher-end, premium housing sector. Compared to the broader Sydney metropolitan area, construction activity in the suburb of Illawong is significantly lower, tracking 80.0% below the regional average per capita. This low volume of new construction typically underpins demand and supports pricing for existing properties. The level of building is also low relative to national averages, reflecting a fully developed suburb and indicating potential regulatory or planning limits. Furthermore, all new construction has consisted of detached houses, maintaining a suburban character with spacious options for families. With approximately 1496 people per building approval, the suburb of Illawong presents as a mature and established community. Projections indicate that the suburb of Illawong will add 5 residents by 2041, according to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. At the current pace of construction, the supply of new housing is expected to easily accommodate demand, supporting favorable purchasing conditions and potentially allowing population growth to exceed current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Illawong
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Illawong, worth an estimated $25 million. A further 4 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.74 billion. 1 are already under construction and 1 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, retail and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major planning decisions, and new developments are critical drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 5 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Key developments include the Illawong Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Baxter Place, Blaxland Riverside Estate, and the Heathcote Road Upgrade from Infantry Parade to The Avenue, with the following list highlighting the projects most relevant to the suburb.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Illawong Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment
Redevelopment and expansion of Illawong Village Shopping Centre including refurbishment of the existing centre, additional retail floor space, new specialty tenancies, upgraded public domain, improved parking and associated site works. The project received planning approval and has progressed into the delivery phase.
544-546 Box Road Jannali Mixed-Use Development
Five-storey mixed-use development at the corner of Box Road and Roberts Street in the Jannali Town Centre, approximately 160m from Jannali Station. Following an earlier refused planning proposal for an 8-9 storey scheme and a deemed refusal of the development application by Sutherland Shire Council, the developer appealed to the Land and Environment Court. In April 2026, the court approved amended plans comprising ground-floor retail, a 59-space childcare centre, medical centre, six commercial premises and four residential apartments, with basement parking for 29 vehicles.The height limit exceedance was found to be justified by the commissioner.
Heathcote Road Upgrade - Infantry Parade to The Avenue
Major road upgrade duplicating a 2.2km section of Heathcote Road to a four-lane divided road to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. The project included the construction of five new bridges crossing Harris Creek, Williams Creek, and the T8 Airport railway line, alongside upgraded intersections with traffic lights at Macarthur Drive and The Avenue, and active transport shared pathways.
Georges River College Peakhurst Campus Upgrades
School infrastructure upgrades including new classrooms, library improvements, sports facilities and technology enhancements for Years 7-10 education.
M6 Stage 2
M6 Stage 2 is the proposed southern extension of the M6 motorway from the Stage 1 terminus at President Avenue, Kogarah, through to the Princes Highway at Loftus. The project is planned to consist of twin tunnels to bypass local surface roads. As of May 2026, the project remains shelved indefinitely by the NSW Government due to market constraints and labor shortages. While the road corridor remains reserved, there is no active construction timeline or dedicated funding.Focus remains on the delayed completion of M6 Stage 1, now expected in late 2028 following subsidence issues.
4,072 residents of Illawong are employed, from a labour force of 4,196. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 67.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,826, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Data aggregated by AreaSearch indicates that the suburb of Illawong features a highly educated workforce with a significant proportion of professionals, an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, and an estimated job growth of 0.5% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 4,072 employed residents. The local unemployment rate is 1.2% lower than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce participation closely matches the Greater Sydney benchmark of 69.1%. Census records show that a substantial 45.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.
The primary employment sectors for residents are building and construction, education & training, and health care & social assistance. The local workforce has a notable concentration in building and construction, with its employment share tracking at 1.4 times the regional average. In contrast, health care & social assistance is less represented locally at 11.9% compared to the regional average of 14.1%. The comparison between the Census working population and resident counts suggests that local job opportunities are limited within this mostly residential area. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data for the broader statistical area reveals that in the year ending March 2026, employment grew by 0.5% and the labor force expanded by 0.1%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Greater Sydney experienced employment and labor force growth rates of 1.9% each, with a minor reduction in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide further context for future demand in the suburb of Illawong. These five and ten-year forecasts have been mapped against the local employment profile. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual industries vary. Applying these sector projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment for residents could rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Illawong is $2,778 a week (about $144,000 a year), with median personal income at $985 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,798 a year against an average of $81,630. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to tax data from the ATO aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Illawong is positioned among the highest-earning areas nationally. Taxpayers in the suburb of Illawong recorded a median income of $61,798 and an average income of $81,630, compared to Greater Sydney figures of $60,817 and $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 stand at approximately $68,176 for the median and $90,054 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household incomes placed in the 94th percentile, with a weekly median of $2,778.
The highest earnings category of $4000+ per week was the most common, accounting for 28.5% of residents (2,133 people), whereas the metropolitan area was led by the $1,500 - 2,999 range at 30.9%. Financial strength is further evidenced by 46.0% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, which supports retail spending. Residents retain 87.8% of their income after paying for housing, pointing to substantial disposable income, and the area sits in the 9th decile of the SEIFA index for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Illawong had 2,346 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 3% apartments. 42% are owned with a mortgage, 8% rented and 50% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $650 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,976 a month, a total housing cost higher than 79% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 23.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Illawong consisted of 92.4% detached houses and 7.6% alternative housing types such as duplexes, townhouses, and apartments, compared to the Sydney metropolitan distribution of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb of Illawong reached 50.0%, which is significantly higher than the Sydney metropolitan average, with the remaining homes being purchased under a mortgage (41.7%) or rented (8.3%). The median mortgage payment in the area was $2,976 per month, well above the metropolitan Sydney average of $2,427, while median weekly rent was $650 compared to Sydney's average of $470.
On a national level, mortgage repayments in the suburb of Illawong are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Illawong counted 2,346 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.1 people each. 48% are couples with children, more than in 92% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 10% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 89.4%, which is split into couples with children at 47.5%, couples without children at 33.0%, and single parents at 8.1%. Non-family households represent the remaining 10.6% of the area, consisting of single-person households at 9.8% and group households at 0.8%. The median household size of 3.1 persons is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
31.9% of adults in Illawong hold a university qualification, including 22.7% with a bachelor degree and 6.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 22.5% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,613 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,064 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications in the suburb of Illawong are lower than regional averages, with 31.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 38.0% in Greater Sydney. This difference suggests opportunities for further tertiary training and education. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 22.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational and technical skills are well represented, with 34.8% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications in these areas, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.3%) and vocational certificates (22.5%). The proportion of residents engaged in study is high, with 27.6% of the population currently enrolled in education.
This group comprises 8.6% in primary school, 8.2% in high school, and 5.2% in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Illawong reaches 56 stops on 27 routes, timetabled for about 1,100 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 2.1 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport analysis identifies 56 bus stops operating within the suburb of Illawong. These stops are served by 27 separate bus routes, which together provide 1,148 passenger trips each week. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 180 meters from their nearest stop. Being primarily a residential suburb, most workers commute out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary transport method at 91%, followed by trains at 5%. Households own an average of 2.1 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. A high proportion of residents (45.3%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic conditions.
Across all bus routes, service frequency averages 164 trips per day, which translates to approximately 20 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.5% of residents in Illawong report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 93% of areas nationally. 4.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health data shows highly positive trends in the suburb of Illawong, according to AreaSearch analysis of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses, which revealed a low occurrence of common medical conditions across all age brackets. Additionally, private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 59% of residents (4,427 people) holding policies. The most common medical diagnoses among residents were arthritis (7.5%) and asthma (6.0%). Overall, 72.5% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. The working-age population is particularly healthy, showing low rates of chronic illness.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 25.1% of the population (1,878 people), which is higher than the Greater Sydney average of 15.5%. Older residents demonstrate strong health outcomes, with national rankings matching those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Illawong is largely Australian-born, at 75.8% of residents, with 24.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (22.1%) and Australian (20.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Illawong shows higher levels of cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 24.2% of residents born outside Australia and 24.5% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, representing 69.6% of the population, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. In terms of parent country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are English at 22.1%, Australian at 20.7%, and Other at 9.1%, with the latter being lower than the Sydney average of 16.0%. Specific ethnic backgrounds show notable local concentrations: residents of Lebanese ancestry make up 5.6% of the population (compared to 2.6% across Sydney), Greek ancestry accounts for 5.7% (compared to 1.9% regionally), and Croatian ancestry represents 1.6% (compared to 0.7% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Illawong is 44, older than 76% of areas nationally. 21.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 44 in the suburb of Illawong is higher than both the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 15.2% compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25 - 34 cohort has a lower share at 8.2%. The concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is also higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 5.1% to 7.5%, and the 65 to 74 bracket grew from 13.3% to 15.2%.
In contrast, the 55 to 64 group fell from 16.2% to 12.3%, and the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 9.8% to 8.2%. Demographic projections indicate the age profile will change significantly by 2041. The group aged 85 and over is projected to grow by 173% (310 people), rising from 179 to 490. This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 83% of the projected population growth, while the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 groups are forecast to experience declines.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Illawong
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 3 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 9 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (7,427 at the 2021 Census → 7,485 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL11982). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.