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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
Tarrawanna has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
The estimated population of Tarrawanna as of May 2026 is around 2,240 people. This figure reflects an increase of 56 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,184 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,236 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 14 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 892 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Tarrawanna's growth rate of 2.6% since the census positions it within 2.1 percentage points of the SA3 area (4.7%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. The primary driver for population growth was overseas migration, contributing approximately 72.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch is adopting 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 utilises 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 years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate an increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation, with the suburb expected to grow by 184 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 8.0% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Tarrawanna, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Tarrawanna recorded approximately 7 residential properties granted approval annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 39 homes. So far in FY26, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.8 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating supply meeting or surpassing demand. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $523,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment.
This financial year, $5.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting Tarrawanna's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Tarrawanna records around 61% of building activity per person and ranks among the 33rd percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing properties. New development consists of 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The area has an estimated 492 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Future projections estimate Tarrawanna to add 180 residents by 2041.
Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Tarrawanna
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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
Tarrawanna has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects that may impact the area. Notable ones are Corrimal Transport Oriented Development Area, The Works Corrimal, IRT Towradgi Park Seniors Housing Redevelopment, and Sylvan Ridge. Below is a list of those likely to be most relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
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.
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.
Rail Service Improvement Program (Mortdale-Kiama)
The Rail Service Improvement Program (formerly More Trains, More Services) is a multi-billion-dollar NSW Government initiative to modernize the rail network for the Mariyung fleet. The Mortdale to Kiama package involves infrastructure upgrades including the Mortdale Maintenance Centre (active maintenance and shunting works in February 2026), platform extensions at Kiama (completed), and ongoing signaling, power supply, and station improvements at Thirroul and Shellharbour Junction to enable increased service frequency on the T4 Illawarra and South Coast lines.
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.
More Trains More Services Stage Two - Mortdale to Kiama Capital Works
A comprehensive rail infrastructure package delivered to enable the rollout of the Mariyung intercity fleet. Works included major upgrades to the Mortdale Maintenance Centre (including a new bogie exchange system), platform extensions at Kiama and other stations, and the construction of new stabling yards at Waterfall and Kiama. As of April 2026, the project has reached operational completion with the Mariyung fleet officially entering service on the South Coast Line.
IRT Towradgi Park Seniors Housing Redevelopment
Following the refusal of the $101.9 million seniors housing proposal (DA-2025/26) by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel in April 2026, IRT Group is currently exploring alternative development pathways for the Towradgi Beach site. The initial plan for 87 independent living units, a resident clubhouse, and a cafe was rejected due to site constraints, including flooding and infrastructure issues. The project is now in a redesign phase to identify a housing model that better aligns with the environmental and planning constraints of the location.
Balgownie Mountain Bike Trail Network
The Balgownie Mountain Bike Trail Network is the second major component of the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Project, a $13.4 million initiative delivered by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Wollongong City Council. Stage 1 of the wider network (Kembla Mountain Bike Trails, approximately 20 km) officially opened in September 2025. The Balgownie trails are still progressing through final environmental and heritage approvals, with construction expected to commence in 2026 and opening targeted for 2027. When the full network is complete, it will deliver approximately 70 km of sustainable, purpose-built trails catering for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly green and blue trails to technically challenging black runs. Supporting infrastructure includes parking, amenities, wayfinding, and bike cleaning stations.
Towradgi Station Upgrade
Accessibility upgrade delivered under the NSW Transport Access Program, providing new lifts and a footbridge connecting platforms, accessible pathways, improved platform canopies and waiting areas, upgraded toilets including an accessible family facility, accessible parking and kiss and ride on Weber Crescent, plus CCTV, lighting, wayfinding and landscaping in the station precinct.
Employment
Employment performance in Tarrawanna has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally
Tarrawanna has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7%. As of December 2025, 1,038 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.8% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.
Workforce participation is lower at 57.0%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, 33.3% of residents work from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. Education & training has a higher employment share than the regional level at 1.4 times.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.7% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the working population vs resident population count. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, while labour force increased by 0.3%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW where employment contracted by 1.2%, labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tarrawanna's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
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 indicates Tarrawanna's median income among taxpayers is $48,933, with an average of $62,876. This is below the national average and compares to Regional NSW's 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 Tarrawanna would be approximately $53,983 (median) and $69,365 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Tarrawanna rank modestly, between the 23rd and 32nd percentiles. The earnings profile indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 26.3% of residents (589 people), reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. Income distribution demonstrates clear polarization - 33.8% in lower brackets (<$800/week) alongside 22.4% in higher brackets (>$3,000/week). Housing affordability pressures are severe in Tarrawanna, with only 83.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 31st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Tarrawanna displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Tarrawanna's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 62.8% houses and 37.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tarrawanna was 40.6%, similar to Regional NSW. Mortgaged dwellings were at 28.2% and rented ones at 31.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Tarrawanna was $2,167, higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733. Median weekly rent was $340, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Tarrawanna's mortgage repayments are higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while rents are lower at $340 compared to the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Tarrawanna features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size
Family households account for 66.0% of all households, consisting of 29.5% couples with children, 25.6% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.0%, with lone person households at 31.1% and group households comprising 2.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the Regional NSW average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Tarrawanna fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
Tarrawanna's residents aged 15+, as of a certain year, had 25.6% with university degrees compared to the SA3 area's 33.6%. Bachelor degrees were most prevalent at 16.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials held by residents aged 15+ stood at 36.6%, with advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 26.5%. Educational participation was high, with 27.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.1% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 27.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.1% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 4.9% 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
The public transport analysis shows 11 active transport stops in Tarrawanna, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 17 different routes that together provide 367 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 213 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 91%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, a high 33.3% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 52 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 33 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Tarrawanna is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts
Tarrawanna faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment.
The prevalence of common health conditions is substantially higher than average, with older age cohorts experiencing an even greater degree of these issues. Specifically, arthritis and mental health problems affect 11.3% and 8.4% of residents respectively. Only 64.8% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 52%, covering around 1,160 people. Health outcomes among the working-age population are generally typical. However, Tarrawanna has a higher proportion of seniors, with 29.5% of residents aged 65 and over (660 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. While health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, they rank lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Tarrawanna was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Tarrawanna's population showed cultural diversity with 21.5% born overseas and 15.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 60.3%, compared to Regional NSW's 55.9%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (25.9%), English (25.3%), and Scottish (7.7%).
Notably, Serbian (1.0% vs 0.2%), Dutch (2.2% vs 1.0%), and Macedonian (2.0% vs 0.4%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Tarrawanna compared to regional averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Tarrawanna hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Tarrawanna's median age is 47 years, which is significantly higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 85+ are particularly prominent at 7.1%, while the 65-74 group is comparatively smaller at 10.3% than in Regional NSW. Between 2021 and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 9.6% to 11.6% of the population, and the 0 to 4 cohort has increased from 4.3% to 5.4%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 11.1%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 12.8% to 11.5%. By 2041, Tarrawanna is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 85+ group will grow by 50%, reaching 239 people from 159. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 52% of projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 65 to 74 cohorts.