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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
Thirroul has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
The population of Thirroul is estimated at 6,539 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 191 people since the Census conducted in 2021, which reported a population of 6,348. The current estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of ABS' ERP data release from June 2025. It also includes an additional 50 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,348 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Thirroul's growth rate of 3.0% since the census places it within 1.7 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.7%.
This growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections anticipate future population dynamics, expecting an increase just below the median of regional areas across the nation. By 2041, the suburb is expected to expand by 528 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 8.0% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Thirroul recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide
Thirroul has seen approximately 36 dwelling approvals per year, with 181 approved between FY21-FY25 and 18 in FY26. The average persons moving to the area per dwelling built over these years is 0.6. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $923,000.
Commercial approvals registered this year totalled $3.2 million. Thirroul's construction rates per person are similar to Rest of NSW, maintaining market balance. Recent construction comprises 55% detached houses and 45% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the current 76% houses. Thirroul has around 169 people per dwelling approval, indicating low density.
By 2041, Thirroul is projected to grow by 521 residents. Current development rates should comfortably meet demand, supporting buyers and potential growth beyond projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Thirroul
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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
Thirroul has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
The performance of a local area is significantly influenced by changes in infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified four projects that are expected to impact the area: McCauley Lodge Redevelopment, Thirroul Plaza Redevelopment, Electrify 2515 Community Pilot, and Bulli Bypass Feasibility Study. The following details those projects likely to be most relevant.
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
Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
Comprehensive NSW state planning reforms designed to increase housing density in well-located areas. The policy mandates mid-rise apartment buildings (3-6 storeys) and low-rise multi-dwelling housing (terraces, townhouses, and dual occupancies) within 800m of 171 high-frequency transport hubs and town centres. As of May 2026, the policy is fully operational following the phased rollout of dual occupancy provisions in July 2024 and mid-rise apartment provisions in early 2025. Recent updates include refined floor space ratios (FSR) and non-refusal standards to streamline local council assessments.
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
The Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone is a 1,022 square kilometre area of Commonwealth waters in the Pacific Ocean, located at least 20 km offshore between Wombarra and Kiama in New South Wales. It was officially declared by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy on 15 June 2024 as Australia's fourth offshore wind zone. The zone has a potential generation capacity of around 2.9 GW, theoretically enough to power approximately 1.8 million homes, and was projected to support an estimated 1,740 construction jobs and 870 ongoing jobs. Due to a sharp drop in water depths off the coast, only floating wind turbine technology is considered viable for the zone. Feasibility licence applications were open from 17 June to 15 August 2024. Initial proponents Oceanex Energy and Equinor opted not to apply, instead focusing on the Hunter Offshore Wind Zone where they were awarded a feasibility licence for the Novocastrian project. Spanish developer BlueFloat Energy became the sole feasibility licence applicant but formally withdrew its application in January 2026, citing global commercial pressures and the wind-down of its Australian operations by parent Quantum Capital. On 23 January 2026, the Federal Government confirmed no feasibility licences would be granted in the Illawarra zone. The zone remains declared and could reopen for feasibility applications if competitive interest returns. In the meantime, the area is open for Research and Demonstration (R&D) licence applications to trial offshore renewable technologies including floating wind, wave and tidal current systems.
Rail Service Improvement Program - T4 Illawarra & Eastern Suburbs Line
A multi-billion-dollar upgrade (formerly More Trains, More Services) modernising the T4 line for higher frequency. Key works include the Digital Systems Program replacing trackside signals with ETCS Level 2 technology, platform extensions at Waterfall and Kiama for the Mariyung fleet, and power upgrades. As of May 2026, Mariyung trains have commenced passenger service on the South Coast Line (April 2026), and Digital Systems testing continues between Bondi Junction and Erskineville.
Mariyung Fleet (New Intercity Fleet)
The Mariyung Fleet is a 610-carriage double-deck electric train fleet (D sets) replacing the ageing V-set and Oscar fleets across the NSW intercity network. Delivered by the RailConnect NSW consortium (UGL, Hyundai Rotem, Mitsubishi Electric Australia), the trains feature wider 2x2 seating with arm rests, tray tables and cup holders, charging ports, dedicated luggage, pram and bicycle spaces, accessible toilets, dedicated wheelchair spaces, CCTV, digital information screens and Automatic Selective Door Operation. The fleet operates in 4, 6, 8 or 10-car formations. Passenger services commenced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line on 3 December 2024, on the Blue Mountains Line on 13 October 2025, and on the South Coast Line on 14 April 2026. The South Coast Line rollout begins with seven 4 and 6-car sets, scaling to 16 trains by 2027 with 8-car sets later in 2026 and 10-car configurations in 2027. The project includes the Kangy Angy Maintenance Facility (operated by UGL on a 15-year contract) and extensive corridor upgrades including platform extensions, signalling modifications, balise installation and overhead wiring works.
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.
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.
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.
Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan
Transport for NSW is developing the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan to assess the South Coast Line, compare upgrade and new infrastructure options, and identify a long-term program to improve rail reliability, weather resilience, passenger services and freight access between Sydney, Wollongong and Port Kembla. Related current works include drainage, cuttings, embankments, ballast cleaning and the Coalcliff/Scarborough rail tunnel upgrade.
Employment
Employment conditions in Thirroul demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets
Thirroul has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.1% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7%. As of December 2025, 3,531 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, lower than Regional NSW's 3.9%.
Workforce participation was 67.4% compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, 48.1% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include education & training, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Thirroul specializes in education & training with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.5%.
Local employment opportunities appear limited as indicated by Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over a 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 0.7% while labour force rose by 0.8%, maintaining a stable unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Regional NSW saw employment decline of 1.2% and labour force decline of 0.8%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth varies significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Thirroul's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that Thirroul suburb's median assessed income is $58,370 and the average income stands at $88,570. This contrasts with Regional NSW's figures of a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates for Thirroul would be approximately $64,394 (median) and $97,710 (average) as of March 2026. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Thirroul rank highly nationally, between the 76th and 82nd percentiles. Income brackets show that 28.3% of locals (1,850 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 weekly income category, aligning with the regional average of 29.9%. Notably, 38.1% earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing expenses account for 14.8% of income and residents' disposable income ranks within the 82nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Thirroul is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Thirroul's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Thirroul stood at 41.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.0% and rented ones at 20.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,600, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Thirroul was $540, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Thirroul's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,600 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Thirroul has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 76.5% of all households, including 37.9% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.5%, with lone person households at 21.1% and group households making up 2.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational achievement in Thirroul places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community
Thirroul's residents aged 15 and above have a higher proportion of university qualifications (41.7%) compared to the Rest of NSW (21.3%) and the SA4 region (25.2%). Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 25.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 31.3% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (20.7%). Educational participation is high in Thirroul, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising primary (10.8%), secondary (7.7%), and tertiary (5.3%) levels.
Educational participation is notably high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.8% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 5.3% 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
Thirroul has 30 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 27 individual routes, facilitating 1,221 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 345 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commuting is outward-bound. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 88%, while 4% walk. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling.
According to the 2021 Census, 48.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 174 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 40 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Thirroul's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups
Thirroul's health outcomes, according to AreaSearch's assessment, show excellent results, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is notably high at approximately 62% of the total population (4,045 people), compared to Regional NSW's 51.9%. Nationally, it stands at 55.7%.
Among residents, arthritis and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 8.4 and 6.7%, respectively. Notably, 71.8% of Thirroul residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Regional NSW's 63.3%. The under-65 population in Thirroul demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 22.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,464 people), with seniors showing strong health outcomes that align broadly with national rankings for the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Thirroul ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Thirroul's population showed low cultural diversity, with 82.4% born in Australia and 92.4% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 93.2%. Christianity dominated religiously, at 46.3%.
Judaism was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to Regional NSW's 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were English (30.4%), Australian (25.3%), and Irish (10.8%). Notable ethnic group divergences included Welsh (1.1% vs regional 0.5%), Scottish (9.6% vs 8.0%), and Spanish (0.6% vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Thirroul hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average
Thirroul has a median age of 43, matching Regional NSW's figure and exceeding the national average of 38. The age distribution shows that those aged 45-54 are notably prominent at 13.5%, while the 25-34 group is smaller at 8.7% compared to Regional NSW. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 75-84 age group has increased from 5.3% to 7.4% of Thirroul's population, and the 15-24 cohort has risen from 10.5% to 11.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 14.5% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Thirroul's age structure. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 44%, reaching 695 people from the current 483. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will constitute 55% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 5-14 and 15-24 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.