Coniston
With 2,267 residents in only 1.06 square kilometres, Coniston has a density of 2,135.9 people per square kilometre and a distinctly urban housing mix. The suburb's 31.9% overseas-born share is 10.3 percentage points above the national figure, while its 32.8% university-educated share is 2.7 points higher than national. Housing is split between 50.8% separate houses and 30.8% apartments, helping explain why the average household is 2.4 people, 0.1 below the national comparison. Compared with nearby Wollongong, Coniston is a smaller residential pocket with strong links to the wider employment and services hub; Figtree and West Wollongong provide useful alternatives for buyers comparing dwelling type and street feel.
Local council: Wollongong
Population
2,267
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,535/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
16
Coniston suits buyers who value a compact, established setting and a choice between detached and higher-density dwellings. Separate houses account for 50.8% of homes, while apartments make up 30.8% and semi-detached stock 17.9%, so buyers can compare maintenance, privacy and space trade-offs rather than compete for one dominant format. Mortgage payments are listed at $1,820 a month, with mortgage costs equal to 27.4% of household income and not flagged as mortgage stress. Three-bedroom homes are the largest bedroom group at 40.3%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 29.9%, supporting both family and downsizer demand. Compared with nearby Wollongong, Coniston may appeal to buyers seeking a smaller neighbourhood footprint, but dwelling condition and traffic exposure should be checked street by street.
For Buyers
Coniston suits buyers who value a compact, established setting and a choice between detached and higher-density dwellings. Separate houses account for 50.8% of homes, while apartments make up 30.8% and semi-detached stock 17.9%, so buyers can compare maintenance, privacy and space trade-offs rather than compete for one dominant format. Mortgage payments are listed at $1,820 a month, with mortgage costs equal to 27.4% of household income and not flagged as mortgage stress. Three-bedroom homes are the largest bedroom group at 40.3%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 29.9%, supporting both family and downsizer demand. Compared with nearby Wollongong, Coniston may appeal to buyers seeking a smaller neighbourhood footprint, but dwelling condition and traffic exposure should be checked street by street.
For Investors
Coniston presents a mixed rental case. Renting accounts for 42.2% of occupied dwellings, weekly rent is $350 and vacancy is 8.1%, giving renters more choice than they would find in a tightly constrained market. The 50.8% separate-house share is balanced by 30.8% apartments and 17.9% semi-detached homes, allowing an investor to target different renter budgets and household sizes. Development activity recorded 15 applications in 12 months, including residential accommodation, a warehouse or distribution centre and a neighbourhood shop, which may gradually broaden local amenity but does not guarantee completed supply. Compared with nearby Figtree and West Wollongong, Coniston's housing mix may provide more flexibility for investors, while the 31.4% work-from-home rate can support demand for practical two- and three-bedroom layouts.
Development Activity
Total DAs
66
Last 12 Months
16
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-23.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Coniston
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Coniston has a settled but internationally connected population. The median age is 39, one year below the national comparison, and 31.9% of residents were born overseas, 10.3 percentage points above the national figure. Macedonian ancestry is prominent at 267 people, alongside English at 603, Irish at 196 and Scottish at 181; Macedon is the leading listed non-English language with 106 speakers, followed by Serbian at 38. Household size averages 2.4 people, 0.1 below the national comparison, because couples without children account for 40.3% of families while couples with children represent 37.7%. Christianity counts 1,164 people and no religion 791, showing a broad mix. Compared with nearby Wollongong, Coniston's overseas-born share and Macedonian presence give it a distinctive cultural profile, while 75.9% of residents staying at the same address supports neighbourhood continuity.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
50.8%
Houses
17.9%
Townhouse
30.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Coniston's housing profile is compact and mixed, which matters for buyers comparing entry cost, upkeep and space. Separate houses represent 50.8% of dwellings, apartments 30.8% and semi-detached homes 17.9%; three-bedroom stock leads at 40.3%, while two-bedroom homes account for 29.9%. Tenure is relatively split: 31.5% own outright, 25.3% hold a mortgage and 42.2% rent. The rental share is higher than outright ownership, helping explain why housing turnover reaches 24.1% while 75.9% of residents stayed at the same address. Mortgage payments are listed at $1,820 monthly, equal to 27.4% of household income, while rent is $350 weekly and rent-to-income is 22.8%. Compared with a detached-house-dominated market, Coniston's apartment and semi-detached shares create more choice within a 1.06 square kilometre area.
Mortgage / mo
$1,820
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $350.
$650
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $750 · units $640
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$739
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.1%
Unoccupied
78
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.7%
Couples with children
40.3%
Couples, no children
19.7%
Single parent
575
Total families
Economy & Employment
Coniston's employment base is weighted toward essential and public-facing services. Healthcare is the largest listed industry at 20.7% with 143 workers, followed by Education at 15.2% and 105, Public Administration at 9.4% and 65, Construction at 8.1% and 56, and Professional or Technical work at 6.5% and 45. This mix can support steadier local demand because health, education and government roles are less dependent on one discretionary sector. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 258 people, followed by Community or Personal work at 144 and Trades at 143. Labour-force participation is 56.5%, unemployment is 5.8% and full-time work is 57.2%. Compared with national income positioning, the 48.4th percentile household-income result places purchasing power around the middle, which may constrain borrowing more than employment diversity.
Unemployment
5.8%
Labour Force
1,099
Unemployed
64
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.2%
Part-time
32.1%
Participation
56.5%
Employed
1,035
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.8%
Postgraduate
7.7%
Born Overseas
31.9%
Dwellings
887
Transport to Work
Coniston is practical for residents who can use a car, work from home or rely on nearby services. Car driving accounts for 57.0% of commuting, compared with 2.8% using public transport and 3.5% walking or cycling, while 31.4% work from home. That pattern suggests daily convenience depends more on road access and home-based work than on high-frequency transit. Families have access to 1 local government primary school, Coniston Public School. For secondary schooling, families should compare nearby options, travel times and enrolment zones by address. The compact 1.06 square kilometre footprint creates short geographic distances, but the higher car share than public transport use means those distances are not necessarily walkable or transit-oriented. Compared with lower-density Illawarra suburbs, Coniston's 30.8% apartment share gives it a more urban feel.
Drive
57.0%
Public Transport
2.8%
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
31.4%
Growth Outlook
Growth pressure in Coniston is most visible through current turnover and development activity: 24.1% of residents changed address while 75.9% stayed, and 15 development applications were lodged over 12 months. Residential accommodation appears among recent applications, alongside a warehouse or distribution centre and a neighbourhood shop, so change is likely to be incremental and mixed-use rather than driven solely by new housing. The suburb already holds 2,267 residents in 1.06 square kilometres, a density of 2,135.9 people per square kilometre; that compact base means even modest redevelopment can affect streetscape and parking. Compared with nearby Wollongong, Coniston has less scope for broad expansion, making infill, renovations and reuse of existing sites more relevant. The 31.4% work-from-home rate may also support demand for adaptable homes and local services.
Population trend: Wollongong council area
Coniston sits in the Wollongong council area. These are the council area's residents, not Coniston's.
Residents 2025
224,327
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.8%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.0%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Coniston compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coniston a good suburb to live in?
Coniston suits households wanting a compact Wollongong setting with mixed housing and a strong work-from-home base. About 31.4% work from home, while 57.0% drive to work, so it is more convenient for car users than for residents relying on public transport at 2.8%. A local government primary school and 30.8% apartment stock broaden the options, but buyers should compare streets, parking and enrolment zones.
What is the median house price in Coniston?
A current median house price should be checked against recent Coniston sales because dwelling mix can shift the result. Compared with a single suburb median, like-for-like sales are more useful when 40.3% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 22.5% have 4 or more. The $350 weekly rent and $1,820 monthly mortgage figures are holding-cost references, not sale prices.
What schools are in Coniston?
Coniston Public School is the suburb's local government primary school. Families should compare enrolment zones with the exact address because school boundaries can differ from suburb boundaries. For secondary education, check nearby options and travel times directly. The suburb's 2,267 residents and 1.06 square kilometre footprint make local access convenient, but proximity does not indicate school quality or guarantee a place.
Is Coniston safe?
Safety should be assessed at street level rather than assumed from the suburb name. Coniston has 42.2% renters and 31.5% outright owners, but tenure does not determine personal safety. Compare recent incident patterns, lighting, traffic and activity around the exact address, and inspect the 1.06 square kilometre area at different times. This is more useful than treating one broad label as a guarantee.
Is Coniston good for property investment?
Coniston can suit investors seeking a mixed tenant base, but returns should be tested carefully. Renting accounts for 42.2%, weekly rent is $350 and vacancy is 8.1%, while 15 development applications were recorded over 12 months. The 50.8% separate-house share and 30.8% apartment share allow different strategies. Compared with a purely owner-occupied suburb, this rental depth may support leasing demand, although vacancy and future completed supply need monitoring.
How is Coniston's population changing?
Coniston's current population is 2,267, with a density of 2,135.9 people per square kilometre. The population is relatively settled, as 75.9% stayed at the same address and turnover was 24.1%. Fifteen development applications in 12 months, including residential accommodation, point to incremental change rather than wholesale expansion. Compared with lower-density suburbs around Wollongong, future change is more likely to be visible through infill, renovations and reuse of existing sites.
What languages are spoken in Coniston?
Macedon is the most common listed non-English language at 106 speakers, followed by Serbian at 38, Mandarin at 19, Arabic at 18 and Greek at 17. English ancestry is also prominent at 603 people, while 31.9% of residents were born overseas, 10.3 percentage points above the national figure. Compared with a less internationally connected suburb, local services and communications may need to cater to more than one language background.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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