NSW 2518 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Corrimal

House prices in Corrimal jumped from $910,000 in 2024 to $1,060,000 in 2025, a 16.5% lift in a single year, despite population growth running at just 0.35% annually (58 people). That gap between flat supply and rising value defines the suburb. The median age of 41 sits 1.0 year above national, and the senior share grew 2.4 points while the young cohort fell 0.9 points over the decade, an aging trajectory. Tenure is unusually balanced: 35.0% own outright, 31.7% carry a mortgage and 33.3% rent. With 58.7% separate houses and only 19.8% born overseas (1.8 points below national), this Wollongong coastal suburb reads as an established, predominantly Anglo owner-occupier market where price growth comes from scarcity rather than expansion.

Corrimal urban fabric map

Population

6,972

Median Age

41.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,508/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

96

Median House

$990K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

5.04 km²· 1,383.1 people/km²· Family income $2,104/wk

The median house price reached $990,000, with the recent quarterly series climbing from $910,000 in 2024 to $1,060,000 in 2025. Houses dominate at 58.7% of stock, and three-bedroom dwellings make up 42.9% with four-plus at 22.5%, so buyers are largely shopping for family homes rather than units. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,167 push the mortgage-to-income ratio to 33.2%, above the stress threshold, because the median personal income of $762 per week is modest relative to the entry price. That tension explains the high 35.0% outright ownership: existing owners hold value while new entrants face a stretch. Lower density at 1,383 people per km2 and a 19.7% turnover rate point to a settled neighbourhood where homes change hands less often than churn-heavy inner-city markets.

For Buyers

The median house price reached $990,000, with the recent quarterly series climbing from $910,000 in 2024 to $1,060,000 in 2025. Houses dominate at 58.7% of stock, and three-bedroom dwellings make up 42.9% with four-plus at 22.5%, so buyers are largely shopping for family homes rather than units. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,167 push the mortgage-to-income ratio to 33.2%, above the stress threshold, because the median personal income of $762 per week is modest relative to the entry price. That tension explains the high 35.0% outright ownership: existing owners hold value while new entrants face a stretch. Lower density at 1,383 people per km2 and a 19.7% turnover rate point to a settled neighbourhood where homes change hands less often than churn-heavy inner-city markets.

For Investors

Renters make up 33.3% of households, a smaller tenant pool than apartment-heavy suburbs, reflecting the 58.7% separate-house stock. Weekly rent of $365 against a $990,000 median produces a gross yield near 1.9%, low because capital values have outrun rents, though rents themselves grew 50% over the period. The vacancy rate of 5.5% is on the looser side, signalling tenants have choice. Demand is underpinned by overseas migration averaging 94 people per year plus a net internal flow of 18, but with only 58 net new residents annually, population is not a strong growth lever. Development activity is brisk at 92 applications in 12 months, mostly dwelling alterations and a subdivision, suggesting incremental densification rather than large-scale unit supply, which supports house values over rental product.

Development Activity

Total DAs

408

Last 12 Months

96

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+52.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
52
Demolition
23
Swimming Pool / Spa
15
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
14
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
11
Subdivision
10
Commercial / Industrial
10
Garage / Carport / Shed
8

Schools in Corrimal iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

St Columbkille's Catholic Primary School

ICSEA 1073 Primary Catholic

K-6 · 339 students

Corrimal East Public School

ICSEA 1046 Primary Government

K-6 · 297 students

Corrimal Public School

ICSEA 1013 Primary Government

K-6 · 227 students

Corrimal High School

ICSEA 940 Secondary Government

7-12 · 569 students

Demographics

The median age of 41 runs 1.0 year above national, and the senior share rose 2.4 points over the decade while the young share fell 0.9 points, an aging profile. Overseas-born residents at 19.8% sit 1.8 points below national, and university qualifications at 30.6% are 0.5 points above, so the population is educated but not a knowledge-economy enclave. Ancestry is firmly Anglo-Celtic: English leads at 2,715, followed by Irish (804) and Scottish (749), with an Italian community of 560 and Italian the top non-English language (79 speakers) ahead of Macedonian (35). Average household size of 2.3 is 0.2 below national. Couples with children (2,144) outnumber couples without (1,464), consistent with the family-oriented three and four-bedroom housing stock.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.8%
15-24
10.9%
25-44
26.1%
45-64
25.1%
65+
21.3%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
5.6%
2 bed
28.9%
3 bed
42.9%
4+ bed
22.5%

Dwelling Structure

58.7%

Houses

19.6%

Townhouse

21.0%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 35.0% Mortgage 31.7% Rent 33.3%

Tenure is rare in its balance: 35.0% own outright, 31.7% hold a mortgage and 33.3% rent, a near-even split that few suburbs show. Separate houses account for 58.7% of stock, with semi-detached at 19.6% and apartments at 21.0%, and three-bedroom homes (42.9%) plus four-plus (22.5%) dominate. The quarterly price series moved from $910,000 in 2024 to $1,060,000 in 2025, a 16.5% rise, against a median of $990,000. Mortgage-to-income at 33.2% crosses the stress line while rent-to-income at 24.2% stays under it, so owners carry more strain than tenants here. The IER decile of 3 reads low despite respectable incomes because economic resources are spread across a sizeable non-owner and retiree base rather than concentrated in high-equity households.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,167

Rent / wk

$365

HH Size

2.3

Personal Income / wk

$762

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

5.5%

Unoccupied

167

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

24.2%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

33.2% stressed

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Italian
79
Macedon
35
Arabic
33
Greek
17
Mandarin
16
Serbian
16

Ancestry

English
2,715
Irish
804
Scottish
749
Other
645
Italian
560
German
269

Household Composition

27.2%

Couples, no children

5,392

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads employment at 20.9% (473 workers), followed by Education at 13.4% (303), Construction at 11.0% (248), Public Administration at 9.1% (205) and Professional/Tech at 7.1% (161), a service and care economy rather than a corporate one. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 735, with Community and Personal Service workers (455) and Clerical staff (429) close behind, reflecting the health and education weighting. Full-time employment sits at 62.8% and unemployment at 5.8%, slightly above average, while participation of 51.5% is held down by the older age profile and a large not-in-labour-force count of 2,252. The IEO decile of 5 places education and occupation at mid-tier nationally, and real incomes grew 28.6% over the decade, a solid gain for an established market.

Unemployment

7.6%

Labour Force

8,492

Unemployed

648

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
4
Disadvantage
3
Economic resources
3
Education & occupation
5

Full-time

62.8%

Part-time

31.4%

Participation

51.5%

Employed

2,816

Occupations

Professionals 735
Community/Personal 455
Clerical/Admin 429
Managers 332
Labourers 277
Sales 230
Machinery/Drivers 214

Top Industries

Healthcare 20.9%
Education 13.4%
Construction 11.0%
Public Admin 9.1%
Professional/Tech 7.1%

University

30.6%

Postgraduate

7.1%

Born Overseas

19.8%

Dwellings

2,856

Transport to Work

Corrimal is heavily car-dependent: 88.8% drive to work, well above metropolitan norms, while public transport carries only 3.0% and active travel 3.9%, reflecting its coastal Wollongong setting outside dense rail catchments. Density of 1,383 people per km2 is low, giving the suburb a suburban, low-rise feel that suits the 58.7% separate-house stock. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it below the national midpoint on combined advantage and disadvantage, and the IER decile of 3 signals modest aggregate economic resources, though 8.4% of residents (566 people) report needing assistance, slightly elevated by the older population. A volunteering rate of 13.5% and an 80.3% stayed-put rate point to a stable, community-rooted base where most residents remained at the same address.

Drive

88.8%

Public Transport

3.0%

Walk / Cycle

3.9%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.35%/yr

(+58 people/yr)

Established

Population growth is slow at 0.35% per year, adding about 58 residents annually, with a 10-year change of just 6.3%, well below high-growth corridors. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 94 net arrivals per year, plus a net internal flow of 18, so the suburb gains people without strong organic expansion. The gentrification score of 45 marks an active stage, supported by 28.6% real income growth and affordability improving from 47.2% in 2011 to 44.8% in 2021. The composition is shifting older: the senior share rose 2.4 points while the young share fell 0.9, an aging trajectory rather than a family-influx pattern. Development at 92 applications in 12 months shows steady renewal, but the slow-growth signal means value gains will come from scarcity rather than headcount.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+94

Net Internal / yr

+18

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Corrimal compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 8%
Household Income
Bottom 47%
Rent Level
Top 23%
Apartments
Top 17%
Renters
Top 24%
Uni Educated
Top 33%
Public Transport
Bottom 47%
Born Overseas
Top 30%
Density
Top 12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Corrimal a good suburb to live in?

Corrimal suits owner-occupiers and families: 58.7% of homes are separate houses, three-bedroom dwellings make up 42.9% of stock, and 35.0% of residents own outright. It is quiet and low-density at 1,383 people per km2, with an 80.3% stayed-put rate showing stability. The trade-off is heavy car reliance, with 88.8% driving and only 3.0% using public transport.

What is the median house price in Corrimal?

The median house price is $990,000, with the quarterly series rising from $910,000 in 2024 to $1,060,000 in 2025, a 16.5% increase. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, pushing the mortgage-to-income ratio to 33.2%, above the stress threshold. Weekly rent sits at $365, giving a gross yield near 1.9%.

What schools are in Corrimal?

School-level data is not available in the current dataset for Corrimal, so no specific campuses can be listed here. The suburb sits within the Wollongong area and its family profile is clear: couples with children number 2,144 and three or more bedroom homes make up 65.4% of stock, indicating demand for nearby schooling.

Is Corrimal safe?

Suburb-level crime statistics are not available in the current dataset for Corrimal, so a crime rate cannot be quoted. Indirect stability signals are positive: the residential turnover rate is low at 19.7%, 80.3% of residents stayed at the same address, and the volunteering rate of 13.5% points to an engaged, settled community.

Is Corrimal good for property investment?

Investment returns are modest. Weekly rent of $365 against a $990,000 median gives a gross yield near 1.9%, and the vacancy rate of 5.5% is loose, giving tenants choice. Renters are only 33.3% of households, a thin pool. Capital growth was strong recently, up 16.5% from $910,000 to $1,060,000, but slow 0.35% population growth limits long-run demand.

How is Corrimal's population changing?

Growth is slow at 0.35% per year, about 58 people, with a 10-year change of just 6.3%. Overseas migration drives most gains at 94 net arrivals annually, plus 18 net internal movers. The population is aging: the senior share rose 2.4 points while the young share fell 0.9 points over the decade, and the median age of 41 is 1.0 year above national.

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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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