Fairy Meadow
A population of 7,512 occupies just 3.42 sq km, creating a density of 2,194.3 people per sq km. The median age is 38, which is 2.0 years below the national figure, while overseas-born residents account for 27.3%, or 5.7 percentage points above the national share. University participation is also higher than nationally at 35.2%, exceeding the comparison by 5.1 points. Housing is mixed, with 57.4% separate houses, 22.2% apartments and 41.8% renters. Growth is slow at 0.36% annually, so the suburb suits buyers seeking an established urban setting rather than rapid expansion. Compared with nearby Towradgi or North Wollongong, dwelling type, parking and school catchments deserve close attention.
Population
7,512
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,407/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
109
Fairy Meadow gives buyers a broader dwelling choice than a conventional detached-house market, with 57.4% separate houses, 19.5% semi-detached homes and 22.2% apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings are the largest bedroom group at 39.2%, followed by 2-bedroom homes at 34.1%, supporting both families and smaller households. The reported mortgage payment is $2,167 per month, while mortgage costs equal 35.6% of household income compared with 27.7% for rent, indicating greater pressure on buyers than renters. A household income percentile of 40.8 is below the national midpoint, so borrowing capacity matters more than simply comparing advertised prices. Buyers comparing Fairy Meadow with Towradgi should assess strata costs, parking and renovation needs as carefully as the address.
For Buyers
Fairy Meadow gives buyers a broader dwelling choice than a conventional detached-house market, with 57.4% separate houses, 19.5% semi-detached homes and 22.2% apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings are the largest bedroom group at 39.2%, followed by 2-bedroom homes at 34.1%, supporting both families and smaller households. The reported mortgage payment is $2,167 per month, while mortgage costs equal 35.6% of household income compared with 27.7% for rent, indicating greater pressure on buyers than renters. A household income percentile of 40.8 is below the national midpoint, so borrowing capacity matters more than simply comparing advertised prices. Buyers comparing Fairy Meadow with Towradgi should assess strata costs, parking and renovation needs as carefully as the address.
For Investors
The rental profile is substantial, with 41.8% of households renting and a vacancy rate of 5.3%. That combination can support tenant choice, but it also means investors should test achievable rents carefully rather than assume uninterrupted occupancy. Development activity is notable, with 107 records in the past 12 months, including multi-dwelling housing and a 2-dwelling dual occupancy example. New supply may improve the housing mix while increasing competition between older and newer properties. The annual growth trend is only 0.36%, so the investment case relies more on location, tenant demand and asset selection than rapid capital growth. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which may broaden demand compared with a market relying mainly on internal household turnover.
Development Activity
Total DAs
465
Last 12 Months
109
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+47.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Fairy Meadow
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Fairy Meadow has a median age of 38, about 2.0 years below the national figure, and an average household size of 2.4, which is 0.1 below the national comparison. The overseas-born share is 27.3%, 5.7 percentage points above nationally, while 35.2% have university qualifications, 5.1 points higher than the national level. English ancestry is recorded for 2,367 residents, followed by Italian at 722, Irish at 681 and Scottish at 663. Italian, Mandarin, Malayalam and Arabic are among the languages spoken. Christianity accounts for 3,594 residents and no religion for 2,649, reflecting varied household backgrounds. With 73.6% staying at the same address and turnover at 26.4%, the suburb is established but still more mobile than a purely long-term owner-occupier area. Comparisons with Towradgi or North Wollongong should account for these boundary and household differences.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
57.4%
Houses
19.5%
Townhouse
22.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Fairy Meadow has a more varied housing profile than a detached-only suburb: 57.4% of dwellings are separate houses, 19.5% are semi-detached and 22.2% are apartments. Two and three-bedroom homes together account for 73.3% of the bedroom mix, while 4-plus-bedroom dwellings represent 20.2%. Tenure is divided between 34.9% owned outright, 22.2% with a mortgage and 41.8% rented, creating a stronger rental presence than the outright-owner segment. The vacancy rate is 5.3%, which gives renters more choice than in a tightly constrained market, although property condition and dwelling type will still affect demand. Mortgage costs equal 35.6% of household income compared with rent at 27.7%, so ownership carries a higher reported income burden. Compared with nearby Towradgi, buyers should examine whether an apartment, semi-detached home or house best matches their budget and maintenance tolerance.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $390.
$700
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $750 · units $540
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$674
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.3%
Unoccupied
168
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
35.6% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.8%
Couples with children
38.4%
Couples, no children
20.7%
Single parent
1,870
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Fairy Meadow's largest listed industry at 19.0%, representing 448 workers, followed by education at 13.3% and 313 workers. Public administration accounts for 8.2% and 193 workers, while construction and professional or technical services each represent 7.8% and 185 workers. The occupation mix is led by 841 professionals, with 468 trades workers, 459 community or personal service workers, 421 clerical or administrative workers and 316 managers. This combination helps explain why university attainment is 35.2%, above the national comparison by 5.1 points, yet household income sits at the 40.8 percentile. Labour-force participation is 55.9%, unemployment is 5.7% and full-time employment is 51.2%, indicating a mixed employment base rather than a single high-income profile. SEIFA results are uneven: IEO is decile 7, while IER and IRSD are decile 5 and IRSAD is decile 6, so education advantages rank higher than economic resources.
Unemployment
5.7%
Labour Force
3,573
Unemployed
202
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
51.2%
Part-time
35.5%
Participation
55.9%
Employed
3,371
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
35.2%
Postgraduate
11.2%
Born Overseas
27.3%
Dwellings
2,994
Transport to Work
Fairy Meadow's compact 3.42 sq km footprint supports practical access to five nearby government schools, with primary and secondary options including Fairy Meadow Public School, Keira High School and Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address because school boundaries can cut across suburb edges. Daily travel is more car-oriented than public-transport-oriented: 58.3% travel as car drivers, compared with 3.0% using public transport and 3.7% walking or cycling. Working from home is relatively common at 31.1%, which may reduce some commuting pressure. A volunteering rate of 13.2% and an IRSAD decile of 6 point to moderate social and economic resources, while the need for assistance is 7.7%. Compared with a denser transit-focused precinct, Fairy Meadow is better suited to households comfortable with driving, local services and mixed housing.
Drive
58.3%
Public Transport
3.0%
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
31.1%
Population Forecast
+0.36%/yr
(+81 people/yr)
EstablishedFairy Meadow is an established, slow-growth suburb, with the forecast trend running at 0.36% annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while the wider area's 10-year population change is 7.6%, indicating steady expansion rather than a rapid population surge. The shift trajectory is Mixed: rents have grown by 49.0%, senior share has risen 1.7 points and the young share has fallen 0.6 points. Affordability improved from 55.0 in 2011 to 52.2 in 2021, while real incomes increased 27.6%. The gentrification measures point in different directions, with a shift score of 45 labelled Active but a separate gentrification score of 10 labelled Not gentrifying. Compared with higher-growth corridors, the 0.36% annual rate suggests change will be gradual, driven by migration and redevelopment rather than a wholesale demographic reset.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+297
Net Internal / yr
-156
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -156/yr, Strong overseas inflow +297/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Fairy Meadow compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairy Meadow a good suburb to live in?
Fairy Meadow can suit households wanting an established, compact suburb with 5 nearby government schools and a mixed housing supply. Its 3.42 sq km area is relatively dense, while 31.1% work from home. Compared with a lower-density family suburb, buyers should weigh traffic, parking and apartment living.
What is the median house price in Fairy Meadow?
A current median house price should be checked against recent comparable sales because Fairy Meadow contains 57.4% separate houses, 19.5% semi-detached homes and 22.2% apartments. The 35.6% mortgage-to-income figure is higher than the 27.7% rent-to-income figure, making borrowing capacity important when comparing properties.
What schools are in Fairy Meadow?
Five nearby government schools include Fairy Meadow Public School, Mount Ousley Public School, Towradgi Public School, Keira High School and Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts. The mix covers 3 primary options and 2 secondary schools, so families should compare enrolment zones with the exact address.
Is Fairy Meadow safe?
Safety should be assessed using current NSW Police incident information and an address-level visit at different times. Fairy Meadow covers 3.42 sq km, so conditions can vary between streets and housing types. Compare recent incidents over 12 months, inspect lighting and access, and speak with nearby residents before committing.
Is Fairy Meadow good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed rather than purely growth-led. Renting accounts for 41.8% of households, vacancy is 5.3% and 107 development records were lodged in 12 months. Annual growth is forecast at 0.36%, while overseas migration is the primary driver, so asset quality and tenant appeal matter more than rapid appreciation.
How is Fairy Meadow's population changing?
Fairy Meadow has 7,512 residents today and is forecast to grow slowly at 0.36% annually. The wider area's 10-year population change is 7.6%, with overseas migration the primary driver. The trajectory is Mixed, including a 0.6-point decline in the young share and a 1.7-point rise in the senior share.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
Explore Fairy Meadow on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map