Illawong
At $1,805,000, Illawong's median house price ranks among the highest in southern Sydney, yet the population is growing at 5.17% per year (858 persons annually), driven by net internal migration of 1,124 per year. This combination of premium pricing and rapid population growth is unusual and stems from the SA2 covering active development areas. Household income in the 96th percentile ($2,778/week) and 50.2% outright ownership reflect established wealth. The 74.6% share of 4-plus bedroom homes is the second-highest in this cohort.
Population
7,427
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,778/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
32
Median House
$1.8M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
Separate houses account for 92.4% of stock, with 74.6% having 4 or more bedrooms, confirming large-family housing dominance. The median rose 14.1% from $1,665,000 in 2024 to $1,900,000 in 2025. Despite these prices, mortgage-to-income at 24.7% stays below the stress threshold because household income ($2,778/week) is in the 96th percentile nationally. Mortgage repayments of $2,976 per month are manageable at this income level. Compared to neighbouring Menai or Alfords Point, Illawong offers similar lot sizes at comparable prices within the Sutherland Shire.
For Buyers
Separate houses account for 92.4% of stock, with 74.6% having 4 or more bedrooms, confirming large-family housing dominance. The median rose 14.1% from $1,665,000 in 2024 to $1,900,000 in 2025. Despite these prices, mortgage-to-income at 24.7% stays below the stress threshold because household income ($2,778/week) is in the 96th percentile nationally. Mortgage repayments of $2,976 per month are manageable at this income level. Compared to neighbouring Menai or Alfords Point, Illawong offers similar lot sizes at comparable prices within the Sutherland Shire.
For Investors
Only 8.1% of residents rent, one of the lowest rates in the dataset, and vacancy at 3.5% is very tight. Weekly rent of $650 delivers low gross yield against $1,805,000 prices. With 32 DAs in 12 months focused on dwelling alterations and additions, the development pipeline is renovation-oriented rather than new supply. Net internal migration of 1,124 per year at the SA2 level suggests broader area expansion, but Illawong itself is built-out. This is definitively an owner-occupier market, not an investor play.
Development Activity
Total DAs
240
Last 12 Months
32
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-11.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Illawong iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Illawong Public School
K-6 · 191 students
Demographics
The median age of 44 sits 4 years above the national figure. English ancestry leads (2,203), with Greek (569) forming a notable concentration alongside Irish (685) and Scottish (605). Arabic (193 speakers) and Greek (162) are the top non-English languages, followed by Mandarin (67), Cantonese (64), and Macedonian (60). University attainment at 41.2% sits 11.1 points above the national average. Average household size of 3.1 (0.6 above national) and 38.5% couples-with-children rate confirm family orientation. The 86.7% residential stability rate is one of the highest in this cohort.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.4%
Houses
5.0%
Townhouse
2.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Prices rose from $1,665,000 in 2024 to $1,900,000 in 2025, a 14.1% annual gain. The 50.2% outright ownership rate is exceptionally high, reflecting long-term residents who purchased at much lower historical prices. Mortgage holders at 41.8% and renters at just 8.1% complete the picture. Rent-to-income at 23.4% and mortgage-to-income at 24.7% are both comfortable. The 92.4% separate-house share with minimal apartments (2.6%) means the housing market is almost entirely large detached homes, limiting options for downsizers or first-home buyers.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,976
Rent / wk
$650
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$985
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.5%
Unoccupied
84
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.6%
Couples, no children
6,810
Total families
Economy & Employment
Education leads at 14.1%, followed by healthcare (13.1%), construction (12.2%), professional/technical (11.1%), and public administration (7.2%). The 12.2% construction rate runs well above the national average, partly reflecting the broader area's residential expansion. Professionals (1,017) and managers (656) account for 50% of the workforce. Unemployment at 3.5% is below the national rate, and participation at 56.1% reflects the older population. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 9 and economic resources decile of 10 confirm a wealthy, professionally employed suburb.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
5,991
Unemployed
128
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.3%
Part-time
33.2%
Participation
56.1%
Employed
3,323
Occupations
Top Industries
University
41.2%
Postgraduate
9.5%
Born Overseas
24.2%
Dwellings
2,351
Transport to Work
Illawong Public School (Government primary, ICSEA 1069, 191 students) sits above the national benchmark. Car dependence is extreme at 90.9%, with only 2.4% using public transport and 1.8% walking or cycling. The 13.3% volunteering rate exceeds the national average. Need for assistance at 4.4% is near the national rate. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 9 and economic resources decile of 10 confirm a financially secure, established community. Arabic (193) and Greek (162) speaking communities add cultural depth to the otherwise Anglo-dominant demographic.
Drive
90.9%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+5.17%/yr
(+858 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation grows at 5.17% per year, adding 858 persons annually at the SA2 level. The area grew from 14,098 in 2023 to 16,586 in 2025 (169.8% over 10 years), driven by net internal migration of 1,124 per year. Medium projections forecast 19,993 by 2031. This growth rate reflects broader area development rather than Illawong-specific infill, as the suburb itself is largely built-out with 86.7% residential stability. Affordability improved from 51.9% to 45.5% mortgage-to-income over the decade, as incomes grew faster than borrowing costs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+154
Net Internal / yr
+1,124
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Illawong compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illawong a good suburb to live in?
Illawong suits families seeking large homes in the Sutherland Shire. With 74.6% of homes having 4+ bedrooms, household income in the 96th percentile, and the SEIFA IRSAD decile of 9, it ranks among southern Sydney's most advantaged suburbs. The trade-off is car dependence (90.9% drive) and a $1,805,000 median entry price.
What is the median house price in Illawong?
The median house price is $1,805,000 (PSI derived 2024-2025). Year-on-year growth was 14.1%, from $1,665,000 in 2024 to $1,900,000 in 2025. Houses dominate at 92.4% of stock, with 74.6% having 4 or more bedrooms.
What schools are in Illawong?
Illawong Public School is the suburb's sole school, a government primary with an ICSEA score of 1069 and 191 enrolments. The ICSEA sits 69 points above the national benchmark of 1,000. Secondary students typically attend schools in neighbouring Menai or Engadine.
Is Illawong safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available for Illawong in the current dataset. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 9, economic resources decile of 10, and 3.5% unemployment are indicators strongly associated with below-average crime rates. The 86.7% residential stability also correlates with lower property crime.
Is Illawong good for property investment?
This is not an investor suburb. Only 8.1% of residents rent, and $650 weekly rent against $1,805,000 prices produces very low gross yield. The 3.5% vacancy is tight, but the 50.2% outright ownership rate confirms this is a wealth-preservation market. Capital growth of 14.1% year-on-year is strong but requires significant capital deployment.
How is Illawong's population changing?
The broader SA2 area grows at 5.17% per year, adding 858 people annually, driven by net internal migration of 1,124. The SA2 grew 169.8% over 10 years, from expansion in surrounding areas. Illawong itself is built-out with 86.7% residential stability. Medium projections forecast 19,993 at the SA2 level by 2031.
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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