Oak Flats
With 6,840 residents across 3.77 square kilometres, Oak Flats is a compact Illawarra suburb where 82.2% of dwellings are separate houses and the median age is 42, or 2 years above the national figure. Its settled profile is reinforced by 52.8% three-bedroom homes and 78.8% of residents staying at the same address, because established owner households are less transient. Compared with nearby Shell Cove, Oak Flats has a more mature housing character. The trade-off is affordability: mortgage costs equal 30.3% of household income, above the 29.6% rent share, while the suburb follows an aging trajectory.
Local council: Shellharbour
Population
6,840
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,488/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
74
Oak Flats suits buyers prioritising detached space: 82.2% of homes are separate houses, 15.3% semi-detached and 2.0% apartments. The stock is family-weighted because 52.8% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms and 32.5% have 4 or more. A $1,950 monthly mortgage figure equals 30.3% of household income, a higher burden than the 29.6% rent share. Ownership is established, with 42.0% owned outright and 32.4% mortgaged. Compared with nearby Mount Warrigal, buyers should assess lot size, renovation condition and service access rather than assume all detached homes offer similar value.
For Buyers
Oak Flats suits buyers prioritising detached space: 82.2% of homes are separate houses, 15.3% semi-detached and 2.0% apartments. The stock is family-weighted because 52.8% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms and 32.5% have 4 or more. A $1,950 monthly mortgage figure equals 30.3% of household income, a higher burden than the 29.6% rent share. Ownership is established, with 42.0% owned outright and 32.4% mortgaged. Compared with nearby Mount Warrigal, buyers should assess lot size, renovation condition and service access rather than assume all detached homes offer similar value.
For Investors
Oak Flats is a measured rental proposition: 24.4% of households rent, weekly rent is $440 and vacancy is 4.2%. The 75 development applications lodged over 12 months create a need to check whether new dwellings and alterations add amenity or competing supply. Forecast growth is 0.56% annually with Balanced migration, supporting steady demand because the suburb is established rather than dependent on one expansion cycle. An aging trajectory and a 7.2% rise in senior share favour low-maintenance homes. Compared with newer Shell Cove stock, Oak Flats may offer more established housing, but investors should not underwrite rapid capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
438
Last 12 Months
74
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+2.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Oak Flats
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Oak Flats has 6,840 residents and a median age of 42, which is 2 years above the national figure. The profile is aging because senior share rose 7.2 points while young share fell 2.6 points. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 2,708, 607 and 592, while 17.9% of residents were born overseas, 3.7 points below national. University attainment is 18.6%, or 11.5 points below national, aligning with trades at 560, community and personal services at 448, and professionals at 441. Household size is 2.5, equal to the national comparison, and 78.8% stayed at the same address. Compared with Shell Cove, Oak Flats has a more settled demographic character.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.2%
Houses
15.3%
Townhouse
2.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Oak Flats is detached-dominant and owner-oriented: 82.2% of dwellings are separate houses, 42.0% owned outright and 32.4% mortgaged. Three-bedroom homes account for 52.8% and 4-plus-bedroom homes 32.5%, so the stock is weighted toward family households rather than apartments. Renting is 24.4%, with a $440 weekly rent and 4.2% vacancy. Mortgage costs reach $1,950 per month and 30.3% of household income, above the 29.6% rent-to-income share, because larger homes require more finance. Affordability worsened from 53.8 in 2011 to 61.4 in 2021. Compared with Mount Warrigal, assess dwelling condition and land utility as well as price.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $440.
$780
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $810 · units $660
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$698
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.2%
Unoccupied
112
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.3% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.5%
Couples with children
39.3%
Couples, no children
20.6%
Single parent
1,949
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads Oak Flats' industry mix at 21.2% of jobs, followed by construction at 13.4%, education at 10.3%, public administration at 9.0% and retail at 7.3%. This gives the suburb a practical service base because care, building and public-sector work are spread across several sectors. The labour force includes 3,187 people, participation is 56.5% and unemployment is 4.7%, while 53.7% of workers are full time. Occupations are led by trades at 560, community and personal services at 448, and professionals at 441. Household income is $1,488 weekly, around the 46.5th percentile nationally, so wage capacity is close to average rather than higher than it. Compared with higher-income coastal pockets, repayment buffers deserve attention.
Unemployment
4.7%
Labour Force
3,187
Unemployed
150
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.7%
Part-time
33.4%
Participation
56.5%
Employed
3,037
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.6%
Postgraduate
4.2%
Born Overseas
17.9%
Dwellings
2,541
Transport to Work
Oak Flats is practical for households that drive: 72.0% travel as car drivers, only 1.7% use public transport and 20.4% work from home. That pattern makes road access important because walking and cycling account for just 2.1%. Three local government schools provide 2 primary options and 1 secondary option; check the exact enrolment zone because boundaries can differ by street. Community connection is reflected in a 10.5% volunteering rate, while 7.5% of residents need assistance. Socioeconomic conditions sit in the lower-middle range compared with higher-decile areas, with IRSAD decile 4, IER decile 5 and IEO decile 3. For safety, visit at different times and check recent local reports because conditions can vary by street.
Drive
72.0%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
2.1%
Work from Home
20.4%
Growth Outlook
Oak Flats is an established suburb with forecast growth of 0.56% a year and a Balanced migration driver, pointing to gradual change rather than sharp expansion. Population change across the wider area is 11.6% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Aging: senior share rose 7.2 points and working share fell 3.3 points. Gentrification signals conflict, with a score of 3 and stage Not gentrifying, versus a shift score of 60 and stage Active. Real income growth is 16.5%. This suggests renovation and turnover are more likely than a premium redevelopment cycle. Compared with newer fronts around Shell Cove, Oak Flats should be assessed for incremental infill rather than rapid uplift.
Population trend: Shellharbour council area
Oak Flats sits in the Shellharbour council area. These are the council area's residents, not Oak Flats's.
Residents 2025
83,228
Growth, 5 yr average
+2.1%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.9%
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 Oak Flats compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oak Flats a good suburb to live in?
Oak Flats can suit households wanting established detached housing, with 82.2% separate houses, 3 local government schools and 72.0% car-driver travel. Its median age of 42 is above national, while mortgage costs equal 30.3% of household income, so fit depends on transport needs and budget.
What is the median house price in Oak Flats?
A current median house price is not stated for Oak Flats. Useful affordability anchors are the $440 weekly rent, $1,950 monthly mortgage figure and 30.3% mortgage-to-income ratio. Compare current Oak Flats sales with Mount Warrigal and Shell Cove, adjusting for land, age and renovation condition.
What schools are in Oak Flats?
Oak Flats has 3 local government schools: 2 primary schools and 1 secondary school. Families should check the exact enrolment zone because boundaries can differ by street. The suburb's 20.4% work-from-home rate may help some households, while 72.0% car-driver travel makes daily access planning important.
Is Oak Flats safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so safety should be checked street by street rather than inferred from the suburb label. Visit at 2 different times, review recent local police updates and ask nearby residents about lighting, traffic and evening activity. Oak Flats has 3 schools and 72.0% car-driver travel, so road conditions matter too.
Is Oak Flats good for property investment?
Oak Flats may suit a conservative investor seeking established housing: 24.4% of households rent, weekly rent is $440 and vacancy is 4.2%. Growth is forecast at 0.56% annually with Balanced migration, while 75 development applications in 12 months could affect future competition. Compare yields and maintenance against newer Shell Cove stock.
How is Oak Flats's population changing?
Oak Flats has 6,840 residents today, with forecast growth of 0.56% a year and a Balanced migration driver. Population change across the wider area is 11.6% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Aging: senior share rose 7.2 points and young share fell 2.6 points. That implies gradual growth with an older household profile.
Is Oak Flats experiencing development?
Yes, development activity is material, with 75 applications in the past 12 months. Visible activity includes dwelling houses, alterations, additions and complying development, so change may arrive through incremental infill rather than a single large project. Buyers should check how proposals affect parking, traffic and neighbouring privacy compared with existing streets.
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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