Tarrawanna
With a median age of 48, Tarrawanna sits 8 years above the national figure, making it one of the more distinctly aged suburbs in the Wollongong fringe. Despite that aging profile, the median house price reached $1,200,000 in 2025, a level that puts buyers well into the upper half of regional NSW. The suburb covers just 2.51 km2 and holds 2,184 residents, with 40.9% owning their homes outright, a rate that reflects decades of residency rather than recent churn. Household income sits at the 43.9th percentile nationally, below average, yet the asset values tell a different story, pointing to long-held property wealth rather than high earnings.
Population
2,184
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,449/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
20
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price rose from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,200,000 in 2025, a 4.3% one-year gain. Separate houses make up 62.8% of dwellings, giving buyers genuine choice of detached stock, while semi-detached homes account for 30.0% and apartments just 7.2%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 41.0% of dwellings, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 30.5%, so family-sized properties dominate the mix. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 34.5%, above the 30% stress threshold. That tension reflects the gap between local incomes at the 43.9th percentile nationally and house prices that now exceed $1 million. Outright owners at 40.9% outnumber mortgage holders at 28.0%, signalling that much of the market is held by established residents rather than recent entrants.
For Buyers
The median house price rose from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,200,000 in 2025, a 4.3% one-year gain. Separate houses make up 62.8% of dwellings, giving buyers genuine choice of detached stock, while semi-detached homes account for 30.0% and apartments just 7.2%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 41.0% of dwellings, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 30.5%, so family-sized properties dominate the mix. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 34.5%, above the 30% stress threshold. That tension reflects the gap between local incomes at the 43.9th percentile nationally and house prices that now exceed $1 million. Outright owners at 40.9% outnumber mortgage holders at 28.0%, signalling that much of the market is held by established residents rather than recent entrants.
For Investors
Tarrawanna's rental profile is modest compared to higher-yield Wollongong suburbs. Weekly rent sits at $340, and with 31.1% of households renting, tenant demand is steady but not deep. A vacancy rate of 4.3% sits above the typical 3% comfort zone, suggesting the rental market is soft rather than tight. Development activity adds context: 19 applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including multi-dwelling housing and subdivision proposals, which points to gradual densification rather than stagnation. Net overseas migration averages 94 residents a year at the broader SA2 level, the primary demand driver, while net internal migration adds 18 more. Rent grew 50.0% over the decade, well above income growth of 28.6%, improving the income-to-rent ratio for landlords over time.
Development Activity
Total DAs
104
Last 12 Months
20
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+42.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Tarrawanna iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Tarrawanna Public School
K-6 · 164 students
Demographics
The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national average, and the senior share rose 2.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 0.2 points, confirming a slow but steady aging trajectory. The overseas-born share is 21.5%, roughly in line with the national figure. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (738 residents), Scottish (226) and Irish (222), with Italian (219) the largest southern European group. Household income at the 43.9th percentile nationally is below the median, yet average household size is 2.4, just 0.1 below national, indicating family-sized units remain common. University qualifications reach 31.1%, about 1 percentage point above the national figure, a modest but positive difference. The volunteering rate of 14.4% reflects the older, established community base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
62.8%
Houses
30.0%
Townhouse
7.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tarrawanna's housing stock is dominated by separate houses at 62.8%, well above the NSW state average for suburban areas, with semi-detached homes at 30.0% and apartments at just 7.2%. Tenure splits favour outright ownership: 40.9% own outright, 28.0% carry a mortgage and 31.1% rent. Prices moved from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,200,000 in 2025, a 4.3% one-year gain, with the CAGR over that one-year window at 4.3%. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 41.0% and 4-plus bedroom homes for 30.5%, so the stock tilts toward larger family homes rather than compact units. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 34.5% exceeds the 30% stress threshold, which is a meaningful risk for new buyers taking on debt at current price levels relative to local incomes at the 43.9th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$340
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$674
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.3%
Unoccupied
38
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.5% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.1%
Couples, no children
1,661
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 18.9% of workers (125 people), followed by Education at 15.6% (103) and Public Administration at 10.8% (71). Construction accounts for 7.7% and Manufacturing 7.3%, giving the economy a mix of essential services and trade. By occupation, Professionals are the leading group (213 workers), ahead of Clerical and Admin (125) and Managers (113). The full-time employment rate is 61.9% and unemployment sits at 3.9%, close to the national average. Participation at 46.0% is low compared to national norms, consistent with the older median age of 48 and 785 residents not in the labour force. SEIFA scores reflect below-average economic position: the IRSD decile is 3 and IRSAD decile is 4, both in the lower third nationally, despite house prices that have climbed well above $1 million.
Unemployment
7.6%
Labour Force
8,492
Unemployed
648
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.9%
Part-time
34.2%
Participation
46.0%
Employed
816
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.1%
Postgraduate
8.6%
Born Overseas
21.5%
Dwellings
843
Transport to Work
Tarrawanna is a car-dependent suburb: 89.5% of residents drive to work, well above the national average, while only 1.9% use public transport and 4.1% walk or cycle. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it in the lower-middle tier nationally for socio-economic advantage, and the IRSD decile of 3 indicates meaningful relative disadvantage compared to the broader NSW average. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families draw on institutions in neighbouring areas. The need-for-assistance rate is 10.5% (216 residents), above average and consistent with the older median age of 48. The mortgage stress flag applies, with mortgage-to-income at 34.5%, though rent-to-income at 23.5% remains below the 30% stress threshold for tenants. The resident retention rate of 81.2% confirms that most who live here stay, which reflects the long-established owner base rather than high amenity rankings.
Drive
89.5%
Public Transport
1.9%
Walk / Cycle
4.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.35%/yr
(+58 people/yr)
EstablishedThe forecast trend for the broader SA2 area is 0.35% annual growth, adding roughly 58 persons a year, which is slow compared to higher-growth Wollongong corridors. Over the past decade, population grew 6.3%, with a mixed trajectory that shows no gentrification signals. The gentrification score registers as not gentrifying, which is consistent with the suburb's established, owner-dominated character. Overseas migration averaging 94 residents a year at the SA2 level is the primary population driver, outpacing net internal migration of 18 per year. Rent growth of 50.0% over the decade significantly outpaced real income growth of 28.6%, compressing affordability for new renters even as affordability improved marginally from 47.2% in 2011 to 44.8% in 2021. Medium forecasts for the SA2 area project population at around 16,824 by 2031.
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
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Tarrawanna compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tarrawanna a good suburb to live in?
Tarrawanna suits established residents and owner-occupiers more than newcomers on average incomes. The resident retention rate is 81.2%, reflecting a settled community, and 40.9% own their homes outright. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it below the national median for overall advantage, and car dependency is high at 89.5%, so amenity depends heavily on private transport.
What is the median house price in Tarrawanna?
The median house price reached $1,200,000 in 2025, up from $1,150,000 in 2024, a 4.3% gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 34.5%, above the 30% stress threshold given local household incomes sit at the 43.9th percentile nationally.
What schools are in Tarrawanna?
No schools are recorded within the Tarrawanna suburb boundary in this dataset. With a population of 2,184 across 2.51 km2, families rely on schools in neighbouring Wollongong suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 31.1%, about 1 percentage point above the national average.
Is Tarrawanna safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Tarrawanna in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb has an IRSD decile of 3, placing it in the lower third nationally for relative disadvantage, which typically correlates with higher crime rates than more advantaged suburbs. The resident retention rate of 81.2% suggests residents feel settled.
Is Tarrawanna good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $340 against a $1,200,000 median implies a gross yield below 1.5%, which is low. Vacancy at 4.3% is above the 3% comfort zone. However, rent grew 50.0% over the decade, outpacing income growth of 28.6%, and 19 development applications in the past 12 months signal gradual densification that may support future demand.
How is Tarrawanna's population changing?
The suburb's population is 2,184, and at the broader SA2 level growth runs at 0.35% annually, adding about 58 persons a year. The 10-year population change was 6.3%, slower than higher-growth Wollongong areas. Overseas migration averaging 94 residents a year is the primary driver, while the resident base is aging, with the median age at 48 compared to 40 nationally.
What industries employ people in Tarrawanna?
Healthcare is the top industry at 18.9% of local workers (125 people), followed by Education at 15.6% (103) and Public Administration at 10.8% (71). Construction employs 7.7% and Manufacturing 7.3%. Professionals are the most common occupation group (213 workers), consistent with the essential-services-heavy employment mix.
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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