Tullimbar
At a median age of 32, Tullimbar runs 8 years younger than the national figure, which explains much of the suburb's character: 57.4% of dwellings carry a mortgage, 55.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, and the household income sits at the 84th percentile nationally. This is a suburb built around young families buying into the Illawarra fringe, not retirees or renters. Population is 1,840 across 4.63 km2, giving a density of 397 people per km2, low compared to Sydney inner suburbs. The housing stock is 86.1% separate houses, detached-dominant even by national standards.
Population
1,840
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,217/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
130
Median House
$830K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price reached $850,000 in 2025, up from $785,000 in 2024, an 8.3% gain in one year. That price point sits above many comparable Illawarra suburbs, reflecting demand from younger households priced out of coastal areas. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, and the mortgage-to-income ratio comes to 24.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 86.1%, with semi-detached at 12.3% and apartments just 1.6%. Four-bedroom-plus homes dominate at 55.9% of dwellings, signalling a suburb sized for families rather than couples or investors seeking small units. Outright owners are 22.3%, lower than state averages, consistent with a younger buyer demographic still paying down loans.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $850,000 in 2025, up from $785,000 in 2024, an 8.3% gain in one year. That price point sits above many comparable Illawarra suburbs, reflecting demand from younger households priced out of coastal areas. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, and the mortgage-to-income ratio comes to 24.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 86.1%, with semi-detached at 12.3% and apartments just 1.6%. Four-bedroom-plus homes dominate at 55.9% of dwellings, signalling a suburb sized for families rather than couples or investors seeking small units. Outright owners are 22.3%, lower than state averages, consistent with a younger buyer demographic still paying down loans.
For Investors
Renting accounts for 20.2% of households, a relatively thin tenant base compared to higher-density suburban markets. Weekly rent averages $520, and against the $850,000 median that implies a gross yield around 3.2%. The vacancy rate of 2.6% is balanced, neither signalling oversupply nor extreme tightness. Development activity is high relative to suburb size: 114 applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including new dwelling houses and secondary dwellings, suggesting active infill and lot utilisation. The rent-to-income ratio for tenants is 23.5%, below the 30% stress level, so renters are not under pressure to leave. The 8.3% price growth over 2024 to 2025 is the strongest near-term signal for investors considering capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
799
Last 12 Months
130
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-22.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Tullimbar iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Tullimbar Public School
K-6 · 483 students
Demographics
The median age of 32 is 8 years below the national average, making Tullimbar one of the younger suburbs in the Illawarra region. Overseas-born residents make up 13.8% of the population, which is 7.8 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with the Anglo-Celtic ancestry dominance: English (768), Scottish (193), Irish (174) and Italian (105) are the leading groups. University qualifications reach 26.8%, sitting 3.3 points below the national rate. Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above the national figure, reinforcing the family-formation profile. Couples with children make up 850 of 1,661 total families, the largest household type, while couples without children account for 391. Volunteering runs at 11.4% and 5.4% of residents need daily assistance.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.1%
Houses
12.3%
Townhouse
1.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tullimbar's housing stock is concentrated in detached, larger homes. Separate houses account for 86.1% of dwellings, well above NSW and national averages, and 55.9% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms. The mortgage belt signal is clear: 57.4% of households carry a mortgage, versus 22.3% who own outright and 20.2% renting. Median house prices moved from $785,000 in 2024 to $850,000 in 2025, a one-year CAGR of 8.3%. At $850,000, the suburb is priced similarly to other growth corridors on the Illawarra fringe. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8% and rent-to-income ratio of 23.5% both remain below the 30% stress threshold, suggesting current owners and tenants are managing repayments without significant financial strain.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wk
$520
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$988
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.6%
Unoccupied
17
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.5%
Couples, no children
1,661
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 22.0% of employed residents (154 workers), nearly double the next sector. Education follows at 10.6% (74 workers), then Public Administration at 9.3% (65), Construction at 9.2% (64) and Retail at 7.6% (53). The Professional services share is relatively low, which explains the university qualification rate of 26.8% sitting 3.3 points below national despite the high household income. By occupation, Professionals lead at 204 workers, followed by Clerical/Admin (157), Community and Personal Services (128) and Managers (105). The unemployment rate is 3.2%, with a 65.9% participation rate. Full-time employment runs at 66.9%, in line with national norms. Household income is at the 84th percentile nationally, stronger than the industry mix alone would suggest, likely reflecting dual-income family households.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.9%
Part-time
29.9%
Participation
65.9%
Employed
875
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.8%
Postgraduate
4.8%
Born Overseas
13.8%
Dwellings
627
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total: 93.3% of residents drive to work, compared to just 1.7% using public transport and 0.9% walking or cycling. This is higher than state and national averages, reflecting the suburb's location in a lower-density Illawarra corridor without heavy rail access. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in the dataset, so families rely on surrounding areas for primary and secondary education. Crime data is not available for Tullimbar at the suburb level. The rent-to-income ratio of 23.5% and mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, indicating the community manages housing costs without widespread financial pressure. The relatively low 5.4% assistance need rate is consistent with the young median age of 32.
Drive
93.3%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
0.9%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Tullimbar compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tullimbar a good suburb to live in?
Tullimbar suits families seeking space in a lower-density setting. The median age is 32, 8 years below national, and 55.9% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms. Household income is at the 84th percentile nationally, and mortgage-to-income sits at 24.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. Car dependence is high at 93.3% of commuters, so a vehicle is essential.
What is the median house price in Tullimbar?
The median house price is $850,000 as of 2025, up from $785,000 in 2024, a one-year gain of 8.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383. Weekly rent averages $520. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.8% is below the 30% stress threshold, making repayments manageable at current income levels.
What schools are in Tullimbar?
No schools are recorded within the Tullimbar suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Illawarra suburbs. University qualifications among residents stand at 26.8%, which is 3.3 percentage points below the national average, consistent with the suburb's trade and healthcare employment base.
Is Tullimbar safe?
Suburb-level crime statistics are not available for Tullimbar in this dataset. As context, 5.4% of residents need daily assistance (96 people), and the unemployment rate is 3.2%. The household income at the 84th percentile nationally is associated with lower disadvantage, though direct crime rates cannot be confirmed from available data.
Is Tullimbar good for property investment?
Prices rose 8.3% from $785,000 in 2024 to $850,000 in 2025, a strong short-term capital growth signal. The vacancy rate of 2.6% is balanced and the rent-to-income ratio is 23.5%, keeping tenant demand healthy. Gross rental yield is approximately 3.2% at current rent and price levels. The 114 development applications in 12 months confirm active residential activity.
How is Tullimbar's population changing?
Tullimbar's population is 1,840 with a median age of 32, 8 years younger than the national average. The household turnover rate of 34.2% indicates active movement into the suburb, typical of growing mortgage-belt areas. Couples with children make up the largest family type at 850 of 1,661 families, pointing to sustained family-formation demand.
How much development is happening in Tullimbar?
There were 114 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, high relative to a suburb of 1,840 people. Recent applications include new dwelling houses, secondary dwellings and swimming pools, indicating infill activity rather than large-scale subdivision. This level of development is consistent with ongoing residential growth in the Illawarra fringe corridor.
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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