Balgownie
NSW 2519 · Wollongong
5,722 (2021) → 5,924 est. (2025) · Moderate Growth
Part of the Wollongong local government area (est. 224,373 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Balgownie is a moderate growth suburb in Wollongong, NSW 2519, about 65km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.42M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 1 school, a transport score of 64/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Balgownie has an overall score of 67/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 99/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2519 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: Italy (3.01%), England (2.78%), China (1.15%), New Zealand (0.94%), India (0.84%)
Top languages: Italian (3.64%), Arabic (1.42%), Mandarin (1.4%), Macedon (1.31%), Spanish (0.93%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Outstanding school access
Top 20% nationally — strong, high-ICSEA schools nearby with genuine choice. An excellent suburb for families prioritising education.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1041 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Balgownie Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1076
Nearby (within 10km)
- Pleasant Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.1kmICSEA 1126
- Tarrawanna Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.9kmICSEA 982
- Fairy Meadow Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2kmICSEA 1002
- Mount Ousley Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.1kmICSEA 1079
- Good Samaritan Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2.1kmICSEA 1081
- Wollongong Flexible SchoolSecondary · Independent · 2.2kmICSEA 895
- Elonera Montessori SchoolCombined · Independent · 2.4kmICSEA 1108
- Aspect South Coast School, Wollongong UniversityCombined · Independent · 2.5km
- Wollongong High School of the Performing ArtsSecondary · Government · 2.7kmICSEA 1075
- Keira High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.7kmICSEA 984
- Towradgi Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.9kmICSEA 1031
- Keiraville Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.1kmICSEA 1103
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Plenty of options
Well above average — a good spread of gyms and sports facilities within easy reach.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Some green space
Around the national average — a reasonable amount of parks and outdoor space nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Rich cultural scene
Well above average — a strong mix of cultural venues nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Quiet area
Pretty light on licensed venues. Good for peace and quiet; less so for spontaneous nights out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Strong options nearby
Well above average for childcare services — good choice and quality, with most families finding a place without a long drive.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Wollongong
Compare Balgownie with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Balgownie
Is Balgownie safe?
Balgownie has a residential safety score of 99/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 2,744 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Balgownie?
In Balgownie, the median house price is $1.42M and the median unit price is $895K. Median weekly house rent is $832.
How far is Balgownie from Sydney CBD?
Balgownie is about 64.9 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 172 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Balgownie?
Balgownie has 1 school, with an average ICSEA of 1076 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Balgownie?
Balgownie has a transport score of 64/100 and 53 bus stops.