Berkeley
NSW 2506 · Wollongong
7,798 (2021) → 7,851 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.
Berkeley is a moderate growth suburb in Wollongong, NSW 2506, about 75km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $847K is more affordable than the NSW average. The suburb has 3 schools, a transport score of 59/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Berkeley has an overall score of 54/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 42/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2506 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (3.08%), North Macedonia (2.85%), Lebanon (1.01%), New Zealand (0.92%), Philippines (0.87%)
Top languages: Macedon (4.4%), Arabic (3.72%), Portuguese (1.56%), Vietnamese (1.04%), Spanish (0.86%)
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
Limited school choices
Below average for school access — fewer schools nearby, and families may need to travel for preferred options.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 997 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Illawarra Sports High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 937
- Berkeley Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 926
- Berkeley West Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 868
Nearby (within 10km)
- Farmborough Road Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.2kmICSEA 961
- Lake Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 941
- Cringila Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 936
- Hayes Park Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.9kmICSEA 972
- Warrawong High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.9kmICSEA 905
- Cedars Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · 2.9kmICSEA 1067
- Aspect South Coast School, Farmborough HeightsCombined · Independent · 2.9km
- St Pius X Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 3kmICSEA 1066
- Aspect South Coast School, UnanderraPrimary · Independent · 3km
- Cedars Christian College - AspireCombined · Independent · 3kmICSEA 1094
- Warrawong Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.2kmICSEA 891
- St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 3.4kmICSEA 1013
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
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Mostly urban
Very little parkland or outdoor recreation in and around this suburb.
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
Childcare desert
Very limited childcare services in and around this suburb — families may face significant travel for childcare.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
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 Berkeley with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Berkeley
Is Berkeley safe?
Berkeley has a residential safety score of 42/100, 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 7,425 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Berkeley?
In Berkeley, the median house price is $847K and the median unit price is $814K. Median weekly house rent is $667.
How far is Berkeley from Sydney CBD?
Berkeley is about 75.2 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 198 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Berkeley?
Berkeley has 3 schools, with an average ICSEA of 910 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Berkeley?
Berkeley has a transport score of 59/100 and 63 bus stops.