Dapto
NSW 2530 · Wollongong
10,954 (2021) → 11,205 est. (2025) · High Growth
Part of the Wollongong local government area (est. 224,373 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Dapto is a high growth suburb in Wollongong, NSW 2530, about 80km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $842K is more affordable than the NSW average. The suburb has 4 schools, a transport score of 90/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Dapto has an overall score of 68/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 74/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2530 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (5.31%), New Zealand (1.01%), Scotland (0.85%), Philippines (0.67%), North Macedonia (0.49%)
Top languages: Macedon (0.72%), Spanish (0.6%), Arabic (0.37%), Italian (0.37%), Serbian (0.36%)
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
Reasonable school mix
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of schools, though the strongest options may require some travel.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 965 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- St John's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1038
- Mount Brown Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 975
- Dapto High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 968
- Lakelands Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 952
Nearby (within 10km)
- Koonawarra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.3kmICSEA 838
- Kanahooka High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 912
- Dapto Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2kmICSEA 1006
- Hayes Park Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 972
- Berkeley West Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.4kmICSEA 868
- Illawarra Sports High SchoolSecondary · Government · 6kmICSEA 937
- Farmborough Road Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.2kmICSEA 961
- Berkeley Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.3kmICSEA 926
- Cedars Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · 6.3kmICSEA 1067
- Aspect South Coast School, Farmborough HeightsCombined · Independent · 6.3km
- Cedars Christian College - AspireCombined · Independent · 6.3kmICSEA 1094
- Lake Illawarra High SchoolSecondary · Government · 6.6kmICSEA 894
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
Limited facilities
Below average — fewer fitness options nearby, so you may need to travel to a gym or pool.
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
Few cultural venues
Very few cultural venues in and around this suburb.
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
Outstanding childcare access
Top 20% nationally for childcare service density and quality — an excellent suburb for families with young children.
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
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Wollongong
Compare Dapto with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Dapto
Is Dapto safe?
Dapto has a residential safety score of 74/100, 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 6,756 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Dapto?
In Dapto, the median house price is $842K and the median unit price is $705K. Median weekly house rent is $735.
How far is Dapto from Sydney CBD?
Dapto is about 79.8 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 139 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Dapto?
Dapto has 4 schools, with an average ICSEA of 983 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Dapto?
Dapto has a transport score of 90/100, including 2 train stations and 81 bus stops.