Lake Illawarra
NSW 2528 · Shellharbour
3,288 (2021) → 3,324 est. (2025) · Stable
Part of the Shellharbour local government area (est. 83,053 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Lake Illawarra is a stable suburb in Shellharbour, NSW 2528, about 81km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $893K is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 60/100, and is right by the coast. Lake Illawarra has an overall score of 56/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 45/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2528 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (4.68%), New Zealand (1.25%), Philippines (0.91%), Scotland (0.7%), Germany (0.64%)
Top languages: Arabic (1.34%), Spanish (1.22%), Macedon (0.61%), Thai (0.58%), Italian (0.55%)
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 965 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Lake Illawarra South Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 954
- Lake Illawarra High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 894
Nearby (within 10km)
- Warilla North Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 0.9kmICSEA 872
- Windang Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.3kmICSEA 988
- Peterborough SchoolCombined · Government · 1.6kmICSEA 938
- Warilla Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.7kmICSEA 937
- Mount Warrigal Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2kmICSEA 885
- Barrack Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.3kmICSEA 873
- Aspect South Coast School, Barrack HeightsPrimary · Independent · 2.3km
- Warilla High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 968
- Oak Flats High SchoolSecondary · Government · 3.1kmICSEA 932
- Balarang Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.4kmICSEA 974
- Amity College Illawarra CampusCombined · Independent · 3.4km
- Nazareth Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 3.7kmICSEA 1052
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
Great outdoor access
Well above average — plenty of parkland and outdoor recreation within easy reach.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
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
Solid scene
Well above average for licensed venues — you won't struggle for a night out or a good meal.
No licensed pubs, bars or clubs are registered in this suburb per the Liquor & Gaming NSW register.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: OpenStreetMap
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Population & Growth
StableSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Shellharbour
Compare Lake Illawarra with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Lake Illawarra
Is Lake Illawarra safe?
Lake Illawarra has a residential safety score of 45/100, 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 7,786 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Lake Illawarra?
In Lake Illawarra, the median house price is $893K and the median unit price is $746K. Median weekly house rent is $720.
How far is Lake Illawarra from Sydney CBD?
Lake Illawarra is about 81.0 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 212 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Lake Illawarra?
Lake Illawarra has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 924 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Lake Illawarra?
Lake Illawarra has a transport score of 60/100 and 36 bus stops.