Russell Vale
NSW 2517 · Wollongong
1,593 (2021) → 1,608 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.
Russell Vale is a moderate growth suburb in Wollongong, NSW 2517, about 61km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.43M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 1 school, a transport score of 58/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Russell Vale has an overall score of 63/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 76/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2517 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (2.2%), New Zealand (1%), USA (0.63%), Scotland (0.5%), Chile (0.38%)
Top languages: Spanish (0.69%), French (0.44%), Macedon (0.44%), Italian (0.31%), Arabic (0.25%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Small population (under 3,000) — crime rates may be volatile due to low sample size.
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
Strong school options
Well above average — good-quality schools within reach and a healthy range of options to choose from.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1050 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Russell Vale Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1040
Nearby (within 10km)
- Aspect South Coast SchoolPrimary · Independent · 0.9kmICSEA 1017
- Corrimal Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 1013
- St Columbkille's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 1.4kmICSEA 1073
- Woonona Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 1070
- Woonona High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.8kmICSEA 1030
- Woonona East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.9kmICSEA 1037
- Holy Spirit CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 2kmICSEA 1069
- Bellambi Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.4kmICSEA 807
- Corrimal East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 1046
- Corrimal High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 940
- Tarrawanna Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.8kmICSEA 982
- Waniora Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3kmICSEA 1077
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.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Fitness paradise
Top 20% nationally — gyms, leisure centres, pools and sports fields all close by. Easy to stay active without travelling far.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Outdoor paradise
Top 20% nationally — abundant parks and green space, plus trails, bike paths and places to enjoy the outdoors.
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
A few good options
A handful of local venues to choose from — nothing epic, but you're not driving far either.
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 Russell Vale with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Russell Vale
Is Russell Vale safe?
Russell Vale has a residential safety score of 76/100, 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 5,022 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Russell Vale?
In Russell Vale, the median house price is $1.43M. Median weekly house rent is $975.
How far is Russell Vale from Sydney CBD?
Russell Vale is about 60.8 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 162 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Russell Vale?
Russell Vale has 1 school, with an average ICSEA of 1040 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Russell Vale?
Russell Vale has a transport score of 58/100 and 6 bus stops.