Suburb in Shellharbour

Lake Illawarra, NSW

Lake Illawarra had a population of 3,288 at the 2021 Census (+4.0% since 2016). Median age 43.1. Median weekly household income $1,068. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Lake Illawarra at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.

In Illawarra

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Lake Illawarra's population grew by 4.0% to 3,288, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 43.1, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 10.8% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 15.6%.

49.6% of households rent, a larger share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 27.4% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 22.2% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 1,427 households.

The median household earns $1,068 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $326 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,730 a month.

19.9% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 10.2% use a language other than English at home. 43.4% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Lake Illawarra beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureLake IllawarraNSWAustralia
Population3,2888,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+4.0%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age43.138.438.2
Households1,4272,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments22.2%21.8%14.3%
Renting49.6%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright27.4%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,068$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$326$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,730$2,142$1,866
Born overseas19.9%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home10.2%28.2%23.6%
No religion43.4%35.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+4.0% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 3,0872011
  2. 3,1632016
  3. 3,2882021

Age

Median age 43.1, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Lake Illawarra New South Wales
Share of people by age, Lake Illawarra and New South Wales
0–910.8%
10–199.9%
20–2912.9%
30–3912.8%
40–4910.9%
50–5913.2%
60–6914.0%
70–799.1%
80+6.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Lake Illawarra at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English41.0%
  2. Australian38.4%
  3. Scottish10.0%
  4. Irish8.9%
  5. Australian Aboriginal5.3%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Arabic1.5%
  2. Spanish1.3%
  3. Macedonian0.7%
  4. Thai0.6%
  5. Italian0.6%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England5.1%
  2. New Zealand1.4%
  3. the Philippines1.0%
  4. Scotland0.8%
  5. Germany0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Lake Illawarra

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Lake Illawarra in Censible

Every census figure for Lake Illawarra, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.