Suburb in Wollongong

Brownsville, NSW

Brownsville had a population of 524 at the 2021 Census (−1.9% since 2016). Median age 45.6. Median weekly household income $1,142. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Brownsville at a glance

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

In Illawarra

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Brownsville's population shrank by 1.9% to 524, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 45.6, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 9.4% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 17.0%.

35.5% of households rent, a larger share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 27.3% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 26.4% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 242 households.

The median household earns $1,142 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $315 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,747 a month.

16.0% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 4.6% use a language other than English at home. 43.8% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Brownsville beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureBrownsvilleNSWAustralia
Population5248,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016−1.9%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age45.638.438.2
Households2422,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments26.4%21.8%14.3%
Renting35.5%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright27.3%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,142$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$315$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,747$2,142$1,866
Born overseas16.0%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home4.6%28.2%23.6%
No religion43.8%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

−1.9% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 5232011
  2. 5342016
  3. 5242021

Age

Median age 45.6, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Brownsville New South Wales
Share of people by age, Brownsville and New South Wales
0–99.4%
10–199.5%
20–2911.3%
30–3913.0%
40–4910.9%
50–5915.6%
60–6910.5%
70–7913.5%
80+3.4%

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

Cultural background

The largest groups in Brownsville at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English47.7%
  2. Australian42.6%
  3. Scottish14.9%
  4. Irish10.4%
  5. Australian Aboriginal3.5%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Italian0.6%
  2. Tagalog0.6%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England7.2%
  2. Scotland1.9%
  3. New Zealand1.2%
  4. Thailand1.2%
  5. the Philippines1.0%

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

Around Brownsville

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Brownsville in Censible

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