Fairy Meadow, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Fairy Meadow NSW is 7,512 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Fairy Meadow is $674 per week ($35,048 per year). Median rent in Fairy Meadow is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). Fairy Meadow has a median age of 38 years, equal to the national median. Fairy Meadow has a population density of 2,194 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Fairy Meadow is England. The most common religion is No religion (35.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fairy Meadow is $2,167.

There were 186 recorded offences in Fairy Meadow in 2025-26, a rate of 25 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was traffic (60 offences).

Population
7,512
Census 2021
Median income
$674/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$390/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
38years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Fairy Meadow vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Fairy Meadow is $674 a week, 12% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,464th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $390 a week, $5 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 27.7% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 38, 5 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureFairy MeadowTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$674/wk$765/wk −12%$766/wk
Household income$1,407/wk$1,704/wk −17%$1,637/wk
Rent$390/wk$385/wk +1%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,167/mo$1,965/mo +10%$1,733/mo
Median age3843 −5 yrs42
Rent share of household income27.7%22.6% +5.1 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Fairy Meadow, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Fairy Meadow Population

7,512 residents at the 2021 Census.

Fairy Meadow Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$674/wk
$35,048 per year
Ranked 5,918 of 14,663
Median Rent
$390/wk
$1,690 per month
Ranked 2,258 of 14,663
Median Age
38years
Same as the national median
Mortgage
$2,167/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.9 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Fairy Meadow Rent Prices & Affordability

28% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,407/wk
Median rent $390/wk
Rent to income 27.7%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Fairy Meadow against your income

About $6,097 a month
Median rent $390/wk
Left after rent $1,017/wk
Rent share 27.7%

Fairy Meadow Schools

27
schools nearby
19
government
1039
avg ICSEA score
9,412
total students
Smiths Hill High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 736 students
1186
ICSEA
Pleasant Heights Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 241 students
1126
ICSEA
Elonera Montessori School Independent
Combined · K-12 · 187 students
1108
ICSEA
St Mary Star of the Sea College Independent
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,128 students
1104
ICSEA
Keiraville Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 297 students
1103
ICSEA
St Therese Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 368 students
1090
ICSEA
Wollongong Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 579 students
1084
ICSEA
St Brigid's Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 175 students
1083
ICSEA
Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 335 students
1081
ICSEA
Mount Ousley Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 193 students
1079
ICSEA
Balgownie Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 329 students
1076
ICSEA
Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,169 students
1075
ICSEA
St Columbkille's Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 339 students
1073
ICSEA
Gwynneville Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 271 students
1065
ICSEA
Corrimal East Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 297 students
1046
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 27 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Fairy Meadow, with a map

Fairy Meadow Map

Fairy Meadow, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Fairy Meadow, New South Wales: 34.3969°S, 150.8957°E

Fairy Meadow Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (27)

People in Fairy Meadow

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.6% (3,729) Female 50.4% (3,783)

Population Density

2,194
people per km²
7,512 people · 3.4 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$1,872
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
3.0%
India
2.5%
Italy
2.4%
Vietnam
1.7%
China
1.7%
Turkey
1.2%
New Zealand
1.0%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
2.9%
Turkish
2.2%
Vietnamese
1.9%
Mandarin
1.7%
Arabic
1.4%
Malayalam
1.2%
Serbian
0.8%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
31.5%
Australian
31.0%
Italian
9.6%
Irish
9.1%
Scottish
8.8%
Chinese
3.6%
German
3.2%
Indian
2.5%
Australian Aboriginal
2.2%
Dutch
2.2%
Vietnamese
1.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
35.3%
Catholic
25.7%
Anglican
9.8%
Not stated
7.2%
Islam
4.7%
Eastern Orthodox
2.8%
Christian (other)
2.4%
Uniting Church
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.2%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
38.5% 2,461
Separated
3.7% 234
Divorced
9.7% 620
Widowed
6.4% 411
Never married
41.7% 2,669

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
36.6%
Couple: no children
27.8%
Couple: no children under 15
16.9%
One parent: no children under 15
9.8%
One parent: children under 15
9.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
30.9%
2 persons
32.8%
3 persons
15.8%
4 persons
13.4%
5 persons
5.0%
6+ persons
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Fairy Meadow

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,995 occupied private dwellings in Fairy Meadow at the 2021 Census, 41.4% were rented, 34.5% owned outright and 21.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.1% 34 dwellings
Owned outright
34.5% 1,033 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
21.9% 657 dwellings
Rented
41.4% 1,240 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.1% 32 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
74.6%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
14.1%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
11.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
6.2%
2 bedrooms
34.2%
3 bedrooms
39.4%
4 bedrooms
14.9%
5 bedrooms
4.2%
6+ bedrooms
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
2.1%
$300-$449/mo
1.6%
$450-$599/mo
1.9%
$600-$799/mo
2.8%
$800-$999/mo
6.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
13.6%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
15.2%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
21.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.3%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
20.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
11.9%
1 vehicle
42.5%
2 vehicles
29.3%
3 vehicles
10.1%
4+ vehicles
6.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Fairy Meadow

Employment

Employed full-time
31.1% 1,722 people
Employed part-time
21.5% 1,190 people
Unemployed
3.7% 204 people
Not in labour force
43.8% 2,429 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
32.4%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.5%
Community & Personal Service
13.0%
Clerical & Administrative
12.5%
Managers
10.6%
Sales Workers
5.7%
Labourers
5.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.2%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
1.5%
$300-$399/wk
3.5%
$400-$499/wk
8.7%
$500-$649/wk
5.9%
$650-$799/wk
6.8%
$800-$999/wk
7.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.2%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.9%
$4,000+/wk
8.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.7%
$1-$149/wk
3.7%
$150-$299/wk
7.2%
$300-$399/wk
6.2%
$400-$499/wk
5.3%
$500-$649/wk
5.4%
$650-$799/wk
9.6%
$800-$999/wk
10.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.4%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
8.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.9%
$3,500+/wk
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
63.1%
Did not go to work
23.3%
Car (passenger)
4.2%
Walked only
3.3%
Bus
2.4%
Train
0.8%
Bicycle
0.8%
Truck
0.7%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Other
0.6%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
62.6%
Year 10 or equivalent
25.7%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
5.7%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
34.4%
Bachelor Degree
28.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.0%
Postgraduate Degree
13.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.5%
Certificate I/II
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
21.0%
Engineering
19.0%
Society & Culture
14.2%
Health
12.1%
Education
8.6%
Architecture & Building
5.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.4%
Creative Arts
4.4%
Information Technology
4.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.7%
Agriculture & Environment
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
28.9%
Vocational Education
17.4%
Secondary: Government
17.3%
Secondary: Catholic
12.1%
Pre-school
11.7%
Primary: Catholic
8.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.9%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
87.1%
Has need for assistance
7.3%
Need for assistance not stated
5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
786
Arthritis
277
Asthma
272
Diabetes
198
Heart disease
174
Lung condition
172
Cancer
123
Kidney disease
108
Stroke
73
Dementia
24

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.6% 815
Did not provide
86.4% 5,163

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.2% 790
Not a volunteer
86.8% 5,199

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 8
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 6
Previously served
2.0% 122
Never served
97.7% 5,882

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
38.1%
1 child
13.5%
2 children
27.0%
3 children
15.0%
4 children
4.8%
5+ children
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
43
1951: 1960
173
1961: 1970
233
1971: 1980
262
1981: 1990
172
1991: 2000
147
2001: 2010
233
2011: 2015
204
2016
92
2017
67
2018
106
2019
112
2020
57
2021
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

17.3%
moved in the last year
42.6%
moved in the last 5 years
5.7%
unemployment rate (Census)
55.9%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
5,776
Moved from NSW
821
Moved: same area (SA2)
280
Moved from overseas
29
Moved from QLD
29
Moved from ACT
20
Moved from VIC
15
Moved from SA
5
Moved from WA
3
Moved from TAS
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.6%
5: 14 hours
26.8%
15: 29 hours
12.9%
30+ hours
9.3%
Did not do domestic work
29.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.0%
Step family: no other children
9.4%
Blended family: no other children
2.1%
Intact family: other children present
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Fairy Meadow Crime Statistics

186 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Traffic
60
Theft
57
Other Against Property
16
Property Damage
13
Assault
12
Drug Offences
11
Other Against Person
9
Sexual Offences
6
Weapons
2

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Coonamble
Income: $641/wk Rent: $190/wk $200/wk less rent
Wee Waa
Income: $689/wk Rent: $200/wk $190/wk less rent
Buronga
Income: $772/wk Rent: $203/wk $187/wk less rent
North Albury
Income: $673/wk Rent: $240/wk $150/wk less rent
Leeton
Income: $763/wk Rent: $250/wk $140/wk less rent
Bellambi
Income: $611/wk Rent: $252/wk $138/wk less rent
Blayney
Income: $696/wk Rent: $265/wk $125/wk less rent
South Bathurst
Income: $723/wk Rent: $310/wk $80/wk less rent

Suburbs near Fairy Meadow

The closest suburb to Fairy Meadow is North Wollongong, 1.0 km away.

North Wollongong
1.0 km away · income $709/wk · rent $395/wk
Mount Ousley
1.5 km away · income $832/wk · rent $500/wk
Towradgi
1.7 km away · income $725/wk · rent $350/wk
Gwynneville
2.3 km away · income $602/wk · rent $350/wk
Balgownie
2.5 km away · income $812/wk · rent $450/wk
Keiraville
2.5 km away · income $610/wk · rent $420/wk

Compare Fairy Meadow

Frequently Asked Questions About Fairy Meadow

What is the population of Fairy Meadow NSW?

The population of Fairy Meadow NSW is 7,512 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,194 people per km². Fairy Meadow is ranked #960 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Fairy Meadow?

The median personal income in Fairy Meadow NSW is $674 per week, or $35,048 per year. The median household income is $1,407 per week. Family income is $1,872 per week. Fairy Meadow is ranked #5,918 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Fairy Meadow?

Median rent in Fairy Meadow NSW is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). Rent represents 27.7% of household income, which is considered moderate. Fairy Meadow ranks #2,258 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Fairy Meadow?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fairy Meadow NSW is $2,167. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Fairy Meadow?

The median age in Fairy Meadow NSW is 38 years. This is equal to the national median age of 38 years.

Is Fairy Meadow a good suburb to live in?

Fairy Meadow is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 7,512. The median income is $674/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (27.7% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 11487. All dollar figures in AUD.