Shoalhaven vs Wollongong

Shoalhaven and Wollongong are two distinct New South Wales regions with very different layouts. Wollongong is far more walkable, with a score of 6.0 (very walkable) compared to 4.2 (somewhat walkable) in Shoalhaven. This is reflected in the local amenities; for example, 82.8% of Wollongong homes are within a 15-minute walk of a school, while only 38.2% of homes in Shoalhaven have the same access. Wollongong also has far higher street connectivity, with 43 intersections per square kilometre against just 3 in Shoalhaven.

Both areas have a similar number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, and the share of people speaking a First Nations language is nearly identical. Since 2011, the two have followed different paths in education outcomes for First Nations people. Year 12 completion for this group is far higher in Wollongong at 41.9%, which is well above the national figure, whereas Shoalhaven is well below the national figure at 30.0%.