The Helensburgh postcode has taken the biggest economic hit from COVID-19 in the Illawarra.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A new financial impact index from analytics and actuarial consulting firm Taylor Fry shows the 2508 postcode has seen the Illawarra's largest loss of income relative to pre-pandemic levels.
The data places the 2508 postcode area that includes Helensburgh and Stanwell Park in the 30-40 decile category - the higher the decile ranking, the greater the financial impact.
The Thirroul 2515 postcode was also hit hard, falling in the 20-30 decile category.
The least affected Illawarra postcode were those in the 10-20 category and included 2525 (Figtree) 2500 (Wollongong) and 2506 (Berkeley).
Taylor Fry Principal Alan Greenfield said the analysis looked at income levels both before and after COVID-19, and took into account the effect of the JobKeeper program - which may have actually temporarily increased some people's income.
Broadly speaking, the higher income areas would also see a greater negative effect because programs like JobSeeker would not fully cover their pre-pandemic cost of living expenses.
The demographics of the Helensburgh postcode show a rate of unemployed or retired residents more than 8 per cent below the state average but above average levels of those earning $65,000 a year or more.
Mr Fry said those postcodes with high numbers of retired or unemployed people would be less affected by the pandemic.
"What we're looking at is the financial impact due to the pandemic," Mr Fry said.
"So if you're unemployed, as bad as that might be, the pandemic doesn't change your situation, you're still unemployed.
"Financially the pandemic hasn't affected you, and the same for retirees more or less.
"On the other hand, if you had a job, there's more likelihood that you have either lost that job or lost some level of hours in that job.
"Some people are less employed, some are unemployed."
The financial impact of COVID-19 in the Illawarra by postcode - from least to worst affected
10-20 decile category
2516 - Bulli, Bulli Tops
2517 - Woonona, Russell Vale
2519- Balgownie, Fairy Meadow, Mt Ousley, Mt Pleasant
2500 - Wollongong, West Wollongong, North Wollongong, Keiraville, Gwynneville, Coniston, Mt St Thomas, Mangerton
2525 - Figtree
2505 - Kemblawarra, Port Kembla
2526 - Unanderra, Cordeaux, Cordeaux Heights, Mt Kembla, Farmborough Heights, Kembla Grange, Kembla Heights
2502 -Cringila, Lake Heights, Primbee, Warrawong
2506 - Berkeley
2528 - Warilla, Barrack Heights, Barrack Point, Lake Illawarra, Warilla, Mt Warrigal
20-30 decile category
2515 - Thirroul, Austinmer, Cliftin, Coledale, Wombarra, Scarborough
2518 - Corrimal, Corrimal East, Bellambi, Towradgi, Tarrawanna
2530 - Dapto, Penrose, Avondale, Brownsville, Haywards Bay, Kanahooka, Koonawarra, Horsley, Wongawilli, Yallah, Marshall Mount
2529 - Shellharbour, Shell Cove, Blackbutt, Dunmore, Flinders, Oak Flats
2527 - Albion Park, Albion Park Rail, Calderwood, Croom, Yellow Rock, Tongarra, Tullimbar
2533 - Kiama, Kiama Heights, Bombo, Minnamurra, Jamberoo, Saddleback Mountain Jerrara
30-40 decile category
2508 - Helensburgh, Coalcliff,Darkes Forest, Maddens Plain, Otford, Stanwell Park, Stanwell Tops
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.