Wagga Wagga - East
Statistical Area - sa2

Wagga Wagga - East is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Wagga Wagga - East's population was approximately 17,213 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 292 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 16,921. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: the resident population was 16,938 in June 2024, with an additional 206 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 318 persons per square kilometer. Wagga Wagga - East's 1.7% growth since the census is comparable to its SA3 area's 3.5%. Natural growth contributed approximately 54.8% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area's population is projected to decline by 1,123 persons. However, specific age cohorts like those aged 85 and over are expected to grow, with a projected increase of 476 people in this group.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Wagga Wagga - East according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Wagga Wagga - East has averaged approximately 53 new dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years 2021 (FY-21) and 2025 (FY-25), 265 homes were approved, with a further 28 approved so far in FY-26. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas.

The average expected construction cost for new dwellings is $435,000, higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development. In FY-26, there have been $17.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating steady investment activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW and nationally, Wagga Wagga - East records about 63% of building activity per person, placing it around the 55th percentile nationally, suggesting established nature and potential planning limitations. New building activity comprises 88.0% standalone homes and 12.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character appealing to those seeking space.

The location has approximately 297 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Wagga Wagga - East may see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Wagga Wagga - East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 39 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones include the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics (RiFL) Hub, Lake Albert Pipeline and Precinct Renewal, Lake Albert Manors, and Bourkelands Neighbourhood Shopping Centre. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment positions Wagga Wagga - East ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Wagga Wagga - East has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 3.4%, with an estimated employment growth of 7.6% over the past year.

As of this date, 8,531 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 0.3% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Wagga Wagga - East was 63.7%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, education & training has a strong specialization with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.4%, compared to the regional average of 5.3%. While local employment opportunities exist, many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 7.6% and labour force grew by 9.0%, resulting in a rise in unemployment by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wagga Wagga - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not consider localized population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Wagga Wagga - East had a median taxpayer income of $54,167 and an average income of $66,030 in the financial year 2022, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data. This compares with Rest of NSW's median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998 for the same period. By September 2025, based on a 12.61% growth in wages since financial year 2022, estimated incomes would be approximately $60,997 (median) and $74,356 (average). Census data shows that Wagga Wagga - East's household, family, and personal incomes cluster around the 53rd percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 33.2% of residents fall within the $1,500 to $2,999 income range, with 5,714 individuals in this bracket. This pattern is similar to surrounding regions where 29.9% of the population occupies this income range. After housing costs, residents retain 87.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

Wagga Wagga - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Wagga Wagga - East, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.0% houses and 12.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 88.4% houses and 11.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wagga Wagga - East was 36.3%, similar to Non-Metro NSW. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (36.9%) or rented (26.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, higher than the Non-Metro NSW average of $1,430. The median weekly rent was $300, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $280. Nationally, Wagga Wagga - East's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wagga Wagga - East has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.1% of all households, including 30.7% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 27.9%, with lone person households at 25.2% and group households at 2.8%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Wagga Wagga - East aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Wagga Wagga - East trail regional benchmarks. As of 2021, 22.9% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 28.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2021. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education. In Wagga Wagga - East, there are approximately 4,300 students educated across a network of 10 schools operating within the area. The ICSEA score is 1016, indicating typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 7 primary, 2 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. As of 2021, there are 25.0 school places per 100 residents in the area, significantly above the regional average of 15.3, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport analysis shows 93 active transport stops operating within Wagga Wagga - East. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 92 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 877 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 273 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 125 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Wagga Wagga - East is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Wagga Wagga - East has significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52%, with around 9,019 people having it, which is higher than the average SA2 area. Asthma and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions, affecting 10.0% and 8.9% of residents respectively. About 64.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.5% across Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 20.7% or 3,568 people, compared to 19.6% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Wagga Wagga - East is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Wagga Wagga-East has a lower cultural diversity, with 91.1% of its population being citizens, 89.6% born in Australia, and 92.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 64.0% of people, compared to 64.3% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (30.5%), English (30.0%), and Irish (10.1%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher at 4.0%, Scottish is at 8.4%, and German is at 3.8%.

Wagga Wagga - East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Wagga Wagga - East has a median age of 38, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 but equivalent to the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 13.2% of its population compared to Rest of NSW, while the 55-64 cohort comprises 10.5%. According to the Census conducted on August 3rd, 2021, the percentage of the population aged 25 to 34 increased from 11.9% to 13.2%, whereas the percentages for those aged 5 to 14 decreased from 14.8% to 13.3% and for those aged 55 to 64 dropped from 11.6% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Wagga Wagga - East's age profile. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 92%, reaching 907 people from the current figure of 471. This growth will be led by those aged 65 and above, who are projected to comprise 95% of the population increase. Meanwhile, the populations in the 65-74 age group and the 0-4 age group are expected to decline.