Wagga Wagga Surrounds

Wagga Wagga Surrounds lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Wagga Wagga Surrounds' population is around 19,265 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,477 people (8.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,788 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,577 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 608 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2.1 persons per square kilometer. Wagga Wagga Surrounds' 8.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.5%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 55.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is forecast. The area is expected to increase by 6,261 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 28.9% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Wagga Wagga Surrounds was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Wagga Wagga Surrounds has received approximately 181 dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25908 homes were approved, with an additional 53 approved in FY-26 to date. Each year, around 2.2 new residents are gained for each dwelling built over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $321,000. In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled $35.4 million, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to Rest of NSW, Wagga Wagga Surrounds has 9.0% more building activity per person. The area's building activity consists of 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% medium and high-density housing.

With approximately 144 people per dwelling approval, Wagga Wagga Surrounds exhibits growth area characteristics. Population forecasts estimate an increase of 5,572 residents by 2041. Current development patterns suggest that new housing supply should meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth.

Wagga Wagga Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Area performance is significantly influenced by local infrastructure changes, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 71 such projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Riverina Water Security Project - Pipeline Extension, Inland Rail - Albury to Illabo, Glenfield Road Corridor Upgrade, and Tolland Renewal Project. 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Wagga Wagga Surrounds places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Wagga Wagga Surrounds has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.8% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 4.3% over the past year.

In September 2025, 9,797 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.0%, below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was 65.7%, higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries among residents included agriculture, forestry & fishing, public administration & safety, and health care & social assistance. The area had a strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 3.4 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance showed lower representation at 13.4% compared to the regional average of 16.9%. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 4.3%, while labour force increased by 5.0%, resulting in a rise in unemployment by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW recorded an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov showed NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates varied significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Wagga Wagga Surrounds' employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Wagga Wagga Surrounds SA2 has a median income of $52,494 and an average income of $61,741. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Wagga Wagga Surrounds would be approximately $59,113 (median) and $69,527 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data indicates that incomes in Wagga Wagga Surrounds cluster around the 55th percentile nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 35.9% of the community (6,916 individuals), similar to metropolitan regions where this cohort represents 29.9%. After housing costs, residents retain 88.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Wagga Wagga Surrounds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Wagga Wagga Surrounds, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.7% houses and 3.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 88.4% houses and 11.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wagga Wagga Surrounds was at 38.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.3% and rented dwellings at 19.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,490, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure was $280, matching Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Wagga Wagga Surrounds' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,490 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $280 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 75.7% of all households, including 34.7% couples with children, 31.2% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.3%, with lone person households at 21.5% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Wagga Wagga Surrounds fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate, at 20.2%, is significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 15.0% of residents holding one. Postgraduate qualifications and graduate diplomas follow, at 3.1% and 2.1% respectively. Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ possessing them.

Advanced diplomas account for 10.1%, while certificates make up 31.0%. Educational participation is high, with 32.7% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.2% in primary, 8.4% in secondary, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 681 active transport stops operating within Wagga Wagga Surrounds, comprising a mix of train and bus services. These stops are serviced by 120 individual routes, collectively providing 1,238 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 251 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 176 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 1 weekly trip per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Wagga Wagga Surrounds are marginally below the national average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Wagga Wagga Surrounds shows below-average health indicators, with common conditions affecting both younger and older residents.

Approximately 51% (~9,748 people) have private health cover, which is relatively low compared to other areas. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (affecting 9.6% of residents) and arthritis (8.4%). Notably, 68.2% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the Rest of NSW's 64.5%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 16.3% (3,138 people), compared to the Rest of NSW's 19.6%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with the overall population's health profile.

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

Wagga Wagga Surrounds had a cultural diversity score below average, with 90.3% of its population being citizens, 92.6% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Wagga Wagga Surrounds, comprising 65.3% of people, compared to 64.3% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.8%), English (30.3%), and Irish (9.9%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 8.8%, compared to 8.0% regionally, as was German ancestry at 4.3% versus 3.9%. However, Australian Aboriginal ancestry was underrepresented at 3.6%, compared to 4.5% regionally.

Wagga Wagga Surrounds's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Wagga Wagga Surrounds is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 5-14 age group comprises 14.8% of the population compared to Rest of NSW, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 4.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 12.5% to 13.8%, and the 35 to 44 cohort has increased from 11.7% to 12.7%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 age group has declined from 14.3% to 13.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Wagga Wagga Surrounds, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 48%, reaching 3,918 people from the current figure of 2,652.