Wagga Wagga Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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 approximately 19,265 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,477 people (8.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,788. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,577 in June 2024 and an additional 608 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2.1 persons per square kilometer. Wagga Wagga Surrounds' growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (3.5%) and SA4 region, making it a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 55.7% to 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is forecasted to increase by 6,261 persons, recording a total gain of 28.9%.

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. From FY21 to FY25908 homes were approved, with an additional 47 approved in FY26 as of the current date. Each year, around 2.2 new residents are gained per dwelling built over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value for new homes is $321,000. This year, commercial approvals totaling $35.4 million have been registered, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Wagga Wagga Surrounds has 109% more building activity per capita. The area's building activity is predominantly detached houses (83%), with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 17%.

This maintains the area's traditional low density character, appealing to those seeking spacious family homes. With around 144 people per dwelling approval, Wagga Wagga Surrounds exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate that the area will gain approximately 5,572 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Wagga Wagga Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 71 such projects that could affect this area. Notable projects include the Riverina Water Security Project - Pipeline Extension, Inland Rail from Albury to Illabo, Glenfield Road Corridor Upgrade, and Tolland Renewal Project. The following list provides details on those projects most likely to be relevant.

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

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

Wagga Wagga Surrounds has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.0% as of June 2021.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 8.0%. As of June 2025, 9,801 residents were in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.7%, below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was 65.7% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries among residents comprise agriculture, forestry & fishing, public administration & safety, and health care & social assistance.

The area shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share of 3.4 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 13.4% versus the regional average of 16.9%. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 8.0%, while labour force increased by 8.8%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.8 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of NSW recorded an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand within Wagga Wagga Surrounds. These projections estimate national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Wagga Wagga Surrounds's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 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 income in Wagga Wagga Surrounds is below the national average. The median income is $52,494 and the average income is $61,741. In contrast, 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), aligning with the metropolitan region 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

In Wagga Wagga Surrounds, as per the latest Census, 96.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 88.4% houses and 11.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wagga Wagga Surrounds stood at 38.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.3% and rented ones 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 in Wagga Wagga Surrounds was $280, matching Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,863, and rents substantially below the national average of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 24.3%, with lone person households at 21.5% and group households making up 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 has university qualification rates of 20.2%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 10.1% and certificates for 31.0%. Educational participation is high at 32.7%, including 12.2% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Sixteen schools serve 1,170 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 956) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 13 primary and 3 K-12 schools. Local school capacity is limited at 6.1 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 15.3, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Public transport analysis conducted in Wagga Wagga Surrounds shows 681 active transport stops operating, consisting of both train and bus services. These stops are serviced by 120 individual routes, collectively offering 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 one 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.

Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~9,748 people). The most common medical conditions are asthma (9.6%) and arthritis (8.4%). 68.2% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 64.5% in Rest of NSW. There are 3,138 residents aged 65 and over (16.3%), lower than the 19.6% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general 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 index below the 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 the population, 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 the regional average of 4.5%.

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 and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 5-14 age group comprises 14.8% of the population, higher than 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 2,652.