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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Wagga Wagga - West is $670k, with units at $450k. House values have moved 8.8% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Wagga Wagga - West has an estimated 11,630 residents, down from 11,962 at the 2021 Census — a change of 332 people, or 2.8%. The population has thinned by an average 1.1% a year over five years, slower than 98% of areas nationally. 124 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 212 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, demographic research from AreaSearch places the population of Wagga Wagga - West at approximately 11,630 residents. This represents a reduction of 332 people (2.8%) compared to the 11,962 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such figures are derived by combining the ABS estimated resident population of 11,597 from June 2025 with 124 validated new addresses added since the Census date. With a density ratio of 211 persons per square kilometer, the locality provides considerable space per resident and capacity for upcoming development. Population additions were predominantly propelled by overseas migration, which made up approximately 81.8% of overall population gains across recent periods.
AreaSearch utilizes ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 districts, published in 2024 with a 2022 base year, applying NSW State Government SA2 modeling from 2022 with a 2021 base year where data is otherwise unavailable. Age cohort growth rates from these datasets are applied to all regions for 2032 to 2041. Tracking within the lower quartile growth of national regional areas, Wagga Wagga - West is projected to expand by 400 persons to 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP figures, amounting to a cumulative increase of 3.1% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
275 new dwellings have been approved in Wagga Wagga - West over the past five years, an average of 55 a year. That is 4.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 55 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 47% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential planning in Wagga Wagga - West has yielded an average of around 55 new dwelling approvals each year, totaling 275 homes across the previous 5 financial years. In the context of recent population contraction, this level of housing supply has likely satisfied buyer demand, with new dwellings being constructed at an average value of $410,000. Furthermore, $68.4 million in commercial development approvals was registered in the current financial year, highlighting solid commercial development activity. Per-capita development in Wagga Wagga - West closely tracks the Rest of NSW, sustaining a balanced market environment.
Recent residential construction comprises 47.0% detached dwellings alongside 53.0% medium and high-density housing. This shift toward compact housing offers accessible entry-level options suited to downsizers, first-home purchasers, and investors, marking a notable evolution from the existing built profile of 64.0% houses as land availability tightens and lifestyle and affordability requirements evolve. Generating around 187 people per dwelling approval, Wagga Wagga - West maintains the traits of a low density area. According to the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch, Wagga Wagga - West is anticipated to add 366 residents by 2041. Prevailing building activity is positioned to satisfy this housing demand effectively, creating constructive market conditions for purchasers and supporting potential growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wagga Wagga - West
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 16 current infrastructure and development projects inside Wagga Wagga - West, worth an estimated $808 million. A further 101 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $19.6 billion. 37 are already under construction and 41 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure programs, major projects, and town planning initiatives substantially guide community performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 45 projects expected to impact Wagga Wagga - West, led by key developments including the Bunnings Wagga Wagga Relocation, Tolland Renewal Project, Wagga Wagga Arts & Culture Quarter, and Inland Rail - Albury to Illabo.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
Expansion and modernization of emergency department facilities including additional treatment bays, upgraded imaging services, improved patient flow areas and enhanced trauma facilities.
Inland Rail - Albury to Illabo
Enhancements across 185km of existing rail corridor from the Victoria-NSW border to Illabo to accommodate double-stacked freight trains. Major 2026 works include a 96-hour track possession in May for Murray River bridge upgrades, piling at Edmondson Street and Pearson Street in Wagga Wagga, and new footbridge construction at Albury and Junee stations.
Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre - Performing Arts Masterplan
Comprehensive redevelopment and expansion of the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre within the Wollundry Lagoon cultural precinct. The masterplan includes an expanded auditorium, modernised back-of-house facilities, new rehearsal and multi-use performance spaces, improved accessibility, and activated public foyer areas. Led by Wagga Wagga City Council, the project aims to cater to growing regional arts demand and major touring productions.
Wagga Wagga Health and Knowledge Precinct
Strategic master-planned health and education precinct surrounding the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and Calvary Riverina Hospital, designed to integrate healthcare delivery, biomedical research, higher education facilities, and accommodation.
Wagga Wagga Entry Point Housing Scheme
An innovative affordable housing initiative by Wagga Wagga City Council and NSW Government enabling streamlined delivery of affordable freehold entry-level homes for local first-time home buyers.
Wagga Wagga Cultural Precinct Upgrade
Revitalisation and master planning of the Wagga Wagga cultural precinct integrating the Civic Centre, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, National Art Glass Collection, and Civic Theatre. The project aims to improve public domain linkages, accessibility, cultural programming capacity, and exhibition spaces.
Bolton Park Master Plan Redevelopment
City of Wagga Wagga master plan redevelopment of Bolton Park precinct into a regional sports and entertainment hub. The proposed staged development encompasses upgraded sporting facilities, potential indoor stadium expansion, Jim Elphick Tennis Centre upgrades, improved active transport connections, parking, and public open space revitalisation.
7-Eleven Wagga Wagga Service Station
The first 7-Eleven in Wagga Wagga, featuring a 24-hour convenience store, fuel station, and amenities, replacing existing buildings at the site.
5,586 residents of Wagga Wagga - West are employed, from a labour force of 5,940. Unemployment sits at 6.0%, with participation at 61.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 16,978, about 146% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The area of Wagga Wagga - West boasts a capable labor pool where essential services are well represented and the unemployment rate stands at 6.0%. By March 2026, there were 5,586 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.1% that sits 1.9% higher than the Regional NSW average, while workforce participation remains broadly comparable to the 60.6% observed in Regional NSW. Census data indicates that only 7.7% of residents worked from home, a figure that should be viewed in light of the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns. Major sectors of employment for local residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade.
The district demonstrates particular concentration in public administration & safety, where its employment share is 1.6 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 2.2% of local workers compared to 5.3% regionally. Recording 1.4 workers for every resident at the Census, the area serves as a key employment hub, accommodating more jobs than local residents and drawing commuters from surrounding districts. According to AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM releases over a 12-month timeframe, the local labour pool shrank by 3.4% as employment fell by 2.5%, resulting in a 0.9 percentage points decline in unemployment. Across Regional NSW, employment contracted by 0.9%, the labour force dropped by 0.4%, and unemployment rose 0.5 percentage points. Industry outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide further visibility into future labour requirements in Wagga Wagga - West across five and ten-year intervals. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories diverge by sector. Applying these industry weightings to the local employment base suggests local jobs could grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (note that this extrapolation is illustrative and excludes local demographic modeling).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wagga Wagga - West is $1,279 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $756 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,355 a year against an average of $64,680. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode-level statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate a median taxpayer income of $53,355 and an average of $64,680 across the Wagga Wagga - West SA2, sitting below national averages while comparing to the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Incorporating a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 elevates estimated figures to roughly $58,861 (median) and $71,355 (average) as of March 2026. At the 2021 Census, household income ranked at the 18th percentile, whereas individual income placed higher at the 39th percentile.
Income distribution shows a primary cohort of 28.8% of residents (3,349 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, echoing the 29.9% observed across Regional NSW. Living cost pressures remain pronounced, with 84.1% of income retained after housing costs, placing the area at the 19th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wagga Wagga - West had 4,981 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 64% detached houses and 21% apartments. 22% are owned with a mortgage, 52% rented and 27% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $270 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,302 a month. Rent absorbs 21.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census assessments show the residential stock of Wagga Wagga - West consists of 64.3% houses and 35.8% other dwellings (including apartments, semi-detached, and 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional NSW where 82.6% are houses and 17.4% are other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 27.0%, behind the broader regional level, while 21.5% of residences were mortgaged and 51.5% were rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,302, and the median weekly rent stood at $270, both well below the Regional NSW figures of $1,733 and $330. In a national context, local monthly mortgage payments remain substantially below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are markedly under the nationwide median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wagga Wagga - West counted 4,981 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 23% couples without children. 41% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent 54.1% of all living arrangements in Wagga Wagga - West, including 22.9% couples without children, 17.6% couples with children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 45.9%, driven by lone person households at 40.6% and group households at 5.2%. The median household size of 2.1 people is smaller than the Regional NSW benchmark of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.0% of adults in Wagga Wagga - West hold a university qualification, including 15.9% with a bachelor degree and 5.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.4% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 1,460 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 977 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Academic credentials in Wagga Wagga - West trail broader state levels, with 24.0% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees compared to 32.2% across NSW, indicating scope for educational attainment and skills growth. Bachelor degrees form the largest category at 15.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Meanwhile, technical training is widespread, with 34.8% of individuals aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including certificates (26.4%) and advanced diplomas (8.4%). Formal study engagement is elevated across Wagga Wagga - West, with 28.1% of residents actively attending educational institutions.
This comprises 8.6% enrolled in primary education, 6.2% in secondary education, and 6.0% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Wagga Wagga - West reaches 147 stops on 110 routes, timetabled for about 1,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.0 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity in Wagga Wagga - West encompasses 147 operational stops across train and bus services, supporting 110 individual routes that deliver 1,466 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is rated as good, with residents situated an average of 202 meters from their nearest stop. With travel largely directed outward, private cars remain the primary mode of travel at 83%, followed by walking at 11%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below regional norms, and 7.7% of workers worked from home at the 2021 Census under COVID-19 conditions. Transit services maintain an average frequency of 209 trips per day across the network, corresponding to approximately 9 weekly trips for each individual stop.
The accompanying mapping illustrates the 100 nearest stops relative to the centrepoint of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.8% of residents in Wagga Wagga - West report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 93% of areas nationally. 7.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health evaluations by AreaSearch indicate notable challenges across Wagga Wagga - West in terms of chronic illness and mortality metrics, with diverse health conditions affecting both younger and older cohorts. In addition, private health insurance coverage is relatively constrained, held by approximately 51% of the population (~5,954 people). The most prevalent chronic conditions in the locality are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 11.1 and 10.0% of residents respectively, while 61.8% reported no ongoing medical conditions compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents experience elevated rates of chronic illness.
Residents aged 65 and over account for 19.0% of the community (2,206 people), below the Regional NSW level of 23.3%, with senior health rankings aligning broadly with nationwide patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Wagga Wagga - West is largely Australian-born, at 86.5% of residents, with 10.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.1%) and Australian (28.3%). 6.3% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Wagga Wagga - West sits below wider benchmarks, with 84.9% of residents holding Australian citizenship, 86.5% born in Australia, and 89.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 57.4% of the population. The most prominent overrepresentation is found in the Other category, which accounts for 2.4% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW. In terms of parental heritage, the leading reported ancestries in Wagga Wagga - West are English at 29.1%, Australian at 28.3%, and Irish at 10.4%. Noticeable differences also appear among other ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal heritage is overrepresented at 6.3% (against 4.6% regionally), German ancestry stands at 3.5% (against 3.1%), and Sri Lankan heritage accounts for 0.2% (against 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wagga Wagga - West is 35. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 33.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Wagga Wagga - West maintains a younger demographic profile than Regional NSW overall. AreaSearch estimates for August 2026 place 30.6% of residents in the young to middle aged adults bracket (25 - 44) compared to 23.5% across Regional NSW, whereas middle aged and young retiree cohorts (45 - 64) represent 19.0% versus 23.8% regionally. The estimated median age is 35, down from 36 at the 2021 Census and 8 years younger than the Regional NSW median of 43 recorded at the same Census. Since that Census, middle aged and young retiree cohorts have contracted from 21.7% to an estimated 19.0%.
By 2041, the largest numerical gain is forecast among young to middle aged adults, increasing by 551 residents (15%) to 4,109, while middle aged and young retiree cohorts and retiree and elderly cohorts are projected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wagga Wagga - West
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month all 16 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 124 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (11,962 at the 2021 Census → 11,630 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (113031270). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.