Wellington

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

Wellington's population is approximately 9,194 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 425 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,769. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,122 in June 2024 and an additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2.6 persons per square kilometer. Wellington's growth rate of 4.8% since the 2021 census exceeds that of the SA4 region (3.4%) and the SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 43.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.

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, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to grow by approximately 631 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of around 6.1% in total over the 17-year period, which is just below the median growth rate for Australia's non-metropolitan areas.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Wellington, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Wellington has averaged approximately 18 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 92 homes. As of FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 1.1 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. However, this figure has increased to 10.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential supply constraints in the area. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $475,000.

In FY-26, $5.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting Wellington's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Wellington records significantly lower building activity, with 64.0% fewer approvals per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 83.0% detached dwellings and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character. The estimated population density is 1074 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Wellington's population is forecasted to grow by 559 residents through to 2041.

At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Wellington has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 32 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Wellington Roads To Home Project Nanima Village, Wellington Battery Energy Storage System, Orana Battery Energy Storage System, and Wellington North Solar Farm. The following details projects expected to be 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 indicates Wellington faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Wellington has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 4.6%. As of June 2025, 3,352 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.0% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%, with workforce participation at 46.0% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%.

Key employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and public administration & safety. Wellington specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing, employing 2.9 times the regional average, but manufacturing employs only 2.7% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 5.8%. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, Wellington's labour force decreased by 1.9% and employment fell by 3.3%, increasing unemployment by 1.4 percentage points. Conversely, Rest of NSW saw employment decrease by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points.

In broader context, NSW's state-level data to Nov-25 shows employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wellington's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Wellington SA2 had an income below the national average. The median income was $44,471 and the average income stood at $50,647. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income was $49,459 and the average income was $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Wellington SA2 would be approximately $50,079 (median) and $57,034 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census data revealed that household, family, and personal incomes in Wellington all fell between the 10th and 13th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile showed that 27.3% of locals (2,509 people) had incomes in the $800 - $1,499 category, differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominated at 29.9%. Despite modest housing costs with 87.9% of income retained, total disposable income ranked at just the 14th percentile nationally.

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

In Wellington, as per the latest Census, 93.5% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 6.5% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. In contrast, Non-Metro NSW had 88.0% houses and 12.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wellington stood at 42.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.1% and rented ones at 27.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,100, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,450. The median weekly rent in Wellington was $230, compared to $280 in Non-Metro NSW. Nationally, Wellington's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,100 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wellington features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.2% of all households, including 22.1% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.8%, with lone person households at 31.7% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Wellington faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 44.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (34.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 37.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.1% in primary education, 10.8% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Wellington has 307 active public transport stops. These include train and bus services. There are 35 different routes operating, providing a total of 1,119 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 177 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency is 159 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Wellington is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Wellington faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 46% (~4,247 people) have private health cover, compared to 49.7% across Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.9%) and mental health issues (9.2%), while 61.3% report having no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Rest of NSW.

Wellington has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 20.5% (1,887 people), compared to 19.5% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly similar to the general population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees Wellington placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Wellington has a cultural diversity index below the average, with 78.6% citizens, 91.6% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 65.6% of Wellington's population, similar to the Rest of NSW figure of 65.6%. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (31.3%), English (28.6%), and Australian Aboriginal (15.2%).

Irish ethnicity is notably higher in Wellington at 7.8%, compared to the regional average of 8.2%, while French ethnicity stands at 0.4%, slightly above the regional figure of 0.3%.

Wellington's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Wellington's median age is 41 years, which is lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 but higher than the national average of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 13.9% of Wellington's population, compared to a higher percentage in the Rest of NSW. The 75-84 cohort makes up 6.8% of Wellington's population. According to post-2021 Census data, the 35-44 age group has increased from 11.6% to 12.5%, while the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 13.6% to 12.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Wellington's age profile will change significantly. The 35-44 cohort is projected to grow by 18%, adding 206 residents to reach 1,353. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 65-74 cohorts.