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 was around 9,213 as of November 2025. This showed an increase of 444 people, a 5.1% rise since the 2021 Census which reported 8,769 residents. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,122 in June 2024 and additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 2.6 persons per square kilometer. Wellington's growth exceeded both the SA4 region (3.0%) and SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 43.1% to population gains, although all drivers were positive factors.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with 2021 as the base year were used. Growth rates by age group were applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below Australia's non-metropolitan median was expected, with the area projected to grow by 631 persons to 2041, reflecting a 5.9% total increase over the 17 years.

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 averaged approximately 18 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 92 homes. As of FY-26, 14 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 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 value of $329,000.

This financial year, $5.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting Wellington's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Wellington has markedly lower building activity, with 64.0% fewer approvals per person. This scarcity 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 focused on family homes. The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 1074 people.

According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, Wellington is forecasted to gain 540 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing good 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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 34 projects likely impacting 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 list highlights 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 analysis reveals Wellington recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Wellington has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, and the unemployment rate is 4.4%. As of September 2025, 3,343 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.6% higher than Rest of NSW's 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Wellington lags at 46.8%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census data, only 13.1% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and public administration & safety. Wellington specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 2.9 times the regional level.

Manufacturing employs just 2.7% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.8%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, Wellington's labour force decreased by 4.2%, and employment fell by 4.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.5%, labour force fall by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 12.5% over ten years for Wellington, based on industry-specific projections applied to its current employment mix.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that median income in Wellington SA2 is $45,471 and average income is $50,941. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where the median income is $52,390 and average income is $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% from financial year ending June 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income in Wellington SA2 would be approximately $49,500 and average income would be around $55,454 by that date. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Wellington fall between the 10th and 13th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The earnings profile shows that 27.3% of locals earn between $800 - 1,499 per week, differing from metropolitan regions where the predominant income category is $1,500 - 2,999 at 29.9%. Housing costs in Wellington are relatively low, with residents retaining 87.9% of their income after housing expenses. However, total disposable income ranks at only the 14th percentile nationally.

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

Wellington's dwelling structures, as per its latest Census evaluation, consisted of 93.5% houses and 6.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's structure of 82.6% houses and 17.4% 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, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Wellington was $230, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Wellington's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wellington features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 34.8%, with lone person households at 31.7% and group households comprising 3.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of NSW.

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 NSW's average of 32.2%. This figure presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 44.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 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

Transport analysis indicates 323 active public transport stops in Wellington, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 36 individual routes, collectively facilitating 1,038 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 177 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 90%, with 7% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 13.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 148 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Several health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46% of Wellington's total population (~4,247 people), compared to 51.9% in the Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.9% of residents) and mental health issues (9.2%). However, 61.3% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in the Rest of NSW. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to high chronic condition rates. Wellington has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.5% (1,891 people), compared to 23.0% in the Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings for the overall population.

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's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 78.6% of its population being citizens, 91.6% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Wellington is Christianity, comprising 65.6% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW. Top ancestry groups include Australian (31.3%), English (28.6%), and Australian Aboriginal (15.2%), which is significantly higher than the regional average of 4.6%.

Notably, Irish ethnicity is overrepresented in Wellington at 7.8%, compared to 8.8% regionally, while French ethnicity remains similar at 0.4%.

Wellington's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Wellington's median age is 41 years, lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but higher than Australia's national average of 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 13.9% of Wellington's population, compared to Rest of NSW's figure. The 75-84 cohort makes up 6.8%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35-44 age group grew from 11.6% to 12.5%, while the 55-64 cohort declined from 13.6% to 12.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Wellington's age profile. The 35-44 cohort is projected to grow by 18%, adding 204 residents to reach 1,353. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 65-74 cohorts.