Wollongong - West
Statistical Area - sa2

Wollongong - West has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Wollongong - West's population is 17,398 as of Aug 2025. Since the 2021 Census, this reflects an increase of 847 people, a 5.1% growth. The ABS estimated resident population in June 2024 was 17,353, with an additional 146 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a density ratio of 3,073 persons per square kilometer, placing Wollongong - West in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. Wollongong - West's population growth exceeded both its SA3 area (3.9%) and non-metro areas since the 2021 Census, marking it as a growth leader regionally. Overseas migration drove approximately 84.8% of recent population gains in the area.

AreaSearch's projections for Wollongong - West are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Wollongong - West is forecasted to grow by 6,000 persons, recording a total gain of 34.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Wollongong - West recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Wollongong - West has seen approximately 73 new homes approved annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 369 homes approved over the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, and an additional 3 approved so far in FY-26. On average, around 0.2 people have moved to the area per dwelling built annually over these five financial years. This suggests that supply has been meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average value of new properties constructed is $582,000, slightly above the regional average, indicating a focus on quality developments. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $28.3 million, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Wollongong - West has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 49th percentile nationally when measured against other areas assessed. This results in relatively constrained buyer choice, supporting interest in existing dwellings. New building activity shows that 20.0% are detached houses, with the remaining 80.0% being medium and high-density housing.

This shift towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers, representing a notable change from the area's existing housing composition of 48.0% houses. Wollongong - West has around 336 people per dwelling approval, indicating characteristics of a low-density area. Population forecasts suggest that Wollongong - West will gain approximately 5,954 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Wollongong - West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in its infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects that may impact this area. Notable projects include Wollongong Hospital Redevelopment - Planning and Equipment Upgrades, Wollongong Health Precinct Strategy, Wollongong Hospital ED Short Stay Units, and Kenny Street Mixed-Use Tower. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

AreaSearch assessment indicates Wollongong - West faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Wollongong - West has an unemployment rate of 7.2% as of June 2024, with estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year. As of June 2025, 9,190 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 3.6% above Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is 60.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade, while agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.3% versus the regional average of 5.3%. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, labour force by 0.5%, resulting in unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points.

By comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National forecasts suggest employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections based on Wollongong - West's employment mix estimate growth of approximately 6.9%% over five years and 14.4% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Wollongong - West has a median income of $45,231 and an average income of $61,814. This is below the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average) for Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $50,025 and an average income of $68,366 as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Wollongong - West rank modestly, between the 39th and 41st percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The largest income segment consists of 31.0% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (5,393 residents), similar to the surrounding region at 29.9%. Housing affordability is severe, with only 81.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 39th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Wollongong - West displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Wollongong - West, as assessed in the latest Census, 47.8% of dwellings were houses while 52.2% consisted of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differed from Non-Metro NSW's figures of 58.9% houses and 41.1% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Wollongong - West stood at 26.7%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 25.6% and rented ones making up 47.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,189. Weekly rent in Wollongong - West was recorded at $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Wollongong - West's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Wollongong - West features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 59.6% of all households, including 24.4% couples with children, 23.9% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.4%, with lone person households at 29.8% and group households comprising 10.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Wollongong - West exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Wollongong - West is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. As of the latest data, 36.9% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 25.2% in the SA4 region. This educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 23.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%).

Trade and technical skills also feature prominently, with 29.8% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (20.1%). Educational participation is notably high, with 34.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.0% in tertiary education, 7.4% in primary education, and 6.1% pursuing secondary education. A robust network of 9 schools operates within Wollongong - West, educating approximately 2,407 students. Wollongong - West demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1057. The educational mix includes 6 primary and 3 K-12 schools.

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

Wollongong - West has 127 active public transport stops. These are served by 61 routes, offering 5,441 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 139 meters.

There are approximately 777 daily trips across all routes, equating to about 42 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wollongong - West's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Wollongong - West residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions seen across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 51% (8,803 people), compared to 56.6% across Rest of NSW.

Mental health issues affect 10.2% and arthritis impacts 7.2% of residents. 69.5% report no medical ailments, versus 68.6% in Rest of NSW. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 13.6% (2,366 people), lower than the 17.7% in Rest of NSW.

Wollongong - West was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Wollongong-West had a cultural diversity higher than most local markets, with 32.4% of its population born overseas and 30.2% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Wollongong-West, accounting for 49.2%. Islam's representation was notably higher at 4.6%, compared to 2.5% across Rest of NSW.

The top three parental birth countries were England (22%), Australia (21%), and Other (12.3%). Notably, Macedonian (4.2%), Serbian (2.2%), and Croatian (1%) groups had higher representations than the regional averages of 1.5%, 0.8%, and 0.7% respectively.

Wollongong - West hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

The median age in Wollongong-West is 33 years, significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 and substantially below the national average of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Wollongong-West has a notably higher proportion of 25-34 year-olds at 22.3%, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 7.0%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of 25-34 year-olds has grown from 19.0% to 22.3%, while the 45-54 age group has declined from 11.7% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the 25-34 age group expected to grow by 59% (adding 2,302 people), reaching a total of 6,184 from its current level of 3,881.