Woolgoolga - Arrawarra
Statistical Area - sa2

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra's population is approximately 15,152 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 689 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,463. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,052 in June 2024 and the addition of 230 validated new addresses after the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 56 persons per square kilometer. Woolgoolga - Arrawarra's growth rate of 4.8% since the 2021 census exceeds that of its SA3 area (4.2%), indicating it as a region leader in terms of population growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.8% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth for national non-metropolitan areas, with Woolgoolga - Arrawarra expected to increase by 3,280 persons to 2041 based on current numbers, resulting in a total gain of 21.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Woolgoolga - Arrawarra among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has received around 72 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 363 homes between FY-21 and FY-25. As of FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.7 new residents have moved into the area annually for every home built during this period. This high demand coupled with limited supply has led to price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction cost of new properties in the area is $236,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In FY-26, $32.5 million worth of commercial approvals have been registered, indicating significant local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has seen slightly higher development levels, with 23.0% more approvals per person over the five-year period.

This has maintained reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, development activity has slowed in recent periods. The majority of new building activity consists of standalone homes (85.0%), with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 15.0%. This preserves the area's low-density nature and attracts space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 397, reflecting a quiet development environment. By 2041, Woolgoolga - Arrawarra is projected to grow by 3,176 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 19thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects that may affect this region. Notable projects include Plantations by Ingenia Lifestyle Extension, Woolgoolga North West and West Growth Plans, Woolgoolga Town Centre Masterplan, and the 34 Trafalgar Street Residential Flat Building. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 3.8% as of June 2025. The area experienced employment growth of 2.3% over the past year.

There are 6,607 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and construction. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share of 2.8 times the regional level, while manufacturing has limited presence at 2.3% compared to 5.8% regionally.

Employment levels increased by 2.3% during the year to June 2025, with labour force increasing by 3.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW recorded employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with industry-specific projections suggesting local growth in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra of approximately 6.1%% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Woolgoolga - Arrawarra had a median taxpayer income of $43,336 and an average of $53,314. These figures are lower than the national averages. The Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Considering Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $48,801 (median) and $60,037 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra fall between the 23rd and 24th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 30.7% of the population, equating to 4,651 individuals, have incomes within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region at 29.9%. Housing affordability is severe, with only 83.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 24th percentile nationally.

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

Woolgoolga-Arrawarra's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolgoolga-Arrawarra stood at 43.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.6% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. The median weekly rent was $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Woolgoolga-Arrawarra's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.7% of all households, including 26.3% couples with children, 31.6% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 25.2% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate in 20.9% is significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 27.7%. Educational participation is high, with 26.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.2% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

Six schools operate within Woolgoolga - Arrawarra, educating approximately 2,284 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 993) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with five primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has 212 operational public transport stops. These are served by buses via 40 distinct routes. The combined weekly passenger trips across all routes total 387.

Residents' average proximity to the nearest stop is 188 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. Daily service frequency averages 55 trips across all routes, translating to roughly one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health performance in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Woolgoolga-Arrawarra faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (~7,121 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.6%) and mental health issues (8.7%). A majority (65.1%) report being completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 63.9%. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 24.5% (3,715 people).

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Woolgoolga-Arrawarra has a higher than average cultural diversity, with 19.5% of its population born overseas and 15.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Woolgoolga-Arrawarra, accounting for 40.7% of people. The most significant overrepresentation is seen in the 'Other' category, comprising 10.4% of the population compared to the Rest of NSW average of 3.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (30.0%), Australian (26.6%), and Other (9.0%). Notably, Indian (3.5%) and French (0.5%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Woolgoolga-Arrawarra compared to regional averages.

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has a median age of 43, matching the Rest of NSW figure and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile reveals that those aged 65-74 are notably prominent at 14.4%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 12.9% and the national average of 9.4%. Meanwhile, the 15-24 age group is smaller at 9.7%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 13.6%. Between the 2021 Census and present day, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 12.0% to 13.4%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 6.4% to 7.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 13.5% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra's age structure. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 55%, reaching 1,789 from 1,153. In contrast, the 65 to 74 cohort shows minimal growth of just 0%, remaining at 2 people.