Woolgoolga - Arrawarra

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 around 15,152 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 689 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,463 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,052 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 230 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 56 persons per square kilometer. Woolgoolga - Arrawarra's growth rate of 4.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.2%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 62.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for 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 the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 21.0% in total over the 17 years.

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

Woolgoolga-Arrawarra has received approximately 72 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 363 homes from FY-20 to FY-25. As of FY-26, 25 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.7 new residents moved into the area each year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a significant demand exceeding supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $236,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options.

In FY-26, commercial approvals amounting to $32.5 million have been registered, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Woolgoolga-Arrawarra has slightly higher development levels, with 23.0% more dwelling approvals per person over the past five years. This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand, although recent periods show a moderation in development activity.

The area maintains its low-density nature, with 85.0% standalone homes and 15.0% medium to high-density housing, attracting space-seeking buyers. As of FY-25, there were approximately 397 people per dwelling approval, reflecting the quiet development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Woolgoolga-Arrawarra is projected to gain 3,176 residents by 2041. 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 emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

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

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

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Employment performance in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has been broadly consistent with national averages

Woolgoolga-Arrawarra has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, lower than the Rest of NSW's 3.8%.

Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 2.5%. As of September 2025, 6,648 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% below the regional average and workforce participation similar to Rest of NSW's 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 2.8 times the regional level.

Manufacturing has limited presence at 2.3% compared to the regional 5.8%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.5%, labour force rose by 3.3%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.5% with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points during the same period. State-wide, NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) as of 25-November-2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Woolgoolga-Arrawarra's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Woolgoolga - Arrawarra SA2 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. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $48,801 (median) and $60,037 (average). Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra fall between the 23rd and 23rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 30.7% of the population (4,651 individuals) have incomes within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to surrounding regions at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 83.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 23rd percentile.

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

In Woolgoolga - Arrawarra, as per the latest Census evaluation, 90.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 10.0% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra stood at 43.7%, with mortgaged properties at 30.6% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $380, slightly higher than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $370. Nationally, Woolgoolga - Arrawarra's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and median weekly rents exceeded the national figure of $375 by $5.

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

Family households constitute 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 account for 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 is 20.9%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the 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, including advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (27.7%). Educational participation is high, with 26.0% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.2% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has 212 active public transport stops. These are served by a mix of buses along 40 different routes. Together, these routes facilitate 387 weekly passenger trips.

The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 188 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 55 trips per day across all routes, which equates 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 cohorts. Approximately 47% of its total population (~7,121 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (impacting 10.6% of residents) and mental health issues (8.7%). However, 65.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 63.9%. The area has a higher proportion of elderly residents aged 65 and over, with 24.5% (3,715 people) compared to the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Woolgoolga - Arrawarra records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of 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, making up 40.7% of its population. Notably, the category 'Other' comprises 10.4%, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 3.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (30.0%), Australian (26.6%), and Other (9.0%). There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Indian is overrepresented at 3.5% compared to the regional average of 1.1%, while Australian Aboriginal and French both have a representation of 4.0%.

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra's median age exceeds the national pattern

Woolgoolga - Arrawarra has a median age of 43, which matches the Rest of NSW figure and is higher than the national average of 38. The age profile indicates that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 14.4% of the population, compared to 9.7% for the 15-24 group. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is higher than the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 12.0% to 13.4%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 6.4% to 7.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 13.5% to 11.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Woolgoolga - Arrawarra's age structure. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 55%, adding 635 people and reaching a total of 1,789 from the current figure of 1,153. In contrast, the 65 to 74 cohort shows minimal growth of just 0% (an increase of only 2 people).