Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale

An assessment of population growth drivers in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's population is around 20,900 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 139 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,761 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,828 in Jun 2024 and an additional 109 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,324 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, 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 are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, a population increase of 1,406 persons is projected based on latest annual ERP numbers, reflecting a gain of 6.4% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale has seen approximately 79 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 397 homes. As of FY26, 16 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.2 new residents arrive per new home each year between FY21 and FY25, indicating supply meeting or exceeding demand. New properties are constructed at an average cost of $682,000, targeting the premium segment.

This financial year, $6.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale shows around 66% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 46th percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strong demand for established properties. Recent construction consists of 49.0% detached dwellings and 51.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from existing housing patterns (currently 70.0% houses). The area has approximately 374 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale is projected to gain 1,333 residents.

Based on current development trends, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely to influence the region. Notable projects include Woonona Place, The Plaza Woonona Specialist Retail and Recreational Centre, MH Property Woonona-Bulli RSL Townhouse Development, and 481-485 Princes Highway Multi Dwelling Housing Development. The following list details 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.

The labour market in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.3%.

As of June 2025, 10,592 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 0.4% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW at 60.2%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, education & training has high concentration with levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.3% compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 1.3%, labour force grew by 0.9%, and unemployment rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data to Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that while national employment expands by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $59,207 and an average income of $81,476. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Rest of NSW's $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on 12.61% Wage Price Index growth since FY2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $66,673 (median) and $91,750 (average). Census 2021 income data shows Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's household, family, and personal incomes are at the 60th percentile nationally. Income distribution reveals 27.8% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the broader area's 29.9%. High weekly earnings exceed $3,000 for 31.3% of households, indicating strong consumer spending. Housing costs consume 15.5% of income, but disposable income ranks at the 64th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale, as per the latest Census, 69.8% of dwellings were houses while 30.3% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's figures of 58.9% houses and 41.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in the area stood at 37.1%, with mortgaged properties at 39.1% and rented ones at 23.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,349, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,189. Median weekly rent in the area was $390 compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 73.2% of all households, including 36.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.8%, with lone person households at 24.9% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 30.3% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region average of 25.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 36.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (24.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.9% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 96 active transport stops operating in the area of Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. They are serviced by 40 individual routes, providing a total of 1,508 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 227 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 215 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but notably higher among older cohorts. Approximately 61% of the total population (12,707 people) has private health cover, compared to 56.6% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.4%) and mental health issues (8.2%).

67.6% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the 68.6% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.2% (4,008 people), compared to 17.7% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to presenting challenges.

Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale had a cultural diversity level below average, with 85.4% of its population born in Australia, 92.9% being citizens, and 93.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 51.8% of people in Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale, compared to 51.0% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (29.5%), Australian (29.2%), and Irish (8.9%).

Notably, Welsh was overrepresented at 0.9%, Dutch at 1.7%, and Scottish at 8.9%, compared to regional percentages of 0.8%, 1.5%, and 7.7% respectively.

Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale's median age is 41 years, lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but higher than Australia's average of 38. The 45-54 age group constitutes 13.7%, compared to Rest of NSW's figure. The 65-74 cohort makes up 10.1%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 15-24 age group grew from 11.3% to 13.3%, while the 5-14 cohort declined from 14.4% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Woonona-Bulli-Russell Vale's age profile. The 25-34 cohort is expected to grow by 23%, adding 453 residents to reach 2,435. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 54% of population growth. Meanwhile, declines are projected for the 55-64 and 5-14 age groups.