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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Population
Mount Warrigal has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch
Mount Warrigal's population is estimated at around 4,895 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 15 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4,880 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 4,884 residents following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release (June 2024) and validation of five new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,576 persons per square kilometer, placing Mount Warrigal in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods for the suburb.
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. Projections indicate a decline in overall population of Mount Warrigal by 34 persons by 2041, but growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 25 to 34 age group with an expected increase of 120 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Mount Warrigal is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
Mount Warrigal has seen around 10 dwelling approvals per year on average over the past five financial years ending June 2025. This totals an estimated 50 homes. In the current financial year, up to June 2026, four approvals have been recorded. The area's population decline has kept housing supply adequate relative to demand, maintaining a balanced market with good buyer choice.
New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $386,000. Mount Warrigal has also registered $1.3 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating its residential nature. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Mount Warrigal shows significantly reduced construction activity, 78.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, Mount Warrigal's new building activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity comprises 20.0% detached houses and 80.0% attached dwellings, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This shift from the current housing mix of 98.0% houses reflects reduced availability of development sites and changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.
Mount Warrigal's population density is around 615 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. With stable or declining population forecasts, Mount Warrigal may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Mount Warrigal has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
No infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include Warilla Beach Seawall Renewal, Shellharbour Mobile Tiny Homes Pilot Program (starting 2021), Shellharbour City Centre Masterplan (commenced April 2020), and New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services (scheduled completion in 2023).
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Shellharbour City Centre Masterplan
The Shellharbour City Centre Masterplan is a state-led rezoning proposal covering a 125-hectare site designed to transform the CBD into a high-density economic and social heart. The plan enables approximately 5,000 new homes, including up to 750 social and affordable dwellings, and integrates retail, commercial, and quality public spaces. Key components include the redevelopment of the current Shellharbour Hospital site (post-2027 decommission), adjoining TAFE, and NSW Land and Housing properties. Exhibition for the rezoning is projected for Q2 2026, with finalisation expected by the end of 2026.
New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services
A $782 million major health infrastructure project delivering a new seven-storey greenfield hospital at Dunmore. Key features include an expanded emergency department with a rooftop helipad, specialized elective surgery theatres, mental health inpatient units, and comprehensive outpatient services. The project also encompasses the new Warrawong Community Health Centre and upgrades to Wollongong and Bulli Hospitals to enhance the Illawarra Shoalhaven health network.
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
The Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone is a 1,022 square kilometre declared area in the Pacific Ocean located at least 20 km offshore between Wombarra and Kiama. Declared on June 15, 2024, the zone has a potential generation capacity of 2.9 GW, sufficient to power 1.8 million homes. As of January 2026, the project is in a transitional phase; the sole feasibility licence applicant, BlueFloat Energy, formally withdrew in early 2026 due to global supply chain and commercial pressures. While no feasibility licences are currently active for generation, the zone remains officially declared. The Federal Government has opened applications for Research and Demonstration (R&D) licences to test emerging technologies like floating foundations and wave energy within the zone.
Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ)
NSW's first urban Renewable Energy Zone designed to integrate 1 GW of network capacity. The project focuses on leveraging existing industrial, port, and grid infrastructure to support green hydrogen, green steel, and offshore wind industries. It uniquely emphasizes consumer energy resources like rooftop solar and community batteries. As of early 2026, EnergyCo continues detailed infrastructure planning and community engagement following the 2025 Roundtable which identified over $43 billion in potential private investment interest.
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
The Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone is a Commonwealth-declared area covering 1,022 square kilometres in the Pacific Ocean, located 20km to 45km off the NSW coast between Wombarra and Kiama. Declared on 15 June 2024, the zone has a potential generation capacity of 2.9 GW, enough to power approximately 1.8 million homes. Following a competitive application process in late 2024, Corio Generation Australia was awarded the first feasibility licence in December 2025. This allows for seven years of detailed environmental assessments, geotechnical surveys, and community consultation to determine the technical and commercial viability of a large-scale floating offshore wind farm.
West Dapto Urban Release Area
The West Dapto Urban Release Area (WDURA) is the largest urban growth project in New South Wales outside the Sydney metropolitan region, spanning approximately 3,000 to 4,500 hectares. The long-term master plan facilitates the delivery of 19,500 new dwellings to house an estimated 59,000 residents over a 50-year horizon. As of early 2026, major infrastructure works are active, including the Cleveland Road Stage 1 upgrade (widening to four lanes) and the West Dapto Road upgrade, with the latter scheduled to reopen to traffic in July 2026. The precinct features eight future centers, including three major town centers at Bong Bong, Darkes, and Marshall Mount, alongside extensive community facilities, schools, and sustainable stormwater networks. The project is supported by the West Dapto Development Contributions Plan 2024, which seeks to secure over $1.57 billion in infrastructure funding.
Rail Service Improvement Program (Mortdale-Kiama)
The Rail Service Improvement Program (formerly More Trains, More Services) is a multi-billion-dollar NSW Government initiative to modernize the rail network for the Mariyung fleet. The Mortdale to Kiama package involves infrastructure upgrades including the Mortdale Maintenance Centre (active maintenance and shunting works in February 2026), platform extensions at Kiama (completed), and ongoing signaling, power supply, and station improvements at Thirroul and Shellharbour Junction to enable increased service frequency on the T4 Illawarra and South Coast lines.
Shellharbour Mobile Tiny Homes Pilot Program
State-first two-year pilot program allowing mobile tiny homes on existing residential properties without development applications. Council approved September 23, 2025. Planning Proposal to amend Shellharbour LEP 2013 requires NSW Government approval and 28-day public consultation (up to 6 months process). Program provides affordable rental housing through moveable dwellings on trailers registered under Road Transport Act 2013, subject to strict conditions including minimum setbacks, connection to essential services, and fire safety compliance. Addresses housing crisis where median house price is $1 million.
Employment
Employment conditions in Mount Warrigal face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally
Mount Warrigal has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate in December 2025 was 14.2%. This is an increase of 1.3% from the previous year.
The area's unemployment rate is higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation is lower at 55.4% compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Approximately 18.5% of residents work from home, though this may have been influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. The leading employment industries in Mount Warrigal are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
Construction stands out with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 0.2% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Over the year to December 2025, employment in Mount Warrigal increased by 1.3%, while the labour force grew by 0.8%. This resulted in a decrease in unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw a contraction in employment of 1.2%, with a fall in labour force of 0.8% and an increase in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Warrigal's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
Mount Warrigal's median income among taxpayers was $51,230 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $62,830 during the same period. These figures are lower than Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $55,769 (median) and $68,397 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Mount Warrigal fall between the 14th and 25th percentiles nationally. In terms of income distribution, 31.0% of locals (1,517 people) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the regional figure of 29.9%. Mount Warrigal residents have severe housing affordability pressures, with only 82.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 23rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Mount Warrigal is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Mount Warrigal's dwelling structures in the latest Census were 98.0% houses and 2.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Warrigal was at 43.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.5% and rented ones at 26.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Mount Warrigal was $405, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Mount Warrigal's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Mount Warrigal features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 77.4% of all households, including 28.6% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 17.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.6%, with lone person households at 21.3% and group households at 1.7%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Mount Warrigal faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 12.7%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (32.0%). Educational participation is high at 26.2%, with 10.4% in primary, 6.9% in secondary, and 2.5% in tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in primary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Public transport analysis shows 46 active transport stops operating within Mount Warrigal, consisting of buses. These stops are serviced by 27 individual routes, collectively providing 456 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 142 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward, with car remaining the dominant mode at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, some 18.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.
Service frequency averages 65 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Mount Warrigal is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Mount Warrigal faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment.
Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 52% of Mount Warrigal residents have private health cover (~2,535 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.1%) and mental health issues (9.1%). Notably, 61.2% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. Mount Warrigal has 23.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,169 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
In terms of cultural diversity, Mount Warrigal records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Mount Warrigal's population, born in Australia, is 81.0%. Citizenship stands at 90.1%, with English spoken exclusively at home by 87.6%. Christianity is the prevalent religion, at 58.8%, compared to Regional NSW's 55.9%.
Top ancestral groups are Australian (27.1%), English (27.1%), and Other (6.6%). Spanish representation is notably higher at 1.3% versus regional 0.3%, Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.2%, and Macedonian at 2.0% versus 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Mount Warrigal's median age exceeds the national pattern
Mount Warrigal's median age is 41 years, which is lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 but higher than Australia's national average of 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 12.7% of Mount Warrigal's population, compared to Regional NSW's figure. However, the 55-64 cohort makes up only 11.5%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 25-34 age group has increased from 11.4% to 12.7%, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 11.9% to 10.6% and the 55-64 group has fallen from 12.6% to 11.5%. Demographic modeling predicts significant changes in Mount Warrigal's age profile by 2041, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow strongly at 13%, adding 83 residents to reach a total of 705. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 5-14 and 65-74 cohorts.