North Wonthaggi

North Wonthaggi lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of North Wonthaggi statistical area (Lv2) is around 3,919, reflecting a 444 person increase since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 3,475 in North Wonthaggi (SA2). This growth represents a 12.8% rise from 2021 to Nov 2025. AreaSearch's analysis, based on latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024) and additional validated new addresses since the Census date, estimated the resident population at 3,641 in Jun 2024. The population density ratio is 385 persons per square kilometer. North Wonthaggi's growth exceeded both non-metro area average (7.9%) and national average since 2021.

Interstate migration contributed approximately 88.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch projections for North Wonthaggi are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 were used with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, exceptional growth is predicted over the period to 2041, with an expected expansion of 1,837 persons, reflecting a 42.1% increase in total population over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions North Wonthaggi among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, North Wonthaggi has seen around 26 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years ending FY-25. This totals an estimated 131 homes. So far in FY-26, which began on July 1st, 2025 and ends on June 30th, 2026, 15 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 4.1 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

This indicates demand significantly exceeds new supply, which can result in price growth and increased buyer competition. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $570,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, there have been $10.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, North Wonthaggi shows approximately 65% of construction activity per person while it places among the 84th percentile of areas assessed nationally. New development consists of 97.0% standalone homes and 3.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 119 people per dwelling approval, North Wonthaggi shows characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate North Wonthaggi will gain 1,652 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

North Wonthaggi has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Eight projects were identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. These include Summerfields Estate, Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan (2016-2030), Bass Coast Health Staff Accommodation Facility (commencing 2022), and Parklands Estate, Wonthaggi (planned for completion in 2025). The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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The labour market in North Wonthaggi demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

North Wonthaggi has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate is 3.7%.

Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 4.5%. As of September 2025, 1,677 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate similar to Rest of Vic.'s at 3.8%. Workforce participation is lower than average at 53.6%. Dominant sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Retail trade has a particularly high representation at 1.6 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing is lower at 2.4% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.5% and labour force increased by 3.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment decline by 0.7%. State-level data from November 25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years for North Wonthaggi, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that in North Wonthaggi, median income is $41,131 and average income is $52,800. This is below the national averages of $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average) for Rest of Vic. Based on an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for North Wonthaggi would be approximately $44,524 (median) and $57,156 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in North Wonthaggi fall between the 10th and 10th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 30.2% of residents (1,183 people), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 30.3% in the same category. After housing costs, 86.1% of income remains, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

North Wonthaggi is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

North Wonthaggi's dwelling structure, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 99.0% houses and 1.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in North Wonthaggi stood at 46.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.3% and rented ones at 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,450. Median weekly rent in North Wonthaggi was $300, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $295. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,863 and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

North Wonthaggi has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 71.2% of all households, including 25.5% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.8%, with lone person households at 25.3% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of Vic average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 9.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are common, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (31.3%). Educational participation is high, with 26.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.1% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

North Wonthaggi has seven active public transport stops operating, all of which serve buses. These stops are covered by three different routes that together offer 80 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically living just 253 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 11 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in North Wonthaggi is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges in North Wonthaggi, affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 48% (~1,872 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (11.0%) and mental health issues (9.4%). About 61.0% report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of Vic.'s 61.6%. Around 23.2% (~909 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than Rest of Vic.'s 28.6%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

North Wonthaggi ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

North Wonthaggi, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016, showed lower cultural diversity compared to the national average. It had 85.6% of its population born in Australia, with 89.9% being citizens and 93.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 44.2% of North Wonthaggi's population.

Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised 0.8%, slightly higher than the Rest of Vic.'s average of 0.5%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.4%), Australian (28.6%), and Irish (8.3%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Dutch was overrepresented at 2.7% compared to the regional average of 2.5%, Italian at 5.1% versus 3.4%, and Maltese at 0.4%.

North Wonthaggi's median age exceeds the national pattern

North Wonthaggi's median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 15-24 are prominent at 12.1%, while the 55-64 group is smaller at 12.0% compared to Rest of Vic.. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 10.7% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has declined from 13.8% to 12.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for North Wonthaggi. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 79%, adding 372 residents to reach 843.