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

North Wonthaggi's population, as of Nov 2025, is estimated to be around 3,621 people. This reflects a growth of 146 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,475. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3,551 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 166 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 356 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, North Wonthaggi demonstrated a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 88.0% of overall population gains 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 VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, exceptional growth is predicted over the period, placing North Wonthaggi in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally. The suburb is expected to expand by 1,777 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 52.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates North Wonthaggi saw around 22 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 114 homes. So far in FY-26, 10 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.7 people moved to the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $570,000.

In FY-26, there have been $1.7 million in commercial approvals. Relative to Rest of Vic., North Wonthaggi shows approximately 56% of the construction activity per person and places among the 80th percentile nationally for areas assessed. New development consists of 96.0% standalone homes and 4.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 137 people per dwelling approval, North Wonthaggi shows characteristics of a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, North Wonthaggi is forecasted to gain 1,890 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

North Wonthaggi has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely to affect the region. Notable projects include Summerfields Estate, Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan (2018), Bass Coast Health Staff Accommodation Facility (scheduled completion 2023), and Parklands Estate, Wonthaggi (commencement date unknown). 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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While North Wonthaggi retains a healthy unemployment rate of 4.0%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

North Wonthaggi has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar employment. Essential services sectors are well represented, and the unemployment rate is 4.0%.

As of June 2025, there are 1,609 residents in work. The unemployment rate is 0.2% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%, with workforce participation at 53.6% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade has a particularly strong representation, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 2.4% versus the regional average of 7.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. From June 2024 to June 2025, labour force decreased by 1.2%, while employment declined by 1.6%, raising unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. Rest of Vic. recorded employment decline of 0.9% and labour force decline of 0.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to North Wonthaggi's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

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 2022 shows that North Wonthaggi has an income below the national average. The median income is $41,131 and the average income stands at $52,800. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s figures where the median income is $48,741 and the average income is $60,693. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for North Wonthaggi would be approximately $46,133 (median) and $59,220 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in North Wonthaggi all fall between the 10th and 10th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 30.2% of residents (1,093 people), which is 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 only 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 per the latest Census, was 99.0% houses and 1.0% other dwellings. This 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, below 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 averaged $1,863 and rents were $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 28.8%, with lone person households at 25.3% and group households accounting for 3.2% of the total. 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 and above holding such qualifications, 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. Schools appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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 currently operating. These stops are served by a mix of bus routes, totaling five different routes. Together, these routes provide 96 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of the transport system is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 253 meters from their nearest stop. On average, there are 13 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 13 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

North Wonthaggi faces substantial health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age cohorts have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% (around 1,730 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 11.0%) and mental health issues (9.4%). Around 61.0% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Vic's 61.6%. North Wonthaggi has 23.2% (840 people) aged 65 and over, compared to Rest of Vic's 28.6%. Health outcomes among seniors align with the general population's health profile, presenting some challenges.

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 the data provided, showed lower cultural diversity with 85.6% of its population born in Australia, 89.9% being citizens, and 93.5% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion was Christianity, accounting for 44.2% of North Wonthaggi's population. Notably, the category 'Other' was slightly overrepresented, comprising 0.8% compared to the regional 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 at 2.7% (vs regional 2.5%), Italian at 5.1% (vs regional 3.4%), and Maltese at 0.4% (vs regional 0.4%).

North Wonthaggi hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

North Wonthaggi's median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile indicates that those aged 15-24 are particularly prominent at 12.0%, while the 55-64 group is comparatively smaller at 12.0% compared to Rest of Vic.. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 35-44 has grown from 10.7% to 11.5%. Conversely, those aged 65-74 have declined from 13.8% to 12.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest substantial demographic changes in North Wonthaggi, with the strongest projected growth occurring among the 25-34 cohort at 92%, adding 399 residents and reaching a total of 834.