Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

The population of the Wagga Wagga statistical area (Lv2) is estimated to be around 7,187 as of November 2025. This reflects a decrease of 11 people since the Census in 2021, which reported a population of 7,198. The current resident population estimate by AreaSearch is 7,003, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and validation of an additional 102 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 814 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Wagga Wagga (SA2) is expected to grow by 335 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of approximately 2.8% in total over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Wagga Wagga according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Wagga Wagga experienced around 33 dwelling approvals per year. Between FY21 and FY25, approximately 169 homes were approved, with a further 20 approved in FY26 so far. The population decline over recent years suggests new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering good choice to buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $451,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. This financial year has seen $45.1 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Relative to Rest of NSW, Wagga Wagga maintains similar development levels per person, consistent with the broader area's market balance.

New development consists of 56.0% detached houses and 44.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. The location has approximately 211 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. AreaSearch estimates Wagga Wagga will grow by 199 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Wagga Wagga has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nineteen projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Bunnings Wagga Wagga Relocation, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Emergency Department Expansion (commencing 2021), 7-Eleven Wagga Wagga Service Station (opening late 2022), and Wagga Wagga Arts & Culture Quarter (planned for completion in early 2023). Below is a list of projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Wagga Wagga are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Wagga Wagga has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.2%.

As of September 2025, 3,662 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.6% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is at 60.9%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance employs 1.3 times more residents than the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 2.2% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.9, indicating substantial employment opportunities locally. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 3.2%, and labour force grew by 4.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.4 percentage points in Wagga Wagga. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that over five years, employment should increase by 6.7%, and over ten years by 14.1% in Wagga Wagga. These projections are based on industry-specific growth rates applied to the local employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Wagga Wagga had an average national income level according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $55,303 and the average income stood at $67,459, compared to figures for Rest of NSW's of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $60,203 (median) and $73,436 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows personal income ranks at the 52nd percentile ($819 weekly), while household income sits at the 24th percentile. Distribution data shows the largest segment comprises 30.1% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,163 residents). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 24th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Wagga Wagga displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Wagga Wagga, as per the latest Census evaluation, 53.9% of dwellings were houses while 46.1% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differs from Non-Metro NSW where 88.4% of dwellings are houses and 11.7% are other types. Home ownership in Wagga Wagga stood at 28.8%, with mortgaged properties at 18.2% and rented ones at 53.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Wagga Wagga was $295 compared to Non-Metro NSW's $280. Nationally, Wagga Wagga's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,517 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $295 versus the national figure of $375.

Wagga Wagga features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 47.7% of all households, including 15.4% couples with children, 23.2% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 52.3%, with lone person households at 45.7% and group households comprising 6.5%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

Wagga Wagga performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Wagga Wagga's residents aged 15+ have a higher proportion with university qualifications (30.5%) compared to the broader SA4 region (18.7%) and SA3 area (20.4%). Bachelor degrees are most common (19.9%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.6% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (23.1%). Educational participation is high, with 26.4% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 7.8% in tertiary, 6.5% in primary, and 5.0% in secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.8% in tertiary education, 6.5% in primary education, and 5.0% pursuing secondary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 84 active stops operating within Wagga Wagga. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. There are 92 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 1,998 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 193 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 285 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 23 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Wagga Wagga faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have high prevalence rates for common health conditions.

The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 54% (~3,852 people), which is higher than the average SA2 area but lower than the Rest of NSW's 51.5%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.8% and 9.2% of residents respectively. However, 62.8% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 64.5% in the Rest of NSW. The area has a senior population (aged 65 and over) of 20.3% (1,458 people), with health outcomes among seniors generally aligning with those of the wider population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Wagga Wagga records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wagga Wagga's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 82.5% of residents being citizens, 82.5% born in Australia, and 85.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wagga Wagga, comprising 56.5% of its population. The most notable overrepresentation is in the 'Other' category, which constitutes 3.4% of Wagga Wagga's population compared to 1.5% across Rest of NSW.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups are English (29.0%), Australian (25.7%), and Irish (11.8%). Scottish representation is notably higher at 8.6%, German at 4.0%, and Australian Aboriginal at 2.8%.

Wagga Wagga's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Wagga Wagga is 37 years, which is lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 years make up a significant portion (21.9%) while those aged 5-14 years are comparatively smaller at 6.8%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the median age has decreased by 1.3 years from 38 to 37 years, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. Key changes include the growth of the 25-34 age group from 19.0% to 21.9%, and the 0-4 cohort from 4.8% to 6.0%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 11.8% to 10.0%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 9.8% to 8.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Wagga Wagga, with the 25-34 age group expected to grow by 20% (317 people), reaching 1,891 from 1,573. In contrast, the 5-14 and 75-84 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.