Wallerawang

An assessment of population growth drivers in Wallerawang reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population updates for Wallerawang, as of November 2025 its population is estimated at around 2,065 people. This reflects an increase of 46 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,019 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,004, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest Estimated Residential Population (ERP) data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 31 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 30 persons per square kilometer. Wallerawang's 2.3% growth since census positions it within 0.6 percentage points of the SA4 region (2.9%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 70.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest a population increase just below the median of locations outside capital cities, with Wallerawang expected to grow by 223 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 8.3% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Wallerawang is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Wallerawang has recorded approximately five residential properties granted approval each year. Between financial years 2021 and 2025, around 26 homes were approved, with two more approved in the current financial year of 2026 to date.

The population has declined recently, but development activity has been adequate relative to this decline. Developers are focusing on the premium market, with an average construction value of $654,000 per dwelling. Compared to the rest of NSW, Wallerawang shows about 56% of the construction activity per person and ranks in the 24th percentile nationally for areas assessed, indicating somewhat limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent construction comprises 86.0% detached dwellings and 14.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining Wallerawang's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 670 people. Population forecasts indicate Wallerawang will gain 171 residents by the year 2041. Development activity is keeping pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

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

Nine projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to influence the local area's performance. Key projects include Wallerawang 9 Battery Energy Storage System, Great Western Battery, Former Wallerawang Power Station Redevelopment, and Sidey Place, Wallerawang. The following list details those projects likely to be 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 employment environment in Wallerawang shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Wallerawang has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 2.1% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation in June 2025. This rate is 1.6% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%, while workforce participation is similar at 56.4%.

Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and mining. Mining stands out with an employment share 3.9 times the regional level, whereas agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.2% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The area seems to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Wallerawang's labour force decreased by 2.6% and employment declined by 3.3%, leading to a 0.7 percentage point rise in unemployment.

In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, the labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wallerawang's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for local population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Wallerawang had a median income among taxpayers of $49,948 and an average level of $61,270. These figures are lower than the national averages of $53,112 (median) and $67,048 (average). In Rest of NSW, the median was $49,459 and the average was $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for Wallerawang as of September 2025 would be approximately $56,246 (median) and $68,996 (average). The 2021 Census data ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Wallerawang between the 22nd and 30th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 31.1% of locals (642 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this range. After housing expenses, 85.4% of income remains for other expenses.

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

Wallerawang's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.1% houses and 5.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wallerawang was at 35.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.0% and rented ones at 26.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,600. Median weekly rent in Wallerawang was $275, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Wallerawang's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 71.0% of all households, consisting of 30.5% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.0%, with lone person households at 26.5% and group households comprising 3.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Wallerawang faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 10.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 7.0%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (35.5%).

Educational participation is high at 29.2%, including primary education (12.1%), secondary education (8.5%), and tertiary education (1.9%). Wallerawang Public School, established in 1874, serves the area with an enrollment of 208 students as of 2021. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. As of 2020-21, there are 10.1 school places per 100 residents, below the regional average of 13.8. Some students may attend schools in adjacent areas due to limited local capacity.

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

Wallerawang has 56 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 23 different routes that together offer 177 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 196 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 25 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Wallerawang faces significant health challenges, as indicated by data showing high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups.

The area has approximately 51% private health cover, slightly lower than the average SA2 area. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.1% and 9.3% of residents respectively. About 63.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.9% in Rest of NSW. The elderly population (aged 65 and over) comprises 20.3%, or 419 people, which is lower than the 23.1% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging but generally align with the overall population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees Wallerawang placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Wallerawang's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 92.1% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (92.4%), and speaking English only at home (96.1%). Christianity was the predominant religion in Wallerawang, comprising 54.4% of the population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Rest of NSW, with 0.2% versus 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (30.1%), and Scottish (8.8%). There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 6.4% compared to the regional average of 4.9%, Maltese remained unchanged at 0.5%, and Polish increased from 0.4% regionally to 0.7%.

Wallerawang's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Wallerawang is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but closely aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Wallerawang has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (15.1%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (6.5%). According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75-84 increased from 4.8% to 6.5%, while those aged 15-24 rose from 11.1% to 12.5%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 45-54 decreased from 12.0% to 10.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Wallerawang's age structure. Notably, the 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 22%, reaching 300 residents from its current figure of 245. Conversely, the population of those aged 15-24 and 5-14 is projected to decrease.