Warrawong

Warrawong has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of 1 Nov 2025, Warrawong's estimated population is around 4,741. This reflects an increase of 82 people since the Census in 2021, which reported a population of 4,659. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 4,729 as of Jun 2024, derived from ABS ERP data and validated new addresses. This results in a density ratio of 1,802 persons per square kilometer, above the national average according to AreaSearch assessments. Overseas migration contributed approximately 69.0% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are applied. Growth rates by age group are projected until 2041. By then, the Warrawong (SA2) is expected to increase by 33 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a reduction of 1.2% in total over the 17 years from 2025 to 2041.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Warrawong, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Warrawong has seen around 15 residential properties approved annually over the past five financial years ending FY26, totalling an estimated 78 homes. By June 2026, six approvals have been recorded. The area's population decline suggests new supply has met demand, offering good choice to buyers. Average dwelling construction cost is $425,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating quality construction emphasis.

This year, $9.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to Rest of NSW and nationally, Warrawong shows half the construction activity per person, placing it among the 46th percentile with limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established homes. Recent construction comprises 80% standalone homes and 20% townhouses or apartments, maintaining traditional suburban character focused on family homes. With approximately 358 people per dwelling approval, Warrawong exhibits a developed market.

Population projections indicating stability or decline suggest reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers in the future.

Warrawong has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Nine projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the local area. Key projects include Southern Suburbs Community Centre and Library, Warrawong Community Health Centre, Warrawong Plaza Redevelopment, and Salvation Army Housing - Warrawong Group Home. The following list details those 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.

Employment conditions in Warrawong face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Warrawong has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, predominantly in manufacturing and industrial sectors. As of September 2025, its unemployment rate is 21.4%.

Compared to the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, Warrawong's rate is 17.6% higher, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation in Warrawong lags significantly at 38.7%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries employing residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade is particularly prominent, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.6% versus the regional average of 5.3%. The ratio of 0.8 workers per resident indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.3%, with an employment decline of 1.8%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, the Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Warrawong's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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 indicates Warrawong's median income among taxpayers is $42,355. The average income in the suburb is $52,189. This is below the national average. In comparison, Rest of NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for Warrawong as of September 2025 would be approximately $46,108 (median) and $56,813 (average). Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Warrawong fall between the 1st and 2nd percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that 31.7% of residents earn between $400 - 799 weekly, with only 78.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Warrawong's dwelling structure in its latest Census comprised 65.5% houses and 34.5% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 85.5% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Warrawong was at 34.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 15.7% and rented ones at 49.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,725, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Warrawong was $270, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $365. Nationally, Warrawong's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,725 against Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 61.2% of all households, including 22.2% couples with children, 20.2% couples without children, and 17.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.8%, with lone person households at 36.3% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 33.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 7.4% and certificates at 25.9%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.2% in primary, 9.0% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education.

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

Warrawong has 51 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 34 different routes that together facilitate 1,057 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 152 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, there are 151 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Warrawong is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Warrawong faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 48% (~2,258 people) have private health cover, compared to 52.0% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, impacting 10.9 and 10.5% of residents respectively.

Conversely, 60.8% report no medical ailments, compared to 63.9% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.1% (1,000 people), compared to 19.0% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors generally align with the broader population's health profile.

Warrawong is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Warrawong has high cultural diversity, with 36.8% of its population born overseas and 38.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Warrawong, comprising 61.4%, compared to 58.1% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (19.5%), English (18.6%), and Other (15.2%).

Notably, Macedonian (8.3%) Spanish (1.6%), and Serbian (1.4%) ethnic groups are overrepresented in Warrawong compared to regional averages of 3.8%, 0.9%, and 0.8% respectively.

Warrawong's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Warrawong is 40 years, which is slightly lower than Rest of NSW's average of 43 but higher than Australia's median age of 38. Comparing with Rest of NSW, the 25-34 age group is notably more prevalent in Warrawong at 14.3%, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 9.7%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 12.9% to 14.3% of the population, while the 0 to 4 cohort has risen from 6.2% to 7.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 11.7% to 10.5%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are projected for Warrawong. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 74 people (21%), from 365 to 440. Meanwhile, the 85+ and 5 to 14 cohorts are forecasted to decrease in population.