West Wollongong

Population growth drivers in West Wollongong are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

West Wollongong's population is estimated at around 5,484 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 261 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,223 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 5,415 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and validation of 44 new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 2,636 persons per square kilometer, placing West Wollongong in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 5.0% since the 2021 census exceeded its SA3 area's growth of 4.5%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For future projections, 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 NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, West Wollongong is forecasted to grow by 1,807 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 31.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in West Wollongong shows approximately 17 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 88 homes. As of FY-26, three approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were seen between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand dynamic. New properties are constructed at an average value of $577,000, reflecting a focus on the premium segment.

In FY-26, $9.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Rest of NSW, West Wollongong has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 53rd percentile nationally, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations. New building activity consists of 27.0% standalone homes and 73.0% attached dwellings, indicating a shift towards denser development for accessibility and affordability. This differs from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 63.0% houses. West Wollongong has approximately 307 people per dwelling approval, characteristic of a low density area. By 2041, AreaSearch projections estimate an addition of 1,738 residents.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects potentially impacting this region. Notable projects are Adria Village Figtree, Wollongong Health Precinct Strategy, Kenny Street Mixed-Use Tower, and Wollongong Hospital ED Short Stay Units. Relevant details are provided below.

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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals West Wollongong recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

West Wollongong has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.5% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.6%.

As of that date, 2,868 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.6% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in West Wollongong was 67.4%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, 33.0% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food sectors.

Notably, employment levels in education & training are at 1.5 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.1% versus the regional average of 5.3%. The area appears to have limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the ratio of Census working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in December 2025, employment increased by 0.6% alongside labour force growth of 0.6%, keeping unemployment broadly stable. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to West Wollongong's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data shows West Wollongong had a median taxpayer income of $51,236 and an average of $68,778 in financial year 2023. These figures are slightly above the national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively for Regional NSW. Projecting forward with a Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $55,776 (median) and $74,872 (average). The 2021 Census places West Wollongong's household, family, and personal incomes between the 40th and 45th percentiles. Income analysis reveals 30.9% of residents fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income bracket, similar to the regional average of 29.9%. Housing affordability is severe, with only 82.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 45th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

The latest Census evaluated dwelling structures in West Wollongong as 63.1% houses and 37.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Wollongong was 31.0%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (32.3%) or rented (36.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,123, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in West Wollongong was $370, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, West Wollongong's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,123 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $370 than the national figure of $375.

West Wollongong features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 64.7% of all households, including 30.9% couples with children, 22.1% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for 35.3%, with lone person households at 27.4% and group households making up 7.8%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

West Wollongong shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

West Wollongong's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 34.2% have university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 25.2% in the SA4 region. This high level of educational attainment positions West Wollongong favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 21.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%).

Trade and technical skills are also prominent, with 31.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (21.7%). Educational participation is notably high in West Wollongong, with 35.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in tertiary education, 9.2% in primary education, and 8.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

West Wollongong has 60 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 55 different routes that together facilitate 1,615 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average living just 109 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to West Wollongong being primarily residential. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 90%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 33.0% of residents work from home, potentially reflecting COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 230 trips per day, equating to approximately 26 weekly trips per individual stop.

West Wollongong's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

West Wollongong residents have shown positive health outcomes according to AreaSearch's analysis conducted on 28th February 2021. Mortality rates and health conditions were found to be largely consistent with national benchmarks.

Common health issues were observed across both young and elderly age groups, with a high private health cover rate of approximately 54% (around 2,968 people), compared to Regional NSW's 51.9%. Mental health issues affected 8.6% of residents, while asthma impacted 7.4%, and 71.3% reported no medical ailments, higher than Regional NSW's 63.3%. The under-65 population had better-than-average health outcomes. As of the analysis date, 12.8% of residents were aged 65 and over (701 people), lower than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Senior health outcomes were above average and aligned with national rankings for the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in West Wollongong was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

West Wollongong, surveyed in 2016, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas with 25.6% of its population born overseas and 22.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 52.5%. Islam, however, was overrepresented at 4.5%, compared to 0.8% in Regional NSW.

In ancestry, English (23.2%) and Australian (22.8%) groups were lower than regional averages of 30.5% and 30.0% respectively, while Other (12.0%) was substantially higher than the regional average of 4.8%. Notable ethnic group divergences included Serbian at 2.2%, Macedonian at 2.0%, and Welsh at 0.8%, all higher than their respective regional averages of 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.5%.

West Wollongong's population is younger than the national pattern

West Wollongong has a median age of 34, which is lower than Regional NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's figure of 38. The 15-24 age group is over-represented in West Wollongong at 19.2%, compared to the Regional NSW average, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 6.4%. This concentration of young residents is higher than the national figure of 12.5%. Between 2021 and present, younger residents have shifted the median age down by one year to 34. Specifically, the 25-34 age group has grown from 13.6% to 16.9%, and the 15-24 age group has increased from 17.8% to 19.2%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has declined from 10.2% to 8.6%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 12.3% to 11.1%. Population forecasts for West Wollongong in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 56% (518 people), reaching 1,445 from 926. In contrast, the 55-64 age group shows minimal growth of just 10% (46 people).