Wingham

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, Wingham's population is estimated at around 5,503 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 108 people (2.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,395 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,397 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 27 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 89 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 56% 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. Moving forward with demographic trends, lower quartile growth of non-metropolitan areas nationally is anticipated. The Wingham statistical area (Lv2) is expected to grow by 128 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of approximately 0.4% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Wingham has recorded around 12 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years to June 2021. This totals an estimated 64 homes. By May 2026, six approvals have been recorded. The area's population decline suggests new supply has likely kept up with demand, offering good choice to buyers.

New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $358,000. In the current financial year, there have also been $4.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to Rest of NSW, Wingham has significantly less development activity, 55.0% below regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

All new construction has been comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 569 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Wingham is expected to grow by 22 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified nine projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Manning River Underbore, a new water supply pipeline to Wingham; Wingham Residential Development; Wingham Central Park Master Plan; and Pacific Highway - Harrington Road Interchange. 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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Wingham faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Wingham has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.3%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 2,318 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 1.5% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Wingham is lower at 48.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Notably, health care & social assistance has a significantly higher share of employment at 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety is under-represented with only 3.6% of Wingham's workforce compared to Rest of NSW's 7.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.0%, while employment decreased by 1.2%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.5%, labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years for national employment. Applying these projections to Wingham's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Wingham has a lower income level than average nationally, based on latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Wingham is $40,800 and the average income stands at $47,836. These figures compare to those of Rest of NSW, which are $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). By September 2025, estimated median income in Wingham is approximately $44,415 and average income is around $52,074, based on a 8.86% growth since financial year ended June 2023. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, incomes in Wingham fall between the 7th and 9th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The income distribution shows that majority of residents (29.3%, or 1,612 people) earn within the $800 - $1,499 bracket, contrasting with the broader area where the leading bracket is $1,500 - $2,999 at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Wingham, with only 84.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

Wingham is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Wingham, as per the latest Census evaluation, 92.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 8.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's dwelling structure of 87.7% houses and 12.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wingham stood at 44.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.0% and rented ones at 23.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,371, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. Weekly rent in Wingham was recorded at $306, slightly higher than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $300. Nationally, Wingham's median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,371 is significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents of $306 are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wingham features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 66.7% of all households, including 22.0% couples with children, 27.7% couples without children, and 15.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.3%, with lone person households at 30.8% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which matches the average for the Rest of NSW.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.9%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.7%) and certificates (33.7%). Educational participation is high at 26.8%, comprising 10.6% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 1.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Wingham has 187 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 24 individual routes that collectively facilitate 628 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 140 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 89 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately three weekly trips per stop.

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

Wingham faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 46%, covering around 2,527 people, compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 11.3% and 11.3% of residents respectively. Conversely, 57.6% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 57.7%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.3%, or 1,447 people, compared to Rest of NSW's 30.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Wingham are better than those of the general population.

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

Wingham's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 91.7% of its population being citizens, 92.9% born in Australia, and 97.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Wingham, comprising 56.7% of people, compared to 57.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.9%), English (34.9%), and Scottish (7.8%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal were overrepresented at 5.3%, Maltese at 0.4%, and Hungarian at 0.2%.

Wingham hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Wingham's median age is 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 years and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 55-64 make up a prominent 15.3% of the population, while those aged 25-34 constitute a comparatively smaller 9.2%. Between 2021 and the present day, the proportion of the population aged 15-24 has grown from 9.6% to 10.8%, while the proportion of individuals aged 25-34 has declined from 10.3% to 9.2%. By 2041, Wingham is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 45-54 group projected to grow by 14 people, reaching a total of 645 from 566. Meanwhile, the populations aged 0-4 and 5-14 are expected to decline.