Wodonga

Population growth drivers in Wodonga are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The population of the Wodonga statistical area (Lv2) is estimated to be around 20,497 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 238 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,259. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 20,080 in June 2024, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 163 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 547 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 54.0% 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, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, significant population growth is forecasted for the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the Wodonga (SA2) expected to increase by 7,571 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 37.8% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Wodonga when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Wodonga has seen approximately 57 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 287 homes were approved, with an additional 40 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling built over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25) has resulted in approximately 2.3 new residents.

This indicates healthy demand, which should support property values. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $435,000, reflecting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, there have been $4.5 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating Wodonga's primarily residential nature. Comparatively, Wodonga shows substantially reduced construction activity relative to the Rest of Vic., at 59.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

Nationally, this is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development in Wodonga consists of approximately 77.0% standalone homes and 23.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. This is reflected in the population density of around 311 people per approval, indicating a low-density area. Looking ahead, Wodonga is expected to grow by approximately 7,738 residents through to 2041, according to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Wodonga 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 35 projects expected to impact the region. Notable initiatives include Mann Central Shopping Complex Stage 2, Junction Place Urban Renewal Precinct, House Creek Precinct Housing, and Oddies Creek Splash Park. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Wodonga's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate as of September 2025 was 7.4%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

In this period, 9,793 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.7% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was at 60.1%, slightly above Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key employment industries included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Manufacturing stood out with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employed only 1.2% of local workers, lower than Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.5% and employment declined by 3.0%, leading to a 1.5 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. This contrasted with Rest of Vic.'s milder changes. State-wide, Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year to 25-November 2025, adding 41,950 jobs, while the state unemployment rate was 4.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wodonga's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended 30 June 2022, Wodonga's median income among taxpayers was $51,015 with an average of $58,193. This is below the national average. Rest of Vic.'s median was $48,741 and average was $60,693. Based on a 12.16% growth in Wage Price Index since financial year ended 30 June 2022, current estimates for Wodonga would be approximately $57,218 (median) and $65,269 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Wodonga rank modestly, between the 25th and 40th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 31.9% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (6,538 residents), similar to the surrounding region where 30.3% fall into this bracket. After housing costs, 84.9% of income remains, ranking at the 27th percentile nationally.

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

In Wodonga, as per the latest Census evaluation, 86.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 13.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This is compared to Non-Metro Vic., where 91.6% of dwellings were houses and 8.5% were other dwelling types. Home ownership in Wodonga stood at 31.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.6% and rented ones at 38.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,387, below Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,473. The median weekly rent in Wodonga was recorded at $280, matching Non-Metro Vic.'s figure but significantly lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Wodonga's mortgage repayments were considerably lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

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

Family households account for 65.4 percent of all households, including 24.4 percent that are couples with children, 25.6 percent that are couples without children, and 14.2 percent that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.6 percent, with lone person households at 31.5 percent and group households comprising 3.0 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Wodonga shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 18.6%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 11.6% and certificates for 30.0%. Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.4% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Wodonga's public transport system operates 129 active stops, serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 45 unique routes, offering a total of 1,017 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 237 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 145 trips daily across all routes, translating to about 7 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Wodonga, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% (~10,225 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues affect 11.4% of residents, while asthma impacts 9.4%. About 62.3% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Rest of Vic.. The area has 18.3% (3,750 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 20.7% in Rest of Vic.. Senior health outcomes present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

Wodonga ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wodonga's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.3% of its population being citizens born in Australia who primarily speak English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wodonga, comprising 49.2% of the population. Notably, Judaism, which makes up 0.1% of Wodonga's population, is proportionally equal to that of the rest of Victoria.

The top three ancestry groups in Wodonga are Australian (29.7%), English (29.0%), and Irish (8.9%). There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: German at 5.1% compared to 4.8% regionally, Croatian at 0.6% versus 0.4%, and Serbian at 0.3% compared to 0.2%.

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

Wodonga has a median age of 38, which is lower than the Rest of Vic figure of 43 but equivalent to the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 15.0% of Wodonga's population, higher than the Rest of Vic., while the 65-74 cohort constitutes 10.3%. According to the 2021 Census, the 25-34 age group has increased from 13.8% to 15.0%, and the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 12.9% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Wodonga's age profile, with the 25-34 group leading this shift by growing by 72% (2,200 people), reaching 5,275 from its current total of 3,074.