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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
Wongawilli lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Wongawilli's population is estimated at around 1,650 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 437 people (36.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,213 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,458 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 189 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 375 persons per square kilometer. Wongawilli's growth exceeded the non-metro area (5.7%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.
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 NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Population projections predict exceptional growth placing Wongawilli in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally over the period, with an expected increase of 1,024 persons to 2041 reflecting a total increase of 47.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Wongawilli among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide
Wongawilli has averaged approximately 42 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 214 homes. As of FY-26, there have been 17 approvals recorded to date. This averages out to around 1.7 new residents arriving per year for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balance between supply and demand in the area. The average value of new dwellings developed is $430,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments.
In the current financial year, there have been $7.8 million worth of commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential activity. Wongawilli records 471.0% more building activity per person relative to Rest of NSW, which is significantly above the national average, suggesting robust developer interest in the area. New development consists of approximately 58.0% standalone homes and 42.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns that are currently predominantly houses (99.0%). This suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 34 people per dwelling approval, Wongawilli exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the population is forecasted to gain approximately 785 residents by 2041.
Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Wongawilli has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects expected to impact the region. Notable projects are Brooks Reach Central Precinct, Fair Views Estate, West Dapto Road Upgrade, and Sydney Water - West Dapto Package 3 (Cleveland).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ)
NSW's first urban Renewable Energy Zone designed to integrate 1 GW of network capacity. The project focuses on leveraging existing industrial, port, and grid infrastructure to support green hydrogen, green steel, and offshore wind industries. It uniquely emphasizes consumer energy resources like rooftop solar and community batteries. As of early 2026, EnergyCo continues detailed infrastructure planning and community engagement following the 2025 Roundtable which identified over $43 billion in potential private investment interest.
Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone
The Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone is a Commonwealth-declared area covering 1,022 square kilometres in the Pacific Ocean, located 20km to 45km off the NSW coast between Wombarra and Kiama. Declared on 15 June 2024, the zone has a potential generation capacity of 2.9 GW, enough to power approximately 1.8 million homes. Following a competitive application process in late 2024, Corio Generation Australia was awarded the first feasibility licence in December 2025. This allows for seven years of detailed environmental assessments, geotechnical surveys, and community consultation to determine the technical and commercial viability of a large-scale floating offshore wind farm.
Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
State-wide NSW planning reforms to enable diverse low and mid-rise housing, including dual occupancies, terraces, townhouses, and apartment buildings up to 6 storeys. The policy applies to residential zones within 800m of 171 nominated transport hubs and town centres. Stage 1 (dual occupancies) commenced 1 July 2024, and Stage 2 (mid-rise apartments and terraces) commenced 28 February 2025. In June 2025, further amendments adjusted aircraft noise thresholds and clarified storey definitions to expand the policy's reach. The initiative is expected to facilitate approximately 112,000 additional homes by 2030.
West Dapto Urban Release Area
The West Dapto Urban Release Area (WDURA) is the largest urban growth project in New South Wales outside the Sydney metropolitan region, spanning approximately 3,000 to 4,500 hectares. The long-term master plan facilitates the delivery of 19,500 new dwellings to house an estimated 59,000 residents over a 50-year horizon. As of early 2026, major infrastructure works are active, including the Cleveland Road Stage 1 upgrade (widening to four lanes) and the West Dapto Road upgrade, with the latter scheduled to reopen to traffic in July 2026. The precinct features eight future centers, including three major town centers at Bong Bong, Darkes, and Marshall Mount, alongside extensive community facilities, schools, and sustainable stormwater networks. The project is supported by the West Dapto Development Contributions Plan 2024, which seeks to secure over $1.57 billion in infrastructure funding.
Mariyung Fleet (New Intercity Fleet)
The Mariyung Fleet is a 610-carriage double-deck electric train fleet (D sets) replacing the aging V-set fleet across the NSW intercity network. Delivered by the RailConnect consortium, the trains feature 2x2 seating, charging ports, dedicated luggage/bicycle spaces, and enhanced accessibility with wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets. The fleet operates in 4, 6, 8, or 10-car formations. Passenger services commenced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line on 3 December 2024 and the Blue Mountains Line on 13 October 2025. South Coast Line services are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026. The project includes the Kangy Angy Maintenance Facility and extensive corridor upgrades such as platform extensions and signaling modifications.
Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan 2041
The strategic blueprint for the region's transport network to 2041, comprising 71 initiatives to support a population of 505,000. Key projects include the $1.9 billion Princes Highway Upgrade program, Mount Ousley interchange, Picton Road upgrade, and rail improvements (More Trains, More Services). The plan targets a '30-minute city' vision, ensuring 20% of trips are made by walking, cycling, or public transport, and improving freight connections to Western Sydney.
M1 Princes Motorway South-Facing Ramps at Dapto
Transport for NSW is planning new south-facing entry and exit ramps to better connect Dapto and nearby suburbs to the M1 Princes Motorway. Options under investigation include locations at Kanahooka Rd, Fowlers Rd or Emerson Rd. Community consultation in late 2023 to early 2024 showed strong support. Planning is ongoing with matched NSW and Australian Government funding for planning and further design.
Brooks Reach Central Precinct
Expansion of the Brooks Reach masterplanned residential community with development approval for a central precinct featuring approximately 170 new residential lots, building on the existing estate to provide family homes in a growing suburb near amenities and transport.
Employment
AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Wongawilli performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia
Wongawilli has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 1.8%, lower than the Rest of NSW's 3.8%.
Over the past year, employment stability has been relative. As of September 2025, Wongawilli has 828 residents employed and a participation rate of 78.6%, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Health care & social assistance is particularly strong, employing 1.2 times more workers than the regional average.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs none of Wongawilli's workers, compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The area appears to have limited local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 0.5% while unemployment rose by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, the Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW's employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wongawilli's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis
The suburb of Wongawilli, according to AreaSearch aggregated postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023, has a median taxpayer income of $70,691 and an average of $87,459. These figures are among the highest in Australia, contrasting with Rest of NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $76,954 (median) and $95,208 (average) as of September 2025. From the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Wongawilli, between the 90th and 95th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 43.0% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (709 residents), aligning with regional levels where this cohort likewise represents 29.9%. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 44.2% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consume 18.3% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 94th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Wongawilli is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region
In Wongawilli, as per the latest Census, 99.2% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 0.8% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's dwelling composition of 85.5% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wongawilli was at 13.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 77.0% and rented ones at 9.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Wongawilli was $2,600, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,000. Weekly rent in Wongawilli was recorded at $600, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $365. Nationally, Wongawilli's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Wongawilli features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households represent 93.2% of all households, including 60.2% couples with children, 25.6% couples without children, and 5.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 6.8%, with lone person households at 7.2% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 3.4 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Wongawilli demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics
Wongawilli's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 27.2% have university qualifications, compared to 16.9% in the SA3 area and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 30.3%.
Educational participation is high in Wongawilli, with 33.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 15.2% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Transport analysis indicates five active stops in Wongawilli, all serving buses. Seven routes operate collectively, facilitating 200 weekly passenger trips. Residents' accessibility to public transport is rated good, with an average distance of 285 meters to the nearest stop.
Service frequency averages 28 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 40 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Wongawilli's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups
Wongawilli shows excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 61% (1,013 people), compared to 52.0% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 8.0% and 7.5% respectively.
79.5% report being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than Rest of NSW's 63.9%. Wongawilli has 4.3% (70 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Rest of NSW's 19.0%. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
In terms of cultural diversity, Wongawilli records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Wongawilli's population showed cultural diversity similar to the wider region, with 82.9% born in Australia, 92.3% being citizens, and 85.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Wongawilli (64.2%), slightly higher than the Rest of NSW average (58.1%). The top three ancestry groups were Australian (29.2%), English (24.4%), and Other (7.8%).
Spanish, Macedonian, and Serbian ethnicities showed notable differences: Spanish was overrepresented at 1.2% in Wongawilli compared to the regional average of 0.9%, Macedonian was slightly underrepresented at 3.4% versus 3.8%, and Serbian was marginally overrepresented at 0.9% compared to 0.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Wongawilli hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
Wongawilli has a median age of 31, which is lower than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 20.5% of Wongawilli's population, higher than Rest of NSW but below the national average of 14.5%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort makes up only 3.0% of Wongawilli's population. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 19.5% to 20.5%, while the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 18.1% to 17.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that Wongawilli's 25-34 age group will grow by 52%, reaching 515 people from the current 338.