Wonthaggi

Wonthaggi lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of Wonthaggi as of Nov 2025 is around 5,995. This reflects an increase of 780 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,215 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,862 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 247 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 112 persons per square kilometer. Wonthaggi's 15.0% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area (6.0%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 88.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of national non-metropolitan areas, is predicted over the period with the suburb expected to grow by 2,662 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 38.5% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Wonthaggi among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates that Wonthaggi has recorded approximately 104 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 520 homes. As of FY-26, 25 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were noted between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting a balance between supply and demand with stable market dynamics. The average construction value for new properties is $570,000, which is moderately above regional levels, indicating an emphasis on quality construction.

In FY-26, $57.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Wonthaggi shows 76.0% higher new home approvals per person, providing buyers with ample choice, although construction activity has recently eased. This level is well above the national average, reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists predominantly of detached houses (95.0%) and a smaller proportion of townhouses or apartments (5.0%), preserving Wonthaggi's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 79 people per dwelling approval, Wonthaggi exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

Latest AreaSearch quarterly estimates project that Wonthaggi will gain approximately 2,308 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Wonthaggi has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Wonthaggi Hospital Stage 2 Redevelopment, Bass Coast Health Staff Accommodation Facility, Summerfields Estate, and Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan. 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 drivers in Wonthaggi are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Wonthaggi has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, and the unemployment rate is 4.9%.

As of June 2025, 2,232 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.2% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Wonthaggi is significantly lower at 41.5%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade is particularly strong with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 3.1% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. In the period from June 2024 to June 2025, labour force decreased by 0.6% alongside a 1.2% employment decline, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced an employment decline of 0.9% and labour force decline of 0.4%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Wonthaggi's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

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

Wonthaggi's median taxpayer income was $36,271 and average income was $46,561 in financial year 2022. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of Vic.'s median income being $48,741 and average income $60,693. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $40,682 (median) and $52,223 (average), based on a 12.16% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in Wonthaggi falling between the 0th and 4th percentiles nationally. Income distribution data indicates that 37.4% of residents (2,242 people) earn within the $400 - $799 bracket, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Economic circumstances suggest widespread financial pressure, with 47.8% of households operating on weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability is severe, with only 83.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

The latest Census showed that in Wonthaggi, 85.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 14.1% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic had 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wonthaggi was 47.4%, similar to Non-Metro Vic's figure. Of the remaining dwellings, 22.2% were mortgaged and 30.4% were rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Wonthaggi was $1,198, lower than Non-Metro Vic's average of $1,450 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Wonthaggi was $270, compared to Non-Metro Vic's $295 and the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 55.5% of all households, including 15.1% couples with children, 27.3% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 44.5%, with lone person households at 41.8% and group households making up 2.7%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Wonthaggi fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 15.1%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (28.1%).

A substantial 23.5% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 9.0% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 2.3% in tertiary education. There are eight schools operating within Wonthaggi, educating approximately 2,547 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 976) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes three primary, four secondary, and one K-12 school. Wonthaggi functions as an education hub with 42.5 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 12.9, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Wonthaggi has 30 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by nine different routes that together offer 199 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 324 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 28 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately six weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Wonthaggi faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 45% (~2,719 people), compared to 47.9% across Rest of Vic., and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.6%) and mental health issues (10.8%), while 53.5% report no medical ailments, lower than Rest of Vic.'s 61.6%.

Residents aged 65 and over comprise 34.9% (2,092 people), higher than Rest of Vic.'s 28.6%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

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

Wonthaggi, surveyed in 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 88.8% citizens, 84.2% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 47.6%. The 'Other' religious category was overrepresented at 0.8%, compared to 0.5% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were English (32.6%), Australian (29.7%), and Scottish (9.7%). Dutch (1.8%) and Italian (5.3%) were notably overrepresented, while Welsh (0.6%) was slightly higher than regional averages.

Wonthaggi ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Wonthaggi has a median age of 55 years, which is considerably higher than the Rest of Vic average of 43 and older than the national norm of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 17.4%, while those aged 5-14 are comparatively smaller at 8.5% compared to the Rest of Vic. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and the present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 9.2% to 9.8% of the population. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 9.2% to 8.5%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Wonthaggi's age structure, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to rise substantially by 409 people (73%), expanding from 563 to 973.