Wonthaggi

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Wonthaggi is around 6,123. This figure reflects an increase of 908 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,215. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 6,079 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, along with an additional 295 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 114 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's growth rate of 17.4% since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of Vic.'s growth rate of 4.3%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing 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 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, 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 applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends predict exceptional growth, placing the suburb in the top 10 percent of national non-metropolitan areas, with an expected increase of 2,897 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 46.6% in total over the 16 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Wonthaggi recorded around 103 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 517 homes. So far in FY-26, 46 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, there is an average of 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed.

Supply and demand appear well-matched, fostering stable market dynamics. The average construction value of new properties is $570,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, $31.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Rest of Vic., Wonthaggi shows 69.0% higher new home approvals per person. This should provide buyers with ample choice, though construction activity has eased recently.

Nationally, this level is well above average, suggesting strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists of 96.0% detached houses and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Wonthaggi's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 81 people per dwelling approval, Wonthaggi exhibits growth area characteristics. Population forecasts indicate Wonthaggi will gain 2,853 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 19 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Wonthaggi Hospital Stage 2 Redevelopment, Summerfields Estate, Bass Coast Health Staff Accommodation Facility, 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.

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Wonthaggi has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Wonthaggi has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, with an estimated employment growth of 7.6% in the past year.

As of December 2025, there are 2,432 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%. This is 0.6% higher than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is lower at 47.3%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. Only 11.5% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade is particularly strong, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 3.1% of local workers, compared to Regional Vic.'s 7.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the difference between working population and resident population counts. In the 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 7.6%, while labour force increased by 6.8%, resulting in a 0.8 percentage point decrease in unemployment. By comparison, Regional Vic. saw employment decline by 0.6% and labour force decline by 0.7%, with unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. 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, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

The suburb of Wonthaggi had a median taxpayer income of $36,271 and an average of $46,561 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages, with Regional Vic.'s median income being $50,954 and average income being $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for March 2026 would be approximately $39,760 (median) and $51,040 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Wonthaggi fall between the 0th and 4th percentiles nationally. The income distribution shows that 37.4% of residents (2,290 people) earn within the $400 - $799 bracket, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is dominant at 30.3%. Economic circumstances indicate financial pressure, with 47.8% of households operating on weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Wonthaggi is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Wonthaggi's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.9% houses and 14.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wonthaggi stood at 47.4%, with mortgaged properties at 22.2% and rented ones at 30.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,198, lower than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Wonthaggi was $270, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Wonthaggi's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,198 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute the remaining 44.5%, with lone person households at 41.8% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.3%). Vocational credentials are held by 38.1% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 28.1%. Currently, 23.5% of the population is actively engaged in formal education: 9.0% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 2.3% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.5% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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, served by 7 routes offering 167 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good accessibility, with an average distance of 324 meters to the nearest stop. Most commute outward daily. Car is the primary mode at 89%, while 8% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below the regional norm. In 2021 Census data, 11.5% worked from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 23 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 5 weekly trips per stop.

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

Wonthaggi faces substantial health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, affecting both younger and older age cohorts. Only approximately 45% of Wonthaggi's total population (~2,777 people) has private health cover, compared to Regional Vic.'s 50.5% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.6%) and mental health issues (10.8%), while 53.5% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Regional Vic.'s 63.4%. Health challenges among the working-age population are notable due to elevated chronic condition rates. Wonthaggi has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (37.2%, or 2,277 people) than Regional Vic. (23.9%). Senior health outcomes present some challenges but generally align with national rankings.

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

Wonthaggi, as per the census conducted on 27 June 2016, showed lower cultural diversity with 88.8% of its population being Australian citizens, 84.2% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 47.6% of Wonthaggi's population. The 'Other' category comprised 0.8% of the population, similar to Regional Vic's 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (32.6%), Australian (29.7%), and Scottish (9.7%). Notably, Dutch (1.8%) was slightly overrepresented compared to Regional Vic's 1.7%, as were Italian (5.3% vs 2.9%) and Welsh (0.6% vs 0.4%).

Wonthaggi ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Wonthaggi's median age is 55 years, which is higher than Regional Vic.'s average of 43 and older than the national norm of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 18.7%, while the 5-14 group is smaller at 7.9% compared to Regional Vic. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 11.6% to 13.3%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 8.1% to 9.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 10.8% to 9.2% and the 5-14 group dropped from 9.2% to 7.9%. 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 483 people (91%) from 532 to 1,016.