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

The suburb of Wonthaggi's population is estimated at around 6,213 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 998 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,215 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,627 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 290 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 116 persons per square kilometer. Wonthaggi's growth of 19.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of Vic.'s (8.1%) and the national average, 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 2,560 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 31.8% 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 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, 35 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY-21 and FY-25.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $570,000. In FY-26, $31.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Wonthaggi shows 70.0% higher new home approvals per person. Construction activity has eased recently. New development consists of 96.0% detached houses and 4.0% townhouses or apartments.

With around 81 people per dwelling approval, Wonthaggi is considered a growth area. Population forecasts indicate Wonthaggi will gain 1,974 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified twenty projects likely to impact the region. Notable ones include the Wonthaggi Hospital Stage 2 Redevelopment, Bass Coast Health Staff Accommodation Facility, Summerfields Estate, and the 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.

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

Wonthaggi has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar employment. Essential services sectors are well represented, unemployment rate is 4.6%, and estimated employment growth over the past year is 6.3%. As of December 2025, 2,298 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.9% higher than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation lags at 48.6%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.5%. Only 11.5% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. 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 just 3.1% of local workers, below Regional Vic.'s 7.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over a 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 6.3%, labour force by 5.4%, reducing unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. Regional Vic., however, saw employment decline of 0.6% and unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 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 median taxpayer income in Wonthaggi is $36,271 and the average is $46,561 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. Nationally, these figures are lower than average, with Regional Vic.'s median at $50,954 and average at $62,728. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $39,263 (median) and $50,402 (average), based on an 8.25% increase from the financial year 2023 Wonthaggi figures. The 2021 Census data shows that incomes in Wonthaggi fall within the 0th to 4th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The income distribution reveals that the $400 - 799 bracket is dominant, with 37.4% of residents (2,323 people), while in broader areas, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Economic circumstances indicate widespread financial pressure, with 47.8% of households having 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 above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Wonthaggi, as per the latest Census, 85.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 14.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Regional Vic.'s figures of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wonthaggi stood at 47.4%, with mortgaged properties at 22.2% and rented dwellings 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 recorded at $270, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Wonthaggi's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than 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 compose 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 account for 44.5%, with lone person households at 41.8% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.0 people, 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 prevalent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (28.1%). A total of 23.5% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 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' average proximity to the nearest stop is 324 meters, indicating good accessibility. The area is primarily residential with outward commuting patterns. Car use dominates at 89%, while walking accounts for 8%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below the regional norm. In 2021 Census data, 11.5% of residents 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 significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial, affecting both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (around 2,818 people), compared to 50.5% across Regional Vic., and 55.7% nationally.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 13.6% and 10.8% of residents respectively. However, 53.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Wonthaggi has 34.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,155 people), higher than the 23.9% in Regional Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Wonthaggi's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.8% of its population being citizens, 84.2% born in Australia, and 94.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Wonthaggi, comprising 47.6% of people. The category 'Other' had an overrepresentation in Wonthaggi, making up 0.8% compared to 0.8% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 32.6%, Australian at 29.7%, and Scottish at 9.7%. Notably, Dutch was overrepresented at 1.8% (vs regional 1.7%), Italian at 5.3% (vs regional 2.9%), and Welsh at 0.6% (vs regional 0.4%).

Wonthaggi ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Wonthaggi's median age is 55 years, which is higher than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and older than the national norm of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are prominent at 17.4%, while the 5-14 group is smaller at 8.3% compared to Regional Vic.. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.2%, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 10.8% to 9.9%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Wonthaggi's age structure, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to rise substantially by 352 people (58%) from 602 to 955.