Woolgoolga

Woolgoolga 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 ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the population of Woolgoolga is estimated at around 6,741 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 590 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,151 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,388 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 195 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 123 persons per square kilometer. Woolgoolga's growth of 9.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (5.5%) and the Rest of NSW, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 63.0%.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth for locations outside capital cities, with Woolgoolga expected to expand by 1,497 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 17.4% over the 17 years.

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

Woolgoolga recorded approximately 27 residential properties granted approval annually between FY-21 and FY-25. In total, around 139 homes were approved during these five financial years, with an additional 15 approved in FY-26. This results in an average of 4.3 new residents per year for every home built over the past five financial years.

The demand for housing significantly outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers. New homes are being constructed at an average value of $695,000, indicating a focus on premium properties by developers. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $10.1 million, suggesting moderate levels of commercial development in the area.

When compared to the rest of NSW, Woolgoolga maintains similar construction rates per person, contributing to market stability aligned with regional patterns. The majority of new building activity consists of detached dwellings (85.0%), with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 15.0%, preserving the area's traditional low-density character and appealing to those seeking family homes with ample space. With approximately 266 people per approval, Woolgoolga reflects a transitioning market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Woolgoolga is projected to grow by 1,175 residents by 2041. If current development rates persist, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth in the future.

Woolgoolga has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Ingenia Lifestyle Extension's Plantations by Woolgoolga North West and West Growth Plans, Woolgoolga Town Centre Masterplan, and 34 Trafalgar Street Residential Flat Building. Below is a list of most relevant projects.

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

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Employment conditions in Woolgoolga remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Woolgoolga has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate is 3.7%, lower than the national average of 5.1% as of September 2025. In the past year, employment growth was estimated at 2.5%.

Compared to Rest of NSW's unemployment rate of 3.8%, Woolgoolga's is 0.2% lower. However, workforce participation lags behind at 53.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses in September 2025, only 9.4% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (employing 4.2 times the regional average), health care & social assistance, and construction.

Manufacturing is under-represented with only 1.7% of Woolgoolga's workforce compared to 5.8% in Rest of NSW. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 2.5%, while labour force increased by 3.4%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and labour force decline by 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Woolgoolga's employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

Woolgoolga's income level is below the national average according to AreaSearch data based on ATO figures for financial year 2023. The suburb's median income among taxpayers was $40,892 and the average income stood at $50,308, compared to Rest of NSW's $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. By September 2025, current estimates project Woolgoolga's median income at approximately $44,515 and average income at $54,765, factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Woolgoolga fall between the 12th and 16th percentiles nationally. In Woolgoolga, 27.5% of the population (1,853 individuals) earn within the $400 - $799 income range, contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Woolgoolga, with only 83.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

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

Woolgoolga's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 82.8% houses and 17.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro NSW had similar figures at 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolgoolga stood at 46.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.3% and rented ones at 30.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. The median weekly rent was $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Woolgoolga's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less at $360 than the national figure of $375.

Woolgoolga features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 65.0% of all households, including 24.2% couples with children, 28.8% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 35.0%, with lone person households at 29.9% and group households making up 5.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of NSW.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 19.9%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 14.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 36.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding them.

This includes advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (24.7%). A substantial 24.8% of the population is actively engaged in formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary, 6.4% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

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

Woolgoolga has 92 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 36 different routes that together facilitate 352 weekly passenger trips. The town's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 188 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 93% of residents, while 5% walk. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 9.4% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 50 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Woolgoolga is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Woolgoolga faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch's mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~3,161 people), compared to 51.9% in Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 11.6%) and mental health issues (8.6%), while 63.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age residents show a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. The area has 28.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,894 people), which is higher than the 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Woolgoolga was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Woolgoolga, as per the census data from 27 June 2016, exhibited higher cultural diversity than most local areas. Overseas-born residents constituted 25.5%, while those speaking a language other than English at home comprised 23.8%. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 40.1% of Woolgoolga's population.

Notably, the 'Other' religious category made up 19.1%, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 0.8%. In terms of ancestry, English heritage was most prevalent at 29.2%, followed by Australian at 23.4%. The latter figure was lower than the regional average of 30.0%. The 'Other' category stood at 12.6%, substantially higher than the regional average of 4.8%. Certain ethnic groups showed notable variations: Indian residents were overrepresented at 6.9% compared to the regional average of 0.6%, Australian Aboriginal residents were at 3.4% (vs 4.6%), and French residents were at 0.5% (vs 0.4%).

Woolgoolga hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Woolgoolga's median age of 45 years is modestly higher than Rest of NSW's 43 years, and considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. The 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Woolgoolga at 15.1%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 9.6%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.5%. From 2021 to present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 11.4% to 13.0%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 7.9% to 9.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 13.2% to 11.4%, and the 25-34 group dropped from 13.6% to 12.5%. Demographic modeling suggests Woolgoolga's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 85+ age cohort projected to surge dramatically, expanding by 283 people (114%) from 249 to 533. Conversely, numbers in the 65-74 age range are expected to fall by 38.