Woongarrah

Woongarrah lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Woongarrah's population is estimated at around 6,689, reflecting a 12.2% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 5,962 people. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 6,545 based on ABS ERP data release (June 2024) and an additional 281 validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density stands at 1,257 persons per square kilometer, exceeding national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Woongarrah's growth outpaces both its SA4 region (3.1%) and SA3 area, marking it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 72.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration being positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for Woongarrah, released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year.

Future population dynamics predict exceptional growth, placing Woongarrah in the top 10 percent of statistical areas nationally. By 2041, the suburb is expected to expand by 4,817 persons, reflecting a 71.5% increase over the 17-year period based on aggregated SA2-level projections.

The level of residential development activity in Woongarrah was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Woongarrah averaged approximately 71 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 359 homes were approved, with an additional 20 approved in FY-26 to date. Each year, on average, 3.2 new residents are associated with every home built over the past five financial years.

This demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction cost of new properties is $380,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, $33.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Woongarrah records 178.0% more development activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers and reflecting strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists of 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's suburban nature while attracting space-seeking buyers. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 99.0% houses, potentially due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences.

With around 89 people per dwelling approval, Woongarrah exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by approximately 4,784 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Woongarrah has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that could impact this area. Notable ones are Madison Rise Estate, Cedarwood Estate, The Sanctuary Estate Hamlyn Terrace, and Hamlyn View Estate. The following details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Woongarrah ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Woongarrah has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs well represented. Essential services sectors are prominent.

The unemployment rate was 3.2% as of June 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2%. This is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of June 2025, 3,363 residents were in work.

The unemployment rate was 1.0% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%, and workforce participation was 65.1% compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Employment specialization in accommodation & food is notable, with a share 1.5 times the regional level. Professional & technical services have limited presence, at 4.8% compared to 11.5% regionally. The predominantly residential area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. During the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.0%, labour force by 2.8%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Woongarrah. These projections estimate national employment expansion at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Woongarrah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Woongarrah is below the national average. The median assessed income is $50,286 and the average income stands at $61,097. In contrast, Greater Sydney has a median income of $56,994 and an average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Woongarrah would be approximately $56,627 (median) and $68,801 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household incomes rank at the 81st percentile ($2,255 weekly), while personal income ranks at the 50th percentile. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 39.3% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,628 residents). This pattern is also seen regionally where 30.9% occupy this income range. High housing costs consume 16.1% of income. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 79th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Woongarrah is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Woongarrah's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 99.2% houses and 0.9% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting Sydney metro's 83.2% houses and 16.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woongarrah was 28.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.7% and rented ones at 24.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Sydney metro's $1,900. Median weekly rent was $510, compared to Sydney metro's $385. Nationally, Woongarrah's mortgage repayments and rents were significantly higher at $1,863 and $375 respectively.

Woongarrah features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 87.2% of all households, including 48.0% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 14.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 12.8%, with lone person households at 10.3% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Woongarrah aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area has university qualification rates at 16.1%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (30.9%). Educational participation is high at 36.2%, with 13.3% in primary education, 12.0% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

Woongarrah Public School and MacKillop Catholic College serve a total of 1,929 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1016) with balanced educational opportunities, featuring one primary and one K-12 school. It functions as an education hub with 28.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 13.6, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

The public transport analysis indicates that as of July 2021, there are 45 active transport stops operating within Woongarrah. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 45 individual routes. The combined weekly passenger trips across these routes amount to 632.

Residents' accessibility to public transport is rated excellent, with an average distance of 188 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 90 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 14 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Woongarrah is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Woongarrah faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but to a higher degree among older residents.

Approximately 51% of Woongarrah's total population (~3,419 people) has private health cover, which is slightly lower than the average for SA2 areas. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 9.4 and 8.6% of residents respectively. In comparison, 66.4% of Woongarrah residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 61.5% across Greater Sydney. As of the latest data (2016), 12.5% of Woongarrah's population is aged 65 and over (836 people), which is lower than the 22.3% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to the specific challenges they face.

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

Woongarrah's population showed low cultural diversity, with 84.8% born in Australia, 91.6% being citizens, and 92.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practised by 59.7%, compared to 56.2% across Greater Sydney. Ancestry-wise, Australian (30.1%), English (30.1%), and Irish (7.0%) were the top groups.

Notable differences existed in Maltese (1.5% vs regional 1.0%), Australian Aboriginal (4.4% vs 4.5%), and Korean (0.4% vs 0.1%) representation.

Woongarrah's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

At 36 years, Woongarrah's median age is nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37. It is modestly under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Sydney, Woongarrah has a higher concentration of 5-14 residents at 17.5%, but fewer 25-34 year-olds at 10.0%. This 5-14 concentration is well above the national average of 12.2%. Since the Census of 25 August 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 14.4% to 15.5% of Woongarrah's population. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 7.3% to 6.3%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Woongarrah's age profile will evolve significantly. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 90%, adding 925 residents to reach a total of 1,949.