Woy Woy

An assessment of population growth drivers in Woy Woy reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025 the estimated population of Woy Woy statistical area (Lv2) is around 11,308. This reflects an increase of 236 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,072. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 11,280 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release (June 2024), along with an additional 63 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 707 persons per square kilometer. Since the Census, Woy Woy's growth of 2.1% positions it within 1.0 percentage points of its SA3 area (3.1%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration 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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilised. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends anticipate lower quartile growth, with the area expected to expand by 354 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 2.4% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Woy Woy, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Woy Woy averaged approximately 34 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY21 and FY25, around 174 homes were approved, with an additional 34 approved in FY26 so far. Over the past five financial years, an average of 0.3 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

This indicates that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new homes was $445,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $35.5 million, indicating robust local business investment. Comparatively, Woy Woy shows 17.0% lower construction activity per person than Greater Sydney and ranks in the 35th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes.

This activity reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 65.0% detached houses and 35.0% townhouses or apartments, offering options across different price points. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 466 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Woy Woy is expected to grow by 272 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 24 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Transport Oriented Development at Woy Woy Station Precinct, Ocean Beach Road/Rawson Road Intersection Upgrade, Blackwall Road Intersection Upgrades, and SDA Customised - 145 Blackwall Road Apartments. The following list details those most relevant.

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The labour market performance in Woy Woy lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Woy Woy has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 6.0% in the past year.

Employment growth was estimated at 2.2%. As of September 2025, 4,647 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.8% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 46.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Health care & social assistance had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. In contrast, professional & technical services employed just 6.8% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 2.2% alongside labour force increasing by 3.1%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.9 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1%, labour force growth of 2.4%, with unemployment rising 0.2 percentage points. State-level data for NSW as of 25-Nov showed employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Woy Woy's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Woy Woy has a median taxpayer income of $44,244 and an average of $59,486 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Sydney having a median income of $60,817 and an average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $48,164 (median) and $64,756 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, incomes in Woy Woy fall between the 10th and 12th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $400 - $799 dominates with 26.9% of residents, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 77.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 7th percentile nationally.

Woy Woy displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Woy Woy, as per the latest Census, consisted of 62.1% houses and 37.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's 74.2% houses and 25.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woy Woy was at 35.4%, similar to Sydney metro, with the rest either mortgaged (24.7%) or rented (39.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,900, below Sydney metro's average of $2,150. Median weekly rent in Woy Woy was $380, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Woy Woy's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 59.4% of all households, including 19.9% couples with children, 24.1% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 40.6%, with lone person households at 37.1% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.4%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 27.4%. A total of 24.5% of the population is engaged in formal education, including 9.0% in primary, 6.3% in secondary, and 3.0% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.5% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary education, 6.3% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 149 active transport stops in Woy Woy, including ferry, train, and bus services. These stops are served by 59 routes, offering a total of 4,396 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 133 meters, indicating excellent accessibility.

Service frequency averages 628 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 29 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Woy Woy faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 50% (~5,709 people) have private health cover, compared to 55.3% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent, impacting 10.8 and 10.2% respectively.

However, 58.0% report no medical ailments, lower than Greater Sydney's 64.8%. The area has 29.5% (3,335 people) aged 65 and over, higher than Greater Sydney's 24.5%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Woy Woy are better than the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Woy Woy records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Woy Woy's cultural diversity aligns with the broader region, as 79.8% of its residents were born in Australia, 88.0% are citizens, and 90.3% speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Woy Woy, accounting for 53.3% of the population. While Judaism's representation is slightly higher than the Greater Sydney average (0.1% vs 0.2%), the most notable overrepresentation is seen among Australian Aboriginals at 3.8%, compared to the regional average of 2.5%.

Maori and Maltese populations are also relatively more prominent in Woy Woy, at 0.6% and 0.5% respectively, compared to their regional averages of 0.4% and 0.7%. The top three ancestry groups based on parents' country of birth are English (30.9%), Australian (28.3%), and Irish (9.1%).

Woy Woy hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Woy Woy's median age is 48 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent at 11.2%, while the 25-34 group is smaller at 9.3% compared to Greater Sydney. This concentration of the 75-84 age group is well above the national average of 6.0%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 10.0% to 11.2%, while the 25-34 cohort has declined from 10.6% to 9.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Woy Woy. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 36%, adding 458 residents to reach 1,725. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 96% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 15-24 age groups.