Wagin
Statistical Area - sa2

Wagin is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Wagin's population is approximately 5,156 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 297 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,859. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 5,058, with an additional 59 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 0.50 persons per square kilometer. Wagin's population growth rate of 6.1% since the 2021 census surpassed that of its SA3 area at 5.9%. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 51.1% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all migration drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 growth estimates, AreaSearch uses the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). By 2041, Wagin's population is projected to increase by approximately 290 persons, with an overall increase of 3.7% over the seventeen-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Wagin according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Wagin has received approximately 13 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 66 homes. As of FY26, 5 approvals have been recorded. Each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25 attracted an average of 2.2 new residents per year. The average construction cost for these dwellings was $381,000.

This financial year has seen $9.1 million in commercial approvals. Wagin's construction rates are similar to the rest of WA but below the national average, suggesting established nature and potential planning limitations. All new constructions were detached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density character. There are estimated to be 555 people per dwelling approval in the area.

By 2041, Wagin is projected to grow by 192 residents. Current construction levels should meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potential excess growth.

Wagin has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Area's performance is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 29 such projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Darkan Swimming Pool Upgrade, Darkan Railway Reserve Upgrade, Regional Road Infrastructure Upgrades, and Narrogin BESS Project. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

Employment performance in Wagin ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Wagin has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, diverse industry representation, an unemployment rate of 1.0% as of June 2025, and relative employment stability over the past year. The unemployment rate is 2.1% lower than Rest of WA's rate of 3.2%, while workforce participation is similar at 59.4%.

Leading industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Wagin specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 4.3 times the regional level, but mining has limited presence at 3.8% compared to 11.7% regionally. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, labour force decreased by 1.6%, employment declined by 0.1%, and unemployment fell by 1.4 percentage points in Wagin.

In contrast, Rest of WA saw employment grow by 1.1% and unemployment fall by 0.6 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand within Wagin. Over five years, total employment is projected to increase by 4.6%, and over ten years by 10.7%.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Wagin's median income among taxpayers was $53,844 and average income stood at $66,725 in financial year 2022. This compares to figures for Rest of WA which were $57,323 and $71,163 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $60,095 (median) and $74,472 (average) as of March 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, personal income ranks at the 45th percentile ($779 weekly), while household income sits at the 24th percentile. Income analysis reveals 30.3% of the population falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the metropolitan region where 31.1% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are manageable with 92.1% retained, though disposable income sits below average at the 35th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Wagin, as per the latest Census evaluation, 96.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.9% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is similar to Non-Metro WA's figures of 95.1% houses and 4.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wagin stood at 52.4%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 27.3% and rented ones comprising 20.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro WA's average of $1,105. The median weekly rent figure in Wagin was recorded at $190, compared to Non-Metro WA's $200. Nationally, Wagin's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wagin has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.8% of all households, including 23.2% couples with children, 36.6% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 32.2%, with lone person households at 29.6% and group households comprising 2.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Rest of WA average.

Wagin faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 36.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 8.8% and certificates at 27.6%. Educational participation is high, with 27.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.9% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education. Wagin has 3 schools with a combined enrollment of 399 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 981) offering balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 2 primary and 1 K-12 school. School places per 100 residents (7.7) are below the regional average (14.4), indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Analysis shows nine active transport stops in Wagin, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by three routes that collectively provide 33 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 5374 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages four trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Wagin faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~2,701 people), leading that of the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (impacting 10.9% of residents) and asthma (7.2%). Sixty-six point one percent declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.6% across Rest of WA. Twenty-three point six percent of residents are aged 65 and over (1,219 people), higher than the 21.7% in Rest of WA. Health outcomes among seniors perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Wagin is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Wagin has low cultural diversity, with 83.5% citizens, 85.6% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion at 48.1%, slightly lower than the Rest of WA's 49.0%. The top three ancestral groups are English (37.1%), Australian (33.0%), and Scottish (8.0%).

Notable differences exist for Maori (1.0% vs regional 0.8%), New Zealanders (0.8% vs 0.9%), and South Africans (0.5% vs 0.6%).

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

Wagin's median age of 47 years is significantly higher than Rest of WA's 40 years and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of WA, Wagin has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (15.0%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (11.4%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of Wagin's population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 9.1% to 11.3%, while the percentages for the 55 to 64 cohort have declined from 16.8% to 15.3% and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.3% to 11.9%. By 2041, Wagin's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 34%, reaching 777 people from the current 581. Conversely, the population of the 75 to 84 and 65 to 74 cohorts is expected to decline.