Wagga Wagga (NSW)

Detail

According to the latest demographic data analyzed by Districts, the suburb of Wagga Wagga has an estimated population of 7,032 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 166 residents (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which documented 7,198 individuals. This calculation is derived from an Districts estimate of 7,011 residents, which incorporates the June 2025 ABS Estimated Resident Population release alongside 122 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The suburb's population density stands at 797 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks recorded across Australia. The primary driver of recent population increases was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 82.0% of the total demographic gains.

Detail

A high proportion of workers in the suburb of Wagga Wagga have completed post-school education, and many are employed in key service industries. The local unemployment rate stands at 5.1%, with 3,671 employed residents recorded as of March 2026. This jobless rate is 1.0% higher than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. Workforce participation is recorded at 63.3%, which is slightly higher than the regional average of 60.6%. Census data reveals that a small portion of the workforce, 8.8%, worked from home, though this figure was influenced by public health restrictions at the time.

Detail

Tax office statistics for the 2023 financial year show that residents in the suburb of Wagga Wagga earned a median income of $55,303 and an average income of $67,459. These figures correspond closely to national averages, compared to a median of $52,390 and average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, local earnings are estimated at roughly $61,010 for the median and $74,421 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed individual incomes in the 52nd percentile ($819 weekly) and household incomes in the 24th percentile. The largest income bracket contains 30.1% of local earners (2,116 individuals) making between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the metropolitan trend of 29.9% in the same bracket. Mortgage and rent costs consume a large portion of earnings, leaving only 83.7% of income disposable, which ranks in the 24th percentile, while the SEIFA index ranks the local income profile in the 4th decile.

Detail

At the time of the Census, housing in the suburb of Wagga Wagga consisted of 53.9% standalone houses and 46.1% semi-detached, apartment, or other dwelling types, representing a much higher density than the Regional NSW average of 82.6% houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings. Home ownership rates were lower than the regional average, with 28.8% of residents owning their properties outright or with a mortgage, while 18.2% had an active home loan and 53.1% were renting. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,517, and the median weekly rent was $295, both lower than the regional figures of $1,733 and $330. These housing costs also sit well below national benchmarks, where the average mortgage payment is $1,863 and the average rent is $375.

Detail

Families make up 47.7% of all households in the suburb of Wagga Wagga, including 15.4% couples with children, 23.2% couples without children, and 8.1% single-parent households. Single-person households account for 45.7% of the total, and group households comprise 6.5%, bringing the total share of non-family households to 52.3%. The median household size is 1.9 residents, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Detail

Residents in the suburb of Wagga Wagga hold university qualifications at rates well above regional averages, with 30.5% of those aged 15+ having completed tertiary degrees compared to 18.7% in the SA4 region and 20.4% in the SA3 area. Within this group, bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.9%, postgraduate degrees are held by 7.6%, and graduate diplomas by 3.0%. Vocational training is also prominent, with 32.6% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including 9.5% with advanced diplomas and 23.1% holding certificates.

Detail

The suburb of Wagga Wagga has 84 public transport stops facilitating train and bus travel across 92 different routes, which provide a total of 1,998 passenger trips each week. Transport links are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 193 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and the majority of working residents commute to other areas, with 81% traveling by car and 14% walking to work. The average number of motor vehicles per household is 0.9, which is below the regional average. A small portion of residents, 8.8%, work from home, based on 2021 Census data collected during public health restrictions.

Detail

Health assessments indicate notable wellness challenges in the suburb of Wagga Wagga, particularly regarding mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across multiple age demographics. Private health insurance coverage stands at approximately 54% of the population, representing about 3,769 residents, which is slightly above the typical SA2 average.

Detail

The suburb of Wagga Wagga displays cultural diversity levels comparable to the surrounding region. Citizens account for 82.5% of the population, 82.5% of residents were born in Australia, and 85.7% speak only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, representing 56.5% of the population. A notable point of difference is the proportion of residents identifying with other religious beliefs, which stands at 3.4% compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW.

Detail

The median age in the suburb of Wagga Wagga is 37 years, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 43 years and comparable to the national average of 38 years. Young adults aged 25 to 34 are highly represented at 21.9% of the population, whereas children aged 5 to 14 make up a smaller cohort of 7.1% compared to regional trends. The concentration of 25 to 34 year-olds is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between 2021 and the latest estimates, the median age dropped from 38 to 37, representing a shift toward a younger demographic. During this time, the 25 to 34 cohort expanded from 19.0% to 21.9% and the 0 to 4 group grew from 4.8% to 6.3%, while the 55 to 64 group decreased from 11.8% to 9.9% and the 45 to 54 bracket fell from 9.8% to 8.4%. Demographic projections to 2041 indicate that the 25 to 34 group will grow by 18% (an increase of 272 residents) to reach 1,813, up from 1,540, while the 75 to 84 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to shrink.

Detail

Wagga Wagga currently has an estimated 443 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 303 children aged 0-2 and 203 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 28% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 10% by 2041 (to approximately 488 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 533. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 14.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.