Wonthaggi (Vic.)

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Wonthaggi's population is estimated at approximately 6,123 in May 2026, according to Districts' evaluation of ABS population updates for the wider region alongside new addresses validated since the Census. Compared to the 2021 Census population of 5,215 people, this represents an expansion of 908 residents, or 17.4%. This adjustment is calculated from an estimated resident population of 6,079, which Districts derived by analyzing the ABS June 2025 release of ERP data, plus an additional 295 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population size results in a density of 114 persons per square kilometer, indicating plenty of space per resident and opportunity for subsequent growth. Wonthaggi's growth rate of 17.4% since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of Vic. average of 4.3% as well as the wider SA4 region, establishing the suburb as a leader in regional growth. The expansion was chiefly fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 88.0% of the overall population increases in recent times.

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The workforce of Wonthaggi is evenly split between blue-collar and white-collar occupations, with a strong presence of essential services, an unemployment rate of 4.2%, and an estimated job growth rate of 5.4% over the past year, according to Districts' compilation of statistical area data. Employed residents numbered 2,423 as of March 2026, while the local unemployment rate sits 0.5% higher than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, and the participation rate is notably lower at 47.1% compared to 61.1% for Regional Vic.. Census data indicates that a modest 11.5% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.

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Taxpayer statistics for the financial year 2023 aggregated by Districts at the postcode level show Wonthaggi has a median taxpayer income of $36,271 and an average income of $46,561. These figures are below the national average and stand in contrast to Regional Vic.'s median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would stand at roughly $39,760 for the median and $51,040 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Wonthaggi all ranked between the 0th and 4th percentiles across Australia. Income distribution details show that the $400 - 799 weekly income bracket is the most common, accounting for 37.4% of residents ( people), whereas the wider region is led by the - bracket at . These economic conditions indicate widespread financial strain, with of households surviving on modest weekly budgets under . Housing cost burdens are significant, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the rd percentile.

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According to the most recent Census, the mix of housing in Wonthaggi consisted of 85.9% standalone houses and 14.1% other options like townhouses and apartments, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other options in Regional Vic.. The rate of outright home ownership in Wonthaggi reached 47.4%, which is significantly higher than Regional Vic.'s rate, with the remaining residences being mortgaged (22.2%) or rented (30.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,198 was well below the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, and the median weekly rent was $270 compared to the Regional Vic. average of $285. On a national scale, Wonthaggi's mortgage costs are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are considerably below the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 55.5%, which is split into couples without children at 27.3%, couples with children at 15.1%, and single-parent households at 12.4%. Non-family households represent the remaining 44.5% of the total, with single-person households accounting for 41.8% and group living situations at 2.7%. The median size of a household is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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Educational outcomes in the area show room for improvement, with only 15.1% of residents holding a university qualification, which is considerably below the VIC average of 33.4%. This gap highlights both an educational challenge and a target for future learning initiatives. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.4% and postgraduate degrees at 2.3%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificate level credentials at 28.1%.

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Public transit data shows 30 active transit stops in operation within Wonthaggi, serviced by 7 separate routes that combine to offer 167 passenger trips per week. Transport access is classified as good, with residents living an average of 324 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, the majority of workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 89% and walking accounting for 8%. Car ownership stands at an average of 1.0 vehicle per home, which is below the regional average. A minor share of 11.5% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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Data on health metrics highlights notable issues for Wonthaggi, as shown by Districts' evaluation of mortality patterns and the occurrence of chronic illnesses affecting both youth and senior cohorts, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is very low at roughly 45% of the population (~2,777 people). This is lower than the 50.5% recorded across Regional Vic. and the national benchmark of 55.7%.

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Wonthaggi has lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 88.8% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 84.2%, and 94.7% of people speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 47.6% of the population. The most distinct variance is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 0.8% of residents, matching the 0.8% share seen across Regional Vic..

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The median age in Wonthaggi is 55 years, which is older than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and the national average of 38. The age distribution reveals a high concentration of residents in the 65 - 74 bracket (18.7%), while children in the 5 - 14 group represent a smaller share (7.9%) than is typical for Regional Vic.. The proportion of 65 - 74 year-olds is significantly above the national average of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age cohort has increased from 11.6% to 13.3%, and the 15 to 24 group grew from 8.1% to 9.5%. Conversely, the 45 to cohort decreased from to , while the to cohort declined from to . Looking toward demographic projections indicate notable shifts, with the to age bracket expected to expand by people (), rising from to .

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Wonthaggi currently has an estimated 232 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 176 children aged 0-2 and 118 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 24% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 50% by 2041 (to approximately 347 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 486. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.