Woongarrah (NSW)

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Determined from the evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the broader zone, alongside new addresses validated by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Woongarrah has a population estimated at approximately 6,955 in May 2026. This represents an expansion of 993 residents (16.7%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 5,962 people. The difference is calculated from a resident population of 6,920, estimated by Districts analyzing the ABS June 2025 ERP data release combined with 296 validated new addresses post-Census. Such a population size results in a density of 1,307 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical average across national areas reviewed by Districts. The 16.7% growth rate since the 2021 census surpassed both the SA4 region (3.4%) and the SA3 area, establishing the suburb of Woongarrah as a leader in regional growth. The main driver of this expansion was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly of the overall population gains recently, though natural increase and overseas migration also contributed positively.

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The local workforce is evenly distributed between white and blue collar occupations, with strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 2.9%, and a 3.6% growth in employment over the past year, according to Districts statistical area data. As of March 2026, there are 3,581 working residents, with unemployment sitting 1.2% lower than the Greater Sydney level of 4.1%, and participation rates matching the Greater Sydney average of 69.1%. Census data indicates that a substantial 27.0% of residents worked from home, though this may reflect pandemic lockdown measures.

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According to the latest postcode level ATO statistics for financial year 2023, incomes are below the national average, with a median of $50,286 and an average of $61,097. This is lower than Greater Sydney, where the median is $60,817 and the average is $83,003. Applying the Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be around $55,476 for the median and $67,402 for the average as of March 2026. Census data shows weekly household incomes are highly ranked at the 81st percentile ($2,255 weekly), even though individual incomes sit at the 50th percentile. The largest income bracket contains 39.3% of the community earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (representing 2,733 residents), which is similar to the regional average where are in this range. High housing costs take up of income, yet solid earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, with a SEIFA income ranking in the th decile.

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Residential structures at the time of the latest Census consisted of 99.2% houses and 0.9% other dwellings (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to the Sydney metro profile of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the home ownership rate matched the Sydney metro level at 28.0%, while the remaining homes were mortgaged (47.7%) or rented (24.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,167 was well below the Sydney metro average of $2,427, while the median weekly rent was $510, compared to Sydney metro's $470. On a national level, mortgage repayments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also higher than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 87.2%, consisting of 48.0% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 14.4% single parents. The remaining 12.8% are non-family households, with single person households accounting for 10.3% and group housing making up 2.3% of the total. The median household size of 3.2 people exceeds the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Educational attainment presents challenges, with tertiary graduation rates (16.1%) falling well below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This offers a target for educational development. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational and technical skills are highly represented, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (30.9%).

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Public transport services feature 51 active bus stops in the area, operating across 48 routes to deliver 683 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 188 meters from a stop. Most workers commute out of the residential area, and private vehicles remain the primary travel method at 94%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.9 cars, which is above the regional average. A high proportion of residents, 27.0%, worked from home (2021 Census; likely influenced by COVID-19 rules).

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Health metrics point to notable challenges, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality and chronic illness rates across younger and older cohorts, alongside a relatively low private health insurance rate of roughly 51% of the population (about 3,555 people). This is lower than the 59.9% rate observed across Greater Sydney.

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Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with 84.8% of residents born in Australia, 91.6% holding citizenship, and 92.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 59.7% of the community, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 36 years is close to the Greater Sydney average of 37 and slightly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, the suburb of Woongarrah has a higher proportion of residents aged 5 - 14 (17.7%) but fewer aged 25 - 34 (10.7%). The concentration of 5 - 14 year-olds is well above the national level of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket increased from 14.4% to 15.5% of the population, while the 65 to 74 group fell from 7.3% to 6.3%. Projections suggest the age mix will change by 2041, with the to cohort expected to grow the fastest at , adding residents to reach .

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Woongarrah currently has an estimated 445 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 289 children aged 0-2 and 192 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 21% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 50% by 2041 (to approximately 668 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 849. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally.