New South Wales · Suburb Profile

Wollongong NSW — Suburb Profile

Population, median income, rent prices, housing costs and demographics for Wollongong, New South Wales. ABS Census 2021.

The population of Wollongong NSW is 20,446 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Wollongong is $836 per week ($43,472 per year). Median rent in Wollongong is $410 per week ($1,777 per month). Wollongong has a median age of 35 years, younger than the national median of 38. Wollongong has a population density of 3546.9 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Wollongong is England. The most common religion is No Religion (45% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Wollongong is $1,950.

There were 1,315 recorded offences in Wollongong in 2025-26, a rate of 64 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (340 offences).

Wollongong Map

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Wollongong Population

residents (Census 2021)

Wollongong Median Income & Rent

💰

Median Income

$836/wk

$43,472 per year

#3020 of 14,663

🏠

Median Rent

$410/wk

$1,777 per month

#1715 of 14,663

👤

Median Age

35years

3 years younger than national median

🏡

Mortgage

$1,950/mo

Avg household size: 2 · 0.9 per bedroom

Wollongong Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.6% (10,130) Female 50.4% (10,313)

Population Density

3546.9

people per km²

20,446 people · 5.8 km²

Households

Avg household size

0.9

Persons per bedroom

$2,034

Family income/wk

Wollongong Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

♂ Male ♀ Female

Source: ABS Census 2021 — Suburb & Locality (SAL)

Wollongong Housing Tenure

🏠

Owned outright

57.7% 2,297 dwellings

🏦

Owned with mortgage

42.3% 1,685 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021 — Suburb & Locality (SAL)

Wollongong Country of Birth

Australia

83.2%

England

4.6%

India

4.4%

China

3.9%

Croatia

0.8%

Iran

0.7%

Greece

0.6%

Bangladesh

0.6%

Brazil

0.5%

Canada

0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G09 — Country of Birth by SAL

Wollongong Religion

No Religion

44.6%

Catholic

20.3%

Anglican

9.5%

Not stated

8.0%

Eastern Orthodox

6.5%

Islam

4.7%

Christian (other)

3.6%

Hinduism

2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G14 — Religion by SAL

Wollongong Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

73.2%

Year 10 or equivalent

17.8%

Year 11 or equivalent

5.1%

Year 9 or equivalent

3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G16 — Highest Year of School by SAL

Wollongong Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin

22.8%

Other

18.1%

Arabic

15.6%

Macedon

15.4%

Greek

7.4%

Serbian

7.2%

Italian

7.1%

SAL Tot

6.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G13 — Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Wollongong Employment

💼

Employed full-time

35.9% 5,824 people

⏰

Employed part-time

21.1% 3,425 people

🔍

Unemployed

3.8% 623 people

🏠

Not in labour force

39.2% 6,362 people

Source: ABS Census 2021 G46 — Labour Force Status by SAL

Wollongong Qualifications

Bachelor Degree

38.1%

Certificate III/IV

23.1%

Postgraduate Degree

17.9%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

14.8%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

4.0%

Certificate I/II

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G49 — Non-School Qualification by SAL

Wollongong Occupation

Professionals

39.3%

Managers

12.6%

Community & Personal Service

12.1%

Clerical & Administrative

11.1%

Technicians & Trade Workers

10.9%

Sales Workers

5.9%

Labourers

4.7%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G51 — Industry of Employment by Occupation

Wollongong Field of Study

Management & Commerce

22.1%

Society & Culture

15.1%

Health

15.0%

Engineering

14.6%

Education

8.3%

Creative Arts

5.5%

Information Technology

5.2%

Natural & Physical Sciences

4.5%

Architecture & Building

4.2%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

4.2%

Agriculture & Environment

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G51 — Field of Study by SAL

Wollongong Dwelling Types

Separate house

65.2%

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

29.1%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G36 — Dwelling Structure by SAL

Wollongong Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

1.9%

$1-$149/wk

0.7%

$150-$299/wk

1.6%

$300-$399/wk

3.2%

$400-$499/wk

6.4%

$500-$649/wk

5.0%

$650-$799/wk

6.0%

$800-$999/wk

6.6%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

8.5%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

8.7%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

6.6%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.6%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

13.4%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

6.8%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

5.7%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

3.2%

$4,000+/wk

9.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G33 — Household Income by SAL

Wollongong Marital Status

💍

Married

33.2% 6,192

↔️

Separated

3.2% 599

📋

Divorced

9.4% 1,760

🕊️

Widowed

4.9% 916

👤

Never married

49.2% 9,185

Source: ABS Census 2021 G05 — Marital Status by SAL

Wollongong Ancestry

English

26.1%

Australian

21.7%

Other

14.1%

Irish

8.9%

Scottish

7.5%

Italian

4.9%

Chinese

4.5%

German

3.2%

Macedonian

3.0%

Indian

2.4%

Greek

2.0%

Aboriginal Australianralian

1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G08 — Ancestry by SAL

Wollongong School & University Attendance

Vocational Education

33.1%

Primary — Government

22.9%

Secondary — Government

15.2%

Pre-school

10.1%

Secondary — Catholic

7.6%

Primary — Catholic

5.0%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

3.3%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G15 — Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Wollongong Need for Assistance

♿

Needs assistance

6.0% 2,294

✅

No need for assistance

94.0% 36,183

Source: ABS Census 2021 G18 — Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Wollongong Volunteering

🤝

Volunteer

14.3% 2,494

—

Not a volunteer

85.7% 14,985

Source: ABS Census 2021 G23 — Voluntary Work by SAL

Wollongong Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

5.4%

$300-$449/mo

2.1%

$450-$599/mo

1.3%

$600-$799/mo

2.2%

$800-$999/mo

4.1%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

13.4%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

18.7%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

29.1%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

12.2%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

11.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G38 — Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Wollongong How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

55.8%

Did not go to work

21.7%

Walked only

12.2%

Car (passenger)

3.8%

Bus

2.2%

Train

2.1%

Bicycle

0.7%

Motorbike/Scooter

0.5%

Other

0.5%

Truck

0.3%

Taxi/Rideshare

0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G62 — Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Wollongong Car Ownership

0 vehicles

14.9%

1 vehicle

50.6%

2 vehicles

26.3%

3 vehicles

5.5%

4+ vehicles

2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G34 — Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Wollongong Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

11.4%

2 bedrooms

52.9%

3 bedrooms

29.1%

4 bedrooms

4.9%

5 bedrooms

1.2%

6+ bedrooms

0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G41 — Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Wollongong Population Mobility

28.6%

moved in the last year

63.2%

moved in the last 5 years

5.6%

unemployment rate (Census)

60.1%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021 G43 — Summary by SAL

Wollongong Indigenous Population

2.0%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

787

Indigenous residents

38,213

Non-Indigenous residents

Source: ABS Census 2021 G07 — Indigenous Status by SAL

Wollongong Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

2,313

Arthritis

687

Asthma

682

Heart disease

496

Diabetes

457

Lung condition

352

Cancer

259

Kidney disease

239

Stroke

232

Dementia

Source: ABS Census 2021 G19 — Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Wollongong Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

8.1%

$1-$149/wk

2.8%

$150-$299/wk

5.7%

$300-$399/wk

4.5%

$400-$499/wk

4.2%

$500-$649/wk

4.8%

$650-$799/wk

9.6%

$800-$999/wk

10.5%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

12.2%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

9.4%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

8.1%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

5.4%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

9.6%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

1.8%

$3,500+/wk

3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G17 — Personal Income by SAL

Wollongong Family Structure

Couple — no children

48.7%

Couple — children under 15

26.7%

Couple — no children under 15

11.0%

One parent — no children under 15

7.8%

One parent — children under 15

5.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G29 — Family Composition by SAL

Wollongong Military Service

🎖️

Current ADF — Regular

0.2% 35

🛡️

Current ADF — Reserves

0.1% 23

🏅

Previously served

1.8% 319

👤

Never served

97.9% 17,170

Source: ABS Census 2021 G22 — ADF Service by SAL

Wollongong Unpaid Carers

🤲

Provided unpaid assistance

10.8% 1,880

—

Did not provide

89.2% 15,550

Source: ABS Census 2021 G25 — Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Wollongong Children Ever Born

No children

53.2%

1 child

11.7%

2 children

20.9%

3 children

9.5%

4 children

3.6%

5+ children

1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G28 — Children Ever Born by SAL

Wollongong When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

332

1961–1970

713

1971–1980

560

1981–1990

369

1991–2000

487

2001–2010

936

2011–2015

954

2016

381

2017

371

2018

428

2019

544

2020

228

2021

Source: ABS Census 2021 G10 — Year of Arrival by SAL

Wollongong Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

24.1%

5–14 hours

31.4%

15–29 hours

10.3%

30+ hours

6.0%

Did not do domestic work

28.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G24 — Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Wollongong Household Size

1 person

37.3%

2 persons

40.4%

3 persons

12.7%

4 persons

6.3%

5 persons

2.2%

6+ persons

1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G35 — Household Size by SAL

Wollongong Where Residents Moved From

Same address

13,629

Moved from NSW

3,805

Moved — same area (SA2)

1,075

Moved from overseas

205

Moved from VIC

Moved from QLD

Moved from ACT

Moved from SA

Moved from TAS

Moved from NT

Moved from WA

Source: ABS Census 2021 G44 — Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Wollongong Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

87.5%

Step family — no other children

9.8%

Blended family — no other children

1.6%

Other couple — children only

0.4%

Intact family — other children present

0.3%

Step family — other children present

0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G31 — Family Blending by SAL

Wollongong Crime Statistics

Reported offences in 2025-26 — 1,315 total

Other Against Property

340

Traffic

295

Theft

282

Drug Offences

129

Assault

Property Damage

Other Against Person

Weapons

Sexual Offences

Robbery

Homicide

Offence trend by year:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR — bocsar.nsw.gov.au

Wollongong Schools

schools nearby

government

1066

avg ICSEA score

8,785

total students

Smiths Hill High School Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 736 students

1186

ICSEA

The Illawarra Grammar School Independent

Combined · K-12 · 970 students

1159

ICSEA

Elonera Montessori School Independent

Combined · K-12 · 187 students

1108

ICSEA

St Mary Star of the Sea College Independent

Secondary · 7-12 · 1,128 students

1104

ICSEA

Keiraville Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 297 students

1103

ICSEA

St Therese Catholic Primary School Catholic

Primary · K-6 · 368 students

1090

ICSEA

Wollongong Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 579 students

1084

ICSEA

St Brigid's Catholic Primary School Catholic

Primary · K-6 · 175 students

1083

ICSEA

Edmund Rice College Independent

Secondary · 7-12 · 1,054 students

1083

ICSEA

Mount Ousley Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 193 students

1079

ICSEA

Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 1,169 students

1075

ICSEA

Mount St Thomas Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 354 students

1070

ICSEA

Gwynneville Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 271 students

1065

ICSEA

Wollongong West Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 243 students

991

ICSEA

Coniston Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 181 students

990

ICSEA

Showing 15 of 20 schools

Source: ACARA — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2025. ICSEA = Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

View all schools in Wollongong with map →

Wollongong Rent Prices & Affordability

26%

of income

Moderate

Household Income $1,549/wk

Median Rent $410/wk

Rent-to-Income 26.5%

Rent is between 25–35% of household income — moderate housing costs.

If you earn X in Wollongong

Your weekly income

≈ $6,712/month

Median rent $410/wk

Left after rent $1,139/wk

Rent share 26.5%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Walgett

Income: $823/wk Rent: $175/wk Save: $235/wk

Bourke

Income: $860/wk Rent: $180/wk Save: $230/wk

Kooringal (NSW)

Income: $777/wk Rent: $270/wk Save: $140/wk

Muswellbrook

Income: $759/wk Rent: $310/wk Save: $100/wk

Crestwood

Income: $982/wk Rent: $320/wk Save: $90/wk

Glenfield Park

Income: $808/wk Rent: $330/wk Save: $80/wk

Turvey Park

Income: $912/wk Rent: $338/wk Save: $72/wk

Metford

Income: $731/wk Rent: $350/wk Save: $60/wk

Wollongong vs State & National Average

Nearby Suburbs in NSW

Bass Hill

Pop: 10,230 Income: $534/wk Rent: $450/wk

Edensor Park

Pop: 10,279 Income: $538/wk Rent: $450/wk

Beecroft

Pop: 10,291 Income: $1,076/wk Rent: $590/wk

Canley Vale

Pop: 10,300 Income: $475/wk Rent: $330/wk

Roseville

Pop: 10,340 Income: $1,203/wk Rent: $600/wk

Gunnedah

Pop: 10,359 Income: $787/wk Rent: $300/wk

Compare Wollongong

Wollongong vs Bass Hill →Wollongong vs Edensor Park →Wollongong vs Beecroft →Wollongong vs Canley Vale →

Frequently Asked Questions About Wollongong

What is the population of Wollongong NSW?

The population of Wollongong NSW is 20,446 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 3546.9 people per km².Wollongong is ranked #139 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Wollongong?

The median personal income in Wollongong NSW is $836 per week, or $43,472 per year.The median household income is $1,549 per week.Family income is $2,034 per week.Wollongong is ranked #3,020 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Wollongong?

Median rent in Wollongong NSW is $410 per week ($1,777 per month).Rent represents 26.5% of household income, which is considered moderate.Wollongong ranks #1,715 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Wollongong?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Wollongong NSW is $1,950. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Wollongong?

The median age in Wollongong NSW is 35 years.This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Wollongong a good suburb to live in?

Wollongong is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 20,446.The median income is $836/wk, which is above the NSW average of $781/wk.Rent affordability is rated as moderate (26.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Looking for schools, childcare centres, and playgrounds in this area? See kid.com.au for family facilities data.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 14376. All dollar figures in AUD.