Woolgoolga, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Woolgoolga NSW is 6,151 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Woolgoolga is $636 per week ($33,072 per year). Median rent in Woolgoolga is $360 per week ($1,560 per month). Woolgoolga has a median age of 45 years, older than the national median of 38. Woolgoolga has a population density of 112 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Woolgoolga is India. The most common religion is No religion (34.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Punjabi. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Woolgoolga is $1,733.

There were 159 recorded offences in Woolgoolga in 2025-26, a rate of 26 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (44 offences).

Population
6,151
Census 2021
Median income
$636/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$360/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
45years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Woolgoolga vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Woolgoolga is $636 a week, 17% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,618th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $360 a week, $25 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 30.3% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 45, 2 years older than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureWoolgoolgaTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$636/wk$765/wk −17%$766/wk
Household income$1,190/wk$1,704/wk −30%$1,637/wk
Rent$360/wk$385/wk −6%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,733/mo$1,965/mo −12%$1,733/mo
Median age4543 +2 yrs42
Rent share of household income30.3%22.6% +7.7 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Woolgoolga, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Woolgoolga Population

6,151 residents at the 2021 Census.

Woolgoolga Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$636/wk
$33,072 per year
Ranked 6,506 of 14,663
Median Rent
$360/wk
$1,560 per month
Ranked 2,908 of 14,663
Median Age
45years
7 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,733/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Woolgoolga Rent Prices & Affordability

30% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,190/wk
Median rent $360/wk
Rent to income 30.3%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Woolgoolga against your income

About $5,157 a month
Median rent $360/wk
Left after rent $830/wk
Rent share 30.3%

Woolgoolga Schools

2
schools nearby
2
government
1001
avg ICSEA score
1,133
total students
Mullaway Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 266 students
1033
ICSEA
Woolgoolga High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 867 students
969
ICSEA

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

All schools near Woolgoolga, with a map

Woolgoolga Map

Woolgoolga, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Woolgoolga

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.0% (3,013) Female 51.0% (3,137)

Population Density

112
people per km²
6,151 people · 54.8 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,495
Family income/wk

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 and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

India
10.7%
England
3.5%
Malaysia
1.0%
New Zealand
1.0%
Germany
0.6%
Scotland
0.5%
Taiwan
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Punjabi
17.2%
Mandarin
1.3%
Southeast Asian Austronesian languages: Other
0.4%
Japanese
0.3%
German
0.3%
Cantonese
0.2%
Korean
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
37.7%
Australian
30.3%
Irish
10.0%
Indian
8.9%
Scottish
8.9%
Australian Aboriginal
4.4%
German
3.6%
Chinese
1.5%
Italian
1.4%
Dutch
0.9%
French
0.7%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
34.5%
Other religions
17.5%
Sikhism
17.2%
Anglican
14.6%
Catholic
12.7%
Not stated
7.5%
Uniting Church
2.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

4.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
46.6% 2,421
Separated
4.3% 223
Divorced
10.9% 565
Widowed
8.3% 432
Never married
29.9% 1,550

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
35.6%
Couple: no children
33.5%
Couple: no children under 15
14.8%
One parent: children under 15
9.3%
One parent: no children under 15
6.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
29.9%
2 persons
35.2%
3 persons
13.9%
4 persons
10.9%
5 persons
5.1%
6+ persons
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Woolgoolga

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,325 occupied private dwellings in Woolgoolga at the 2021 Census, 29.2% were rented, 43.8% owned outright and 22.6% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.5% 59 dwellings
Owned outright
43.8% 1,018 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
22.6% 525 dwellings
Rented
29.2% 678 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.9% 45 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
86.2%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
7.0%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
6.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
6.8%
2 bedrooms
24.9%
3 bedrooms
38.7%
4 bedrooms
21.4%
5 bedrooms
6.1%
6+ bedrooms
2.2%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.3%
$300-$449/mo
2.8%
$450-$599/mo
1.9%
$600-$799/mo
4.5%
$800-$999/mo
5.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
17.1%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
15.6%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
30.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
10.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
5.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.8%
1 vehicle
41.0%
2 vehicles
33.5%
3 vehicles
12.2%
4+ vehicles
7.5%

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

Work, income and education in Woolgoolga

Employment

Employed full-time
28.8% 1,350 people
Employed part-time
21.4% 1,003 people
Unemployed
3.5% 165 people
Not in labour force
46.2% 2,162 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
22.4%
Managers
15.6%
Community & Personal Service
15.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
14.7%
Labourers
13.6%
Clerical & Administrative
10.3%
Sales Workers
4.8%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.5%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.8%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
1.3%
$300-$399/wk
2.9%
$400-$499/wk
8.7%
$500-$649/wk
8.9%
$650-$799/wk
9.9%
$800-$999/wk
9.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.2%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.1%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.5%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
2.1%
$4,000+/wk
6.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
11.9%
$1-$149/wk
3.4%
$150-$299/wk
6.1%
$300-$399/wk
6.4%
$400-$499/wk
5.6%
$500-$649/wk
5.7%
$650-$799/wk
13.0%
$800-$999/wk
14.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.3%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.9%
$3,500+/wk
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
73.0%
Did not go to work
11.4%
Car (passenger)
8.0%
Walked only
4.0%
Truck
1.7%
Bicycle
0.6%
Other
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Bus
0.3%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
52.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
32.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
8.1%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.9%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
39.0%
Bachelor Degree
26.1%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
22.2%
Postgraduate Degree
6.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.3%
Certificate I/II
2.2%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
19.7%
Society & Culture
14.2%
Health
12.0%
Engineering
11.9%
Education
9.8%
Agriculture & Environment
8.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.8%
Architecture & Building
7.2%
Creative Arts
2.9%
Information Technology
2.4%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.4%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
31.8%
Secondary: Government
23.3%
Vocational Education
17.4%
Pre-school
9.8%
Primary: Catholic
8.9%
Secondary: Catholic
5.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.9%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
1.8%

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

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
86.8%
Has need for assistance
7.2%
Need for assistance not stated
5.9%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
622
Arthritis
316
Heart disease
210
Lung condition
205
Asthma
187
Diabetes
158
Cancer
122
Stroke
103
Kidney disease
64
Dementia
36

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.2% 631
Did not provide
86.8% 4,166

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.8% 762
Not a volunteer
84.2% 4,065

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 4
Previously served
3.5% 169
Never served
96.4% 4,677

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
25.9%
1 child
13.2%
2 children
32.5%
3 children
18.9%
4 children
7.7%
5+ children
1.8%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
33
1951: 1960
80
1961: 1970
151
1971: 1980
112
1981: 1990
107
1991: 2000
87
2001: 2010
243
2011: 2015
186
2016
49
2017
81
2018
94
2019
153
2020
45

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

Population Mobility

17.2%
moved in the last year
46.5%
moved in the last 5 years
6.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
51.9%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
4,731
Moved from NSW
444
Moved: same area (SA2)
364
Moved from QLD
45
Moved from overseas
40
Moved from VIC
36
Moved from TAS
18
Moved from ACT
12
Moved from NT
6
Moved from SA
3
Moved from WA
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.8%
5: 14 hours
26.3%
15: 29 hours
13.3%
30+ hours
9.4%
Did not do domestic work
32.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
86.3%
Step family: no other children
10.1%
Blended family: no other children
2.3%
Other couple: children only
0.9%
Intact family: other children present
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Woolgoolga Crime Statistics

159 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
44
Other Against Property
42
Property Damage
21
Assault
17
Drug Offences
17
Other Against Person
9
Sexual Offences
5
Weapons
4

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Woolgoolga

The closest suburb to Woolgoolga is Safety Beach (NSW), 3.2 km away.

Safety Beach (NSW)
3.2 km away · income $787/wk · rent $500/wk
Sandy Beach
6.2 km away · income $763/wk · rent $420/wk
Corindi Beach
8.4 km away · income $734/wk · rent $435/wk
Emerald Beach
9.6 km away · income $811/wk · rent $463/wk
Moonee Beach
11.4 km away · income $801/wk · rent $450/wk
Sapphire Beach
15.2 km away · income $955/wk · rent $475/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Woolgoolga

What is the population of Woolgoolga NSW?

The population of Woolgoolga NSW is 6,151 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 112 people per km². Woolgoolga is ranked #1,277 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Woolgoolga?

The median personal income in Woolgoolga NSW is $636 per week, or $33,072 per year. The median household income is $1,190 per week. Family income is $1,495 per week. Woolgoolga is ranked #6,506 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Woolgoolga?

Median rent in Woolgoolga NSW is $360 per week ($1,560 per month). Rent represents 30.3% of household income, which is considered moderate. Woolgoolga ranks #2,908 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Woolgoolga?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Woolgoolga NSW is $1,733. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Woolgoolga?

The median age in Woolgoolga NSW is 45 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Woolgoolga a good suburb to live in?

Woolgoolga is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 6,151. The median income is $636/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (30.3% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 14420. All dollar figures in AUD.