Wagga Wagga
A renter-majority regional centre with 7,198 residents, Wagga Wagga combines a median age of 38 with a vacancy rate of 11.0%. The median age is 2 years below the national comparison, while university attainment at 37.2% is 7.1 percentage points above national. Renting reaches 51.2%, creating a more fluid housing market than an owner-dominated suburb because many households are not tied to a mortgage. Compared with nearby Kooringal and Mount Austin, its compact 8.85 sq km footprint and density of 813.4 people per sq km point to a concentrated urban setting.
Population
7,198
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,355/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
134
Homebuyers face a mixed dwelling market rather than a detached-house-only search. Separate houses account for 53.9%, apartments 24.0% and semi-detached homes 20.6%, so smaller households can compare more formats. The mortgage measure is $1,517 a month, while mortgage costs equal 25.9% of household income and are not flagged as stress. With 27.7% owning outright, 17.6% paying a mortgage and 51.2% renting, tenure is more renter-heavy than an established owner market. Households average 1.9 people, 0.6 below national, which supports demand for 2-bedroom homes, the largest bedroom group at 40.3%.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face a mixed dwelling market rather than a detached-house-only search. Separate houses account for 53.9%, apartments 24.0% and semi-detached homes 20.6%, so smaller households can compare more formats. The mortgage measure is $1,517 a month, while mortgage costs equal 25.9% of household income and are not flagged as stress. With 27.7% owning outright, 17.6% paying a mortgage and 51.2% renting, tenure is more renter-heavy than an established owner market. Households average 1.9 people, 0.6 below national, which supports demand for 2-bedroom homes, the largest bedroom group at 40.3%.
For Investors
Investors enter a renter-led market: 51.2% of households rent, weekly rent is $295, and vacancy is 11.0%. The vacancy rate is higher than in a tight rental market, so letting speed and achievable rent should be tested carefully rather than assumed. Development activity is substantial at 136 applications over 12 months, which can increase choice and competition because altered or new stock reaches the market. Rent growth is recorded at 35.7%, supporting the income case, but the forecast migration driver is Balanced rather than a single demand source. The mix suits investors who can price for flexibility and manage supply risk.
Development Activity
Total DAs
795
Last 12 Months
134
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-6.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Wagga Wagga
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
With a median age of 38, Wagga Wagga is 2 years younger than the national comparison, and 37.2% of residents have university qualifications, 7.1 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents account for 17.5%, 4.1 points below national, while English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 2,813, 1,143 and 833. Christianity is recorded for 3,754 people and no religion for 2,265. Average household size is 1.9, 0.6 below national, helping explain the strong share of couples without children at 48.9%. Compared with nearby Kooringal and Mount Austin, household patterns should be checked at street level rather than assumed from the broader Wagga Wagga identity.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
53.9%
Houses
20.6%
Townhouse
24.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Wagga Wagga's tenure profile is more renter-led than owner-led: 51.2% rent, 27.7% own outright and 17.6% have a mortgage. That structure reflects a compact housing mix, with 53.9% separate houses, 20.6% semi-detached dwellings and 24.0% apartments. Two-bedroom homes lead at 40.3%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 36.3%, while 4-plus bedrooms account for 15.4%. Weekly rent is $295 and rent equals 21.8% of household income, a lower burden than a rent-stressed profile because housing costs are not flagged as stress. Compared with nearby Kooringal and Mount Austin, buyers should assess dwelling format street by street because apartment and semi-detached shares are material.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $295.
$530
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $550 · units $420
HH Size
1.9
Personal Income / wk
$819
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.0%
Unoccupied
409
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.7%
Couples with children
48.9%
Couples, no children
16.8%
Single parent
1,597
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the main employment engine at 25.3% and 634 workers, followed by Education at 13.8% and 345, Public Administration at 9.4% and 236, Construction at 7.7% and 192, and Professional/Tech at 6.6% and 165. This mix supports a service-led base because health, education and government activity provide several employment anchors. Professionals number 1,015, ahead of Trades at 490 and Managers at 441. Unemployment is 5.0%, participation is 60.8% and full-time employment is 63.3%. Household income sits at the 35th percentile, below the midpoint, while SEIFA deciles are 5 for education and occupation, 4 for economic resources, and 4 for disadvantage and advantage, indicating a position below higher-decile regional areas.
Unemployment
5.0%
Labour Force
3,841
Unemployed
192
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.3%
Part-time
31.0%
Participation
60.8%
Employed
3,649
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
37.2%
Postgraduate
10.3%
Born Overseas
17.5%
Dwellings
3,290
Transport to Work
Daily travel is car-oriented: 69.1% drive, compared with 1.1% using public transport, while 14.5% walk or cycle and 9.1% work from home. That pattern suits a regional centre with distributed destinations, but households without a car should test routes and service frequency before committing. The local school mix includes 10 government sites and specialist facilities, comprising 7 primary schools, 1 secondary school, 1 environmental education centre and 1 school for specific purposes. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. The IRSAD decile is 4, below the middle deciles, and 8.1% need assistance, so access to services matters. Compared with a transit-rich metropolitan suburb, Wagga Wagga is more practical for drivers than for regular public transport users.
Drive
69.1%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
14.5%
Work from Home
9.1%
Population Forecast
+2.73%/yr
(+170 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is running at 2.73% a year, with the wider area marked Growing (all ages) and population change of 60.6% across 10 years. The primary migration driver is Balanced, so expansion is not dependent on a single age group or relocation stream. Rent growth of 35.7% adds pressure and can encourage new supply, while 136 development applications in 12 months indicate active development activity. Gentrification remains at Early signs, with a score of 22, and the shift measure also records Early signs at 30. Compared with a static established suburb, the combination of 2.73% annual growth and an all-ages trajectory points to stronger momentum, although the 11.0% vacancy rate may moderate near-term rental competition.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+50
Net Internal / yr
+54
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal migration +54/yr, Accelerating: 26% → 37%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wagga Wagga compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wagga Wagga a good suburb to live in?
Wagga Wagga can suit residents seeking regional services, varied housing and a renter-friendly market. About 69.1% drive, 14.5% walk or cycle and 51.2% rent, so it is more car-oriented and flexible than many owner-focused suburbs. The median age is 38, which is 2 years below the national comparison.
What is the median house price in Wagga Wagga?
For a current median house price, check recent Wagga Wagga sales by dwelling type before budgeting. Separate houses make up 53.9% of homes, compared with 24.0% apartments and 20.6% semi-detached dwellings, so the relevant median can vary by property format. Weekly rent is $295, providing a useful affordability reference.
What schools are in Wagga Wagga?
The local mix includes 10 government schools and specialist facilities: 7 primary schools, 1 secondary school, 1 environmental education centre and 1 school for specific purposes. Families should confirm the exact enrolment zone for an address, because school access can differ across streets and neighbouring areas.
Is Wagga Wagga safe?
Wagga Wagga has 7,198 residents, but a suburb-wide safety judgement should use current street-level information. Check NSW Police crime mapping and recent local updates for the exact address, then consider lighting, traffic and evening activity before deciding. Conditions can vary more between streets than between broad suburb labels.
Is Wagga Wagga good for property investment?
Wagga Wagga has investor appeal because 51.2% of households rent, weekly rent is $295 and rent growth is recorded at 35.7%. However, the 11.0% vacancy rate is higher than in a tight rental market, and 136 development applications may increase supply. Returns depend on pricing and property format.
How is Wagga Wagga's population changing?
The wider area is marked Growing (all ages), with an annual trend of 2.73% and population change of 60.6% across 10 years. Migration is Balanced, while gentrification is at Early signs with a score of 22. These indicators point to stronger momentum than a static established suburb without implying a fixed future resident count.
What development is occurring in Wagga Wagga?
Development activity totals 136 applications over 12 months, including dwelling work, demolitions, alterations and office premises. That level is higher than a lightly changing established area and may improve housing choice over time. Investors and buyers should check whether nearby applications affect supply, construction activity or street amenity.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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