Wangi Wangi
Nearly half of Wangi Wangi's residents own their home outright, a rate that stands well above the national average and reflects a deeply settled, older community on the western shore of Lake Macquarie. The median age of 54 is 14 years above the national figure, vacancy sits at 11.7%, and 80.6% of residents have not moved in the past five years. House prices reached $905,000 in 2025, up 4.6% from $865,000 in 2024, yet household income ranks in just the 34th percentile nationally, producing genuine mortgage stress for those who buy in at current prices.
Population
2,920
Median Age
54.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,339/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
33
Median House
$895K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price is $895,000 against a monthly mortgage cost of $1,830, which translates to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.6%, above the 30% stress threshold. That tension is real: household income sits at the 34th percentile nationally, below average, while prices have climbed 4.6% from $865,000 in 2024 to $905,000 in 2025. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 88.1%, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 42.0% and four-plus bedroom at 33.3%. Semi-detached dwellings account for 6.2% and apartments just 4.6%. The outright ownership rate of 47.0% signals that most existing owners bought at much lower prices and carry no debt, making churn slow and supply tight.
For Buyers
The median house price is $895,000 against a monthly mortgage cost of $1,830, which translates to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.6%, above the 30% stress threshold. That tension is real: household income sits at the 34th percentile nationally, below average, while prices have climbed 4.6% from $865,000 in 2024 to $905,000 in 2025. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 88.1%, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 42.0% and four-plus bedroom at 33.3%. Semi-detached dwellings account for 6.2% and apartments just 4.6%. The outright ownership rate of 47.0% signals that most existing owners bought at much lower prices and carry no debt, making churn slow and supply tight.
For Investors
Investors face a mixed picture. Weekly rent of $340 against a $895,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.0%, low by regional NSW standards. The 11.7% vacancy rate is elevated, pointing to seasonal or holiday-related demand fluctuation common to lakeside communities rather than strong permanent rental take-up. Only 21.8% of dwellings are rented, a thin tenant base compared to state averages. Development activity is modest but present, with 27 applications lodged in the past 12 months including dual occupancy and demolish-and-rebuild projects. Net overseas migration adds 34 residents annually, and the medium forecast has the broader SA2 population reaching 9,907 by 2031, providing a slow but steady demand floor.
Development Activity
Total DAs
218
Last 12 Months
33
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+10.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Wangi Wangi iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Wangi Wangi Public School
K-6 · 181 students
Demographics
The median age of 54 is 14 years above the national figure, the result of a decade-long shift where the senior share rose 7.0 points while the working-age share fell 5.2 points. Couples without children make up 42.9% of families, consistent with a post-family lifecycle. Overseas-born residents account for 11.4%, which is 10.2 points below the national rate, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,336), Scottish (356) and Irish (330). The workforce participation rate of 43.7% is low, directly because a large proportion of residents are retired or not seeking work; 1,174 people are outside the labour force. University qualifications reach 25.7%, which is 4.4 points below the national benchmark. Volunteering at 15.9% reflects community engagement typical of stable, established neighbourhoods.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.1%
Houses
6.2%
Townhouse
4.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tells the clearest story: 47.0% own outright, 31.2% hold a mortgage and just 21.8% rent, a split that sits well above the national outright ownership rate. The stock is 88.1% separate houses, with three-bedroom homes at 42.0% and four-plus bedroom at 33.3% making up the bulk of supply. Prices rose from $865,000 to $905,000 across 2024 to 2025, a 4.6% annual gain. Rent at $340 per week keeps rent-to-income at 25.4%, just below the 30% stress line. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,830 push mortgage-to-income to 31.6%, flagging financial strain for recent buyers given income at the 34th national percentile. The high outright ownership base is a stabilising force, as most owners are debt-free and unlikely to be forced sellers.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,830
Rent / wk
$340
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$680
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.7%
Unoccupied
159
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.6% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.9%
Couples, no children
2,249
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant local industry at 20.9% of employed residents (162 workers), followed by Education at 15.1% (117) and Construction at 12.9% (100). Manufacturing accounts for 7.0% and Professional or Technical services for 6.1%. By occupation, Professionals lead with 219 workers, then Community and Personal Service workers at 147 and Clerical or Admin at 145. Full-time employment runs at 58.6%, with unemployment at 4.9% and participation at just 43.7%, reflecting the retirement-age skew. The SEIFA IER decile of 7 indicates reasonable economic resources relative to national comparison, though the IRSD decile of 6 and IRSAD decile of 5 place the suburb in average territory nationally for overall advantage. Real incomes grew 10.4% over the decade, but remain below national median income levels.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
4,803
Unemployed
185
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.6%
Part-time
36.5%
Participation
43.7%
Employed
1,040
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.7%
Postgraduate
7.2%
Born Overseas
11.4%
Dwellings
1,191
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total, with 92.4% of residents driving to work, above the state average, and walking or cycling used by only 2.9%. That reflects limited public transport options in a low-density lakeside setting. Crime data is not available for this suburb, but the IRSD decile of 6 and IRSAD decile of 5 indicate average disadvantage nationally, neither a high-risk nor a low-disadvantage area. The need-for-assistance rate is 6.8%, or 188 residents, higher than the national average, consistent with the older age profile where some residents require daily support. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on facilities in neighbouring communities. The density of 799 persons per square kilometre is moderate, keeping the area spacious while the 47.0% outright ownership rate signals a stable, settled residential character.
Drive
92.4%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.44%/yr
(+43 people/yr)
EstablishedWangi Wangi is a slow-growth, aging suburb. Annual population growth runs at 0.44%, adding about 43 residents a year. The medium forecast puts the broader SA2 population at 9,907 by 2031, up from 9,710 in 2025. Over the past decade the population expanded 8.7%. The migration mix is balanced: net overseas arrivals of 34 per year and net internal arrivals of 9 per year. The gentrification score of 32 and stage of early signs indicates modest upward pressure, and rent growth of 37.0% over the survey period outpaced real income growth of 10.4%, compressing affordability from the renter side. The aging trajectory, where senior share rose 7.0 points and young share fell 0.8 points over a decade, is expected to continue, meaning demand is driven by downsizers and sea-changers rather than young families.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+34
Net Internal / yr
+9
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wangi Wangi compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wangi Wangi a good suburb to live in?
Wangi Wangi suits established or retiring residents well. The outright ownership rate of 47.0% is well above the national average, and 80.6% of residents have not moved in five years, indicating a stable community. The IRSD decile of 6 places it in average national territory for disadvantage. The main trade-off is limited public transport, with 92.4% of workers driving.
What is the median house price in Wangi Wangi?
The median house price is $895,000, with sales data showing prices at $865,000 in 2024 rising to $905,000 in 2025, a 4.6% gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,830. Weekly rent is $340, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 25.4% for tenants.
What schools are in Wangi Wangi?
No schools are recorded inside the Wangi Wangi suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding Lake Macquarie communities. University qualifications among residents reach 25.7%, which is 4.4 points below the national rate, consistent with the older age profile of the suburb.
Is Wangi Wangi safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Wangi Wangi in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores IRSD decile 6 nationally for relative disadvantage, indicating average conditions. Only 6.8% of residents (188 people) need daily assistance, and the low residential turnover of 19.4% suggests a stable, settled community.
Is Wangi Wangi good for property investment?
Investment returns face headwinds. Weekly rent of $340 against a $895,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.0%, below most regional benchmarks. The 11.7% vacancy rate is elevated, and only 21.8% of dwellings are rented. Price growth of 4.6% in one year offers some capital upside, supported by 27 development applications in the past 12 months.
How is Wangi Wangi's population changing?
Growth is slow but positive at 0.44% annually, adding about 43 residents per year. The broader SA2 population grew 8.7% over the past decade and is forecast to reach 9,907 by 2031. The trend is aging, with the senior share rising 7.0 points and working-age share falling 5.2 points over 10 years, driven by retirees and sea-changers rather than young families.
How much development is happening in Wangi Wangi?
There were 27 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dual occupancy projects and demolish-and-rebuild works. This level of activity is moderate for a suburb of 2,920 residents. The sample applications show dual occupancy detached and new structure projects lodged in 2026, reflecting incremental densification rather than large-scale development.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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