West Wodonga
A reported crime rate of 93.2 offences per 1,000 residents is the sharpest trade-off in West Wodonga's otherwise practical, established profile. The suburb has 14,794 residents, a median age of 39, and 88.4% of occupied dwellings are separate houses. Compared with nearby Wodonga's more urban setting, West Wodonga is oriented toward family-sized detached housing, with 50.5% of homes containing 3 bedrooms and 33.9% containing 4 or more. Its density of 335.5 people per square kilometre supports a suburban layout, while 82.3% of workers driving to work reflects limited public transport use. The population is relatively stable because 78.1% of residents stayed at the same address over the relevant period, although the area is moving toward an older age profile.
Population
14,794
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,452/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
25
Median House
$640K
October to December 2025
A typical mortgage repayment is listed at $1,365 per month, equal to 21.7% of household income, while rent represents 20.0%, with neither measure flagged as stressed. Housing choice is concentrated in detached properties at 88.4%, including 50.5% 3-bedroom and 33.9% 4-or-more-bedroom homes. Compared with an apartment-oriented suburb, this layout better suits buyers seeking yards, storage and family space. The tenure split of 29.7% owned outright and 35.5% with a mortgage also points to a substantial established-owner base.
For Buyers
A typical mortgage repayment is listed at $1,365 per month, equal to 21.7% of household income, while rent represents 20.0%, with neither measure flagged as stressed. Housing choice is concentrated in detached properties at 88.4%, including 50.5% 3-bedroom and 33.9% 4-or-more-bedroom homes. Compared with an apartment-oriented suburb, this layout better suits buyers seeking yards, storage and family space. The tenure split of 29.7% owned outright and 35.5% with a mortgage also points to a substantial established-owner base.
For Investors
West Wodonga has a 33.6% renter share, a weekly median rent of $290 and a vacancy rate of 5.4%, giving investors a meaningful tenant pool but less evidence of extreme rental scarcity. Compared with a primarily owner-occupied suburb, the renter proportion supports demand for well-maintained houses, particularly because 88.4% of dwellings are separate homes. Rental growth across the wider area is recorded at 31.8%, while the forecast annual trend is 0.45% and overseas migration is the primary growth driver. There were 26 development applications in the past 12 months, which may add competition or improve local amenity depending on the project mix. The investment case therefore rests more on affordable detached housing and steady occupancy than on rapid capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
73
Last 12 Months
25
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+316.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in West Wodonga
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Melrose Primary School
Belvoir Wodonga Special Developmental School
Demographics
West Wodonga has a median age of 39, which is 1.0 year below the national comparison, but its trajectory is ageing. University attainment is 19.5%, 10.6 percentage points below the national comparison, and 10.4% of residents were born overseas, 11.2 points below the national figure. Average household size is 2.4 people, or 0.1 below the national comparison. English ancestry is the largest recorded group at 6,010 people, followed by Irish at 1,660 and Scottish at 1,508. Christianity accounts for 6,815 responses and no religion for 6,586, a relatively close comparison. This established social profile helps explain the 78.1% resident-stability rate and the gradual shift toward older households rather than rapid population churn.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.4%
Houses
8.0%
Townhouse
3.1%
Apartment
Tenure
The latest figure is higher than the historical trough and also marks the current peak. Housing is strongly detached, with 88.4% separate houses, compared with 8.0% semi-detached dwellings and 3.1% apartments. Tenure is split between 29.7% owned outright, 35.5% mortgaged and 33.6% rented. Compared with a higher-density suburb, this stock is more suitable for households wanting 3-bedroom homes, which make up 50.5% of dwellings, or 4-plus-bedroom homes at 33.9%. Mortgage and rent income shares remain moderate at 21.7% and 20.0%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,365
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$290
Census 2021
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$757
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.4%
Unoccupied
324
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.3%
Couples with children
39.8%
Couples, no children
20.8%
Single parent
3,972
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is West Wodonga's largest industry, employing 983 people and representing 22.8% of the recorded industry base, followed by education at 12.1%, manufacturing and public administration at 10.4% each, and construction at 9.9%. The occupational mix is similarly broad, led by professionals at 1,068, trades at 1,018, community and personal service workers at 965, labourers at 883 and clerical or administrative workers at 865. The labour force numbers 7,240 people, with a 60.6% participation rate, 60.0% full-time employment rate and 4.4% unemployment rate. Household income sits at the 44.2 percentile, below the midpoint, while SEIFA deciles of 3 for education, 4 for economic resources and 3 for disadvantage indicate constraints compared with top-decile areas. Healthcare, education and public administration provide a stabilising base, but lower socioeconomic scores temper the income outlook.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
7,240
Unemployed
317
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.0%
Part-time
33.7%
Participation
60.6%
Employed
6,923
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.5%
Postgraduate
3.2%
Born Overseas
10.4%
Dwellings
5,683
Transport to Work
West Wodonga is highly car dependent: 82.3% of commuters drive, compared with only 0.4% using public transport and 1.9% walking or cycling, while 9.7% work from home. This makes private vehicle access important for employment, shopping and services. There are 2 nearby schools, comprising a government primary school and a government special developmental school; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address. Reported crime totals 1,379 offences, including 700 property and deception offences, 311 crimes against the person and 229 justice procedures offences. At 93.2 offences per 1,000 residents, the rate is a significant consideration compared with lower-crime areas. SEIFA places the suburb in decile 3 for both IRSD and IRSAD, with education in decile 3 and economic resources in decile 4, so amenity access and household budget remain important practical factors.
Drive
82.3%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
9.7%
Population Forecast
+0.45%/yr
(+69 people/yr)
EstablishedWest Wodonga is classified as established, with forecast growth of 0.45% a year and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 5.6% over 10 years, indicating a slower trajectory compared with faster-growth corridors. The shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share is expected to increase by 8.3 percentage points, while the young share falls by 4.0 points and the working-age share falls by 2.8 points. This pattern is consistent with a mature housing market and gradual household change rather than rapid expansion. Gentrification is not currently indicated by the core score of 0, although a separate shift indicator records 26 and an Early signs stage. The result is modest growth shaped by overseas migration, ageing and established housing stock.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+68
Net Internal / yr
-86
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,379
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
93.2
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How West Wodonga compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Wodonga a good suburb to live in?
West Wodonga suits buyers seeking detached housing, with 88.4% of homes separate houses and a current population of 14,794. Compared with a denser urban area, it is more car dependent at 82.3%, while the reported crime rate of 93.2 per 1,000 residents is an important trade-off.
What schools are in West Wodonga?
There are 2 nearby schools: a government primary school and a government special developmental school. Compared with suburbs with a broader school mix, families may need to consider nearby areas as well. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address because boundaries can affect access.
Is West Wodonga safe?
Reported crime is 93.2 offences per 1,000 residents, with 1,379 total offences recorded. Property and deception offences account for 700, while crimes against the person account for 311. Compared with lower-crime suburbs, this rate warrants careful review of the specific street and property security.
Is West Wodonga good for property investment?
West Wodonga has a 33.6% renter share, $290 weekly median rent and 5.4% vacancy rate. Compared with a tightly held owner-occupied suburb, the tenant base is more substantial. However, forecast growth is only 0.45% annually, so the case is based on detached housing demand and steady occupancy rather than rapid growth.
How is West Wodonga's population changing?
West Wodonga has 14,794 residents today, with wider-area population change forecast at 5.6% over 10 years and annual growth of 0.45%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while the trajectory is Aging, with the senior share rising 8.3 percentage points and the young share falling 4.0 points.
What development is happening in West Wodonga?
There were 26 development applications in the past 12 months. The recorded examples include planning matters involving fencing, a commercial sign and a Section 173 agreement. Compared with a high-growth development corridor, this indicates ongoing local planning activity but does not establish a particular number of new dwellings.
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), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), 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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