Wodonga
A crime rate of 147.6 offences per 1,000 residents is a defining consideration in Wodonga, alongside a population of 20,259 and a median age of 39. Compared with nearby Albury, Wodonga suits buyers seeking a larger-home, regional service-centre setting, but its 0.45% annual growth forecast points to a steadier pace. An aging trajectory, an 8.3% senior-share increase and a 38.1% renting profile shape the suburb's next phase.
Population
20,259
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,364/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
36
Median House
$635K
October to December 2025
The stock is more likely to be a separate house than an apartment, at 86.5% versus 1.3%, with 3-bedroom homes accounting for 47.0% and 4-plus-bedroom homes 33.0%. That mix suits families, downsizers wanting land and buyers needing flexible rooms, although exact repayments still vary by deposit and loan rate. Compared with apartment-led suburbs, the choice here is concentrated in detached homes.
For Buyers
The stock is more likely to be a separate house than an apartment, at 86.5% versus 1.3%, with 3-bedroom homes accounting for 47.0% and 4-plus-bedroom homes 33.0%. That mix suits families, downsizers wanting land and buyers needing flexible rooms, although exact repayments still vary by deposit and loan rate. Compared with apartment-led suburbs, the choice here is concentrated in detached homes.
For Investors
Investor conditions are shaped by 38.1% of households renting, a weekly median rent of $280 and a 7.3% vacancy rate. The vacancy level can give tenants more choice than in tighter markets, which may moderate near-term rent pressure even as demand remains linked to healthcare, education and public administration jobs. Thirty-two development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing planning activity, but not every application adds a rental dwelling. The forecast names overseas migration as the primary driver and places annual growth at 0.45%, so the case is more about dependable regional demand than rapid capital-growth speculation. Check property-level maintenance, tenant demand and insurance before comparing yields.
Development Activity
Total DAs
132
Last 12 Months
36
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+260.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Wodonga
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Victory Lutheran College
Wodonga Middle Years College
St Augustine's School
Wodonga Primary School
Wodonga South Primary School
Demographics
Wodonga has a median age of 39, just 1.0 year below the national comparison, and an average household size of 2.3, or 0.2 below the national figure. University attainment is 22.5%, 7.6 percentage points below national, while 14.6% of residents were born overseas, 7.0 points below the national level. English ancestry leads at 7,847 people, followed by Irish at 2,399 and Scottish at 2,089. Christianity counts 9,232 people and no religion 8,641. A 23.9% turnover rate means most residents, 76.1%, stayed at the same address, supporting a more settled profile than a high-churn growth suburb.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.5%
Houses
12.0%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split between renting at 38.1%, owning outright at 30.7% and paying a mortgage at 30.4%. Compared with the 47.0% share of three-bedroom homes, the 33.0% four-plus-bedroom share shows a substantial family-sized supply, while 12.0% semi-detached stock adds some middle ground.
Mortgage / mo
$1,387
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (year ending Sep 2025), Homes Victoria bond data (year-ending median). Census 2021 median: $280.
$500
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $500 · units $385
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$758
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.3%
Unoccupied
645
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.7%
Couples with children
39.7%
Couples, no children
21.7%
Single parent
5,450
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Wodonga's largest industry at 23.7%, with 1,459 workers, ahead of education at 11.5% and public administration at 10.6%; construction contributes 10.1% and manufacturing 9.4%. This service mix supports demand for professionals, trades and community/personal workers, the three largest occupation groups at 1,681, 1,430 and 1,349 people. Labour-force participation is 60.1%, unemployment is 5.0% and full-time employment is 58.5%, while household income sits at the 35.4th percentile. SEIFA deciles are 2 for IEO, IER, IRSD and IRSAD, all below the national midpoint, indicating socioeconomic disadvantage despite the area's health, education and government employment base.
Unemployment
5.0%
Labour Force
9,849
Unemployed
492
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.5%
Part-time
34.5%
Participation
60.1%
Employed
9,357
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.5%
Postgraduate
5.0%
Born Overseas
14.6%
Dwellings
8,153
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-oriented: 81.3% of residents drive to work, compared with 0.4% using public transport and 3.1% walking or cycling. Wodonga has 9 schools across government, Catholic and independent sectors, including primary, secondary, combined Pri/Sec and special settings; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address. Safety needs active consideration, with 2,991 recorded offences and a rate of 147.6 per 1,000. Property and deception offences total 1,391, more than the 179 drug offences, so street-level conditions and property security matter. IRSAD is in decile 2, below the national midpoint, which can affect access to resources compared with higher-decile suburbs.
Drive
81.3%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
3.1%
Work from Home
9.4%
Population Forecast
+0.45%/yr
(+69 people/yr)
EstablishedWodonga is forecast to grow at 0.45% a year, a slower pace than a high-growth corridor, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. The wider area's population change is 5.6% over 10 years, so expansion is positive but measured rather than explosive. The trajectory is labelled Aging: the senior share rises 8.3%, the young share falls 4.0% and the working-age share falls 2.8%. That shift matters because services, accessible housing and healthcare may become more important than rapid family formation. The current gentrification stage is Not gentrifying with a score of 0, while a longer-term signal records Early signs at 26. Compared with growth markets, Wodonga's outlook favours gradual adaptation over wholesale change.
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
2,991
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
147.6
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 Wodonga compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wodonga a good suburb to live in?
Wodonga can suit households wanting detached housing, regional services and a settled pace. It has 20,259 residents, 86.5% separate houses and 9 schools, but public transport use is only 0.4% and the crime rate is 147.6 per 1,000. Compared with a more transit-oriented suburb, daily life is more car dependent.
What schools are in Wodonga?
Wodonga has 9 listed schools spanning 4 primary, 2 secondary, 2 combined Pri/Sec and 1 special setting. The sector mix is 5 government, 2 Catholic and 2 independent. Compared with suburbs with one school type, families have more sector and year-level options, but enrolment zones should be checked for the exact address.
Is Wodonga safe?
Safety is mixed and should be checked at street level. Wodonga recorded 2,991 offences, equal to 147.6 per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences the largest category at 1,391. That is higher than the 179 drug offences, so home security, vehicle storage and the immediate street context deserve attention compared with relying on a suburb-wide label.
Is Wodonga good for property investment?
It may suit investors seeking regional rental exposure, with 38.1% of households renting, a $280 weekly median rent and 7.3% vacancy. The vacancy rate gives tenants more choice than a tighter market, while 32 development applications in 12 months may add competition or amenity depending on the project. Annual growth is forecast at 0.45%, so the profile is steadier than a high-growth strategy and requires careful property-level due diligence.
How is Wodonga's population changing?
Population change is gradual and aging. The wider area's 10-year change is 5.6%, while the annual growth trend is 0.45% and overseas migration is the primary driver. The senior share has increased 8.3%, compared with a 4.0% fall in the young share and a 2.8% fall in the working share. That points to rising demand for healthcare and age-friendly housing rather than rapid population expansion.
What development is occurring in Wodonga?
Development activity is present, with 32 applications recorded over 12 months. Examples include residential subdivision and dwelling construction, plus a commercial planning amendment, so the count is broader than new rental supply alone. Compared with a suburb with little planning activity, this can gradually change housing choice and local amenity, but investors should review each site's timing, dwelling count and approval conditions.
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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