Woongarrah
Woongarrah stands out for its family-sized housing: 87.9% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, while household income sits at the 87th percentile nationally. The suburb has 5,962 residents across 5.32 sq km, with a density of 1,120 people per sq km. Its mortgage-belt profile is clear: 47.5% of households are paying a mortgage, compared with 27.8% owning outright and 24.2% renting. At a median age of 36, residents are 4 years younger than the national figure, and average household size is 3.2, or 0.7 above the national comparison. Compared with nearby Warnervale and Hamlyn Terrace, Woongarrah is especially defined by detached homes and established family occupancy.
Population
5,962
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,255/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
100
Woongarrah suits buyers prioritising space over apartment living. Separate houses account for 99.2% of dwellings, and 87.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, while apartments make up just 0.3%. The typical household mortgage payment is $2,167 a month, with mortgage commitments equal to 22.2% of household income, lower than the suburb's 22.6% rent-to-income ratio. The 47.5% mortgage tenure share indicates strong exposure to interest-rate changes, even though mortgage stress is not flagged. Compared with nearby Warnervale and Hamlyn Terrace, buyers should focus on lot size, build age and access to schools because the housing stock is overwhelmingly detached. First-home buyers should test repayments against future rate rises rather than assess price on bedrooms alone.
For Buyers
Woongarrah suits buyers prioritising space over apartment living. Separate houses account for 99.2% of dwellings, and 87.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, while apartments make up just 0.3%. The typical household mortgage payment is $2,167 a month, with mortgage commitments equal to 22.2% of household income, lower than the suburb's 22.6% rent-to-income ratio. The 47.5% mortgage tenure share indicates strong exposure to interest-rate changes, even though mortgage stress is not flagged. Compared with nearby Warnervale and Hamlyn Terrace, buyers should focus on lot size, build age and access to schools because the housing stock is overwhelmingly detached. First-home buyers should test repayments against future rate rises rather than assess price on bedrooms alone.
For Investors
Woongarrah offers a family-rental proposition rather than a high-density yield play. Renting accounts for 24.2% of households, the weekly rent is $510, and vacancy is 2.9%, so landlords are targeting a smaller tenant pool than in a highly rental-oriented suburb. The 99.2% separate-house share and 87.9% 4-or-more-bedroom mix support demand from larger households, while the 3.2-person average household size reinforces that positioning. Development activity is material, with 87 applications recorded over 12 months, including new dwelling houses and attached dwellings. That pipeline can increase competing supply because much of the activity is residential, so investors should compare renovated stock with new builds rather than assume scarcity. Woongarrah's 47.5% mortgage share also points to a substantial owner base compared with a suburb dominated by short-term renting.
Development Activity
Total DAs
464
Last 12 Months
100
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Woongarrah
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Woongarrah has a family-centred demographic profile, with a median age of 36 and an average household size of 3.2, which is 0.7 people above the national comparison. Couples with children make up 53.9% of families, while one-parent families account for 16.6% and couples without children 28.8%. The ancestry profile leans Anglo: English ancestry is recorded for 2,460 people, followed by Irish at 573 and Scottish at 532. Overseas-born residents make up 15.2%, 6.4 percentage points below the national comparison, and university attainment is 20.8%, 9.3 points below the national figure. Christianity is the largest reported religion at 3,380 people, while 2,140 report no religion. Compared with nearby Warnervale and Hamlyn Terrace, the suburb is more likely to appeal to established family households than to a highly migrant or student-oriented population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.2%
Houses
0.6%
Townhouse
0.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Woongarrah's housing is unusually concentrated in detached family stock. Separate houses represent 99.2% of dwellings, compared with 0.3% apartments and 0.6% semi-detached homes. The bedroom profile is similarly large: 87.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, 10.7% have 3 bedrooms, 1.1% have 2 bedrooms and 0.3% have 0 or 1 bedroom. Tenure is led by mortgages at 47.5%, followed by outright ownership at 27.8% and renting at 24.2%. Mortgage commitments average $2,167 monthly, equal to 22.2% of household income, while rent is $510 weekly and rent-to-income is 22.6%. With 2.9% vacancy, the market looks less liquid than a high-apartment suburb. Compared with nearby Warnervale and Hamlyn Terrace, buyers should pay close attention to land, dwelling condition and future supply because the product is predominantly house-based.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $510.
$675
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $700 · units $480
HH Size
3.2
Personal Income / wk
$806
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.9%
Unoccupied
53
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
53.9%
Couples with children
28.8%
Couples, no children
16.6%
Single parent
1,610
Total families
Economy & Employment
Woongarrah's labour market is anchored by service industries and a substantial car-based workforce. Healthcare is the largest industry at 19.9%, employing 345 people, followed by Public Administration and Education at 10.6% each, Construction at 10.5% and Retail at 7.5%. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 516, ahead of Clerical and Administrative workers at 385, Trades at 378, and Managers and Community or Personal Service workers at 353 each. Labour-force participation is 65.1%, unemployment is 4.5%, and 56.5% of employed residents work full time. About 27.9% work from home, while 64.6% drive a car, suggesting employment is spread beyond the suburb's immediate services. Household income is at the 87th percentile, higher than the profile implied by the 20.8% university rate, because trades, public services and healthcare broaden earning sources. Compared with a CBD suburb, the 0.7% public-transport share points to stronger car dependence.
Unemployment
4.5%
Labour Force
2,932
Unemployed
133
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.5%
Part-time
32.8%
Participation
65.1%
Employed
2,799
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.8%
Postgraduate
4.9%
Born Overseas
15.2%
Dwellings
1,783
Transport to Work
Woongarrah is practical for households that value space and local schooling, but daily travel is car-led. There is 1 local government primary school, and enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address because school boundaries can differ across nearby suburbs. Public transport is used by 0.7% of residents, compared with 64.6% who drive, while 27.9% work from home, so the suburb suits residents with flexible work or reliable car access better than commuters dependent on frequent transit. The 5.32 sq km area and 1,120 people per sq km density create a compact suburban setting, while the 99.2% separate-house share supports private outdoor space more than apartment-style living. Safety decisions should include recent incident checks, lighting, traffic and activity at different times. The 7.5% needing assistance also makes access to health, support and transport services worth assessing.
Drive
64.6%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
0.9%
Work from Home
27.9%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Woongarrah compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Woongarrah a good suburb to live in?
Woongarrah suits households wanting detached space and local schooling. About 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses, 87.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, and 1 government primary school is local. Its 0.7% public-transport share is lower than car use at 64.6%, so it is better suited to drivers than transit-dependent households.
What is the median house price in Woongarrah?
Check recent comparable sales rather than relying on a generic suburb estimate. Woongarrah is dominated by 99.2% separate houses, with 87.9% containing 4 or more bedrooms, and the typical mortgage payment is $2,167 monthly. Compare like-for-like homes by land size, dwelling age, renovation level and bedroom count.
What schools are in Woongarrah?
Woongarrah Public School is the identified local school, a government primary school. Families should confirm the exact enrolment zone and available year levels because boundaries can differ across nearby suburbs. There is 1 local school, and the 3.2-person average household size indicates strong demand from family households, but location alone should not be treated as a quality ranking.
Is Woongarrah safe?
Assess safety at street level by checking recent incidents, lighting, traffic and activity at different times. A practical context is that 64.6% of residents drive and 0.7% use public transport, so road and pedestrian conditions may matter more than in a transit-heavy suburb. The 5.32 sq km area also makes block-by-block differences worth checking.
Is Woongarrah good for property investment?
Woongarrah can suit investors targeting family tenants, with 24.2% renting, weekly rent of $510 and a 2.9% vacancy rate. The 99.2% separate-house share and 87.9% 4-or-more-bedroom share support a house-focused strategy, while 87 development applications in 12 months mean new supply should be monitored. Compare expected rent, maintenance and resale appeal with nearby suburbs rather than relying on vacancy alone.
How is Woongarrah's population changing?
Woongarrah has 5,962 residents, with 79.1% staying at the same address and 20.9% turnover. That points to a relatively settled base, while 87 development applications over 12 months could gradually add or replace housing. Track new occupancies, school demand and dwelling completions over the next 2 to 3 years, and compare the pace with nearby Warnervale and Hamlyn Terrace.
What development is happening in Woongarrah?
Residential construction is the main visible activity, with 87 development applications recorded over 12 months. Examples include new dwelling houses, attached dwellings and a 1-dwelling complying development certificate. Because 99.2% of homes are separate houses, buyers and investors should check whether new projects add supply, replace older stock or change local traffic and services.
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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