NSW 2540 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Worrigee

A median age of 33, fully 7 years below the national figure, sets Worrigee apart from the older coastal pockets around it, and that youth shows up in the housing. Detached homes make up 93.9% of all dwellings and 63.0% carry four or more bedrooms, so the stock is built for growing families rather than downsizers. Household income sits in the 52.1st percentile nationally, close to the middle of the country, while the $750,000 median house price stays well below Sydney levels. The result is a working-family suburb where 34.9% of households hold a mortgage, average household size of 2.8 runs 0.3 above national, and car dependence is near total at 91.1% of commuters driving.

Worrigee urban fabric map

Population

5,384

Median Age

33.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,586/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

50

Median House

$750K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

16.93 km²· 318 people/km²· Family income $1,794/wk

The $750,000 median sits far below Sydney pricing and rose a measured 4.0% from $745,000 in 2024 to $775,000 in 2025, a steadier path than the boom-bust seen in metro markets. Stock strongly favours buyers wanting a house: 93.9% of dwellings are separate houses, apartments barely register at 1.1%, and 63.0% of homes carry four or more bedrooms with another 30.1% at three. That mix suits families because the suburb was built out for them. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold even though household income only reaches the 52.1st percentile nationally. Owner types tilt toward mortgage holders at 34.9%, ahead of the 29.7% who own outright, a sign of recent buyers still paying down debt rather than long-settled equity.

For Buyers

The $750,000 median sits far below Sydney pricing and rose a measured 4.0% from $745,000 in 2024 to $775,000 in 2025, a steadier path than the boom-bust seen in metro markets. Stock strongly favours buyers wanting a house: 93.9% of dwellings are separate houses, apartments barely register at 1.1%, and 63.0% of homes carry four or more bedrooms with another 30.1% at three. That mix suits families because the suburb was built out for them. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold even though household income only reaches the 52.1st percentile nationally. Owner types tilt toward mortgage holders at 34.9%, ahead of the 29.7% who own outright, a sign of recent buyers still paying down debt rather than long-settled equity.

For Investors

Renters make up 35.4% of households and weekly rent averages $390, a tenant base broad enough to support a buy-to-let strategy. Against the $750,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 2.7%, modest but stronger than the sub-2% seen in premium Sydney suburbs. The vacancy rate of 3.9% points to a balanced rental market rather than oversupply, so re-letting risk is low. Development activity is healthy at 44 applications in 12 months, weighted toward new dwelling houses and secondary dwellings under Complying Development Certificates, which adds modest supply. With rent-to-income at 24.6%, below the stress line, tenants have headroom to absorb increases. The investment case rests on steady family demand and a 4.0% annual price move rather than rapid capital gains.

Development Activity

Total DAs

211

Last 12 Months

50

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+72.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
23
Swimming Pool / Spa
15
Garage / Carport / Shed
14
Subdivision
7
Commercial / Industrial
6
New Dwelling
4
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
3
Demolition
3

Demographics

The median age of 33 runs 7.0 years below the national figure, marking Worrigee as a young-family suburb rather than a retirement coast. Average household size of 2.8 sits 0.3 above national, consistent with the 2,007 couples raising children who outnumber the 1,073 couples without. Overseas-born residents reach just 10.2%, fully 11.4 points below the national rate, and ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (2,228), Irish (500) and Scottish (478). University qualifications at 17.8% fall 12.3 points below national, reflecting a workforce built on trades, care and service roles rather than degree-heavy professions. Christianity dominates religious affiliation at 2,559 residents, with Buddhism and Hinduism each at a small 37, underlining how culturally homogeneous the suburb remains compared with metro Sydney.

Age Distribution

0-14
24.2%
15-24
13.4%
25-44
26.2%
45-64
21.6%
65+
14.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.5%
2 bed
6.4%
3 bed
30.1%
4+ bed
63.0%

Dwelling Structure

93.9%

Houses

5.0%

Townhouse

1.1%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 29.7% Mortgage 34.9% Rent 35.4%

Tenure splits three ways with renters at 35.4%, mortgage holders at 34.9% and outright owners at 29.7%, and the fact that mortgage holders edge out outright owners signals a suburb of working buyers still building equity rather than settled, debt-free residents. The stock is overwhelmingly detached: 93.9% separate houses against just 1.1% apartments and 5.0% semi-detached. Large homes dominate, with 63.0% holding four or more bedrooms and 30.1% at three, because the area was developed for families needing space. The median rose from $745,000 in 2024 to $775,000 in 2025, a 4.0% one-year move, far gentler than Sydney swings. Mortgage-to-income at 25.2% and rent-to-income at 24.6% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, so housing costs stay manageable even at the 52.1st income percentile.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,733

Rent / wk

$390

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$735

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

3.9%

Unoccupied

74

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

24.6%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

25.2%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Nepali
11

Ancestry

English
2,228
Irish
500
Scottish
478
Other
335
Ancestry NS
306
German
188

Household Composition

24.4%

Couples, no children

4,392

Total families

Economy & Employment

The workforce concentrates in care and government rather than corporate sectors: Healthcare leads at 20.9% (324 workers) and Public Administration follows at 18.1% (280), together employing nearly two in five workers, which reflects the suburb's role within the Shoalhaven services and defence corridor. Construction (9.8%, 152), Retail (8.6%, 133) and Education (8.5%, 131) round out the top five. By occupation, Community and Personal Service workers lead at 470, ahead of Professionals at 313, a profile that explains why university attainment of 17.8% runs below national. Unemployment sits at 5.0% and the full-time employment rate at 61.9%, while participation of 58.4% stays moderate because 1,332 residents are outside the labour force. SEIFA scores are not available in this dataset, so advantage rankings are omitted.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

61.9%

Part-time

33.1%

Participation

58.4%

Employed

2,265

Occupations

Community/Personal 470
Professionals 313
Sales 273
Labourers 271
Clerical/Admin 269
Managers 224
Machinery/Drivers 129

Top Industries

Healthcare 20.9%
Public Admin 18.1%
Construction 9.8%
Retail 8.6%
Education 8.5%

University

17.8%

Postgraduate

3.5%

Born Overseas

10.2%

Dwellings

1,816

Transport to Work

Worrigee is built around the car: 91.1% of commuters drive, while public transport carries just 0.4% and only 1.1% walk or cycle, far above the national reliance on private vehicles and a practical reality for a suburb at 318 residents per km2 spread across 16.93 km2. Volunteering runs at 13.7%, and 8.1% of residents (413 people) need daily assistance. Rent-to-income at 24.6% and mortgage-to-income at 25.2% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, so day-to-day housing affordability holds up better than in higher-priced Sydney markets. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Nowra, a trade-off offset by the larger four-bedroom homes that dominate at 63.0% of stock.

Drive

91.1%

Public Transport

0.4%

Walk / Cycle

1.1%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Worrigee compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 10%
Household Income
Top 48%
Rent Level
Top 19%
Apartments
Bottom 23%
Renters
Top 21%
Uni Educated
Bottom 29%
Public Transport
Bottom 3%
Born Overseas
Bottom 30%
Density
Top 21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Worrigee a good suburb to live in?

Worrigee suits young families, with a median age of 33, fully 7 years below national, and 93.9% detached houses where 63.0% have four or more bedrooms. Household income reaches the 52.1st percentile nationally and the $750,000 median sits well below Sydney levels, keeping mortgage-to-income at a manageable 25.2%.

What is the median house price in Worrigee?

The median house price is $750,000, with the latest 2025 figure at $775,000 after rising 4.0% from $745,000 in 2024. Weekly rent averages $390 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,733, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, below the 30% stress line.

What schools are in Worrigee?

No schools are recorded inside the Worrigee boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Nowra. The suburb skews young with a median age of 33, 7 years below national, and university attainment of 17.8% runs 12.3 points under the national rate.

Is Worrigee safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Worrigee in this dataset, so a direct safety ranking cannot be given. As context, only 8.1% of the 5,384 residents need daily assistance and residential turnover is moderate at 23.0%, with 77.0% of residents having stayed in place.

Is Worrigee good for property investment?

Rent of $390 a week against a $750,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.7%, stronger than premium Sydney suburbs, and a 3.9% vacancy rate signals a balanced market. Renters make up 35.4% of households, while 44 development applications in 12 months add modest new supply.

How is Worrigee's population changing?

Worrigee is in active expansion, with 44 development applications lodged in 12 months adding new dwellings. The young median age of 33, fully 7 years below national, and 2,007 couples with children point to continued household formation rather than the aging seen in coastal retirement zones.

How much development is happening in Worrigee?

There were 44 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, weighted toward new dwelling houses and secondary dwellings under Complying Development Certificates. That activity adds modest supply and aligns with a young suburb at a median age of 33, 7 years below national, still forming households.

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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