Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
West Wollongong suburb profile
West Wollongong, NSW · Postcode 2500
This West Wollongong suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for West Wollongong, NSW (postcode 2500). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare West Wollongong with nearby suburbs.
West Wollongong at a glance
Population
5,223
Median rent
$370/wk
Household income
$1,672/wk
Median age
35
West Wollongong trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+9.9% over 10 years
Population
5,223
was 4,827 in 2016
+396 · +8.2%
Median rent
$370/wk
was $325/wk in 2016
+$45 · +13.8%
Household income
$1,672/wk
was $1,293/wk in 2016
+$379 · +29.3%
Median age
35
was 34 in 2016
+1 · +2.9%
Dig deeper: West Wollongong population growth · West Wollongong then and now
West Wollongong vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for West Wollongong, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-11.9% vs area
- West Wollongong$370/wk
- Nearby$374/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-9.3% vs area
- West Wollongong$1,672/wk
- Nearby$1,644/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
-12.5% vs area
- West Wollongong35
- Nearby36
- NSW40
Personal income
-6.1% vs area
- West Wollongong$759/wk
- Nearby$779/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How West Wollongong compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
West Wollongong sits above average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide. It shows limited economic resources.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 5998.2
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 71,008.4
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2956.3
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 81,040.8
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
West Wollongong on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for West Wollongong, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
West Wollongong people
- Population
- 5,223
- Median age
- 35
- Born overseas
- 24.3%
- Average household size
- 2.5
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
West Wollongong income
- Median household income
- $1,672/wk
- Median personal income
- $759/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
West Wollongong housing
- Median rent
- $370/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,123/mo
- Separate houses
- 59.7%
- Flats & apartments
- 18.3%
- Owned outright
- 28.8%
- Mortgaged
- 29.6%
- Rented
- 34.4%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 5.4%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
West Wollongong work
- Employment to population
- 57.7%
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%
- Year 12 or above
- 63.4%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2500)
Compare West Wollongong with nearby suburbs
West Wollongong in numbers
West Wollongong had 5,223 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 488th most populous suburb or locality in NSW out of 4,347. The median age is 35, 15% below the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.5 people. 24.3% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 28.8% own their home outright, 29.6% are paying a mortgage, 34.4% rent. Separate houses make up 59.7% of dwellings, with 18.3% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $370/wk, 7% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,672/wk, 7% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 5.7%. 63.4% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 5 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 8.2% (from 4,827 to 5,223). Median rent moved from $325/wk to $370/wk (+13.8%).
West Wollongong suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in West Wollongong, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in West Wollongong was $370/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in West Wollongong, NSW?
- West Wollongong had 5,223 residents at the 2021 Census, up 8.2% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in West Wollongong?
- Median household income in West Wollongong was $1,672/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in West Wollongong?
- 34.4% of occupied homes in West Wollongong were rented, 28.8% were owned outright and 29.6% were owned with a mortgage.
About this West Wollongong suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching West Wollongong. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology