Wagga Wagga

The community is younger than the national figure, and 6.6% of residents identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, which is well above the state average. Children under 15 are much more common here than in most other areas.

Most residents were born in Australia, though the proportion of people born overseas has risen to 11.4% since 2011. This remains far below the New South Wales average of 29.3%.

While 85.3% of people speak only English, those using another language at home have risen to 9.1% since 2011. This figure is still far below the state and national averages.

Christianity remains the most common faith at 57%, but the number of people reporting no religion has risen sharply by 17 points since 2011 to reach 31.7%.

The area has a higher proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher than most similar areas, though it remains well below the national figure. Year 12 completion has also risen by 6.6 points since 2011.

Typical weekly household income is $1,638, which is slightly below the state figure. However, the proportion of households earning $3,000 or more a week has risen by 12 points since 2011.

Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, with 31% of people affected. Mental health conditions are particularly high at 10.3%, which is above both the state and national figures.

Participation in unpaid childcare is much higher than most areas, while 5.7% of residents have served in the Defence Force, one of the highest rates for its level.

First Nations people make up one of the largest populations at this level, with a typical age of 21, which is noticeably younger than the national figure of 24.

Homes here tend to be larger, with an average of 2.5 people per dwelling. One-parent families are more common than in most areas, representing 15.6% of households.

Detached houses are far more common here than in the rest of the state, with 85.5% of dwellings being separate houses. Most homes are large, and 80% have three or more bedrooms.

The community relies heavily on cars, with 69% of people driving to work. Very few people use public transport to commute, and only 8.4% of the workforce works from home.

The area is quite dynamic, with 44% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are among the highest at this level, far exceeding national rates.

More adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, and full-time employment is well above the national average. The largest employers are in health care, social assistance, and education.

Wagga Wagga is generally more advantaged than 70% of similar areas. It has a high number of businesses and a strong overall advantage score of 971.

The area receives more annual rainfall than the New South Wales average. It is generally cooler, with both average maximum and minimum temperatures lower than the state figures.

Recorded offences are higher than in most areas, with assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft appearing more frequently than in similar regions.

Walkability is lower than the state average, as far fewer homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or health services. However, the area has a high number of walkable amenities per 1,000 residents.