Wollongong · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
An overall advantage score of 1,000 puts Wollongong exactly at the national average. This is a well-positioned area where residents generally have better access to money, resources, and education than about 80% of similar places across the country.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Wollongong — higher than 71% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area ranks highly for education and job skills, scoring an 8 out of 10. This strength helps the city maintain a strong overall advantage position compared to most other areas.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
7
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
7
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,000
Higher than 76% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has reached 224,327, making it one of the largest in its category. Since 2021, the population grew by 4.5%, which is a little below the New South Wales rate of 6.1%.
224,327
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.5%
Higher than 58% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Economic activity is high with 16,278 businesses operating in the area. There is also significant ongoing development, with 1,568 new dwellings approved, among the largest numbers for this level.
16,278
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
1,568
Higher than 88% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Wollongong [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA18450/wollongong/topic/economy-advantage
