State Electorate · Area profile
Wagga Wagga
12,109 km²
Wagga Wagga is a significant regional hub that is larger than about 84% of similar areas. It is a family-oriented community where children under 15 make up 20.1% of the population, which is a little above the national figure. The area has a strong connection to the Defence Force and a high rate of volunteers, reflecting a civic-minded population. Its character is defined by a stable, predominantly Australian-born population living in spacious detached homes.
52 schools within reach make Wagga Wagga convenient for families.
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The area is notably diverse in its Indigenous identity, with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of 6.5%, which is well above the national figure. Residents are a little younger than the state average, with a typical age of 37.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up 10.8% of the population, which is far below the national figure. Australian and English are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 85.9% of the community. Those using another language at home make up 8.2% of the population, a figure that is far below the state and national averages.
Christianity is the most common faith at 57.8%. People reporting no religion make up 31.0% of the community, which is well below the national figure.
The area has more schools per 1,000 children than most similar places. However, the proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher is 18.1%, which is well below the national figure.
Typical weekly family income is $1,996, which is a little below the state average. While typical incomes are slightly lower than the national figure, those earning $3,000 or more a week rose by 11 points since 2011.
A higher number of residents live with a long-term health condition compared to most areas, at 31.5%. This includes a mental health rate of 10.1%, which is a little above the national average.
Community spirit is high, with 17.0% of people volunteering, a rate well above the state average. This is consistent with the area having one of the highest proportions of former Defence Force members at 5.2%.
Families with children are common, though there is a higher rate of one-parent families (15.5%) and people living alone (28.0%) compared to most similar areas.
The housing stock is dominated by separate houses, at 86.6%, which is far above the national figure. Rent is much lower than the national average, with a typical weekly cost of $290.
Car travel is the primary way to get to work, with 68.5% of people driving. This explains why public transport use for commuting is very low at just 0.5%.
The area is quite dynamic, with 41.6% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are also far above the national average at 25.3%.
Employment is strong, with a full-time work rate of 62.5% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%, which is much lower than most similar areas. Health care and education are the top industries.
The area is considered somewhat walkable, though many homes are far from essential services. Only 45.7% of households are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, which is far below the state average.