Council area

Wollongong, NSW

Wollongong had a population of 214,564 at the 2021 Census (+5.4% since 2016). Median age 39.0. Median weekly household income $1,682. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Explore Wollongong freeSee the figures

Wollongong at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.

In Illawarra

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Wollongong's population grew by 5.4% to 214,564, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). Its median age of 39.0 is close to the NSW average (39.0). Children under 10 make up 11.5% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 13.5%.

31.4% of households rent, close to the NSW average of 33.1%. 34.6% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 18.5% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 80,658 households.

The median household earns $1,682 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $390 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,167 a month.

21.9% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 16.5% use a language other than English at home. 41.2% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Wollongong beside NSW and Australia.

WollongongNSWAustralia
Population214,5648,072,16325,422,788
Growth since 2016+5.4%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age39.039.038.0
Households80,6582,900,4689,275,217
Flats and apartments18.5%21.8%14.3%
Renting31.4%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright34.6%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,682$1,829$1,746
Median rent a week$390$420$375
Median mortgage repayment a month$2,167$2,167$1,863
Born overseas21.9%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home16.5%28.2%23.6%
No religion41.2%35.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+5.4% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 192,4182011
  2. 203,6302016
  3. 214,5642021

Age

Median age 39.0, against 39.0 for New South Wales.

Wollongong New South Wales
0–911.5%
10–1912.1%
20–2914.1%
30–3912.8%
40–4912.6%
50–5912.3%
60–6911.1%
70–798.2%
80+5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Wollongong at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English37.6%
  2. Australian36.5%
  3. Irish10.8%
  4. Scottish10.3%
  5. Italian6.4%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Macedonian2.2%
  2. Arabic1.4%
  3. Italian1.4%
  4. Mandarin1.1%
  5. Spanish0.8%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England3.9%
  2. North Macedonia1.4%
  3. Italy1.1%
  4. India1.1%
  5. New Zealand1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Wollongong

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Part of

Nearby

Suburbs in Wollongong

Largest first.

Explore Wollongong in Censible

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