Suburb in Wollongong

West Wollongong, NSW

West Wollongong had a population of 5,223 at the 2021 Census (+5.5% since 2016). Median age 35.2. Median weekly household income $1,675. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

West Wollongong at a glance

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

In Illawarra

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, West Wollongong's population grew by 5.5% to 5,223, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 35.2, it is younger than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 12.3% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 10.2%.

36.8% of households rent, a larger share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 30.8% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 19.3% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 1,954 households.

The median household earns $1,675 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $372 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,119 a month.

25.6% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 22.4% use a language other than English at home. 39.3% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, West Wollongong beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureWest WollongongNSWAustralia
Population5,2238,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+5.5%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age35.238.438.2
Households1,9542,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments19.3%21.8%14.3%
Renting36.8%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright30.8%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,675$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$372$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$2,119$2,142$1,866
Born overseas25.6%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home22.4%28.2%23.6%
No religion39.3%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

+5.5% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 4,7512011
  2. 4,9522016
  3. 5,2232021

Age

Median age 35.2, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

West Wollongong New South Wales
Share of people by age, West Wollongong and New South Wales
0–912.3%
10–1912.8%
20–2918.4%
30–3913.0%
40–4913.9%
50–5910.5%
60–698.9%
70–795.5%
80+4.7%

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

Cultural background

The largest groups in West Wollongong at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English33.4%
  2. Australian32.8%
  3. Irish11.7%
  4. Scottish10.1%
  5. Italian6.0%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Arabic2.4%
  2. Serbian2.2%
  3. Mandarin1.8%
  4. Macedonian1.5%
  5. Greek1.3%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England2.6%
  2. India1.7%
  3. New Zealand1.5%
  4. China1.3%
  5. North Macedonia0.9%

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

Around West Wollongong

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore West Wollongong in Censible

Every census figure for West Wollongong, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.