Greater Wollongong: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Greater Wollongong: At the 2021 Census the median personal income in the Wollongong urban area was $751 a week, the median household income $1,676 a week and the median family income $2,104 a week. Boundary: the Wollongong Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
- Health in Greater Wollongong: 42.7% of residents of the Wollongong urban area reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 11th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (39.8%). Boundary: the Wollongong Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
- Education in Greater Wollongong: 49.0% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 5th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the Wollongong Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
- Poverty and living standards in Greater Wollongong: The median weekly rent paid by households in the Wollongong urban area was $400 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), joint 9th highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the Wollongong Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
What is the population of Greater Wollongong?
The Wollongong urban area had an estimated 322,343 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 14th highest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the Wollongong Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Greater Wollongong growing?
The population of the Wollongong urban area grew by 3,642 people (1.1%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 318,701 to 322,343; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Greater Wollongong grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the Wollongong urban area rose 5.8%, from 304,679 to 322,343, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Greater Wollongong?
The median age in the Wollongong urban area was 39 years at the 2021 Census; half of residents were younger and half older.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average household size in Greater Wollongong?
The average household in the Wollongong urban area had 2.5 people at the 2021 Census.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Wollongong were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 19.5% of residents of the Wollongong urban area were born overseas, below the national figure (27.6%), and 13.8% spoke a language other than English at home, below the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Greater Wollongong?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Greater Melbourne 5,435,590
- Greater Brisbane 2,833,524
- Greater Perth 2,452,765
- Greater Adelaide 1,491,015
- Brisbane 1,375,301
- Gold Coast-Tweed Heads 761,634
- Gold Coast 691,230
- Newcastle-Maitland 541,634
- Canberra-Queanbeyan 521,049
- Canberra 484,630
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
- Wollongong 224,327
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: 2021 Census General Community Profile DataPack: Significant Urban Areas, Australia, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1c2f3c0b329f…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.