Economy, jobs and prices in Greater Wollongong, Australia: official figures
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).
What is the unemployment rate in Greater Wollongong?
The unemployment rate in the Wollongong urban area was 4.7% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Greater Wollongong?
58.1% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 2nd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people are employed in Greater Wollongong?
Of the 138,957 employed residents of the Wollongong urban area at the 2021 Census, 54.3% worked full-time, 33.8% part-time and 11.9% were away from work that week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the employment rate in Greater Wollongong?
55.4% of residents of the Wollongong urban area aged 15 and over were employed at the 2021 Census.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Wollongong compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Greater Wollongong ranks 22 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Newcastle | 4.9% |
| 20 | Newcastle-Maitland | 4.8% |
| 21 | Central Coast | 4.7% |
| 22 | Greater Wollongong | 4.7% |
| 23 | Ballarat | 4.7% |
| 24 | Albury-Wodonga | 4.6% |
| 25 | Sunshine Coast | 4.4% |
More on Greater Wollongong: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: 2021 Census General Community Profile DataPack: Significant Urban Areas, Australia, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1c2f3c0b329f…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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