Poverty and living standards in Greater Wollongong, Australia: official figures
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 average mortgage repayment in Greater Wollongong?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the Wollongong urban area was $2,167 at the 2021 Census (the national median was $1,863), joint 3rd highest of 31 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Wollongong have no income?
7.9% of residents of the Wollongong urban area had nil or negative personal income at the 2021 Census, 12th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Wollongong are on a low income?
26.1% of residents of the Wollongong urban area had a personal income of $1 to $499 a week at the 2021 Census, above the national figure (23.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Greater Wollongong live on a low income?
13.4% of households in the Wollongong urban area that stated their income had a weekly household income below $500 (nil, negative or $1 to $499, before adjusting for household size) at the 2021 Census.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow crowded are homes in Greater Wollongong?
There were on average 0.8 people per bedroom in the Wollongong urban area at the 2021 Census, and the median household income was $1,676 a week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Wollongong compares with other cities in Australia
Median weekly rent, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Wollongong ranks 10 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 | Median weekly rent, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Sunshine Coast | $440 |
| 8 | Brisbane | $408 |
| 9 | Central Coast | $400 |
| 10 | Greater Wollongong | $400 |
| 11 | Newcastle | $400 |
| 12 | Perth | $400 |
| 13 | Adelaide | $400 |
Residents with nil or negative income, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Wollongong ranks 12 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 | Residents with nil or negative income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Gold Coast | 8.0% |
| 10 | Hobart | 8.0% |
| 11 | Greater Adelaide | 8.0% |
| 12 | Greater Wollongong | 7.9% |
| 13 | Wollongong | 7.9% |
| 14 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | 7.8% |
| 15 | Central Coast | 7.6% |
More on Greater Wollongong: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · 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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