Wonthaggi, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Wonthaggi VIC is 5,215 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Wonthaggi is $515 per week ($26,780 per year). Median rent in Wonthaggi is $270 per week ($1,170 per month). Wonthaggi has a median age of 55 years, older than the national median of 38. Wonthaggi has a population density of 98 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Wonthaggi is England. The most common religion is No religion (45.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Wonthaggi is $1,198.

There were 1,336 recorded offences in Wonthaggi in 2025-25, a rate of 256 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was justice procedures (414 offences).

Population
5,215
Census 2021
Median income
$515/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$270/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
55years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Wonthaggi vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Wonthaggi is $515 a week, 33% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 1,221st of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $270 a week, $46 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 31.7% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 55, 12 years older than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureWonthaggiTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$515/wk$767/wk −33%$766/wk
Household income$852/wk$1,687/wk −49%$1,637/wk
Rent$270/wk$316/wk −15%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,198/mo$1,723/mo −30%$1,733/mo
Median age5543 +12 yrs42
Rent share of household income31.7%19.1% +12.6 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Wonthaggi, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Wonthaggi Population

5,215 residents at the 2021 Census.

Wonthaggi Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$515/wk
$26,780 per year
Ranked 8,057 of 14,663
Median Rent
$270/wk
$1,170 per month
Ranked 5,664 of 14,663
Median Age
55years
17 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,198/mo
Avg household size: 2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Wonthaggi Rent Prices & Affordability

32% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $852/wk
Median rent $270/wk
Rent to income 31.7%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Wonthaggi against your income

About $3,692 a month
Median rent $270/wk
Left after rent $582/wk
Rent share 31.7%

Wonthaggi Schools

7
schools nearby
5
government
976
avg ICSEA score
2,598
total students
St Joseph's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 315 students
1031
ICSEA
Wonthaggi Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 371 students
996
ICSEA
Bass Coast College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,687 students
988
ICSEA
Wonthaggi North Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 151 students
942
ICSEA
Bass Coast Specialist School Government
Combined · U · 74 students
922
ICSEA
Village High School - Watt St Independent
Secondary
Bass Coast College-Dudley Campus Government
Secondary

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Wonthaggi, with a map

Wonthaggi Map

Wonthaggi, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Wonthaggi, Victoria: 38.6215°S, 145.5936°E

Wonthaggi Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (7)

People in Wonthaggi

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.3% (2,466) Female 52.7% (2,746)

Population Density

98
people per km²
5,215 people · 53.4 km²

Households

2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,240
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
5.1%
New Zealand
1.3%
Italy
1.2%
India
0.8%
Scotland
0.7%
Germany
0.6%
Netherlands
0.6%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
0.9%
Malayalam
0.6%
German
0.3%
Mandarin
0.3%
Vietnamese
0.3%
Filipino
0.2%
Thai
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
43.1%
Australian
39.3%
Scottish
12.8%
Irish
10.3%
Italian
7.0%
German
4.1%
Dutch
2.4%
Australian Aboriginal
2.1%
Indian
1.1%
Chinese
0.9%
Welsh
0.7%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
45.3%
Catholic
19.3%
Anglican
11.5%
Not stated
8.3%
Uniting Church
3.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.3%
Baptist
2.1%
Christian (other)
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
39.7% 1,809
Separated
4.1% 185
Divorced
14.3% 651
Widowed
10.4% 475
Never married
31.6% 1,440

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
38.4%
Couple: children under 15
28.2%
Couple: no children under 15
11.9%
One parent: children under 15
10.8%
One parent: no children under 15
10.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
41.8%
2 persons
36.2%
3 persons
9.9%
4 persons
7.4%
5 persons
3.2%
6+ persons
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Wonthaggi

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,361 occupied private dwellings in Wonthaggi at the 2021 Census, 28.9% were rented, 45.6% owned outright and 21.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.9% 44 dwellings
Owned outright
45.6% 1,077 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
21.1% 499 dwellings
Rented
28.9% 682 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.6% 62 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
90.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
6.6%
2 bedrooms
27.5%
3 bedrooms
45.0%
4 bedrooms
17.7%
5 bedrooms
2.4%
6+ bedrooms
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
7.5%
$300-$449/mo
3.7%
$450-$599/mo
2.9%
$600-$799/mo
10.1%
$800-$999/mo
12.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
26.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
18.9%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
13.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
3.1%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
10.8%
1 vehicle
46.5%
2 vehicles
28.5%
3 vehicles
9.4%
4+ vehicles
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Wonthaggi

Employment

Employed full-time
19.9% 797 people
Employed part-time
20.8% 833 people
Unemployed
2.3% 93 people
Not in labour force
57.1% 2,290 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
22.7%
Technicians & Trade Workers
19.7%
Community & Personal Service
16.7%
Managers
10.8%
Clerical & Administrative
9.0%
Sales Workers
8.5%
Labourers
7.7%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
5.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.7%
$1-$149/wk
1.1%
$150-$299/wk
2.4%
$300-$399/wk
5.2%
$400-$499/wk
14.7%
$500-$649/wk
10.8%
$650-$799/wk
11.9%
$800-$999/wk
9.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
6.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.1%
$4,000+/wk
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.0%
$1-$149/wk
4.8%
$150-$299/wk
8.9%
$300-$399/wk
9.0%
$400-$499/wk
9.7%
$500-$649/wk
6.9%
$650-$799/wk
12.2%
$800-$999/wk
10.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
2.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.6%
$3,500+/wk
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.2%
Did not go to work
14.1%
Walked only
6.7%
Car (passenger)
5.1%
Bicycle
1.5%
Truck
0.6%
Other
0.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
42.6%
Year 10 or equivalent
24.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
20.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
12.6%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
47.9%
Bachelor Degree
20.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.6%
Postgraduate Degree
4.4%
Certificate I/II
3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
15.8%
Health
15.5%
Society & Culture
15.2%
Engineering
14.2%
Architecture & Building
11.2%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
10.4%
Education
8.0%
Agriculture & Environment
3.5%
Creative Arts
2.7%
Information Technology
2.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
32.8%
Secondary: Government
29.3%
Vocational Education
11.8%
Pre-school
9.6%
Primary: Catholic
9.3%
Secondary: Catholic
2.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.5%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
81.4%
Has need for assistance
12.1%
Need for assistance not stated
6.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
723
Arthritis
322
Lung condition
259
Heart disease
239
Diabetes
222
Asthma
198
Stroke
120
Cancer
113
Kidney disease
86
Dementia
32

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
16.4% 675
Did not provide
83.6% 3,440

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
16.4% 683
Not a volunteer
83.6% 3,472

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
3.8% 159
Never served
96.2% 4,022

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
26.1%
1 child
12.5%
2 children
27.3%
3 children
20.9%
4 children
9.2%
5+ children
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
18
1951: 1960
168
1961: 1970
138
1971: 1980
86
1981: 1990
86
1991: 2000
31
2001: 2010
69
2011: 2015
63
2016
11
2017
8
2018
10
2019
13
2020
3
2021
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

16.1%
moved in the last year
42.5%
moved in the last 5 years
5.1%
unemployment rate (Census)
41.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
3,984
Moved: same area (SA2)
410
Moved from VIC
300
Moved from WA
10
Moved from QLD
9
Moved from overseas
7
Moved from NSW
7
Moved from TAS
5
Moved from ACT
3
Moved from SA
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
17.0%
5: 14 hours
27.4%
15: 29 hours
14.2%
30+ hours
10.8%
Did not do domestic work
30.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
87.1%
Step family: no other children
7.6%
Blended family: no other children
5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Wonthaggi Crime Statistics

1,336 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Justice Procedures
414
Theft
267
Assault
207
Property Damage
125
Weapons
87
Drug Offences
81
Break & Enter
66
Fraud
43
Public Order
43
Robbery
2
Other
1

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Cohuna
Income: $594/wk Rent: $185/wk $85/wk less rent
Lakes Entrance
Income: $514/wk Rent: $252/wk $18/wk less rent
Coleraine
Income: $502/wk Rent: $140/wk $130/wk less rent
Rushworth
Income: $486/wk Rent: $190/wk $80/wk less rent
Koondrook
Income: $538/wk Rent: $200/wk $70/wk less rent
Charlton (Vic.)
Income: $545/wk Rent: $200/wk $70/wk less rent
Euroa
Income: $603/wk Rent: $250/wk $20/wk less rent
Orbost
Income: $489/wk Rent: $190/wk $80/wk less rent

Suburbs near Wonthaggi

The closest suburb to Wonthaggi is Cape Paterson, 4.3 km away.

Cape Paterson
4.3 km away · income $656/wk · rent $300/wk
North Wonthaggi
4.8 km away · income $584/wk · rent $300/wk
Inverloch
12.2 km away · income $703/wk · rent $346/wk

Compare Wonthaggi

Frequently Asked Questions About Wonthaggi

What is the population of Wonthaggi VIC?

The population of Wonthaggi VIC is 5,215 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 98 people per km². Wonthaggi is ranked #1,508 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Wonthaggi?

The median personal income in Wonthaggi VIC is $515 per week, or $26,780 per year. The median household income is $852 per week. Family income is $1,240 per week. Wonthaggi is ranked #8,057 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Wonthaggi?

Median rent in Wonthaggi VIC is $270 per week ($1,170 per month). Rent represents 31.7% of household income, which is considered moderate. Wonthaggi ranks #5,664 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Wonthaggi?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Wonthaggi VIC is $1,198. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Wonthaggi?

The median age in Wonthaggi VIC is 55 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Wonthaggi a good suburb to live in?

Wonthaggi is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 5,215. The median income is $515/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (31.7% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 22829. All dollar figures in AUD.