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Wollongong Spending and Job Figures Residents Need to Track
Data on local spending and employment growth shows patterns that affect household budgets and work options in the Wollongong Local Government Area.
How we reported this
Local in-store spending across Wollongong reached $2.9 billion in the 12 months to December 2025, up 0.7 per cent from the prior year, with the CBD contributing $622 million. This figure gives residents a clear picture of where consumer dollars are flowing in the area.
Spending Patterns and Household Impact
Everyday residents can use the spending data to understand price stability and retail activity near their homes and workplaces. The modest year-on-year rise indicates that consumer demand has held steady rather than surged or contracted sharply. Households watching their own budgets may notice this consistency when comparing prices at local stores against the overall $2.9 billion total.
Job Growth and Workforce Changes
Wollongong surpassed its decade-long target of 10,576 new jobs in 2023-24 by adding 10,612 net new local jobs since 2017-18. The Wollongong Local Government Area now has 102,957 local jobs and 114,403 employed residents, reflecting 11 per cent and 13 per cent growth respectively from 2017-18 levels. Health Care and Social Assistance added more than 5,600 positions in that period, with further gains recorded in Construction and Professional Services.
Regional Economic Context
The Gross Regional Product stood at $15.74 billion in 2022/23 and represented nearly 60 per cent of the broader Illawarra-Shoalhaven economy valued at $29.6 billion. Residents can link these totals to the availability of services and infrastructure that support daily routines such as commuting, healthcare access and local construction projects.
People seeking work or considering career shifts can review the sectors that recorded the largest increases since 2017-18. Those already employed may observe how steady spending supports ongoing demand for goods and services in the CBD and surrounding areas. Tracking official updates from the Wollongong City Council economic profile remains the most direct way to stay informed about these trends without relying on projections.