Wagga population close to 70,000 but growth still below target for 2038

Wagga's northern suburbs also recorded the highest growth rate in regional NSW with a population increase of 28 per cent over a total five year period to June 2019, according the latest ABS report.

The next highest growth areas in regional NSW were around Maitland and Queanbeyan at just under 27 per cent over five years.

"The last we heard [Estella] was the second-fastest growing area in the state, second only to an area in Tweed Heads," Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said.

"It sounds like it is still a very fast growing area, you just have to look at the houses going up there, and we have just approved a new subdivision so that will be even more popular.

"It's good to see that the city is growing, I don't know if we are on track to reach 100,000 in 20 years, but it is certainly a step in the right direction."

The combined population for Wagga and the surrounding region, which included Uranquinty, Coolamon and Ganmain, was 72,242 by June last year, meaning that the city's population on its own was likely to be around 69,000 in September.

Wagga's total population grew at 3.73 per cent over five years and if that growth rate continues the city will reach 83,500 people by the year 2038.

In 2018, the NSW government identified Wagga as an "area of significant growth" and set a population target of 100,000 people by 2028.

"It has to grow a little faster to reach our 100,000," Cr Conkey said.

"However, with the Special Activation Precinct master plan out, we're getting considerable interest [in the Bomen industrial area] and we're looking at getting 6000 new jobs out there.

"When the industries start to establish out there, I think that will give us the push to get to 100,000 people."

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Temora and its surrounding area had one of the highest growth rates in the Riverina outside of Wagga, at 3.62 per cent, behind Junee at 5.72 per cent and Griffith at 5.64 per cent.

Temora Shire mayor Rick Firman said the town's aviation industry, a push by the council to attract new businesses and a NSW government refugee resettlement program had helped grow the population.

"It's unreal but we we have also found that former locals are coming home," he said.

"They may have gone elsewhere and got married and now have families that they want to raise back where they obviously had a very special upbringing in a great community.

"We're finding more and more of those are coming back too."

Cootamundra and Gundagai recorded slight declines in population at -0.13 and -0.66 per cent respectively.