Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: In the year ended 30 June 2006 , the population of Wagga Wagga grew by 1.3 % , driven by its role as the regional center for the Riverina and its hosting of a campus of Charles Sturt University and Australian Defense Force bases .
Simplified: Albury and Wagga Wagga are home to campuses of Charles Sturt University . Wagga Wagga is home to two major Australian Defense Force bases .