Ascot (Greater Bendigo - Vic.)

Ascot lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Ascot's population is estimated at around 2,621 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 50 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,571. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 2,587 in June 2025, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 23 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 248 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, the suburb of Ascot (Greater Bendigo - Vic.) has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 44.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

All drivers including interstate migration and overseas migration were positive factors. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, exceptional growth is predicted over the period, placing Ascot in the top 10 percent of Australian non-metropolitan areas. The area is expected to increase by 1,240 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 46.0% in total over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Ascot when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Ascot has recorded around 5 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past 5 financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 29 homes were approved, with a further 5 approved in FY-26.

This results in an average of about 5.2 new residents per year for every home built during this period. Demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $315,000. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Ascot has significantly less development activity, 69.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

However, development activity has picked up in recent periods. This is also under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving Ascot's low density nature. With around 241 people per dwelling approval, Ascot shows characteristics of a low density area. Future projections estimate Ascot will add 1,206 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Ascot has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

AreaSearch identified six projects likely to impact the area, with key ones including Victory Christian College Epsom Campus, Maiden Gully Road/Calder Highway Intersection Upgrade, Epsom Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment, and Maiden Gully Growth Area. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment positions Ascot ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Ascot's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of December 2025 was 3.0%, lower than Regional Vic.'s 3.7%. Workforce participation in Ascot was similar to Regional Vic.'s 61.0%.

A moderate 13.6% of residents worked from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Mining showed notable concentration with employment levels at 5.4 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 2.2%. Locally, limited employment opportunities were indicated by the working population vs resident population count.

From Dec-25 to Nov-26, labour force decreased by 1.3% and employment declined by 1.8%, raising unemployment by 0.4 percentage points, contrasting with Regional Vic.'s employment contraction of 0.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ascot's employment mix suggested local employment growth of 6.3% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

In Ascot suburb, according to AreaSearch aggregated ATO data for financial year ended 30 June 2023, median income among taxpayers was $55,054 and average income stood at $67,473. In Regional Vic., median income was $50,954 and average income was $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from financial year ended 30 June 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $60,350 (median) and $73,964 (average). From the 2021 Census, income levels in Ascot clustered around the 58th percentile nationally. Income distribution showed that 40.7% of locals (1,066 people) fell into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, similar to the broader area where 30.3% occupied this bracket. After housing costs, residents retained 88.2% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 4th decile.

Ascot is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Ascot's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.9% houses and 1.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ascot was at 35.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.1% and rented ones at 16.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, above Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Ascot was $350, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Ascot's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $350 than the national figure of $375.

Ascot features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 82.3% of all households, including 36.8% couples with children, 31.9% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 17.7%, with lone person households at 15.8% and group households making up 1.9%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational achievement in Ascot places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's university qualification rate is 22.0%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (4.0%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (28.1%). Educational participation is high at 30.2%, comprising primary education (11.9%), secondary education (7.6%), and tertiary education (3.1%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.9% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 3.1% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Ascot has three operational public transport stops. These are served by two distinct routes, offering a combined total of 253 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Ascot is moderate, with residents typically residing 592 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most Ascot residents commute outward, predominantly using cars at a rate of 97%. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 13.6% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 36 trips daily, equating to around 84 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Ascot is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Ascot faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 54% of the total population (~1,402 people), leading that of the average SA2 area but slightly higher than Regional Vic.'s 50.5%. Mental health issues impact 9.2% of residents, while asthma affects 9.1%. Conversely, 66.4% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to Regional Vic.'s 63.4%. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 15.6% of residents aged 65 and over (408 people), lower than Regional Vic.'s 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Ascot is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Ascot's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 91.7% of its population being citizens, 90.6% born in Australia, and 92.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 46.7% of Ascot's population. Judaism was overrepresented, making up 0.2% compared to 0.1% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.3%), Australian (31.2%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, Welsh (0.6%) and Dutch (1.3%) were overrepresented in Ascot compared to regional averages of 0.4% and 1.7%, respectively.

Ascot's population is younger than the national pattern

Ascot has a median age of 34, which is lower than the Regional Vic. figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Regional Vic. average, Ascot has an over-representation of the 35-44 cohort (16.6%) and an under-representation of those aged 65-74 (9.2%). Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group increased from 14.4% to 16.6%, while the 25-34 cohort rose from 14.1% to 15.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort decreased from 10.2% to 8.5% and the 55-64 group fell from 11.6% to 10.5%. Demographic projections indicate significant changes in Ascot's age profile by 2041, with the 25-34 cohort expected to grow by 285 people (71%), reaching a total of 689 individuals.