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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Benalla has an estimated 10,865 residents, up from 10,822 at the 2021 Census. 460 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Density is about 35 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the population of the suburb of Benalla is approximated at 10,865, drawing from AreaSearch's evaluation of broader regional ABS revisions and post-Census validated addresses. Compared to the 10,822 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents an addition of 43 people (0.4%). That figure is derived from an Estimated Resident Population (ERP) baseline of 10,863 identified by AreaSearch from the ABS June 2025 release, combined with 460 validated new addresses logged after the Census. With 34 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains an open, low-density environment.
Furthermore, the 0.4% post-census growth rate in the suburb of Benalla trails the broader SA3 figure (1.2%) by just 0.8 percentage points, reflecting solid underlying momentum. Net interstate migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 83.0% of recent population additions. Demographic forecasting by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections anchored to a 2022 baseline. For SA2 territories lacking direct coverage, figures rely on 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA releases adapted via weighted population growth aggregations, with age-bracket trends from these models extended through 2032 to 2041 across all sectors. Under this approach, the overall head count for the suburb of Benalla is projected to contract by 717 persons by 2041. In contrast to this aggregate decline, certain demographics will expand, notably individuals aged 35 to 44, who are forecast to increase by 173 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
437 new dwellings have been approved in Benalla over the past five years, an average of 87 a year. That places the area in the 72nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 8 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 111 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 84% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 214, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Across the preceding 5 financial years, residential building approvals in Benalla averaged approximately 87 annually, delivering an estimated aggregate of 437 residences according to AreaSearch analysis of ABS figures. Activity in FY-25 has reached 214 approvals to date. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the area recorded an influx of only 0.3 people per year for every completed dwelling, demonstrating that construction is comfortably satisfying or exceeding demand, which widens options for purchasers and establishes capacity for demographic expansion beyond current forecasts. Average construction costs stand at $368,000 per dwelling, mirroring regional benchmarks, while commercial approvals total $23.4 million this financial year, reflecting steady non-residential development.
On a per-capita basis, residential approvals in Benalla exceed the Rest of Vic. benchmark by 59.0%, affording prospective purchasers extensive choice. Detached houses constitute 84.0% of recent approvals, while attached dwellings account for 16.0%, preserving the district's low-density profile and prioritising spacious homes suited to family life. An average of approximately 68 people per dwelling approval further underlines the region's low-density setting. Given that local demographic numbers are forecast to hold flat or decrease, residential real estate pressures should ease, potentially opening up favourable conditions for property buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Benalla
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Benalla, worth an estimated $118 million. A further 87 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.53 billion. 26 are already under construction and 29 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Civic upgrades and capital works remain central to local development trajectories, with AreaSearch cataloguing 8 significant projects in the area. Prominent undertakings include the Benalla Art Gallery Redevelopment, Benalla West - Stage One, Park Lane Estate, and Livingston Benalla.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Benalla Art Gallery Redevelopment
The redevelopment of the Benalla Art Gallery is being delivered in two parallel stages by Midson Construction Victoria at a contracted cost of $8.2 million plus contingencies. Stage 1A, funded by the Victorian Government Regional Cultural Infrastructure Program, includes modern art storage facilities, staff area upgrades, cafe relocation and lobby improvements. Stage 1B, supported by the Australian Government Growing Regions Program, focuses on climate control modernisation, gallery space renovation, and sustainable design features. The heritage-listed Munro and Sargeant building is preserved throughout.The gallery closed to the public in September 2025 and operates from a temporary pop-up site at 75 Bridge Street East during construction.
Benalla West - Stage One
Homes Victoria's Big Housing Build project delivering 48 modern, accessible and energy-efficient social and affordable rental homes, replacing 21 ageing dwellings. The project also includes upgrades to Waminda Park with new play equipment, BBQ facilities, lighting and improved public spaces. Demolition and early works have commenced, with main construction scheduled through 2026 and completion expected in 2027.
Livingston Benalla
A premium residential land estate in Benalla featuring multiple stages of development with lots ranging from 310m2 to 1010m2. Set among preserved natural landscape with signature red gums and open spaces, the estate offers modern amenities including parks, wetlands, and tree-lined streets with all town services.
Park Lane Estate
A premium residential lifestyle estate featuring 75 blocks ranging from 2000m2 to 4210m2, offering modern country living with NBN connectivity, tree-lined streets, and panoramic views. Stage 2 is now selling with lots designed for families, retirees, and professionals seeking a tree change while maintaining city convenience. Located just 2 hours from Melbourne and 1 minute from Benalla CBD.
Benalla Zone Substation Upgrade
A 16.5 million dollar lifecycle renewal of the Benalla Zone Substation on the Midland Highway at Benalla, delivered by AusNet as part of its wider network upgrade program. The project replaced 66kV switchgear, protection and control equipment that had reached the end of its serviceable life, extending the facility's operating life by a further 50 years. One of the 66kV powerlines running out of the substation supplies more than 12,500 customers across the Benalla Rural City and Mansfield Shire areas, including Mansfield, Bonnie Doon, Jamieson, Merrijig, Mount Buller and Woods Point.The critical asset switchover from old to new equipment was carried out during a single planned full-day outage on Sunday 4 May 2025, scheduled on a weekend and ahead of the alpine snow season to limit disruption to schools, commercial and industrial customers and regional tourism. AusNet used the same outage window to complete more than 70 parallel maintenance jobs across the two shires, including power pole and fuse replacements, reducing the need for future outages. Remaining substation works were programmed for completion in March 2026, and the project has since been retired from AusNet's active project register.
Mason Street Residential Development
A 2.43 hectare prime residential development opportunity in central Wangaratta, currently home to the well-established Moore Than Swimming education centre which has served the community for over 25 years. The site presents exceptional potential for residential subdivision in a highly accessible location.
Wangaratta Woolstores Development Site
A 5.77 hectare landmark retail development site known as Wangaratta Woolstores. It is a master planned precinct anchored by Harvey Norman featuring flexible showroom tenancies from 600sqm to 4,000sqm and a 270sqm QSR pad site. The council-endorsed site offers 388 metres of triple street frontage, over 390 proposed parking spaces, and is poised to serve a trade area population of over 70,000.
South Wangaratta Residential Growth Area
Southern residential growth area rezoned to General Residential, with the South Growth Area spanning 71.5 hectares and expected to yield approximately 615 lots accommodating 1,880 residents. Construction of sewer pipelines by North East Water is continuing to support this development.
4,724 residents of Benalla are employed, from a labour force of 5,049. Unemployment sits at 6.4%, with participation at 53.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market features a mix of white-collar and blue-collar occupations, supported by strong representation across essential services and an unemployment rate of 6.4%, based on AreaSearch compilations. As of March 2026, employed residents total 4,724. The local jobless rate sits 2.8% higher than the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., alongside a notably lower participation rate of 53.9% versus 61.1% regionally. Census figures indicated that just 12.0% of workers operated from home, though pandemic-related lockdown measures influenced these findings. Key industries employing local residents comprise health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
Construction represents a standout sector, displaying an employment concentration 1.4 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 4.8% of local jobs, trailing the Regional Vic. mark of 7.5%. A comparison between Census working figures and the resident population suggests a substantial segment of workers travels outside the area for employment. Over the 12 months leading to March 2026, both the workforce pool and overall employment shrank by 2.2%, keeping local joblessness steady according to AreaSearch synthesis of ABS and SALM releases. By comparison, Regional Vic. registered a 0.1% dip in employment and a 0.3% decrease in the labour force, corresponding to a 0.2 percentage point reduction. National Mar-26 projections from Jobs and Skills Australia point to nationwide job growth of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with performance varying by field. Aligning these sector-level trends with Benalla's industry distribution suggests potential local employment gains of 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, representing a basic weighted model that excludes local demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Benalla is $1,142 a week (about $59,000 a year), with median personal income at $645 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,789 a year against an average of $55,515. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode figures for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that taxpayers in the suburb of Benalla earned a median income of $45,789 and an average of $55,515, below the nationwide baseline as well as the Regional Vic. median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Accounting for a 9.62% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $50,194 for the median and $60,856 for the average as of March 2026. Across household, family, and individual measures in the Census, local earnings place between the 9th and 18th percentiles across Australia.
The primary earnings tier is $400 - 799, capturing 28.4% of residents (3,085 people), diverging from regional patterns where 30.3% earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 band. Even though local households retain 86.9% of income after accommodation outlays, overall disposable income sits at the 13th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Benalla had 4,602 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 0% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 45% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,253 a month. Rent absorbs 21.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census assessments show that standalone houses form 86.4% of residential stock in Benalla, with apartments, semi-detached, and other configurations making up 13.6%, compared with 90.1% houses and 9.9% other types across Regional Vic.. Full home ownership reaches 44.5%, outperforming the Regional Vic. baseline, while mortgaged properties make up 28.3% and rental dwellings account for 27.2%. Typical monthly mortgage costs stand at $1,253, below the Regional Vic. norm of $1,430 and the national standard of $1,863. Median weekly rent is $250, well under both the regional average of $285 and the Australian figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Benalla counted 4,602 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 36% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 60.9% of local living arrangements, consisting of couples without children (31.6%), couples with children (17.6%), and single-parent homes (11.0%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 39.1%, dominated by single-person residences at 36.0% along with group arrangements at 3.1%. The typical household size sits at 2.1 people, under the Regional Vic. median of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.8% of adults in Benalla hold a university qualification, including 10.9% with a bachelor degree and 3.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.8% hold a vocational qualification. 11 schools serve the area, with 1,846 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,009 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment presents an area of focus, as only 16.8% of residents hold a university qualification compared to the VIC benchmark of 33.4%. Higher education is led by bachelor degrees at 10.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.1% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. In contrast, vocational and technical pathways are prominent, with 40.6% of individuals aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, comprising certificates (28.8%) and advanced diplomas (11.8%). Formal study engages 24.6% of the local population, with primary school students making up 8.7%, secondary school attendees accounting for 7.9%, and higher education students representing 2.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Benalla reaches 59 stops on 19 routes, timetabled for about 820 services a week. The typical home sits about 280 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity encompasses 59 operational bus and rail stops in Benalla, operating across 19 separate routes to deliver 824 scheduled weekly trips. Commuters are situated an average of 278 meters from the nearest boarding point. Private vehicles dominate daily travel at 92%, while 5% of residents commute on foot, and vehicle ownership sits at 1.4 per household. Approximately 12.0% worked from home at the 2021 Census under possible pandemic conditions. Across all transit lines, operations average 117 services per day, generating roughly 13 departures weekly for each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
55.7% of residents in Benalla report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 88% of areas nationally. 8.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illness and mortality indicate notable health vulnerabilities in Benalla across younger and older demographics alike, alongside a low rate of private health coverage encompassing roughly 49% of residents (~5,307 people), compared to 55.7% across the nation. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent reported illnesses, affecting 11.8% and 10.1% of residents respectively, while 55.7% reported no diagnosed health conditions compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.. Chronic ailments are elevated among the working-age cohort. Residents aged 65 and over represent 31.6% of the community (3,433 people), exceeding the 24.0% regional proportion, with older age health metrics aligning closely with broader Australian trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Benalla is largely Australian-born, at 89.3% of residents, with 4.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.8%) and Australian (30.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures show that 88.7% of residents are Australian citizens, 89.3% were born in Australia, and 95.4% speak solely English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 50.7% of the community. Judaism shows a notable local presence at 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% figure recorded across Regional Vic.. The primary parental ancestries identified in Benalla are English (32.8%), Australian (30.4%), and Irish (10.8%). Additional ancestral representations include Scottish at 9.8% (versus 8.8% regionally), German at 3.7% (versus 3.5%), and Dutch at 1.3% (versus 1.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Benalla is 51, older than 93% of areas nationally. 19.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The local population skews older relative to the wider region. As of August 2026, AreaSearch estimates show that residents aged 65+ comprise 31.6% of the suburb, compared with 24.0% across Regional Vic., whereas individuals aged 0 - 24 represent 24.5% against 28.5% regionally. The median age is an estimated 51 as of August 2026, maintaining its 2021 Census level, which exceeded the Regional Vic. median (43) by 8 years and the national median (38). Since that Census, the 45 - 64 age bracket contracted from 26.0% to an estimated 24.5%.
By 2041, growth will be concentrated in adults aged 25 - 44, which is expected to expand by 228 residents (11%) to reach 2,390, while older cohorts and mature adult segments are projected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Benalla
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 3 months ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 460 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (10,822 at the 2021 Census → 10,865 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL20204). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.