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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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Blairgowrie has an estimated 2,659 residents, down from 2,786 at the 2021 Census — a change of 127 people, or 4.6%. The population has thinned by an average 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. That puts 423 residents on each 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS population revisions and post-Census address validations, the suburb of Blairgowrie has a population of approximately 2,659 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 2021 Census tally of 2,786 people, this represents a reduction of 127 people (4.6%). This variance is calculated from an estimated resident count of 2,656 drawn from the June 2025 ABS ERP release alongside 2 validated new addresses identified since the Census. With a density of 422 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space and capacity for future housing expansion.
Over the preceding ten-year timeframe, the suburb of Blairgowrie recorded a resilient 1.0% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the wider SA3 area, with overseas migration serving as practically the exclusive source of inbound population expansion. Projections for each SA2 area are sourced from ABS/Geoscience Australia 2024 releases based on 2022 benchmarks, while areas lacking direct coverage utilize the 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA figures adjusted via weighted aggregation to SA2 boundaries. Age-specific rates from these aggregations are applied across all locations for 2032 to 2041. Forward demographic modeling places the suburb of Blairgowrie above the national median for statistical areas, with aggregated SA2-level figures projecting an addition of 488 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 18.2% across the 16-year projection horizon.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
108 new dwellings have been approved in Blairgowrie over the past five years, an average of 21 a year. That is 0.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Few approvals have been recorded in the most recent months, well below the longer-run average; the latest ABS periods are still being reported. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals allocated from statistical areas indicates that roughly 21 new dwellings have been approved annually in Blairgowrie, totaling approximately 108 homes across the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 through FY-25), with no approvals recorded to date in FY-25. In the context of a declining population base, this rate of construction represents an adequate supply response that benefits prospective buyers. Furthermore, commercial approvals amounting to $2.6 million have been lodged during the current financial year, underlining the dominant residential profile of the neighborhood. Residential building volumes in Blairgowrie sit substantially below Greater Melbourne benchmarks, lagging by 83.0% on a per-person regional basis.
Constrained additions to housing stock typically bolster demand and asset values across established properties. This subdued development trajectory also tracks beneath the national average, pointing to planning restrictions and the area's established urban footprint. In addition, recent construction has consisted exclusively of detached houses, preserving low-density characteristics and drawing purchasers seeking larger allotments. Projections based on the latest quarterly AreaSearch modeling indicate that Blairgowrie will add 485 residents by 2041. Existing rates of home building appear sufficient to satisfy anticipated residential demand, sustaining favorable purchasing conditions while leaving open the possibility of growth tracking higher than current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Blairgowrie
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 59 current infrastructure and development projects close to Blairgowrie, worth an estimated $1.56 billion. 16 are already under construction and 18 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and environmental & disaster management. 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
Strategic planning frameworks and major capital works significantly influence local development trajectories. Currently, AreaSearch has identified no major infrastructure projects likely to directly impact the immediate area. Broader regional initiatives include the Geelong Renewable Energy Zone, Corridor Preservation For Melbourne Outer Metropolitan Ring Road/E6, Level Crossing Removal Project, and Additional VLocity Trains, with key details on relevant works summarized below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment
The Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment is part of the Rye Township Plan Stage 1, Part B. The project creates a strong central axis to the pier, acting as the main gateway to the foreshore. Works include a refurbished central walkway, new plaza spaces, pedestrian crossings on Point Nepean Road, connecting pathways, and landscaping. The project enhances public open space by replacing the eastern pier carpark and improves connectivity and accessibility for the community.
6 Napier Street Hotel Development
DA approved development for a residential boutique hotel comprising a five-storey building with basement parking, ground floor restaurant, and onsite parking. Positioned on a 1,029sqm corner site close to the waterfront in Rye's commercial precinct.
2135 Point Nepean Road, Rye
A three-storey, mixed-use building comprising 20 architecturally designed apartments (9 x 2-bedroom and 11 x 3-bedroom) above a ground-floor retail and car park area. The Cera Stribley Architects-designed development features a curved facade, high-end finishes, residents' lounge, beach showers, 'beach box' storage, and a rooftop with a pool, deck, and barbecue facilities, with coastal views.
Rye Pier Reconstruction
Two-stage reconstruction of Rye Pier delivering a wider timber deck, updated L-shaped head with accessible low landings, solar lighting, seating, interpretative signage trail and improved all-abilities access. Stage 1 rebuilt the pier approach in 2022; Stage 2 rebuilt and upgraded the outer pier and head in 2023-2024. The pier reopened to the community and final works were completed in June 2024.
Rosedale Residential Development
A luxury private estate featuring 40 single-level townhouses (2-3 bedrooms) designed for downsizers and young families on the Mornington Peninsula. Located in its own boutique community within Rosebud, offering quality low-maintenance homes near beaches, golf courses, vineyards and Peninsula amenities.
Queenscliff Ferry Terminal Redevelopment
A $15.9 million redevelopment to upgrade the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal with modern facilities, improved access, car parking, and retail opportunities. Aims to enhance ferry services and boost the local visitor economy.
Hesse Street South Redevelopment
Streetscape upgrades to Hesse Street south of King Street, including undergrounding power lines, improved street lighting and drainage, creating extra parking spaces, and planting new trees. Aims to make the street safer for cars and pedestrians while improving visual appeal.
Queenscliff Harbour Redevelopment
Modernisation of the existing Queenscliff Harbour, including new roadway, carparking, increased wet and dry berth capacity, site decontamination, and new commercial buildings (retail, cafe, restaurant) with an observation tower.
1,243 residents of Blairgowrie are employed, from a labour force of 1,267. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 52.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,186, about 82% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Blairgowrie boasts a highly educated labor force where professional services hold a prominent position, with an unemployment rate of only 1.9% and a record of steady employment throughout the previous year, according to aggregated statistical area data from AreaSearch. By March 2026, the local population employed stood at 1,243 individuals, while the unemployment figure sat at 2.9%, which is 2.9% lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%. Workforce participation in Blairgowrie was notably lower at 52.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 70.1%. Census data indicates that 39.1% of residents worked from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account when interpreting these figures.
The primary employment sectors for local residents comprise construction, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Construction exhibits particular strength, with local representation reaching 1.6 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 9.2% of resident jobs, underperforming the Greater Melbourne proportion of 14.2%. Comparing Census working population tallies against resident totals highlights the area's predominantly suburban nature and relatively limited internal job base. Aggregated SALM and ABS figures evaluated by AreaSearch show that over the trailing 12 months, the local labor pool contracted by 0.4% alongside a 0.2% drop in total employment, shifting the unemployment rate downward by 0.1 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne experienced a 2.1% increase in employment, a 2.3% labor force expansion, and a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future workforce requirements. Over five and ten-year periods, countrywide employment is anticipated to rise by 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, though sectoral trajectories vary considerably. When mapped against Blairgowrie's industry distribution, these projections suggest local job numbers could grow by 6.7% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, representing an illustrative weighted extrapolation without localized demographic adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Blairgowrie is $1,490 a week (about $77,000 a year), with median personal income at $787 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,906 a year against an average of $82,442. The average runs 72% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
Taxation statistics from the ATO for financial year 2023 at the postcode level show that personal earnings in the suburb of Blairgowrie rank exceptionally high across the nation, featuring a median of $47,906 and an average of $82,442. For comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023 produces estimated March 2026 benchmarks of roughly $52,515 for median income and $90,373 for average income. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual income tiers occupied modest positions between the 35th and 46th percentiles.
The primary earning band encompasses 27.0% of workers receiving $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (717 residents), mirroring the metropolitan share of 32.8%. Living costs leave residents retaining 88.2% of their income, though disposable earnings place at the 40th percentile, with the SEIFA index positioning the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Blairgowrie had 1,144 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 15% rented and 60% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 26.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 31.0%. 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 constitute 98.9% of Blairgowrie's housing stock, with semi-detached properties, apartments, and other configurations making up the remaining 1.1%, contrasting with Melbourne metro's distribution of 67.9% separate houses and 32.1% higher-density dwellings. Outright home ownership stands significantly above the regional benchmark at 60.1%, while 25.4% of homes carry a mortgage and 14.5% are rented. The median monthly mortgage commitment matches the metropolitan average at $2,000, whereas median weekly rent sits at $400 compared to $2,000 for mortgages and $390 for rent across Melbourne metro. Nationally, local mortgage costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents surpass the countrywide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Blairgowrie counted 1,144 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 44% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 68.6%, consisting of couples without children (43.6%), couples with children (18.9%), and single-parent households (5.9%). The remaining 31.4% comprises non-family arrangements, primarily lone-person dwellings at 29.8% and group households at 1.6%. The median household size of 2.1 persons sits below Greater Melbourne's typical 2.6 individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
32.8% of adults in Blairgowrie hold a university qualification, including 22.1% with a bachelor degree and 6.8% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 96% of areas nationally. A further 20.2% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Attainment levels across the locality surpass regional standards, with tertiary degree holders making up 32.8% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding both the SA4 average of 23.5% and the SA3 average of 25.0%. Bachelor degrees form the primary credential at 22.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.9%. Technical qualifications are also widely held, with 35.9% of the population aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, divided between advanced diplomas (15.7%) and certificates (20.2%). A significant proportion of the community is enrolled in structured study, representing 22.6% of the population.
This cohort includes 7.3% attending primary school, 6.5% enrolled in secondary school, and 3.9% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Blairgowrie reaches 35 stops on 2 routes, timetabled for about 740 services a week. The typical home sits about 310 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 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
The public transport network in Blairgowrie includes 35 active bus stops across the suburb. These facilities are served by 2 separate routes providing 735 passenger journeys each week. Local transit access is favorable, with residents generally residing 310 meters from their nearest boarding point. Due to the area's residential profile, commuting is largely outbound, with private vehicles accounting for 94% of trips. Car ownership averages 1.5 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional average, while 39.1% of workers reported working from home in the 2021 Census, subject to the effects of COVID-19 health directives.
Across all operating routes, transit frequency averages 105 daily trips, which translates to approximately 21 services per stop on a weekly basis.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.8% of residents in Blairgowrie report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 89% of areas nationally. 4.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 2.4 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 mortality statistics and chronic disease rates indicate strong overall health standards throughout Blairgowrie, characterized by low occurrences of standard medical conditions across all age cohorts. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage is widespread, encompassing approximately 59% of the local population (1,577 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. Arthritis and asthma represent the most commonly reported health conditions, diagnosed in 11.7 and 7.6% of residents, while 63.8% of the community reported having no chronic medical issues, compared to 72.6% regionally. Health measures for the working-age cohort align with broader trends.
Individuals aged 65 and over constitute 40.9% of the local population (1,087 people), noticeably above the 15.1% share recorded across Greater Melbourne, with older residents demonstrating favorable health outcomes that align closely with nationwide benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Blairgowrie is largely Australian-born, at 85.4% of residents, with 5.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.5%) and Australian (25.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Measures of cultural diversity in Blairgowrie track below typical levels, with Australian citizens accounting for 87.8% of the population, 85.4% born domestically, and 94.8% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, representing 48.0% of residents. In terms of proportional variance, Judaism represents 0.2% of the local population compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. Parental heritage data indicates that English ancestry is the leading background in Blairgowrie at 33.5%, substantially outpacing the regional figure of 20.1%. Australian ancestry follows at 25.6% (above the 18.4% regional average), alongside Irish background at 11.6% (compared to 6.5% regionally).
Additional ancestries showing distinctive local distributions include Scottish at 10.6% (versus 5.6% across the region), Polish at 0.9% (versus 0.8%), and Russian at 0.4% (matching the regional 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Blairgowrie is 58, older than 98% of areas nationally. 13.1% 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
Blairgowrie's demographic profile is substantially weighted toward older age groups, with retirees and seniors aged 65+ making up 40.9% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 15.1% across Greater Melbourne. Conversely, adults aged 25 - 44 account for 13.8% locally versus 32.1% regionally. The estimated median age stands at 58, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 21 years above the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and well above the national median of 38 recorded at that time. Since the Census, the retiree cohort has expanded from 38.8% to an estimated 40.9%.
By 2041, seniors are projected to generate the bulk of local growth, adding 497 residents (46%) to reach 1,585, while cohorts comprising children, young adults, and residents aged 25 - 44 are forecast to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Blairgowrie
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 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 May 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 — 2 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,786 at the 2021 Census → 2,659 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 (SAL20257). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.