Cardigan

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of November 2025, the estimated population of Cardigan is around 2,159. This reflects an increase of 1,095 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,064 people in the suburb. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,050 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 698 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 53 persons per square kilometer in Cardigan. The suburb's growth rate of 102.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area (6.0%). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 74.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 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 from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the suburb expected to grow by 932 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Cardigan among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis shows Cardigan had around 86 dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 434 homes were approved, with another 28 in FY-26 so far. On average, 0.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these years.

This suggests new construction is meeting or exceeding demand. The average expected construction cost of dwellings was $497,000. In FY-26, $3.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to Rest of Vic., Cardigan has 609.0% more building activity per person. This high level suggests strong developer confidence.

New building activity comprises 97.0% detached dwellings and 3.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature. There are approximately 17 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. By 2041, Cardigan is expected to grow by 27 residents (AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Current construction levels should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth exceeding current forecasts.

Cardigan has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 25 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones include Lucas Estate Masterplanned Community, Ballarat West Growth Area, New Lucas Hospital, and Shayne Reese Swimming Learn to Swim Facility. 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Cardigan places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Cardigan has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 0.8% as of June 2025, lower than the Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 7.9%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. The workforce participation rate in Cardigan is high at 75.1%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Cardigan shows strong specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 3.6% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. The area functions as an employment hub with 2.7 jobs per resident, attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, Cardigan saw employment increase by 7.9%, accompanied by a labour force increase of 7.7% and a fall in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced employment decline of 0.9%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cardigan's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Cardigan's median income among taxpayers is $52,739, with an average of $67,538. This is higher than the national average and compares to Rest of Vic.'s median of $48,741 and average of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022 until September 2025 (an increase of 12.16%), current estimates would be approximately $59,152 for median income and $75,751 for average income as of that date. According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes rank at the 94th percentile ($2,713 weekly), while personal incomes rank lower at the 64th percentile. Distribution data shows that 34.6% of residents (747 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 30.3% occupy this range. Notably, 43.4% earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating pockets of prosperity that drive robust local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 88.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Cardigan is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Cardigan, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.7% houses and 1.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Vic. had 85.6% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cardigan was at 36.7%, with the rest being mortgaged (55.9%) or rented (7.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cardigan was $2,167, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,863. Weekly rent in Cardigan was $350, while it was $300 in Non-Metro Vic. Nationally, Cardigan's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 89.9% of all households, including 60.8% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 3.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 10.1%, with lone person households at 7.8% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 3.4 people, larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Cardigan shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area has university qualification rates of 21.0%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 35.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (26.3%).

Educational participation is high, with 35.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes secondary education (13.5%), primary education (13.0%), and tertiary education (4.4%). Schools appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates one active public transport stop operating within Cardigan. This stop services a mix of bus routes, with one route providing 216 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1803 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 30 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 216 weekly trips per individual stop.

Cardigan's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows Cardigan has very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 54% (~1,155 people) have private health cover, compared to 50.9% in Rest of Vic.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 7.8 and 7.0% of residents respectively. 74.3% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.3% in Rest of Vic. Cardigan has 8.0% (172 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 17.8% in Rest of Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Cardigan's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.3% of its population born in Australia, 94.9% being citizens, and 93.8% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Cardigan is Christianity, making up 59.7% of the population, compared to 45.0% across the rest of Victoria. In terms of ancestry, Australians make up 32.1%, followed by English at 28.2% and Irish at 10.3%.

Notably, Sri Lankan, Welsh, and Maltese groups are overrepresented in Cardigan compared to regional averages: Sri Lankan at 0.9% vs 0.1%, Welsh at 0.8% vs 0.5%, and Maltese at 1.7% vs 0.4%.

Cardigan's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Cardigan's median age is 35 years, which is notably lower than the Rest of Vic. average of 43 years and somewhat younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Cardigan has an over-representation of the 15-24 cohort at 17.4% and an under-representation of the 65-74 year-olds at 5.1%. Post-2021 Census, the 25-34 age group grew from 8.1% to 9.5%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 14.1% to 15.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort decreased from 17.6% to 16.7%. By 2041, Cardigan's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 25-34 cohort is expected to grow by 34%, adding 69 residents to reach 275. Meanwhile, both the 75-84 and 65-74 age groups are projected to decrease in number.