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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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Castlemaine has an estimated 7,335 residents, down from 7,506 at the 2021 Census — a change of 171 people, or 2.3%. That puts 370 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
As of Aug 2026, the population of the suburb of Castlemaine stands at approximately 7,335, determined by AreaSearch through examining regional ABS demographic releases alongside 91 validated new addresses recorded following the Census. Compared to the 7,506 residents counted in the 2021 Census, this marks a reduction of 171 people (2.3%). The figure is grounded in an estimated resident population of 7,294 derived from the ABS June 2025 ERP release. Castlemaine features a density of 370 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per occupant and capacity for future expansion.
Interstate migration served as the primary demographic driver, accounting for roughly 57.99999999999999% of recent inbound population movement. Projections for the suburb of Castlemaine utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia 2024 releases using 2022 as a base, supplemented by 2023 Victorian State Government LGA projections aggregated to the local level where needed, with cohort growth rates applied for 2032 to 2041. Overall demographic projections indicate that the suburb of Castlemaine will contract by 456 persons by 2041. In contrast, older demographics are expected to expand, prominently within the 85 and over age cohort, which is forecast to gain 117 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
258 new dwellings have been approved in Castlemaine over the past five years, an average of 51 a year. That is 6.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 46 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 89% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 7, well below 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
Residential building approvals in Castlemaine average roughly 51 homes per annum, totaling an estimated 258 approved dwellings across the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 7 approvals during FY-25 to date. Given the recent population reduction, construction volumes have been relatively sufficient, creating favorable conditions for purchasers. The expected construction cost for incoming homes averages $503,000, moderately higher than regional benchmarks and pointing to higher-end builds. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $84.5 million in the current financial year, highlighting substantial momentum in non-residential construction. Per capita building approval levels in Castlemaine align closely with the Rest of Vic., maintaining baseline market stability despite a recent slowdown in total approvals.
Detached single-family houses represent 89.0% of recently approved dwellings, while apartments and townhouses account for 11.0%, preserving the low-density neighborhood fabric tailored to buyers seeking spacious family residences. A high ratio of 913 residents per dwelling approval underscores the subdued development environment. Because demographic projections point toward a static or declining population, housing demand pressures are anticipated to ease, opening up favorable purchasing opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Castlemaine
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Castlemaine, worth an estimated $131 million. A further 39 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.2 billion. 22 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, environmental & disaster management 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
Local infrastructure programs and major development projects play a critical role in regional economic activity. Ten prominent initiatives have been identified as having an impact locally, notably the Haven Castlemaine, Frederick Street Precinct Project, Levee Banks Project, and Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant Upgrade.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant Upgrade
Coliban Water is delivering a once-in-a-generation upgrade to the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant at Langslow Street. The project will construct a completely new water reclamation facility and biosolids handling plant on the existing site, replacing infrastructure dating to the late 1990s. All key approvals were secured in 2025, including EPA development licence approval (March), planning permit from Mount Alexander Shire Council (July), and state business case approval (October). An Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) tender process was launched in late 2025, with contract award expected in early 2027 and construction to begin mid-to-late 2027.Completion is targeted for 2030. The upgraded plant will serve over 15,000 customers across Castlemaine, Campbells Creek, Maldon, Chewton, Harcourt and Newstead, increasing treatment capacity, reducing odour and noise, improving recycled water quality, and targeting net zero emissions by 2030.
Haven Castlemaine
Integrated social housing of 14 one bedroom homes with 24/7 on site Mind Australia support. Delivered by The Haven Foundation in partnership with Mind Australia and funded by Homes Victoria under the Big Housing Build. Architect rendered images indicate a low rise multi unit complex with shared indoor and outdoor community spaces, overnight staff facilities and landscaped grounds. Construction announced in September 2024 with completion expected in early to mid 2026.
Frederick St and Mechanics Lane Redevelopment Project
A major streetscape upgrade transforming Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane in Castlemaine into a vibrant town centre precinct. Works include at-grade footpaths and kerbs, upgraded pavement surfaces, a shared zone for cyclists and pedestrians, new public lighting, street trees and plantings, upgraded stormwater drainage, reuse of existing heritage materials, undergrounding of overhead power, and car parking. The project is funded by a $12.19 million Federal Government grant through the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. Frederick Street is closed to vehicles between Mostyn Street and Templeton Street while construction continues, with works on track for completion by March 2027.
Camp Reserve Upgrade
Stage 1 of the Camp Reserve Master Plan will deliver a new sports and community pavilion, all-gender change rooms, social and community spaces, kiosk, public toilets, two relocated netball and multipurpose courts, upgraded parking, access roads, pathways and landscaping. An amended planning permit application was publicly advertised in early 2026 and the project is progressing through the statutory planning process following community consultation.
Levee Banks Project
Mount Alexander Shire Council is developing six levee banks and waterway improvements to protect homes, businesses, roads and footpaths in flood-prone areas including Campbells Creek, Chewton and Castlemaine. As of March 2026, the project remains in the development phase: finalising designs, obtaining planning permits, resolving land and heritage requirements, and preparing documentation for Council to approve entry into the construction (delivery) phase. No construction has commenced. Levees planned include a 430 m earthen and concrete levee at Elizabeth Street, a 580 m levee at Campbells Creek township, a 100 m levee at Central Cabins and Van Park, and a 50 m levee at National School Lane.Engineering advice was provided by GHD.
Castlemaine Art Museum Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the heritage-listed 1931 Castlemaine Art Museum building, with Mount Alexander Shire Council leading delivery in partnership with Castlemaine Art Museum and the Victorian Government. The funded works focus on improved all-abilities access to the entrance, protection of heritage elements, critical building upgrades, more sustainable operations and better capacity to host touring exhibitions.
Ten NorthMaine Residential Development
Development of ten solar passive designed sustainable homes with 2-4 bedrooms, rammed earth walls, solar PV systems, rainwater storage, and landscaping in a quiet residential area of Castlemaine.
Castlemaine Railway Precinct Masterplan
The Castlemaine Railway Precinct Masterplan is a long-term strategic framework adopted by Mount Alexander Shire Council in December 2023 to guide renewal of the historic railway precinct. The plan supports heritage conservation, improved pedestrian and cycling connections, activation of underutilised land, enhancement of Barkers Creek, adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and future mixed community, tourism and commercial opportunities. The project remains in the implementation and funding phase with Council, VicTrack and the Victorian Government progressing future delivery priorities.
2,908 residents of Castlemaine are employed, from a labour force of 3,006. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 46.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% 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
Castlemaine possesses a highly educated labor force with substantial representation in essential services, sustaining an unemployment rate of 3.3% alongside stable labor conditions. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,908, with local unemployment sitting 0.4% lower than the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., although labor force participation remains comparatively subdued at 46.8% versus 61.1% regionally. In addition, Census records show that 32.7% of workers performed their duties from home, an outcome influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
Professional & technical industries demonstrate significant local concentration, engaging workers at 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 1.4% of resident employment, well beneath the 7.5% regional proportion. A comparison between the resident workforce and locally situated positions indicates limited local commercial employment capacity. Over the twelve months to March 2026, Castlemaine experienced a 0.9% contraction in its total labor force and a 0.5% drop in employed residents, lowering the local jobless rate by 0.4 percentage points. Across Regional Vic., employment slipped 0.1%, the workforce decreased 0.3%, and unemployment eased by 0.2 percentage points. National forecasts released in Mar-26 by Jobs and Skills Australia predict nationwide job growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Weighting these sectoral projections against Castlemaine's industry composition suggests potential local employment expansion of 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on simple industry extrapolation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Castlemaine is $1,106 a week (about $58,000 a year), with median personal income at $668 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,294 a year against an average of $57,402. 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 taxation statistics for financial year 2023 indicate that Castlemaine recorded a median taxable income of $44,294 and an average of $57,402, placing it below broader Australian averages as well as Regional Vic. figures of $50,954 and $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% since financial year 2023, local earnings are estimated at $48,555 (median) and $62,924 (average) as of March 2026. At the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household earnings ranked between the 7th and 22nd percentiles nationwide. The $400 - 799 weekly earning bracket constitutes the largest cohort at 27.9% of residents (2,046 people), contrasting with regional trends where 30.3% earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range.
Disposable earnings after housing expenses stand at 86.2%, which ranks in the 11th percentile nationally, while the area places in the 4th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Castlemaine had 3,168 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 0% apartments. 26% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 51% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,362 a month. Rent absorbs 27.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Stand-alone houses represent 92.5% of residential stock in Castlemaine according to Census findings, while semi-detached homes, flats, and other dwellings account for 7.5%, compared to 90.1% and 9.9% across Regional Vic. Outright home ownership is exceptionally high at 50.5%, with mortgaged properties comprising 25.5% and rental properties making up 24.0%. The median monthly mortgage payment sits at $1,362 and median weekly rent at $300, both below Regional Vic. levels of $1,430 and $285 as well as national benchmarks of $1,863 and $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Castlemaine counted 3,168 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.0 people each. 17% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 28% couples without children. 40% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households make up 57.0% of local living arrangements, consisting of couples without children (27.7%), couples with children (17.3%), and single parent families (11.5%). Non-family living situations account for 43.0%, dominated by single-person households at 39.7% alongside group dwellings at 3.2%. The median household size is 2.0 persons, compared to the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
39.1% of adults in Castlemaine hold a university qualification, including 22.0% with a bachelor degree and 10.9% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 88% of areas nationally. A further 14.9% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 1,371 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,069 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
Educational attainment among Castlemaine residents is elevated, with 39.1% of persons aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees, outperforming both Rest of Vic. at 21.7% and the SA4 region at 25.4%. Bachelor degrees are held by 22.0% of the population, postgraduate degrees by 10.9%, and graduate diplomas by 6.2%. Furthermore, vocational qualifications are held by 26.8% of residents aged 15+, consisting of certificates (14.9%) and advanced diplomas (11.9%). Student engagement is substantial, with 32.5% of the community actively participating in formal study. Specifically, primary school pupils comprise 10.7%, secondary school students account for 9.8%, and tertiary students represent 5.3% of the resident population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Castlemaine reaches 42 stops on 14 routes, timetabled for about 580 services a week. The typical home sits about 330 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.0 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 networks within Castlemaine include 42 operational transit stops encompassing rail services, served by 14 routes that deliver 577 weekly scheduled departures. Accessibility is solid, with local homes situated an average of 326 meters from the nearest stop. Private motor vehicles serve as the main commuting choice at 79%, while 9% of commuters walk and 4% travel by bicycle. Car ownership averages 1.0 vehicle per home, below regional figures, and 32.7% of workers reported working from home in the 2021 Census. Transit services provide an average frequency of 82 trips daily across all transit routes, representing roughly 13 departures weekly for each individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.9% of residents in Castlemaine report no long-term health condition. 5.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators highlight notable challenges in Castlemaine across both younger and older cohorts, accompanied by private health insurance uptake of approximately 50% (~3,636 people), below the national figure of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments in Castlemaine, affecting 12.1% and 10.8% of the community respectively, while 58.9% report being free from chronic conditions compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population experiences elevated rates of long-term health issues. Residents aged 65 and over represent 33.8% of the local population (2,479 people), compared to 24.0% in Regional Vic., with local seniors demonstrating above-average health results relative to national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Castlemaine is largely Australian-born, at 84.5% of residents, with 4.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.0%) and Australian (25.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Castlemaine sit below national averages, with Australian citizens comprising 83.2% of residents, 84.5% born in Australia, and 95.3% speaking solely English at home. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation at 28.8%, while Judaism accounts for 0.2% of the local population compared to 0.1% regionally. Regarding reported parental heritage, the leading ancestries are English (32.0%), Australian (25.5%), and Irish (13.2%). Several other backgrounds exhibit higher local shares than regional benchmarks, including Scottish at 11.2% versus 8.8% regionally, Welsh at 0.8% versus 0.4%, and Hungarian at 0.3% versus 0.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Castlemaine is 52, older than 94% of areas nationally. 15.1% 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
The demographic profile of Castlemaine leans heavily toward mature demographics, with residents aged 65+ making up 33.8% of the population as at August 2026 compared to 24.0% across Regional Vic., while young people aged 0 - 24 represent 19.1% versus 28.5% regionally. The estimated median age is 52, matching the 2021 Census and exceeding the Regional Vic. median of 43 and national median of 38 from that Census. Since that count, the 65+ cohort has expanded from 32.3% to 33.8%. By 2041, the 25 - 44 age cohort is projected to see the largest increase, adding 33 residents (2%) to reach 1,625, while older age brackets are forecast to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Castlemaine
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 10 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 Aug 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 — 91 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (7,506 at the 2021 Census → 7,335 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 (SAL20516). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.