Daylesford

Population growth drivers in Daylesford are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of Daylesford is around 3,091, reflecting an increase of 310 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents an 11.1% increase from the previous count of 2,781 residents. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,785 based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 75 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 81 persons per square kilometer. Daylesford's growth exceeded that of its SA3 area (7.3%) and the Rest of Vic., making it a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch projections for Daylesford, based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, indicate a median population increase just below national regional areas by 2041. The suburb is expected to grow by 283 persons by the year 2041, reflecting an overall decline of 0.7% over the 17-year period.

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

Daylesford has seen around 25 dwelling approvals per year based on AreaSearch analysis. From FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 125 homes were approved, with a further 10 approved in FY-26. This results in an average of 1.8 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

The market appears stable due to balanced supply and demand. Developments are valued at an average of $734,000, indicating a focus on the premium market. In FY-26, $6.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Daylesford has experienced 27.0% higher construction activity per person over the past five years. New developments consist of 88.0% detached dwellings and 12.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low density character. The location has approximately 105 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. Despite stable or declining population forecasts, Daylesford may experience less housing pressure, favourable for buyers.

Daylesford has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified zero projects expected to impact this region. Notable initiatives include Western Renewables Link, Ballarat Line Upgrade, Victorian Renewable Energy Zones, and VNI West - Victorian Section. The following list outlines those considered most relevant.

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

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While Daylesford retains a healthy unemployment rate of 2.9%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Daylesford has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 1,364 residents employed at an unemployment rate of 0.8% below Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation in Daylesford is lower at 55.7%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.5%. According to Census responses, 31.1% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Key employment industries include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Daylesford has a notably high concentration in accommodation & food services with employment levels at 2.8 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 2.3% compared to Regional Vic.'s average of 7.5%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the ratio of Census working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending December 2025, Daylesford's labour force decreased by 0.8%, with employment declining by the same percentage, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 3.7%. In contrast, Regional Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.6%, labour force fell by 0.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Daylesford's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Daylesford is lower than national average. Median income is $44,718 and average income is $65,812. This contrasts with Regional Vic.'s median income of $50,954 and average income of $62,728. Based on 8.25% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates are approximately $48,407 (median) and $71,241 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals personal income ranks at the 31st percentile ($715 weekly), while household income is at the 12th percentile. Income brackets indicate that majority of residents fall within the $400 - 799 bracket, with 27.4% (846 people). This differs from broader area trends where 30.3% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 14th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Daylesford's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.4% houses and 10.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Daylesford was at 47.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.4% and rented ones at 27.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,532, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Daylesford was $331, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Daylesford's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Daylesford features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 55.9% of all households, including 13.8% couples with children, 31.7% couples without children, and 10.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 44.1%, with lone person households at 40.4% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 1.9 people, smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Daylesford exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Daylesford's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 and above, 35.5% have university qualifications, compared to 21.7% in the rest of Victoria and 24.6% in the SA4 region. This educational advantage positions Daylesford well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 21.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.6%) and graduate diplomas (5.2%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 31.7% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 13.6% and certificates for 18.1%.

A significant 24.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 8.0% in primary, 6.3% in secondary, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Daylesford has three active public transport stops. One route services these stops collectively offering ten weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited with residents typically 836 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, primarily by car (86%), with 12% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 31.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

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

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

The rate of private health cover is approximately 53% of the total population (~1,633 people), leading that of the average SA2 area but slightly lower than Regional Vic.'s 50.5%. Mental health issues impact 9.8% of residents, while arthritis affects 9.5%. Approximately 60.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Daylesford has 32.2% of residents aged 65 and over (995 people), higher than Regional Vic.'s 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Daylesford records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Daylesford's population, like the wider region's average, is predominantly culturally homogeneous: 85.7% are citizens, 79.5% were born in Australia, and 90.3% speak English only at home. Christianity is the prevalent religion in Daylesford, comprising 35.8% of its population. However, Judaism is disproportionately represented, making up 0.4%, compared to Regional Vic's average of 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (31.6%), Australian (19.5%), and Irish (13.0%). Notably, Scottish ancestry is overrepresented at 11.9% in Daylesford versus the regional average of 8.8%, as are Serbian (0.4%) and Dutch (1.6%) groups compared to their respective regional averages of 0.2% and 1.7%.

Daylesford ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Daylesford's median age is 55 years, which is higher than Regional Vic.'s average of 43 years and older than the national norm of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are prominent at 20.0%, while those aged 5-14 are relatively smaller at 6.9% compared to Regional Vic.. This concentration of 55-64 year-olds is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 9.0% to 11.1%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 5.6% to 7.6%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 8.2% to 6.9%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Daylesford's age structure. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase by 65 people (25%), from 265 to 331. Meanwhile, the 75-84 and 5-14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.