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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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Heywood has an estimated 1,777 residents, down from 1,815 at the 2021 Census — a change of 38 people, or 2.1%. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 evaluations integrating ABS regional figures and post-Census address validations, the suburb of Heywood has an estimated tally of roughly 1,777 residents as of Aug 2026. This equates to a contraction of 38 people (2.1%) from the 1,815 residents documented in the 2021 Census. Such movement stems from an Estimated Resident Population of 1,775 established via the ABS June 2025 ERP release, alongside 14 validated new addresses recorded post-Census. With a resultant density of 7.0 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers significant living space. Over the preceding ten years, the suburb of Heywood sustained steady momentum with a compound annual growth rate of 0.2%, exceeding the broader SA3 area, with inbound overseas migration serving as virtually the exclusive catalyst for recent expansion.
Projections for the suburb of Heywood utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 (using 2022 as the base year), supplemented where necessary by 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA datasets converted to SA2 boundaries via weighted aggregation. Age-specific trajectories from these models are similarly applied across all sectors from 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the suburb of Heywood is slated for growth slightly under the non-metropolitan median, with aggregated SA2 figures pointing to an expansion of 120 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 6.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in Heywood remains subdued, recording an average of 2 new dwellings approved annually, totaling 10 dwellings over the five-year period. This modest level of planning approvals underscores the country setting, where residential additions cater primarily to localized accommodation requirements rather than broad market demand. Consequently, annual construction rates and comparisons can fluctuate sharply due to single projects. Building volumes in Heywood fall substantially short of Rest of Vic. benchmarks and nationwide trends. Construction during recent times has consisted exclusively of standalone houses, aligning with the rural layout characterized by extensive allotments.
A ratio of 889 people per residential approval emphasizes the subdued pace of local property additions. Long-term forecasts indicate Heywood will add 118 residents through to 2041 relative to recent quarterly benchmarks. If present construction volumes persist, housing supply could lag demographic growth, potentially intensifying competition among purchasers and placing upward pressure on property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Heywood
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 60 current infrastructure and development projects close to Heywood, worth an estimated $5.93 billion. 17 are already under construction and 30 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
Local economic and social outcomes are closely tied to regional infrastructure delivery and planning developments. A total of 3 significant projects have been tracked by AreaSearch, comprising the Tyrendarra Town Area Restructure Plan, the Princes Highway West - Bridge Upgrade Fitzroy River, Tyrendarra, the Princes Highway West - Overtaking Lane at Tyrendarra (Westbound), along with the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Infrastructure initiative.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Portland North Employment Precinct
The Portland North Employment Precinct is a 10-hectare development aimed at boosting the local economy through job creation and business attraction. Bunnings Warehouse, the anchor tenant, opened in June 2025, creating over 50 ongoing jobs and supporting 50 during construction. Funded by $2.5 million from the Victorian Government, the precinct positions Portland as a key economic centre in south west Victoria.
Portland Foreshore Multipurpose Facility
Refurbishment and redevelopment of the Portland Yacht Club and Portland Sport Fishing Club facilities on the Portland Foreshore. The project delivers modern, all-abilities community recreation spaces, accessibility compliance, extended asset lifespan, and shared amenities for local sporting and maritime clubs.
Portland Renewable Fuels Project
A large-scale hybrid bio/e-methanol development in Portland, Victoria, converting over 500,000 tonnes of residual plantation forestry biomass and approximately 30,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per annum into around 300,000 tonnes of low-carbon methanol annually. Methanol targets shipping decarbonisation and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Partners include thyssenkrupp Uhde (technology), Airbus, Qantas, and Honeywell. Pre-FEED completed August 2025; AUD$10 million Series A closed February 2026. FID targeted for 2028.
Portland Energy Park
A 1,000 MW / 2,500 MWh grid-scale battery energy storage park on industrial land at Madeira Packet Road, Portland. The project comprises four co-located battery assets, associated switchyard, grid connection, access and supporting infrastructure, designed to store surplus renewable energy and discharge it during peak demand to strengthen energy security and support Victoria's energy transition. Pacific Green secured a Victorian planning permit in September 2025 and the EPBC project decision has been published.
Ryan Corner Wind Farm
A 52-turbine wind farm with a capacity of 218MW, located near Port Fairy. It is one of the largest wind farms in Victoria and can power 167,000 homes.
Hamilton CBD Streetscape Revitalisation
The Hamilton CBD Streetscape Revitalisation is a multi-stage project designed to transform the town centre into a pedestrian-friendly community hub. The initiative involves replacing aging London Plane trees with more suitable species, installing stone paving, new street furniture, and energy-efficient lighting. The project is structured into three packages, with Package 1 focusing on Gray Street between Thompson and Brown Streets, including the central plaza. As of mid-2026, the project is progressing through detailed design and infrastructure planning following extensive community consultation to address greenery and civil engineering requirements.
Hamilton CBD Streetscape Revitalisation
The Hamilton CBD Streetscape Revitalisation Project is the primary implementation project of the Hamilton Structure Plan, redesigning the CBD streetscape between Kennedy and Cox Streets, and French and Lonsdale Streets. Delivered in three staged work packages, the project aims to improve public spaces, introduce public art, signage, parking, contemporary trees and landscaping. Landscape consultants Group GSA Pty Ltd were appointed in March 2024. Following community feedback on first-round concept designs released in early 2025, revised concept plans incorporating more cultural and heritage elements, sheltered seating, vertical greening and new paving were released for public consultation in May 2026.A community drop-in session is scheduled for 19 May 2026, with feedback closing 22 May 2026. The project aligns with the new Hamilton Gallery and Hamilton Hub community facility projects.
Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program - Southern Grampians (Hamilton)
Australian Government funded program delivered by Southern Grampians Shire Council to upgrade local roads, footpaths and community infrastructure across Hamilton and surrounding townships. Works were funded through LRCI Phases 1-4 and included road resurfacing, drainage and culvert works, LED streetlighting upgrades, footpath repairs and accessibility improvements at community facilities. Phase 4 projects were required to be physically completed by 30 June 2025, with the overall program winding down by 30 June 2026. Successor federal funding for similar works is now provided via the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program and increased Roads to Recovery allocations.
794 residents of Heywood are employed, from a labour force of 812. Unemployment sits at 2.2%, with participation at 55.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,458, 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
Heywood maintains an evenly distributed labour force across professional and manual occupations, exhibiting a low jobless rate of 2.2% according to statistical area aggregations. As of March 2026794 residents are gainfully employed, keeping local unemployment 1.5% beneath the Regional Vic. mark of 3.7%, though labour force participation is subdued at 55.7% versus 61.1% across the wider region. Census records indicate 14.1% of workers carried out their duties from home, an outcome potentially influenced by pandemic movement restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local workers comprise agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
The local economy demonstrates a pronounced concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where the job share reaches 2.5 times the regional norm. Conversely, education & training accounts for only 3.7% of workers compared to 9.1% regionally. Comparing local working participants with resident numbers suggests a constrained pool of jobs situated directly within the community. Aggregated SALM and ABS figures show that over the 12-month period, the local labour force shrank by 6.3% while total employment fell by 6.1%, producing a 0.2 percentage points reduction in unemployment. Across Regional Vic., employment dipped by 0.1%, the workforce contracted by 0.3%, and unemployment likewise dropped by 0.2 percentage points. Forward-looking guidance from Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 projections indicates national workforce expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by industry. Translating these sector-specific forecasts onto the local industry structure suggests local employment would rise by 5.4% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, assuming weighted baseline distributions without localized demographic adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Heywood is $1,077 a week (about $56,000 a year), with median personal income at $622 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,525 a year against an average of $55,622. 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 data compiled for financial year 2023 indicates a median taxpayer income of $44,525 alongside a mean of $55,622. These earnings fall below national norms and trail the Regional Vic. median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach $48,808 for median income and $60,973 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places local household, family, and individual incomes between the 6th and 14th percentiles across Australia. The $400 - 799 weekly income bracket is the most prevalent locally, accounting for 28.6% of residents (508 people), differing from the regional benchmark where the $1,500 - 2,999 tier is largest at 30.3%.
Despite manageable shelter costs leaving 89.2% of earnings unspent on housing, overall disposable income sits at the 11th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Heywood had 734 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 46% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $180 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,025 a month. Rent absorbs 16.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing stock at the most recent Census was composed of 95.0% separate houses and 5.0% other dwellings (apartments, semi-detached, and alternative dwellings), compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings throughout Regional Vic.. Outright ownership reached 46.1%, significantly outpacing the wider region, while 33.9% of properties carried a mortgage and 20.0% were rented. The median monthly mortgage payment stood at $1,025 and median weekly rent was $180, comparing favorably to Regional Vic. benchmarks of $1,430 and $285 respectively. Relative to Australian averages of $1,863 for home loans and $375 for rentals, local accommodation expenses remain notably low.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Heywood counted 734 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 88% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 35% 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 make up 61.6% of local households, consisting of couples without children (28.5%), couples with children (19.5%), and single parent families (11.4%). The remaining 38.4% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person households (35.3%) and group accommodations (2.0%). With an average of 2.2 people per home, the median household size sits below the Regional Vic. mark of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
8.6% of adults in Heywood hold a university qualification, including 6.0% with a bachelor degree and 0.8% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 91% of areas nationally. A further 34.8% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 189 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 898 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
Higher educational attainment remains limited across the area, with university qualifications held by 8.6% of residents compared to the VIC benchmark of 33.4%. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications represent 6.0%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate awards at 0.8%. In contrast, vocational and technical credentials are widespread, with 43.4% of community members aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of 8.6% with advanced diplomas and 34.8% holding certificates. Active participation in study is strong, with 28.5% of the population attending an educational institution. This cohort comprises 13.0% enrolled in primary schools, 6.8% attending secondary schools, and 1.7% engaged in higher learning programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Heywood means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local public transit infrastructure consists of 2 operational stops providing passenger access across Heywood. These facilities are served by 2 separate transit routes that combine to run 24 weekly passenger trips. Commuter access remains constrained, with the typical distance to the nearest boarding point averaging 720 meters. Commuting patterns reflect an outward flow from this predominantly residential base, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of journeys and walking representing 5%. Households maintain an average of 1.6 vehicles, while 14.1% of the workforce operated from home according to 2021 Census findings during the pandemic period.
Transit route timetables provide an average of 3 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 12 weekly trips at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.4% of residents in Heywood report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 86% of areas nationally. 8.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health metrics point to notable wellness challenges based on chronic condition prevalence and mortality assessments across demographic groups. Furthermore, private health insurance uptake is subdued, covering roughly 49% of the population (~868 people) compared to the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the leading reported medical diagnoses, affecting 12.1% and 9.7% of residents respectively, while 59.4% reported being completely free of chronic ailments compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.. Health difficulties are prominent among working-age individuals, while older residents aged 65 and over make up 29.3% of the community (520 people), exceeding the Regional Vic.
proportion of 24.0% and placing high in nationwide comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Heywood is largely Australian-born, at 91.8% of residents, with 2.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.1%) and English (32.9%). 5.5% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures in the locality are comparatively modest, with Australian citizens making up 86.4% of the community, 91.8% born within Australia, and 98.0% speaking only English in domestic settings. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 46.1% of residents compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic.. The leading reported parental ancestries in the community are Australian (33.1%), English (32.9%), and Scottish (7.9%). Distinct variances are also evident across other lineages, with Dutch ancestry accounting for 1.9% locally (versus 1.7% regionally), Maltese representing 1.4% (versus 0.5%), and Australian Aboriginal background comprising 5.5% (versus 1.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Heywood is 48, older than 88% of areas nationally. 17.8% 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 displays an older demographic structure than Regional Vic. overall. Seniors and retirees aged 65+ make up 29.3% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 24.0% across the broader region, whereas young to middle-aged adults aged 25 - 44 represent 20.4% versus 23.1% regionally. The estimated median age stands at 48, matching the 2021 Census outcome and exceeding the Regional Vic. median of 43 and the Australian Census median of 38. The 65+ cohort has expanded from 26.1% at the Census to an estimated 29.3%, with projections to 2041 anticipating a further gain of 71 residents (14%) to reach 592, contrasted by anticipated contractions among young retirees and middle-aged groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Heywood
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, 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 — 14 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,815 at the 2021 Census → 1,777 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 (SAL21181). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.