Horsham

Horsham has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Horsham is around 15,440, reflecting a 306-person increase (2.0%) since the 2021 Census figure of 15,134. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and ABS ERP data released in June 2024. Horsham's population density is 647 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's 2.0% growth since the 2021 Census exceeded the SA3 area (-0.2%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 64.0% of Horsham's recent population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Horsham is projected to grow by 2,624 persons, reflecting a total gain of 15.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Horsham recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Horsham shows approximately 72 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 363 homes from FY-18 to FY-22. As of FY-26, 15 approvals have been recorded. Based on historical data between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 0.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed has been observed.

This indicates that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing buyers with more options and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections. The average expected construction cost value for new properties in Horsham is $461,000. Additionally, commercial development approvals totaling $42.8 million have been recorded this financial year, indicating high levels of local commercial activity.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, Horsham has seen elevated construction levels, with 39.0% more approvals per person over the past five years. This maintains good buyer choice and supports existing property values despite a recent slowdown in building activity. Detached houses make up 81.0% of new building activity, while medium and high-density housing accounts for 19.0%, preserving Horsham's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 293 people per dwelling approval, Horsham exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Horsham is projected to gain approximately 2,319 residents by 2041. Construction activity is keeping pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

Horsham has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that may affect this region. Notable initiatives include the Horsham Hospital Campus Redevelopment Masterplan Implementation by Grampians Health, Avonnefields Regional Development, Horsham Residential Growth Areas Development, and the Horsham City Urban Renewal Project. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 2.8%, Horsham has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Horsham has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% as of June 2025, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

In that month, 7,439 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.0% below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Horsham was broadly similar to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Employment among residents was concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area showed particular strength in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level.

Manufacturing had limited presence, with 4.2% employment compared to 7.7% regionally. The predominantly residential area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census working population vs resident population comparison. During the year to June 2025, labour force decreased by 4.2% and employment declined by 3.5%, causing unemployment rate to fall by 0.7 percentage points in Horsham. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.9%, labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offered insights into potential future demand within Horsham. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggested national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differed significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Horsham's employment mix indicated local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, although this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Horsham's median income among taxpayers is $48,394. The average income in Horsham for the same period is $58,177. Both figures are below the national average. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s median income is $48,741 with an average of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Horsham would be approximately $54,279 (median) and $65,251 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data indicates personal income ranks at the 38th percentile ($748 weekly), while household income sits at the 19th percentile. In terms of income distribution, the predominant cohort in Horsham spans 30.2% of locals (4,662 people) with incomes between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring regional levels where 30.3% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are modest, with 87.4% of income retained, however the total disposable income ranks at just the 24th percentile nationally.

Horsham is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Horsham's dwelling structure, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 88.7% houses and 11.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s figures of 93.0% houses and 6.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Horsham stood at 37.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.7% and rented ones at 30.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,187, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,043. Median weekly rent in Horsham was $245, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $215. Nationally, Horsham's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Horsham features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 61.9% of all households, including 23.1% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.1%, with lone person households making up 34.8% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Vic.

Educational outcomes in Horsham fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.6%, 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 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 37.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (27.3%).

Educational participation is high at 26.8%, including 10.2% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education. Horsham has a robust network of 9 schools educating approximately 3,299 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 986) and balanced educational opportunities. The schools include 4 primary, 3 secondary, and 2 K-12 institutions. The area serves as an education hub with 21.4 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 13.8, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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

Analysis of public transport in Horsham indicates the presence of 117 active transport stops. These consist of a mix of train and bus services. Nineteen individual routes operate within the area, collectively facilitating 499 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 180 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency across all routes averages 71 trips per day, equating to approximately four weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Horsham is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Horsham faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately half (50%) of Horsham's total population (~7,703 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis (10.5% of residents) and mental health issues (9.6%). Conversely, 62.1% of residents report having no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Vic's percentage of 61.2%. Horsham has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.9% (3,535 people), compared to Rest of Vic's 25.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Horsham present challenges, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Horsham's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.9% of its population being citizens, 91.6% born in Australia, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Horsham, comprising 51.5% of people, compared to 51.6% across Rest of Vic. The top three ancestral groups are English (31.4%), Australian (31.2%), and Scottish (8.5%).

Notably, German ancestry is overrepresented at 7.7%, compared to the regional average of 6.6%. Macedonian ancestry is present at 0.1% in Horsham, while it is not represented regionally. Dutch ancestry is also slightly higher than the regional average, at 1.2%.

Horsham's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Horsham is 40 years, which is slightly below Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. Compared to Rest of Vic., the 25-34 age group is notably higher at 15.1% locally, while the 55-64 age group is lower at 10.6%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 13.9% to 15.1%, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 11.2% to 12.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 12.2% to 10.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Horsham. The 35-44 age group is projected to expand by 695 people (37%), from 1,899 to 2,595. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 65-74 age groups are expected to decrease in population.