Huntly

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

As of Nov 2025, the Huntly statistical area's population is estimated at around 5,213, reflecting a 45.4% increase since the 2021 Census which reported 3,585 people. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 4,965 residents based on latest ERP data (June 2024) and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 119 persons per square kilometer. Huntly's growth exceeded the SA4 region's 7.9% and non-metro areas, marking it as a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 44.0% of overall gains, with positive factors including interstate migration and overseas migration. 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 utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future projections anticipate exceptional growth placing Huntly in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally, expecting an expansion of 2,718 persons to 2041 reflecting a total increase of 26.6% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Huntly recorded approximately 156 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 780 homes were approved, with an additional 54 approved in FY-26 to date. On average, 0.6 new residents arrived per new home over these five financial years, suggesting that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $315,000. In the current financial year, $17.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Rest of Vic., Huntly has 506.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers greater choice and reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists predominantly of detached dwellings (99.0%) with a small proportion of medium and high-density housing (1.0%), preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 25 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts suggest Huntly will gain 1,387 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Huntly 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 seven projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones are Huntly Structure Plan, Goornong Railway Station, Huntly Railway Station, and Epsom Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Huntly ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Huntly's workforce is skilled with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.3% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.1%. As of September 2025, 2,017 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.4% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Huntly was 67.8%, higher than Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Mining showed strong specialization with an employment share 6.6 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had lower representation at 3.7% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicated above-average local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 3.1% and labour force increased by 3.6%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced employment decline of 0.7% and labour force decline of 0.6%. State-level data to November 25 showed VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7% compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Huntly's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The median taxpayer income in Huntly is $57,744, with an average of $70,771 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is higher than the national average median and average incomes of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively in Rest of Vic. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated current median income would be approximately $62,508 and average income around $76,610 as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Huntly cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 43.8% of locals (2,283 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the broader area where 30.3% occupy this range. After housing costs, 85.8% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Huntly is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Huntly's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were entirely houses with no other dwelling types. This contrasts with Non-Metro Vic., which had 90.6% houses and 9.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Huntly stood at 24.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 54.4% and rented ones at 21.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,408. Weekly rent in Huntly was $360, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $295. Nationally, Huntly's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $360 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 81.5% of all households, including 39.4% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.5%, with lone person households at 16.2% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Huntly shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 18.7%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (3.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (33.2%). Educational participation is high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 13.4% in primary, 8.5% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.4% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis conducted in Huntly identified 21 active transport stops operating within the town. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with three individual routes providing service. The combined weekly passenger trips across these routes totalled 427.

Transport accessibility was rated as good, with residents typically located 393 meters from their nearest transport stop. Service frequency averaged 61 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

Huntly's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Huntly's health metrics are close to national benchmarks. The level of common health conditions among its general population is somewhat typical but higher than the nation's average among older cohorts.

Approximately 55% (~2,856 people) of Huntly's total population has private health cover, compared to 50.4% across the rest of Victoria. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in Huntly, impacting 11.4 and 9.5% of residents respectively. 67.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.0% across the rest of Victoria. Huntly has 10.5% (547 people) of its residents aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 18.9% in the rest of Victoria. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges and require more attention than the broader population.

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

Huntly, as per the census data on cultural diversity, had 90.3% citizens, 92.6% born in Australia, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion with 40.7%. The 'Other' category comprised 0.7%, similar to Rest of Vic's 0.7%.

For ancestry, Australian (36.4%) was highest, above regional average of 30.0%, followed by English (30.0%) and Irish (8.4%). Scottish (8.1%), Welsh (0.5%), and Australian Aboriginal (2.1%) were notably higher than their respective regional averages of 8.7%, 0.4%, and 1.7%.

Huntly hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Huntly is 32 years, which is notably lower than the Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of Vic., Huntly has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 17.2% but fewer 75-84 year-olds at 1.9%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 14.6% to 16.2% of Huntly's population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 9.2%. By 2041, Huntly is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25 to 34 group growing by 51% (455 people), reaching 1,352 from 896. The 55 to 64 group displays more modest growth at 1%, adding only 3 residents.