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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, as of Feb 2026, Huntly's estimated population is around 5,214. This reflects an increase of 1,629 people (45.4%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,585. The change was inferred from the resident population of 4,965 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 616 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 119 persons per square kilometer. Huntly's growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (8.0%) and Rest of Vic., marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by natural growth contributing approximately 44.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and overseas migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Exceptional future growth, placing Huntly in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally, is predicted over the period with the area expected to expand by 2,713 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 26.4% in total 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, shows Huntly recorded around 156 residential properties granted approval per year. Approximately 780 homes were approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 54 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 0.6 new residents arrived per new home over these years.

This suggests that new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings was $315,000. In FY-26, $17.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the 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 of 99.0% detached dwellings and 1.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

There are approximately 25 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Population forecasts indicate Huntly will gain 1,379 residents through to 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 to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 7 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects 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 has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.1%. As of September 2025, 2,019 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 1.4%, below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is lower at 56.3% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, only 13.2% of residents work from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Huntly has a strong specialization in mining with an employment share 6.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 3.7%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates local employment opportunities above average. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 3.1% while labour force increased by 3.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced employment decline of 0.7% and labour force decline of 0.6%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.2% over ten years for Huntly's employment mix.

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

The suburb of Huntly has a median taxpayer income of $57,744 and an average income of $70,771 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher than the national average, contrasting with Rest of Vic.'s median income of $50,954 and average income of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $62,508 (median) and $76,610 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, household, family and personal incomes in Huntly are around the 61st percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 43.8% of locals (2,283 people) fall into 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 dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted entirely of houses with no other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or others. This contrasts with Non-Metro Vic., which had 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Huntly stood at 24.4%, with mortgaged properties 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 $1,430. Weekly rent median in Huntly was $360 compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Huntly's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $360 against the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 account for 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, 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, including primary (13.4%), secondary (8.5%), and tertiary (2.6%) levels.

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

Huntly has 21 active public transport stops. These are served by three routes offering a total of 427 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good, with residents typically located 393 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward using cars, which remain dominant at 96%. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm. Only 13.2% of residents work from home (2021 Census).

Service frequency averages 61 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 20 weekly trips per stop.

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

Huntly faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is fairly high at approximately 55% of the total population (~2,856 people), compared to 50.5% across Rest of Vic.. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues impacting 11.4% of residents and asthma impacting 9.5%. 67.7% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Rest of Vic.. Working-age residents show an above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 10.1% of residents aged 65 and over (526 people), which is lower than the 23.9% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Huntly's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 90.3% of its population being citizens, 92.6% born in Australia, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Huntly as of 2016, comprising 40.7% of people. However, the most notable overrepresentation was in the 'Other' category, which made up 0.7% of Huntly's population compared to 0.8% across Rest of Vic..

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups in Huntly were Australian (36.4%), English (30.0%), and Irish (8.4%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 8.1%, Welsh at 0.5%, and Australian Aboriginal at 2.1%.

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 Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and also substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of Vic., Huntly has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 17.7%, but fewer 75-84 year-olds at 1.9%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 14.6% to 16.4% of Huntly's population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 10.4% to 9.1%. By 2041, Huntly is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 25-34 group will grow by 46%, adding 428 people and reaching 1,351 from the current figure of 922. The 55-64 group displays more modest growth at 0%, with no residents added by 2041.