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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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Longford (Vic.) has an estimated 1,537 residents, up from 1,489 at the 2021 Census — a change of 48 people, or 3.2%. 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 population updates from the ABS for the wider region and new address verifications by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Longford (Vic.) has a population estimated at 1,537 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 48 residents (3.2%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 1,489 individuals. This trend is calculated from the resident population of 1,537, determined by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) along with 32 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 4.9 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious environment for inhabitants.
The 3.2% expansion of the suburb of Longford (Vic.) since the 2021 census outpaced the SA3 region (2.4%), positioning it as a growth frontrunner locally. Population gains were largely fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 53.0% of total gains in recent times. AreaSearch employs ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. Where SA2 projections are missing, AreaSearch uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted via weighted aggregation of population expansion from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth patterns by age cohort from these models are also applied across all regions for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographics, a substantial rise in population is projected for the top quarter of non-metropolitan locations in Australia, with this area expected to grow by 547 persons to 2041 based on compiled SA2 projections, representing a total increase of 35.3% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
59 new dwellings have been approved in Longford (Vic.) over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 7.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 4, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Based on analysis of ABS building approvals mapped from statistical area records, Longford has seen approximately 11 dwellings approved for development annually, amounting to a total of 59 homes over the past 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 4 approvals have been logged. With an average of only 0.6 people per year relocating to the locality for each constructed dwelling during the past 5 financial years (running from FY-21 to FY-25), supply matches or exceeds demand, offering buyers more choices while underpinning prospects for population expansion above projections, with new builds averaging $375,000 in value—slightly above regional averages—pointing to a focus on quality.
Furthermore, commercial approvals worth $544,000 have been registered in this financial year, pointing to a heavily residential development trend. Relative to the Rest of Vic., Longford displays moderately higher building activity (31.0% above the regional per capita average over the 5 year period), preserving buyer options and supporting local property demand, although building rates have moderated of late. Furthermore, all recent construction has consisted of standalone homes, preserving the area's established low density format and providing family housing for those prioritizing space. An estimated average of 384 people per dwelling approval points to a quiet development landscape with low building volumes. Demographic projections indicate Longford will add 543 residents by 2041 (calculated from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly figures). Construction volume is keeping pace with growth estimates, although prospective buyers might face stronger market competition as the population expands.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Longford (Vic.)
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Longford (Vic.), worth an estimated $75 million. A further 58 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $10.1 billion. 23 are already under construction and 28 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and energy. 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 performance is highly sensitive to changes in infrastructure, primary projects, and planning schemes. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects in total that are likely to influence the area. Principal developments include the Longford Development Plan, Fulham Solar Farm, Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families, and Gippsland Renewable Energy Park (GREP), with the following records detailing the most relevant initiatives.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Longford Development Plan
The Longford Development Plan facilitates rural residential development across 11 precincts. Precincts 9 and 10 were officially rezoned in June 2023 via Amendment C116well to Rural Living Zone Schedule 5 (RLZ5). This enables the creation of approximately 180 rural lifestyle blocks with minimum 6000m2 lot sizes. The plan guides coordinated infrastructure delivery and development outcomes for the Longford Growth Area.
Sale College Facilities Improvement - Toilet Refurbishment & Years 7-12 Facilities Planning
Dual-phase project at Sale College consisting of: (1) toilet refurbishment on the second floor, funded by $810,233 from Round 2 of the Australian Government Schools Upgrade Fund (start Q2 2024, forecast finish Q2 2026), and (2) planning and early works for Years 7-12 student facilities improvement, funded by $3 million from the 2021-22 State Budget, with construction subject to future funding. The school serves 820 students across two campuses - Guthridge Campus (Years 7-9) and Macalister Campus (Years 10-12).
TAFE Gippsland Port of Sale Campus
A new TAFE Gippsland campus delivered in the Port of Sale precinct, consolidating older Sale and Fulham facilities into a single, centrally located education and industry hub. The project provides purpose-built learning spaces and workshops supporting sectors such as health and social services, early childhood, carpentry, engineering, automotive, hair and beauty, with improved access for the Wellington Shire community.
Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families
A new centre providing 122 new childcare and kindergarten places, multi-purpose consulting suites, and meeting and activity spaces for early childhood services and community use.
Port of Sale East Bank Redevelopment Study
A comprehensive redevelopment study for the East Bank site within the Port of Sale Cultural and Civic Precinct. The study aims to prepare new planning controls for the future use and redevelopment of the site containing former Sale Specialist School and Sale High School buildings, plus heritage-listed George Gray Centre. The project seeks to create high architectural standards that complement the existing Port Precinct character.
Aqua Energy Leisure Centre Redevelopment
A major transformation of the Aqua Energy Leisure Centre, featuring a new, accessible 25m indoor pool, improved changing rooms, a 24/7 gym, and a water play area.
Swanlake Business Park
A premium commercial estate in Sale's northern growth area on the Princes Highway, neighbouring Bunnings Warehouse. Construction of civil works is underway after a 15-year development process, with the latest release (marketed as Swanlake Commercial Park) offering 21 allotments from 1,350 to 2,770 sqm zoned Commercial 2 (C2Z), suited to bulky goods retail, showrooms, offices and warehousing. The site has 800m of highway frontage with direct highway access.
North Sale Growth Area Development Plan
Comprehensive development plan for the 294ha North Sale Growth Area providing a framework for coordinated urban development. It includes 1,000+ residential lots, a new Sale College campus at Gibsons and Cobains Road, a 122-place early years hub, infrastructure upgrades, and community facilities.
799 residents of Longford (Vic.) are employed, from a labour force of 828. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 67.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,391, about 91% 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
Longford possesses a skilled resident workforce with a strong presence in essential services, an unemployment rate of just 3.5%, and an estimated job growth rate of 5.7% over the past year, according to statistical area data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026799 locals were employed, representing an unemployment rate 0.2% below the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, and workforce participation was elevated (67.8% relative to Regional Vic.'s 61.1%). Census data indicates a low 12.6% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be kept in mind.
The primary employment fields for working residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The locality has a distinct concentration in mining, with employment rates at 8.7 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, manufacturing has a smaller footprint, employing 4.3% of the workforce compared to 7.7% across the region. Local job opportunities appear limited, as shown by the comparison of Census workers to resident population. According to analysis of SALM and ABS statistics compiled across broader statistical zones, the 12-month period recorded employment growth of 5.7% and a labor force expansion of 5.3%, which pulled the unemployment rate down by 0.3 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Vic. saw employment shrink by 0.1% and the labor force contract by 0.3%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point decline. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional context on future demand trends in Longford. These projections, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been compared to local employment profiles to project growth. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates differ widely by sector. Applying these national sector projections to the local industry mix suggests local employment will rise by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years (this represents a direct weighted extrapolation for illustration and does not incorporate local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Longford (Vic.) is $2,024 a week (about $105,000 a year), with median personal income at $791 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,752 a year against an average of $76,191. 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
Based on postal-level ATO records compiled by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Longford recorded a median income of $57,752 and an average income of $76,191. These figures are elevated on a national scale and compare to medians of $50,954 and averages of $62,728 across Regional Vic. respectively. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $63,308 (median) and $83,521 (average) in March 2026. The 2021 Census placed local household income in the 66th percentile ($2,024 weekly), while personal earnings fell in the 47th percentile.
Looking at earnings distribution, the largest segment includes 33.3% of residents (511 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is comparable to regional statistics showing 30.3% in this bracket. After paying for housing, residents keep 89.3% of their income, demonstrating healthy buying power, and the area's SEIFA ranking for income places it in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Longford (Vic.) had 495 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 100% detached houses and 0% apartments. 54% are owned with a mortgage, 5% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $274 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,625 a month. Rent absorbs 13.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Housing types in Longford at the last Census consisted of 100.0% houses and no other dwellings (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative properties), compared to Regional Vic. averages of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the home ownership rate in Longford was comparable to Regional Vic. at 40.9%, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (54.3%) or occupied by renters (4.8%). The median monthly home loan repayment of $1,625 was higher than the Regional Vic. median of $1,430, while weekly rent was recorded at $274, compared to $285 in Regional Vic.
Locally, mortgage costs are notably below the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Longford (Vic.) counted 495 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 41% are couples with children, more than in 82% of areas nationally, against 36% couples without children. 13% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families represent the vast majority of households at 86.1%, consisting of couples with children (41.2%), couples without children (35.8%), and single parent households (6.9%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 13.9%, which includes single person households (12.9%) and group households (1.4%). The median household size of 2.9 individuals exceeds the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.4% of adults in Longford (Vic.) hold a university qualification, including 12.2% with a bachelor degree and 3.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 35.0% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 169 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,021 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
The region presents educational gaps, with the university qualification rate of 18.4% sitting well below the statewide average of 33.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for target initiatives in education. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational training is highly prevalent, with 45.9% of residents aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (35.0%). Engagement in learning is strong, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in an educational program. This comprises 10.6% in primary school, 10.3% in secondary school, and 2.9% studying at tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Longford (Vic.) means driving: households keep an average of 2.3 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
Public transport systems include 7 active transit stops in the suburb of Longford (Vic.). These points are serviced by 2 routes, offering a total of 10 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is classified as limited, with residents living an average of 1423 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary transport method at 95%. Households average 2.3 cars, exceeding the regional average. A relatively low 12.6% of residents worked from home (2021 Census; potentially influenced by COVID-19 rules).
Service runs average 1 trips daily across all routes, which corresponds to approximately 1 weekly trips per individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.0% of residents in Longford (Vic.) report no long-term health condition. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators demonstrate positive trends across Longford, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and chronic disease rates, which shows a low incidence of common health issues in both younger and older cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 57% of the population (~874 people). This contrasts with a coverage rate of 50.5% in Regional Vic. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent health conditions, affecting 8.2% and 7.4% of residents, respectively, while 71.0% of the population reported no medical issues compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.
Residents under the age of 65 experience favorable health outcomes. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 20.5% of the population (315 people), which is lower than the Regional Vic. proportion of 23.9%. Health metrics among these seniors are robust, with national standings generally matching the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Longford (Vic.) is largely Australian-born, at 91.0% of residents, with 2.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.8%) and English (32.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Longford displays low cultural diversity metrics, with 91.0% of residents born in Australia, 94.3% holding citizenship, and 97.6% using only English at home. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 47.3% of the local population. This matches the rate of 47.3% seen across Regional Vic. Regarding parental birthplaces, the largest ancestries in Longford are Australian, making up 34.8% of the population (higher than the regional rate of 29.6%), English at 32.2%, and Irish at 8.8%. There are also differences in other groups: Dutch backgrounds are overrepresented at 2.5% of Longford (against 1.7% in the region), Maltese at 0.8% (against 0.5%) and Scottish at 8.7% (against 8.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Longford (Vic.) is 41. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 17.3% 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
Longford's median age of 41 years is slightly below the Regional Vic. median of 43, but higher than the national median of 38. The 5 - 14 demographic is well represented at 14.1% compared to Regional Vic., whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 7.2%. Updates since the 2021 Census show the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 3.1% to 5.9% of the population, and the 55 to 64 group has risen from 13.6% to 15.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 15.4% to 13.7%, and the 15 to 24 group decreased from 11.4% to 10.1%.
Demographic projections suggest the age profile in the suburb of Longford (Vic.) will shift by 2041. The 25 to 34 age bracket is projected to experience the highest growth at 88%, adding 97 residents to reach 208. In contrast, the 85+ bracket shows no growth, remaining with no new residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Longford (Vic.)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 1 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 Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 32 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,489 at the 2021 Census → 1,537 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 May 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 (SAL21536). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.