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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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Marong has an estimated 2,165 residents, up from 2,005 at the 2021 Census — a change of 160 people, or 8.0%. Growth has averaged 2.8% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 66.0% of that increase. Density is about 28 people per square kilometre. 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 investigations of ABS population updates for the wider region and new addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Marong has a population estimated at 2,165 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 160 individuals (8.0%) since the 2021 Census, when the recorded population was 2,005 people. This shift is derived from the resident count of 2,165, which AreaSearch estimated using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) alongside 63 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 28 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment.
The 8.0% expansion in the suburb of Marong since the 2021 census outpaced both the broader SA4 region (4.0%) and the Rest of Vic., positioning it as a local growth frontrunner. Net gains were mostly propelled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 66.0% of the overall population rise in recent times, though natural increase and overseas migration also made positive contributions. For future projections, AreaSearch incorporates ABS and Geoscience Australia forecasts published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For areas lacking this coverage, projections are sourced from the 2023 Victorian Government Regional/LGA releases, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method to convert LGA-level trends to SA2 levels. Projected growth rates by age bracket from these models are also applied to all regions for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the suburb of Marong is projected to experience rapid expansion, ranking in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan locations nationwide. Projections suggest the suburb of Marong will add 1,108 residents by 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 51.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
73 new dwellings have been approved in Marong over the past five years, an average of 14 a year. That places the area in the 58th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 12, broadly in line with 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
Analysis of ABS building approvals indicates that approximately 14 new dwellings have been approved annually in Marong, resulting in a total of 73 homes over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26, 11 approvals have been logged. With an average of 3.9 new residents arriving per constructed home annually over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, demand is outpacing construction rates, which tends to drive up home values and heighten buyer rivalry. Meanwhile, newly approved residential builds average a value of $559,000, indicating that developers are focusing on the higher-end, premium market.
Additionally, commercial approvals this financial year stand at $1.9 million, reflecting a low level of commercial construction. Recent residential construction consists entirely of single-family detached homes, maintaining the low-density character of the area and appealing to buyers seeking extra space. The ratio of 307 people per dwelling approval indicates a developing local market. Future forecasts indicate Marong will add 1,108 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. If the current pace of development persists, home construction may not keep up with population increases, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting upward price trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Marong
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 Marong, worth an estimated $20 million. A further 54 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.35 billion. 19 are already under construction and 22 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and transport & logistics. 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 infrastructure projects, major planning changes, and regional strategies are key drivers of real estate market outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 2 major developments that are likely to influence the local area. Principal projects include the Marong Estate (Discover Marong), the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct (BREP), the Water and Sewer Network Program, and the Greater Bendigo Managed Growth Strategy, with details of the most significant initiatives listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Marong Estate (Discover Marong)
Masterplanned residential estate by Birchgrove Property Group in Marong (Greater Bendigo) comprising 226 lots. The estate is adjacent to Malone Park Recreation Reserve and within walking distance to local school, hotel, pool, and sporting facilities. The development is completely sold out with titled lots ready to build on.
Jobs Gully Road Social Housing Project
Victorian Government social housing project delivering 19 two-storey townhouses at 213-221 Jobs Gully Road in Eaglehawk. The site forms part of Homes Victoria's Virginia Hill precinct under the Big Housing Build. Site clearing works commenced mid-2025 ahead of main construction, with completion targeted for 2027.
Neangar Green Estate
Prestigious residential estate comprising 28 titled allotments ranging from 458m2 to 996m2. Features views of Jobs Creek Reserve, established neighborhood with all services available, community-focused building covenants.
Virginia Hill, Bendigo
Part of the Victorian Government's Big Housing Build, this project in the Virginia Hill neighbourhood of Eaglehawk, Bendigo, will deliver 129 modern, accessible and energy-efficient social housing and affordable rental homes in a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options, replacing 64 ageing public housing dwellings. At least 5% of homes are fully accessible for people with disabilities. All homes achieve a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating and Silver standard Liveable Housing Australia guidelines. Site clearing and early works commenced November 2025 and are scheduled to run through to August 2026, with main construction starting mid-2026 and full completion expected in 2028.
Eden Academy Eaglehawk Childcare Centre
A childcare project pre-leased to Eden Academy.
Crusoe College Redevelopment
Complete rebuild of the former Kangaroo Flat Secondary College site in south-west Bendigo, delivered by the Victorian Government as one of four new Year 7-10 campuses under the Bendigo Education Plan. Kane Constructions was awarded the lump sum contract in May 2008 and the Hassell-designed campus was completed in early 2010 for student occupation in Term 2. New facilities included a Community Learning Hub, gymnasium, technology centre, performing arts building, administration centre and Global Learning Centre, with the retained JB Osborne Theatre (382 seats) available for community hire.The old buildings remained in use during construction and were demolished afterwards to create the school oval and sporting fields. The college serves around 600-800 students in Years 7-10 and feeds into Bendigo Senior Secondary College. No further major capital works have been announced for the site in the 2025-26 or 2026-27 Victorian State Budgets.
Poplar Street Townhouse Development
Permit approved 32 lot subdivision with 32 townhouse dwellings on an 8,878 m2 site in the General Residential Zone. Site servicing and ground works appear completed. The parcel is currently for sale with Ray White Bendigo and Savills, seeking a developer to deliver the townhouses.
Managed Growth Strategy - Long Gully & West Bendigo Area
Part of the City of Greater Bendigo's Managed Growth Strategy adopted in September 2024, designating key urban renewal and residential infill precincts in Long Gully and West Bendigo. The framework establishes planning scheme amendments and infrastructure delivery to support long-term housing supply across established suburban corridors.
1,147 residents of Marong are employed, from a labour force of 1,162. Unemployment sits at 1.4%, with participation at 72.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,670, about 77% 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
Marong features a diverse workforce with balanced shares of white-collar and blue-collar roles, particularly in essential services. The unemployment rate stands at 1.4% with an estimated employment growth of 1.2% over the past year, according to statistical data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, 1,147 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.3% below the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%. Participation in the labor force is exceptionally high at 72.6%, compared to 61.1% in Regional Vic. Census data shows that a moderate 14.1% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
Local employment is heavily concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and manufacturing. The manufacturing sector is particularly prominent, employing residents at 1.6 times the Regional Vic. average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 3.6% of jobs compared to 7.5% across the region. The comparison between the census working population and the resident workforce suggests that local job opportunities within the area are relatively limited. According to SALM and ABS statistics aggregated for the region by AreaSearch, the recent 12-month period saw a 1.2% rise in employment and a 1.0% increase in the labor force, leading to a 0.2 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. This compares favorably with Regional Vic., where employment shrank by 0.1%, the labor force decreased by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate dropped by 0.2 percentage points. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context on potential local labor trends. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been weighted against the local employment composition. While nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment for Marong residents could rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, using a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes without accounting for localized population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Marong is $1,989 a week (about $103,000 a year), with median personal income at $900 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,236 a year against an average of $71,437. 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
Taxpayer statistics from the ATO aggregated by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year show that income levels in the suburb of Marong are higher than the national average. The median income among taxpayers in the suburb of Marong is $58,236 and the average is $71,437, compared to Regional Vic. figures of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of $63,838 and an average of $78,309 as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Marong place around the 65th percentile nationally.
The largest income bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly range, which accounts for 45.0% of taxpayers (974 residents), higher than the regional average of 30.3% in this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 86.2% of their income for other living expenses, and the area ranks in the 5th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Marong had 651 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 65% are owned with a mortgage, 12% rented and 24% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,560 a month. Rent absorbs 17.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Marong at the time of the latest Census consisted of 97.8% separate houses and 2.2% alternative options such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or other structures, compared to Regional Vic. where separate houses made up 90.1% and other structures accounted for 9.9%. The rate of outright home ownership was lower than the regional average at 23.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (64.9%) or rented (11.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was higher than the regional average of $1,430 at $1,560, while the median weekly rent was $350 compared to $285 regionally.
By national standards, local mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Marong counted 651 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 703 today, averaging 3.0 people each. 47% are couples with children, more than in 92% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 14% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent the vast majority of local homes at 85.3%, which breaks down into 47.3% couples with children, 29.2% couples without children, and 7.1% single-parent households. Non-family households account for 14.7%, with lone-person households at 13.9% and group living situations representing 1.5%. The median household size is 3.0 people, exceeding the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.8% of adults in Marong hold a university qualification, including 12.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.9% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 229 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 993 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 local community exhibits low levels of tertiary education, with university graduation rates of 16.8% sitting well below the VIC state average of 33.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.5%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.4% and postgraduate degrees at 1.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (31.9%). Enrollment rates in education are strong, with 30.8% of the population active in formal studies.
This includes 14.2% attending primary school, 7.1% in high school, and 2.3% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Marong means driving: households keep an average of 2.1 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 connectivity in Marong includes 2 active stops. These transit points are serviced by 2 distinct routes, which combine to provide 8 weekly passenger services. Accessibility is moderate, with homes situated an average of 484 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily a residential commuter area, with 98% of working residents driving to work. Vehicle ownership is high, averaging 2.1 cars per household, which is above the regional average. About 14.1% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 restriction measures.
Service frequency on these transit routes averages 1 trips per day, which translates to roughly 4 weekly services for each individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.9% of residents in Marong report no long-term health condition. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes in Marong are lower than average based on mortality figures and chronic illness data from AreaSearch, with medical conditions present in both youth and older cohorts. However, the level of private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 55% of residents (~1,191 people) holding private cover, compared to 50.5% across Regional Vic.. Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common diagnoses, affecting 8.6 and 8.5% of the population respectively. Conversely, 71.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, which is higher than the Regional Vic. rate of 63.4%.
Health profiles for working-age residents are typical for Australia. Seniors aged 65 and older make up 13.1% of the population (283 people), a lower share than the Regional Vic. figure of 23.9%. Health outcomes for local seniors show some challenges, with national rankings aligning closely with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Marong is largely Australian-born, at 93.6% of residents, with 3.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (38.4%) and English (31.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Marong displays low cultural and linguistic diversity, with citizens making up 93.1% of the population, 93.6% of residents born in Australia, and 96.1% of homes speaking only English. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 41.1% of residents. The most prominent statistical divergence is in Judaism, which accounts for natural language representation of no residents, compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic.. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common heritages are Australian at 38.4% (substantially higher than the Regional Vic. average of 29.6%), English at 31.0%, and Irish at 8.3%.
Other notable ancestral representations include Serbian at 0.3% (compared to 0.2% regionally), South Australian at 0.4% (compared to 0.2% regionally), and Dutch at 1.3% (compared to 1.7% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Marong is 31, younger than 93% of areas nationally. 29.4% 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
Having a median age of 31, Marong is younger than Regional Vic. at 43 and the national average of 38 years. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 18.6% of the population, whereas the 55 - 64 group is smaller at 7.3%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has grown from 9.1% to 10.8%, and the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 2.5% to 4.0%. In contrast, the 55 - 64 cohort shrank from 8.7% to 7.3%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic models project significant changes, led by the 25 to 34 age group, which is forecast to grow by 81% (327 people) to reach 730 residents from 402.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Marong
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 — 63 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,005 at the 2021 Census → 2,165 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 (SAL21612). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.