Metung

Metung 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 estimated population of Metung is around 2,084, reflecting a 9.7% increase since the 2021 Census which reported 1,899 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of resident population at 2,025 in Jun 2024 based on ABS ERP data and additional validated new addresses post-Census. The population density is approximately 75 persons per square kilometer. Metung's growth exceeded the SA3 area (4.0%) and non-metro areas, making it a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed about 78.0% of recent population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with base year 2022.

For uncovered SA2 areas, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are used with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Projected demographic shifts indicate a significant population increase by 2041, with Metung expected to grow by 613 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 21.4% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Metung when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Metung shows approximately 20 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 100 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 1.1 new residents arrived per new home over these five years. However, this figure has eased to 0.2 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating better supply availability.

The average construction value of new properties is $463,000. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $487,000, reflecting Metung's residential nature. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Metung has seen slightly more development, at 26.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years.

This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. All new construction in Metung consists of detached dwellings, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With approximately 87 people per dwelling approval, Metung exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Metung is expected to grow by 445 residents through to 2041. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Metung has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects that could impact this area. Notable projects include Seadragon Offshore Wind Farm, Regional Housing Fund Gippsland, Gippsland Digital Infrastructure Upgrade, and Blue Mackerel North. The following details those most relevant.

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While Metung retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.4%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Metung has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 3.4%.

Over the past year, it showed relative employment stability. This was based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. In Metung, 819 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.4% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 46.1%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%.

Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Notably, accommodation & food has an employment level 1.6 times the regional average. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented with only 3.9% of Metung's workforce compared to Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.5%, while employment declined by 0.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced an employment decline of 0.9% and a labour force decline of 0.4%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 provide further insight into potential future demand within Metung. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Metung's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. This is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Metung's median income is $42,639 and average income is $54,985. This is lower than the national averages of $48,741 (median) and $60,693 (average). Comparing to Rest of Vic., Metung has a lower median income but a higher average income. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes are approximately $47,824 (median) and $61,671 (average) as of September 2025. Metung's household, family, and personal incomes all fall between the 13th and 14th percentiles nationally according to the 2021 Census. Income distribution shows 33.0% of Metung residents earn $800 - 1,499 annually, differing from the regional norm where earnings predominantly fall within $1,500 - 2,999 range. Despite modest housing costs allowing retention of 89.1% of income, total disposable income ranks at just the 20th percentile nationally. Metung's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Metung is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Metung's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.9% houses and 2.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.9% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Metung stood at 57.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.8% and rented ones at 15.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Vic.'s average, while the median weekly rent was $346 compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $1,300 and $268 respectively. Nationally, Metung's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents also below the national figure of $375.

Metung has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.0% of all households, including 15.9% couples with children, 49.5% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.0%, with lone person households at 26.2% and group households making up 1.1%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.2.

The educational profile of Metung exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Metung trail regional benchmarks, with 25.0% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 33.4% in VIC. Bachelor degrees lead at 16.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (15.4%) and certificates (26.8%). A substantial 20.9% of the population actively pursues formal education, including 7.9% in primary education, 5.7% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Metung Primary School provides local educational services within Metung, with an enrollment of 42 students as of a recent report. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas such as Bairnsdale or Lakes Entrance. Limited local school capacity (2.0 places per 100 residents vs 12.1 regionally) means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling. Metung Primary School demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1056.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Metung faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 49% (1,013 people), compared to 46.4% in the rest of Victoria and a national average of 55.3%. The most common conditions are arthritis (12.5%) and mental health issues (8.1%).

However, 60.1% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to the rest of Victoria. Metung has 38.0% (791 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 30.5% in the rest of Victoria. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong, outperforming general population metrics.

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

Metung's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 81.2% of its population born in Australia, 89.9% being citizens, and 96.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Metung, comprising 44.2% of people. The most significant overrepresentation was Judaism, which made up 0.4% of the population compared to 0.1% across Rest of Vic..

The top three represented ancestry groups were English (36.4%), Australian (26.6%), and Scottish (10.6%). Notably, Dutch (2.2%) and Welsh (0.8%) were overrepresented in Metung compared to regional averages of 1.9% and 0.5%, respectively. Hungarian was also notably represented at 0.4%.

Metung ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Metung has a median age of 59, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic. figure of 43 and also notably higher than the Australian median of 38. Compared to Rest of Vic., Metung has a higher concentration of 65-74 residents at 23.9%, but fewer 25-34 year-olds at 5.9%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35 to 44 age group grew from 8.2% to 9.8%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 10.9% to 12.4%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort declined from 25.9% to 23.9%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 20.8% to 19.6%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Metung's age structure. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 39%, adding 79 residents to reach 284. The 15 to 24 group displays more modest growth at 10%, adding only 12 residents.