Miners Rest

Miners Rest 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, the estimated population of Miners Rest as of Feb 2026 is around 3985. This reflects an increase of 156 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3829. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 3887 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 34 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 132 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Miners Rest has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 75% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 the 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 also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Examining future trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas is forecasted. The suburb is expected to grow by 1248 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 28.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Miners Rest, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Miners Rest has seen around 7 new homes approved each year. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 39 homes were approved, with an additional 2 approved so far in FY-26. On average, this results in about 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over these 5 financial years. However, recent data shows this has increased to 5 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, reflecting Miners Rest's growing popularity and potential supply constraints.

New homes are being built at an average value of $385,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms, indicating quality-focused development. This year alone, there have been $19.1 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity in the area. Compared to Rest of Vic., Miners Rest records markedly lower building activity, with 83.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, further supported by being under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development consists of 57.0% detached dwellings and 43.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns which are currently 99.0% houses. This shift suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

The estimated count of 645 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Miners Rest is expected to grow by 1,150 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Miners Rest has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include Western Victoria Aviation Precinct Ballarat, Waters Edge, Miners Rest, Miners Rest Township Plan, and Miners Rest Primary School Redevelopment. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis places Miners Rest well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Miners Rest has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.7%. Employment stability has been relative over the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of December 2025, 2,189 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.0% below Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation stands at 76.2%, surpassing Regional Vic.'s 61.5%. A Census survey found that 14.7% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Arts & recreation services show notable concentration, with employment levels at 3.1 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing have lower representation at 2.6% compared to Regional Vic.'s 7.5%. The area functions as an employment hub with 1.1 workers per resident, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.1%, employment also decreased by 0.1%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Regional Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.6% during this period, with a labour force fall of 0.7% and a slight decrease in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate potential future demand within Miners Rest. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Miners Rest's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Miners Rest had one of Australia's highest income levels according to AreaSearch aggregated ATO data for financial year ending June 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $68,037 and the average income stood at $84,338. These figures compared to Regional Vic.'s median of $50,954 and average of $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $73,650 (median) and $91,296 (average) as of September 2025. Census data showed household, family and personal incomes in Miners Rest were at the 67th percentile nationally. Income distribution revealed that 45.6% of locals (1,817 people) fell into the $1,500 - $2,999 category, similar to the region where 30.3% occupied this bracket. After housing costs, 86.4% of income remained for other expenses. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

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

Miners Rest dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 98.9% houses and 1.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Miners Rest was at 23.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 59.6% and rented ones at 16.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Miners Rest was $360, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Miners Rest'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.

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

Family households comprise 81.5% of all households, including 39.4% couples with children, 29.5% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for 18.5%, with lone person households at 15.8% and group households making up 2.9%. The median household size is 2.8 people, higher than the Regional Vic average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Miners Rest aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 20.2%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (30.8%). Educational participation is high at 31.3%, with 13.1% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.1% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Miners Rest has 17 active public transport stops serviced by two routes offering 228 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good accessibility to these stops, typically being located 275 meters from the nearest one. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 97%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.9 per dwelling, higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 14.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 32 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Miners Rest are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Miners Rest's health indicators show below-average outcomes, according to AreaSearch's assessment using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence data. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (2,394 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic. The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.4 and 9.5% of residents respectively, while 68.7% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 7.5% of residents aged 65 and over (298 people), which is lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic., with national rankings generally in line with the general population.

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

Miners Rest had a cultural diversity below average, with 91.6% of its population born in Australia, 93.9% being citizens, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Miners Rest, comprising 43.8% of people. However, Islam was overrepresented at 0.8%, compared to 1.0% across Regional Vic.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.8%), English (30.7%), and Irish (9.7%). Dutch were notably overrepresented at 2.6% in Miners Rest versus the regional average of 1.7%. Maltese and Scottish had similar representation to the region, at 0.5% and 8.3%, respectively.

Miners Rest's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

The median age in Miners Rest is 32 years, which is notably lower than Regional Victoria's average of 43 and also substantially below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Regional Vic., Miners Rest has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (19.0%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.9%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the age group 25 to 34 grew from 16.1% to 19.0%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 16.1% to 17.3%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group declined from 16.8% to 15.2%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 11.7% to 10.2%. By 2041, Miners Rest is projected to experience significant shifts in its age composition. The 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 60%, adding 454 people and reaching a total of 1,212 from the previous figure of 757. Meanwhile, the 85+ group is projected to show modest growth, with an increase of only 2 residents.