Mount Pleasant (Vic.)

Mount Pleasant has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

The population of Mount Pleasant (Vic.), as estimated by AreaSearch based on ABS updates and new addresses validated since February 2026, is around 2,221. This figure reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census count of 2,225 people, indicating a change of -4 persons (-0.2%). The current population estimate is derived from AreaSearch's resident population figure of 2,178, determined following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), and an additional 30 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 1,094 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed around 81% of overall population gains during recent periods for Mount Pleasant (Vic.).

AreaSearch is utilising ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods for areas not covered by the ABS data. Applying these growth rates across all areas for years 2032 to 2041 forecasts a significant population increase in Mount Pleasant (Vic.), with an expected rise of 754 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of approximately 32%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Mount Pleasant, 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, Mount Pleasant recorded approximately eight residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 42 homes were approved, with three more approved so far in FY26. On average, 1.3 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built during these years, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $356,000. This financial year, $12,000 worth of commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting Mount Pleasant's residential nature. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Mount Pleasant has significantly less development activity, 69.0% below the regional average per person, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 50.0% detached dwellings and 50.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the current housing mix of 84.0% houses. This change reflects reduced development site availability and addresses evolving lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Mount Pleasant has an estimated population density of around 908 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by approximately 711 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Mount Pleasant has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Eleven projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Notable among these are Sebastopol Community Hub, Delacombe Town Centre Stage 3, Sovereign Hill Master Plan: Gold Vault, and Ballarat Regional Animal Facility. The following details those considered most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment drivers in Mount Pleasant are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Mount Pleasant has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.6% as of the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, 1,195 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% above Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation was 67.6%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.5%. A moderate 19.3% of residents worked from home, according to Census responses, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food sectors. Mount Pleasant had a particularly strong specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing employed only 0.9% of local workers, below Regional Vic.'s 7.5%. The predominantly residential area offered limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending in December 2025, labour force decreased by 0.7%, and employment decreased by 0.5% in Mount Pleasant, causing unemployment to fall by 0.2 percentage points. In Regional Vic., employment contracted by 0.6%, the labour force fell by 0.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Pleasant's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, according to a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Mount Pleasant's median income among taxpayers was $48,656 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $62,596 during the same period. This compares to figures for Regional Vic., which were $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $52,670 (median) and $67,760 (average). According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes in Mount Pleasant ranked at the 24th percentile nationally. Family incomes were at the 25th percentile, while personal incomes were at the 26th percentile. Income analysis revealed that the largest segment comprised 31.3% of residents earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (695 residents), consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 30.3% in the same category. After housing costs, 84.9% of income remained, ranking at the 26th percentile nationally for disposable income.

Mount Pleasant is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Mount Pleasant's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Pleasant was at 29.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.3% and rented ones at 42.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Mount Pleasant was $280, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Mount Pleasant's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 against the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Mount Pleasant features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 59.2 percent of all households, including 18.9 percent couples with children, 23.4 percent couples without children, and 15.3 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.8 percent, with lone person households at 32.6 percent and group households comprising 8.1 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Mount Pleasant fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 28.4% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Vic. average of 21.7%. This reflects the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%).

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 33.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas account for 10.2% while certificates make up 23.4%. Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 7.6% in tertiary education, and 7.3% pursuing secondary education.

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

Mount Pleasant has 12 active public transport stops. These are served by one route, offering a total of 246 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically living 182 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most Mount Pleasant residents commute outward using cars, which remain the dominant mode at 93%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 19.3% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 35 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Mount Pleasant faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment.

The prevalence of common health conditions is notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 52% (~1,146 people) have private health cover, which is relatively low. Mental health issues impact 14.5% of residents, while asthma affects 10.9%. Conversely, 60.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 15.2% (337 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Mount Pleasant ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Pleasant had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 88.4% of its population being Australian citizens, 87.4% born in Australia, and 92.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 39.3% of Mount Pleasant's population. While Judaism made up 0.1% of the population, this was not significantly different from Regional Vic's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (26.4%), and Irish (10.8%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 10.8%, compared to 8.8% regionally, Dutch at 1.9% versus 1.7%, and Russian at 0.4% against 0.1%.

Mount Pleasant's population is younger than the national pattern

Mount Pleasant's median age in 2021 was 34 years, lower than Regional Vic.'s figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group was notably over-represented at 20.8% locally, compared to the Regional Vic. average, while those aged 65-74 were under-represented at 8.3%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds was well above the national figure of 14.4%. Since 2021, the 25-34 age group has grown from 18.1% to 20.8%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 12.0% to 13.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group declined from 11.4% to 9.6% and the 55-64 group dropped from 10.6% to 9.4%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes in Mount Pleasant's age profile by 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow significantly, expanding by 282 people (61%) from 461 to 744. Meanwhile, the 65-74 cohort grows by a modest 10% (17 people).