Mount Pleasant (Vic.)

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

As per AreaSearch's analysis using ABS population updates and validated new addresses, the suburb of Mount Pleasant (Vic.) had an estimated population of 2,198 as of May 2026. This figure represents a decrease of 27 people from the 2021 Census count of 2,225 residents. The current resident population is estimated at 2,195, based on AreaSearch's examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 31 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,082 persons per square kilometer, which is comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 81.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch's projections are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia figures released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to these trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is forecasted, with Mount Pleasant (Vic.) expected to increase by 719 persons to reach a total population of 2,917 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 32.6% over the 16-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Mount Pleasant is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Mount Pleasant recorded approximately 8 residential properties granted approval annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Around 42 homes were approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 3 approved so far in FY-26. The population has been declining recently, suggesting new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $356,000. This financial year, $12,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of Vic., 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, reflecting a shift towards higher-density living to create more affordable entry points and suit downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This is a considerable change from the current housing mix of 84.0% houses. Mount Pleasant shows a mature, established area with around 876 people per approval.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Mount Pleasant is expected to grow by 716 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eleven projects likely to impact the region. Notable ones include Sebastopol Community Hub, Delacombe Town Centre Stage 3, Sovereign Hill Master Plan: Gold Vault, and Ballarat Regional Animal Facility. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Mount Pleasant's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate, as of December 2025, is 5.6%. This rate is 1.9% higher than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%, while workforce participation is 63.6%, slightly above Regional Vic.'s 61.0%.

A moderate 19.3% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food, with a strong specialization in the latter at 1.6 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.9% of local workers, below Regional Vic.'s 7.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.0%, employment fell by 1.7%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point drop in unemployment. In contrast, Regional Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.6%, labour force fell by 0.7%, with unemployment falling 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Pleasant's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Mount Pleasant had a lower than average national income level according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Mount Pleasant was $48,656 and the average income stood at $62,596. These figures compared to Regional Vic.'s median of $50,954 and average of $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Mount Pleasant would be approximately $53,337 (median) and $68,618 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Mount Pleasant ranked modestly, between the 24th and 26th percentiles. Income analysis showed that the largest segment comprised 31.3% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (687 residents), consistent with broader metropolitan trends showing 30.3% in the same category. After housing costs, 84.9% of income remained, though this ranked at only the 26th percentile nationally.

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 structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to 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 dwellings 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 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and 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% of all households, including 18.9% couples with children, 23.4% couples without children, and 15.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.8%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 8.1%. 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 at 28.4%, surpassing the Rest of Vic average of 21.7%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 33.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (23.4%). Educational participation is high at 30.6%, comprising 8.9% in primary education, 7.6% in tertiary education, and 7.3% pursuing secondary education.

Educational participation is notably 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 located 182 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, with cars being the dominant mode at 93%. There is an average of 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 19.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 35 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 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.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 14.5% and 10.9% of residents respectively. Approximately 60.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic. The area has a relatively low private health cover rate of about 52%, covering around 1,134 people. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Mount Pleasant has 15.3% of residents aged 65 and over (336 people), lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligned with national rankings.

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 has a lower cultural diversity, with 88.4% citizens, 87.4% born in Australia, and 92.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 39.3%. Judaism, at 0.1%, is slightly overrepresented compared to Regional Vic's 0.1%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (31.5%), Australian (26.4%), and Irish (10.8%). Notably, Scottish (10.8%) Dutch (1.9%) and Russian (0.4%) are overrepresented in Mount Pleasant compared to regional averages of 8.8%, 1.7%, and 0.1% respectively.

Mount Pleasant's population is younger than the national pattern

Mount Pleasant has a median age of 34, which is lower than the Regional Victoria figure of 43 and Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group is over-represented in Mount Pleasant at 20.2%, compared to the regional average and the national figure of 14.6%. Conversely, those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 8.2%. Between 2021 and the present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 18.1% to 20.2%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 11.4% to 10.0% and the 55-64 group has dropped from 10.6% to 9.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Mount Pleasant's age profile. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 267 people (60%), reaching 711, while the 65-74 cohort will grow modestly by 9% (16 people).