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 Mount Pleasant (Vic.) statistical area's population is estimated at around 2,220 as of Nov 2025. This reflects a decrease since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,225 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,178 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,093 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 81.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate a significant increase in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the Mount Pleasant (Vic.) SA2 expected to grow by 790 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 38.1% in total over the 17 years.

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

Mount Pleasant recorded approximately 8 residential properties granted approval annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past 5 financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 42 homes were approved, with an additional 2 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of 1.3 new residents per year per dwelling constructed during this period.

The market shows a good balance between supply and demand, supporting stable conditions. New properties are constructed at an average value of $356,000. In FY-26, $12,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Mount Pleasant has significantly less development activity, 69.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. The new building activity shows an equal split between detached houses (50.0%) and townhouses or apartments (50.0%).

This shift towards denser development provides accessible entry options, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This marks a significant departure from the current housing pattern of 84.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Mount Pleasant reflects a highly mature market with around 908 people per dwelling approval. Future projections estimate Mount Pleasant adding 847 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. 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 impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Sebastopol Community Hub, Delacombe Town Centre Stage 3, Sovereign Hill Master Plan: Gold Vault, and Ballarat Regional Animal Facility. The following details projects most relevant to the area.

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.

The labour market performance in Mount Pleasant lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Mount Pleasant has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.5%.

As of September 2025, 1,172 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.3% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation is similar at 60.8%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food, with a strong specialization in accommodation & food (1.6 times the regional level). Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.9% versus the regional average of 7.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the Census working population count compared to resident population.

Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 1.5% while labour force rose by 1.3%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Vic. saw employment decline by 0.7% and labour force decrease by 0.6%, with a marginal rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. 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.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2023 shows that income in Mount Pleasant is below the national average. The median income is $48,656 and the average income stands at $62,596. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s figures where the median income is $50,954 and the average income is $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year ending June 30, 2023, current estimates would be approximately $52,670 for median income and $67,760 for average income as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Mount Pleasant, between the 24th and 26th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 31.3% of residents (694 people), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 30.3% in the same category. After housing costs, 84.9% of income remains, though this ranks 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 evaluation, consisted of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 85.6% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Pleasant stood at 29.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (28.3%) or rented (42.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,499. The median weekly rent figure was $280, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $300. Nationally, Mount Pleasant's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian 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 constitute 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 account for 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 Rest of 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% 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 common 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 at 10.2% and certificates at 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, all serving buses. These stops are covered by one route in total, offering 246 weekly passenger trips combined. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 182 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, there are 35 daily trips across all routes, which translates 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, with common conditions prevalent across various age groups.

Approximately 52% (~1,145 people) have private health cover, which is relatively low. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 14.5 and 10.9% of residents respectively. About 60.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 62.3% in Rest of Vic. Around 15.0% (333 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the 17.8% in Rest of Vic. Senior health outcomes present challenges similar to those faced by 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% citizens, 87.4% born in Australia, and 92.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 39.3%. Judaism showed slight overrepresentation at 0.1%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (26.4%), and Irish (10.8%). Scottish (10.8%) was notably overrepresented, while Dutch (1.9%) and Russian (0.4%) showed minor divergences from regional averages of 9.2%, 2.1%, and 0.2% respectively.

Mount Pleasant's population is younger than the national pattern

Mount Pleasant has a median age of 34, which is lower than the Rest of Vic's figure of 43 and Australia's figure of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic average, Mount Pleasant has an over-representation of the 25-34 cohort (20.3% locally vs 17.9% nationally) and an under-representation of the 65-74 age group (8.2%). The percentage of the 25-34 age group in Mount Pleasant has increased from 18.1% in 2021 to 20.3% currently. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 11.4% to 9.6%, and the 55-64 age group has dropped from 10.6% to 9.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Mount Pleasant's age profile, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to grow by 333 people (74%) from 450 to 784.