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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Nhill has an estimated 2,327 residents, down from 2,401 at the 2021 Census — a change of 74 people, or 3.1%. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to evaluation of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region, alongside new address points verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the population of the suburb of Nhill is projected to be approximately 2,327 in May 2026. This represents a decline of 74 individuals (3.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 2,401 residents. This shift is calculated from the resident population of 2,327, determined by AreaSearch using the most recent ERP statistics published by the ABS (June 2025) plus another 66 validated new addresses following the Census. This population level translates to a density of 2.5 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment.
Throughout the previous ten years, the suburb of Nhill has shown stable development with a compound annual growth rate of 0.4%, exceeding the figures for the SA3 area. Population expansion in this locality was primarily supported by international migration, which acted as the solitary driver of demographic gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this information, AreaSearch utilizes the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting them via a system of weighted aggregation of population changes from LGA to SA2 tiers. Projected growth rates by age bracket from these aggregations are also applied across all regions for the period from 2032 to 2041. Assessing future demographic projections, growth in the lowest quartile of Australia's regional districts is expected, with the area projected to expand by 71 residents to 2041 under aggregated SA2-level estimates, representing an overall increase of 3.0% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
28 new dwellings have been approved in Nhill over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 2.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 7, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS building permit statistics, distributed from regional data, indicates that the suburb of Nhill has averaged approximately 5 new residential approvals annually. This includes an estimated 28 dwellings approved during the last 5 financial periods (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 7 thus far in FY-26. Given the contracting population lately, local supply has likely matched incoming demand, providing adequate options for home buyers, while newly constructed dwellings have an average value of $570,000, indicating that builders are targeting the higher-end market with premium projects. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the suburb of Nhill experiences roughly 69% of the building output per capita, placing it in the 52nd percentile of locations monitored nationwide, even though construction pace has quickened of late.
This volume sits below the national median, reflecting the established layout of the area and pointing to prospective planning constraints. New residential starts consist of 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% medium and high-density formats, preserving the standard open feel of the area with a focus on family dwellings that draw people looking for space. With roughly 310 individuals per permit, the suburb of Nhill is characterized as a low-density community. Long-term forecasts suggest the suburb of Nhill will add 71 residents by 2041 (calculated from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update). At current construction velocities, incoming residential supply is expected to easily satisfy demand, creating favorable buyer conditions and potentially underpinning growth beyond modern population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Nhill
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 30 current infrastructure and development projects close to Nhill, worth an estimated $1.33 billion. 4 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, transport & logistics and arts & culture. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure shifts, major construction, and planning decisions strongly shape regional outcomes. No projects have been recorded by AreaSearch that are expected to influence this locality. Primary regional projects include Melbourne To Adelaide Freight Rail Improvements, EnergyConnect, Mildura Passenger Rail Return, and Regional Housing Fund, with details on the most applicable developments listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal Precinct Stage 1
$2.5 million project to develop 20 new industrial lots at the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal site at Dooen, including street lighting, bitumen road access, and water resources to attract agribusinesses and food processors. Operated by SCT Logistics since 2013.
Horsham Intersection Upgrade
Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Henty Highway, Western Highway, Golf Course Road and Plumpton Road to improve safety and traffic flow. The intersection serves 18,000 vehicles per day (18% heavy vehicles) and had 12 crashes between 2019-2023, with 6 resulting in serious injuries. Preconstruction works including service relocation commenced July 2025.
Haven Horsham Integrated Social Housing
14 one-bedroom self-contained homes with 24/7 support for people with significant mental health and wellbeing concerns. Features communal recreational areas, kitchen, meeting spaces and on-site facilities for Mind Australia support staff. Each unit includes main bedroom with built-in wardrobe, bathroom, kitchen, European laundry, lounge room and outdoor courtyard or balcony. Set in beautifully landscaped grounds close to public transport, local shops and amenities.
Horsham City Urban Renewal Project
Comprehensive urban renewal project transforming three key precincts in central Horsham to deliver housing diversity and commercial investment. The project focuses on the current council depot site in Selkirk Drive, the area north of Selkirk Drive and south of Wilson Street, and the area encompassing Firebrace, Madden and Baker streets. It aims to provide 100 new dwellings, 10,000 square meters of apartment space, and 10,000 square meters of office and retail space.
Horsham SmartWater & Integrated Water Management Project
Innovative recycled water infrastructure project that supports agricultural research and provides drought-proofing for green spaces in Horsham. The completed project delivers 126 megalitres of recycled water annually through a network of pipes connecting to parks, ovals, cemetery, and racecourse, reducing reliance on drinking water for irrigation. Includes Dissolved Air Flotation treatment facility and pipeline infrastructure.
Horsham Town Hall and Regional Art Gallery Redevelopment
Major $19.8 million redevelopment of the heritage-listed Horsham Town Hall and Regional Art Gallery, featuring new 500-seat performing arts centre, conferencing facility, and upgraded Regional Art Gallery. Designed by Charles Neville Hollinshed, opened in 2016.
Horsham Recreation Infrastructure Improvements
Ongoing Horsham Rural City Council program delivering recreation infrastructure improvements across the municipality. Current priorities include implementation of the Active Horsham Strategy 2026-2036, City Oval redevelopment, aquatic centre planning, sports lighting and community recreation facility upgrades to improve accessibility, participation and regional sporting capacity.
Horsham and Natimuk Housing Diversity and Affordability Strategy (HNHDAS)
Municipal-wide housing strategy for Horsham Rural City Council guiding land supply and development across designated growth areas to 2041. The Horsham and Natimuk Housing Diversity and Affordability Strategy identifies demand for approximately 1,476 additional homes by 2041, driven by projected population growth of 1,800 residents. Focus areas include Horsham North, Horsham South (Haven), and Natimuk, with an estimated 38 years of land supply equivalent to more than 2,800 dwellings identified across the municipality. Community consultation on the draft strategy closed 7 October 2025; the strategy is now progressing toward Council adoption of the final Housing Strategy.
1,186 residents of Nhill are employed, from a labour force of 1,200. Unemployment sits at 1.2%, with participation at 60.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,888, about 81% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb of Nhill has a well-distributed labor pool across professional and trade roles, with major representation in basic service industries, and an unemployment rate of only 1.2%, based on AreaSearch's compilation of regional statistical data. In March 2026, there are 1,186 working residents, while the unemployment rate is 2.5% below the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%, and labor force participation matches Regional Vic.'s rate of 61.1%. According to Census details, a modest 10.7% of the workforce operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 restrictions should be kept in mind.
The principal sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The region displays a strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 3.3 times the regional average. Conversely, accommodation & food services are underrepresented, accounting for only 2.5% of the local workforce compared to 6.9% across Regional Vic. The community appears to present sparse local employment options, as shown by the comparison of Census workers to resident labor. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS figures, compiled from broader statistical boundaries, the labor pool contracted by 3.0% during the year leading to March 2026, while total employment fell by 1.8%, resulting in a 1.2 percentage point drop in unemployment. By comparison, Regional Vic. saw a employment drop of 0.1% and a labor pool contraction of 0.3%, with a 0.2 percentage point decline. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 provide additional context regarding future demand in the suburb of Nhill. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been matched with local work profiles to project growth. Though nationwide employment is predicted to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change differ widely across industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment distribution of the suburb of Nhill suggests local employment will rise by 5.7% over five years and 12.8% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted projection for visualization and does not account for local population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Nhill is $1,296 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $717 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,053 a year against an average of $62,469. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The suburb of Nhill has a median taxpayer income of $51,053 alongside an average of $62,469, according to local ATO postcode statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year. This sits below the national average, contrasting with a median income of $50,954 and an average of $62,728 in Regional Vic. Adjusted for Wage Price Index inflation of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $55,964 for the median and $68,479 for the average in March 2026. Census findings show that household, family, and individual incomes are all positioned modestly, sitting between the 19th and 31st percentiles.
Distribution statistics reveal that 32.3% of the community (751 residents) earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring wider regional patterns where 30.3% fall into the same bracket. Accommodation costs are manageable, leaving 92.6% of income retained, although disposable funds remain low at the 31st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Nhill had 951 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 1% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 24% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $774 a month. Rent absorbs 15.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 13.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential configurations in the suburb of Nhill, recorded in the most recent Census, consisted of 93.1% detached houses and 6.9% alternative housing forms (townhouses, flats, or other dwellings), compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% alternative configurations in Regional Vic. Additionally, the rate of outright home ownership was far higher than the Regional Vic. level, standing at 49.2%, with the remaining properties mortgaged (27.3%) or rented (23.5%). The median monthly home loan payment was significantly below the Regional Vic. median at $774, while the median weekly rental cost was $200, compared to $1,430 and $285 in Regional Vic.
On a national level, mortgage costs are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially below the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Nhill counted 951 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of homes at 64.9%, consisting of 24.5% couples with children, 30.9% couples without children, and 7.6% single parents. Non-family living situations account for the other 35.1%, with single-person households at 31.4% and group homes making up 3.6%. The median occupancy of 2.3 individuals per household is below the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.0% of adults in Nhill hold a university qualification, including 11.1% with a bachelor degree and 2.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 78% of areas nationally. A further 28.2% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 337 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 973 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The region presents low levels of educational attainment, with university completion rates (15.0%) sitting far below the Victorian benchmark of 33.4%. This highlights both a regional challenge and a chance for focused learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary credential at 11.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational and technical training is widely represented, with 36.5% of residents aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.3%) and certificates (28.2%). A notable 24.9% of the local population is enrolled in structured study. This includes 8.7% in primary school, 7.5% in high school, and 2.2% in higher education courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Nhill means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit assessment identifies 3 active transit stops in the suburb of Nhill. These locations are served by 3 distinct routes, supplying 21 passenger trips per week. Transit convenience is classified as limited, with local residents living an average of 627 meters from the closest stop. Being a mostly residential community, the majority of workers commute elsewhere, with private cars remaining the primary option at 83% and walking accounting for 13%. Car ownership stands at an average of 1.6 per home. A modest 10.7% of workers perform their jobs from home (recorded in the 2021 Census, which may show pandemic influences).
Transit service frequency averages 3 connections daily across all active routes, which translates to roughly 7 weekly services at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.9% of residents in Nhill report no long-term health condition. 8.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
The suburb of Nhill presents notable health concerns, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and the presence of chronic illnesses, with shared medical issues commonly found among both younger and older demographics, while the share of residents with private health insurance is low at roughly 52% of the population (~1,199 people). The most prevalent health issues in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 11.3 and 7.7% of residents, respectively, while 63.9% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Residents of working age exhibit a higher rate of chronic conditions than the average.
Seniors aged 65 and older make up 27.4% of the population (637 people), which is higher than the 23.9% share in Regional Vic. Medical statistics among older residents show heightened challenges, with national rankings higher than those of the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Nhill is largely Australian-born, at 83.2% of residents, with 14.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.1%) and Australian (29.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Nhill displays a level of cultural diversity similar to the regional average, with 86.0% of the population holding citizenship, 83.2% born locally, and 85.2% using only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 61.8% of the community, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic. Looking at parent countries of birth, the three most common backgrounds in the suburb of Nhill are English at 30.1%, Australian at 29.0%, and German at 10.4%, which is far above the regional average of 3.5%. Some notable variances in other ancestries include French at 0.6% (compared to 0.3% across the region), South Australian at 0.5% (compared to 0.2%), and Scottish at 8.0% (compared to 8.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Nhill is 47, older than 85% of areas nationally. 24.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
At 47 years, the median age in the suburb of Nhill is well above the Regional Vic. benchmark of 43 and far higher than the national median of 38. The age distribution shows a high concentration of residents aged 75 - 84 years (10.5%), while the 35 - 44 bracket is smaller (9.4%) than in Regional Vic. Since 2021, the 65 to 74 group has grown from 11.0% to 12.1% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.8% to 10.8%. By 2041, demographic shifts will alter the population profile, led by the 45 to 54 group expanding by 27% (67 people) to reach 319 from 251, while the 15 to 24 and 65 to 74 brackets are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Nhill
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 66 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,401 at the 2021 Census → 2,327 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL21939). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.