Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Sale has an estimated 14,325 residents, up from 14,296 at the 2021 Census. 259 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 327 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Sale has an estimated population of approximately 14,325, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS population updates with new addresses validated since the Census. In comparison to the 2021 Census tally of 14,296 people, this represents an addition of 29 people (0.2%). This figure is calculated using the June 2025 ABS release of ERP figures, which established a resident population of 14,271, alongside 259 validated new addresses confirmed post-census. The suburb of Sale features a population density of 327 persons per square kilometer, offering ample physical space and capacity for future expansion.
With a 0.2% post-census growth rate, the suburb of Sale sits within 2.2 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (2.4%), exhibiting solid demographic momentum. Recent population expansion was driven predominantly by overseas arrivals, accounting for roughly 96.0% of overall gains. SA2-level projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a base year, form the foundation of AreaSearch demographic modeling. Where SA2 coverage is absent, figures draw upon the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA dataset, applying weighted population aggregation from LGA to SA2 divisions. For the years 2032 to 2041, age-cohort growth rates derived from these aggregations are applied across all locations. Looking ahead, the suburb of Sale is expected to undergo substantial demographic growth placing it within the upper quartile of regional Australia, expanding by 2,955 persons to 2041 based on consolidated SA2 projections, which translates to a total rise of 20.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
350 new dwellings have been approved in Sale over the past five years, an average of 70 a year. That is 3.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 54 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 91% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 47, well below 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
Residential building approvals in Sale average approximately 70 homes per year according to AreaSearch analysis of ABS statistical data, with roughly 350 homes approved across the previous 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 47 approvals recorded to date in FY-25. The area registered an average influx of just 0.4 people per year for every home constructed during the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), indicating that residential building activity is keeping pace with or exceeding local demand and providing buyers with greater choice while supporting potential population growth above expectations.
The average expected construction cost for newly developed dwellings sits at $401,000. Additionally, commercial development remains robust, with $43.3 million in commercial approvals authorized during the current financial year. Per capita residential building approvals in Sale track at roughly three-quarters of the pace recorded across Rest of Vic., placing the locality in the 37th percentile across the country and creating tighter purchasing options that help sustain interest in established housing stock. New residential construction is heavily weighted toward detached houses at 91.0%, while attached dwellings make up 9.0%, reinforcing low-density suburban living tailored to families wanting spacious layouts. The presence of 393 people per approved dwelling highlights a comparatively subdued, low-volume residential planning environment. Based on the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch, Sale is anticipated to gain 2,901 residents by 2041. Should building delivery remain at historical levels, new residential supply could trail population expansion, potentially heightening competition among prospective buyers and exerting upward pressure on property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Sale
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Sale, worth an estimated $193 million. A further 50 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $10.1 billion. 23 are already under construction and 28 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and energy. 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 capital investments, major infrastructure, and strategic planning decisions play a critical role in shaping community outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 11 significant projects with the capacity to influence the local area. Notable undertakings include the Sale College Facilities Improvement - Toilet Refurbishment & Years 7-12 Facilities Planning, the Aqua Energy Leisure Centre Redevelopment, the Swanlake Business Park, and the Port of Sale East Bank Redevelopment Study, with major works summarized below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
North Sale Growth Area Development Plan
Comprehensive development plan for the 294ha North Sale Growth Area providing a framework for coordinated urban development. It includes 1,000+ residential lots, a new Sale College campus at Gibsons and Cobains Road, a 122-place early years hub, infrastructure upgrades, and community facilities.
Sale College Facilities Improvement - Toilet Refurbishment & Years 7-12 Facilities Planning
Dual-phase project at Sale College consisting of: (1) toilet refurbishment on the second floor, funded by $810,233 from Round 2 of the Australian Government Schools Upgrade Fund (start Q2 2024, forecast finish Q2 2026), and (2) planning and early works for Years 7-12 student facilities improvement, funded by $3 million from the 2021-22 State Budget, with construction subject to future funding. The school serves 820 students across two campuses - Guthridge Campus (Years 7-9) and Macalister Campus (Years 10-12).
Swanlake Business Park
A premium commercial estate in Sale's northern growth area on the Princes Highway, neighbouring Bunnings Warehouse. Construction of civil works is underway after a 15-year development process, with the latest release (marketed as Swanlake Commercial Park) offering 21 allotments from 1,350 to 2,770 sqm zoned Commercial 2 (C2Z), suited to bulky goods retail, showrooms, offices and warehousing. The site has 800m of highway frontage with direct highway access.
Aqua Energy Leisure Centre Redevelopment
A major transformation of the Aqua Energy Leisure Centre, featuring a new, accessible 25m indoor pool, improved changing rooms, a 24/7 gym, and a water play area.
Port of Sale East Bank Redevelopment Study
A comprehensive redevelopment study for the East Bank site within the Port of Sale Cultural and Civic Precinct. The study aims to prepare new planning controls for the future use and redevelopment of the site containing former Sale Specialist School and Sale High School buildings, plus heritage-listed George Gray Centre. The project seeks to create high architectural standards that complement the existing Port Precinct character.
Sale Integrated Centre for Children and Families
A new centre providing 122 new childcare and kindergarten places, multi-purpose consulting suites, and meeting and activity spaces for early childhood services and community use.
TAFE Gippsland Port of Sale Campus
A new TAFE Gippsland campus delivered in the Port of Sale precinct, consolidating older Sale and Fulham facilities into a single, centrally located education and industry hub. The project provides purpose-built learning spaces and workshops supporting sectors such as health and social services, early childhood, carpentry, engineering, automotive, hair and beauty, with improved access for the Wellington Shire community.
Longford Development Plan
The Longford Development Plan facilitates rural residential development across 11 precincts. Precincts 9 and 10 were officially rezoned in June 2023 via Amendment C116well to Rural Living Zone Schedule 5 (RLZ5). This enables the creation of approximately 180 rural lifestyle blocks with minimum 6000m2 lot sizes. The plan guides coordinated infrastructure delivery and development outcomes for the Longford Growth Area.
6,749 residents of Sale are employed, from a labour force of 7,133. Unemployment sits at 5.4%, with participation at 60.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Workforce data aggregated by AreaSearch indicates that Sale maintains a qualified labour market supported by a strong base of essential service occupations, an unemployment rate standing at 5.4%, and annual job growth estimated at 4.3%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 6,749, while the local jobless rate sat 1.7% higher than the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., and the local participation rate aligned closely with the 61.1% benchmark for Regional Vic.. Working from home was reported by 10.5% of residents at the Census, although these figures were subject to prevailing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and retail trade. Sale displays a strong industry concentration in public administration & safety, where its share of employment is 2.1 times the regional average. Conversely, manufacturing accounts for an under-represented 4.0% of the local workforce, trailing the 7.7% share observed across Regional Vic.. Based on comparisons between local working residents and the overall population, a substantial number of workers commute outside the area for employment despite local job availability. Over the past 12-month period, combined ABS and SALM statistical data shows that local employment expanded by 4.3% while the labour force grew by 3.4%, resulting in a 0.8 percentage points reduction in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% contraction in employment, a 0.3% drop in the labour pool, and a 0.2 percentage points fall in unemployment. Looking to broader labour market trends, national projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 indicate nationwide employment expansion of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with performance varying notably across individual industries. Projecting these industry-level paths onto Sale's employment distribution suggests local job numbers could rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, representing an illustrative weighted extrapolation that excludes localized population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Sale is $1,327 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $701 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,056 a year against an average of $63,836. 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
ATO postcode records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that the median taxpayer income in the suburb of Sale was $49,056, with an average of $63,836. These figures fall below national benchmarks and compare to a median income of $50,954 and an average income of $62,728 across Regional Vic.. Factoring in 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated income levels as of March 2026 are approximately $53,775 for the median and $69,977 for the average. Census records position personal, family, and household earnings modestly, ranking between the 22nd and 28th percentiles.
The primary earning bracket consists of individuals receiving $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, representing 28.5% of taxpayers (4,082 residents), which aligns with the 30.3% recorded across the wider metropolitan region. After meeting housing costs, residents retain 86.1% of income, placing the area in the 25th percentile nationwide, while its SEIFA income score sits in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Sale had 5,786 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 7% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 34% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $280 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 21.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to Census findings, the residential fabric in Sale is made up of 84.8% standalone houses and 15.2% alternative housing formats including semi-detached residences and apartments, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings throughout Regional Vic.. Outright home ownership accounted for 36.4% of households, trailing Regional Vic., with 29.9% of properties held under a mortgage and 33.7% occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage commitments stood at $1,300, below the Regional Vic. benchmark of $1,430, while median weekly rent was $280 compared to $285 regionally. Across Australia, typical mortgage repayments of $1,863 and typical weekly rents of $375 are markedly higher than the rates recorded in Sale.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Sale counted 5,786 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 75% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 63.8% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 23.4%, couples without children at 27.2%, and single parent families at 12.2%. Non-family living arrangements represent 36.2% of homes, made up of lone person households at 33.4% and group dwellings at 2.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is slightly below the 2.4 average recorded across Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
20.9% of adults in Sale hold a university qualification, including 14.3% with a bachelor degree and 3.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.8% hold a vocational qualification. 12 schools serve the area, with 4,116 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 994 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
Educational attainment levels in the area show that 20.9% of residents possess a university qualification, which sits below the Victorian state figure of 33.4%. Higher education credentials include bachelor degrees at 14.3%, postgraduate awards at 3.8%, and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational education forms a major component of local qualifications, with 38.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding technical credentials, comprising certificates at 26.8% and advanced diplomas at 11.5%. Formal study engagement is substantial, with 27.8% of the local population actively undertaking education. This cohort comprises 10.3% attending primary school, 7.7% enrolled in secondary school, and 3.3% participating in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Sale reaches 69 stops on 13 routes, timetabled for about 470 services a week. The typical home sits about 220 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Sale is served by an active public transit network containing 69 passenger stops, which include train connections. A network of 13 separate routes operates across these stops, generating 466 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is convenient, with local residents living a typical distance of 217 meters from their closest boarding point. Commuters predominantly travel outward for employment, with private motor vehicles representing 90% of journeys and walking accounting for 6%. Household car ownership sits at 1.2 vehicles per home, trailing the regional benchmark. Working from home was recorded for 10.5% of the workforce during the 2021 Census, subject to COVID-19 conditions.
Public transport services provide an average frequency of 66 trips per day across the collective network, which translates to roughly 6 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.6% of residents in Sale report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 81% of areas nationally. 8.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality figures and chronic illness metrics indicate notable public health challenges across both younger and older age brackets in Sale. Private health insurance uptake stands at roughly 52% of residents (~7,461 people), which sits marginally below the standard SA2 benchmark. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, affecting 10.7 and 9.9% of local residents, while 61.6% reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 63.4% throughout Regional Vic.. Chronic health issues are prominent among working-age individuals. Residents aged 65 and over account for 23.9% of the population (3,423 people), with overall health metrics among older demographics broadly matching national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Sale is largely Australian-born, at 86.4% of residents, with 6.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.5%) and English (30.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Sale demonstrates relatively low cultural diversity, with 89.3% of the community holding Australian citizenship, 86.4% born in Australia, and 93.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the leading religious affiliation, representing 47.2% of residents. The category of Other accounts for 0.7% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Regional Vic.. The primary reported ancestries in Sale based on parental birthplaces are Australian at 31.5%, English at 30.6%, and Irish at 8.7%. Other demographic representations include Dutch heritage at 1.9% (compared to 1.7% across the region), Scottish background at 8.2% (compared to 8.8% regionally), and Sri Lankan ancestry at 0.3% (compared to 0.1% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Sale is 42. 23.9% 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
The age distribution in Sale aligns closely with Regional Vic. benchmarks, displaying a maximum variance of 1.9 percentage points. The median age is estimated at 42, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year below the Regional Vic. median of 43 from that same Census. Since the Census, the proportion of residents aged 45 - 64 has decreased from 24.4% to an estimated 22.8%. Projections out to 2041 anticipate that young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) will experience the largest expansion, growing by 1,402 residents (39%) to reach a total of 4,983.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Sale
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 3 months ago all 7 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 Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 259 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (14,296 at the 2021 Census → 14,325 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 Aug 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 (SAL22226). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.