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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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St Arnaud has an estimated 2,234 residents, down from 2,318 at the 2021 Census — a change of 84 people, or 3.6%. Density is about 32 people per 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 St Arnaud has an estimated resident population of roughly 2,234, determined through AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS regional demographic updates alongside 4 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. This figure indicates a contraction of 84 people (-3.6%) from the 2021 Census tally of 2,318 people, drawing on the ABS June 2025 ERP release. With 32 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains a low density and considerable living space. The suburb of St Arnaud experienced a 3.6% population reduction since the census, tracking within 2.0 percentage points of the broader SA3 area's -1.6% contraction and reflecting regional demographic headwinds.
Inward overseas migration served as the primary growth driver, accounting for roughly 89.0% of all recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of St Arnaud utilize 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia data benchmarked to 2022 across SA2 areas, supplemented where necessary by 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA datasets weighted and aggregated to SA2 boundaries. Age-specific expansion rates derived from this modeling are applied through years 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the suburb of St Arnaud is anticipated to experience growth exceeding the regional Australian median, adding 270 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 modeling, which translates to a total gain of 12.1% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in St Arnaud remains subdued, averaging 2 new dwellings approved per year for a five-year total of 14. This modest volume aligns with typical rural property development, where construction is dictated by limited local requirements and existing infrastructure. Given the small number of approvals, individual building initiatives can create noticeable shifts in annual growth metrics and comparisons. Dwelling construction volumes in St Arnaud track substantially below both the Rest of Vic. benchmark and broader Australian trends. Approvals have consisted entirely of detached houses, preserving rural neighborhood density and low-intensity land use.
Furthermore, an average of 897 people per dwelling approval underscores the subdued pace of residential development across the area. With AreaSearch's latest quarterly figures projecting St Arnaud to gain 270 residents by 2041, persistent construction constraints could restrict future housing supply relative to demographic growth. Such conditions may elevate buyer competition and exert upward pressure on local property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around St Arnaud
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 37 current infrastructure and development projects close to St Arnaud, worth an estimated $658 million. 8 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and sports & recreation. 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
Regional development and economic performance are heavily shaped by strategic public works, though no major infrastructure projects have been specifically identified by AreaSearch as directly impacting the immediate locality. Broader regional initiatives include the Melbourne To Adelaide Freight Rail Improvements, the Ararat to Maryborough Line Upgrades (Murray Basin Rail Project), the Regional Housing Fund, and Victorian Renewable Energy Zones.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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
Tullaroop Road Residential Development
A shovel-ready residential development with planning permits approved for 19 modern two-bedroom dwellings on a 5000+m2 site, featuring landscaped gardens, communal barbecue area, and ample parking. Aimed at addressing the housing shortage in regional Victoria through social and affordable housing.
Maryborough and District Hospital Redevelopment
A $115 million transformative health project delivering a new multi-storey hospital tower featuring a 24/7 urgent care centre, 32-bed inpatient unit, maternity unit with two birthing suites, and two operating theatres. The redevelopment also includes a day medical centre for imaging and pathology, 80 additional car spaces, and the restoration of the heritage 1860s hospital facade. The facility enables the hospital to treat an additional 4,000 patients annually.
Maryborough Municipal Olympic Swimming Pool Upgrade
Renovation and rebuild of the heritage-listed Maryborough Municipal Olympic Pool Complex, the only heritage-listed outdoor Olympic-sized pool operating in regional Victoria. Stage One, completed in December 2024, delivered a full rebuild of the Octagonal Toddlers Pool, pavilion roof and carpentry repairs, and pump room restoration. Stage Two, currently in detailed design (due for completion by 30 October 2026) and fully funded, will replace the intermediate learn-to-swim pool with a new filtration system, balance tank, disability access ramp, a new standalone change room building, pavilion entry and kiosk upgrades, and site services works, with delivery expected across 2026 and 2027.Stage Three, also in detailed design, covers demolition and rebuild of the 50-metre pool, a new concourse, filtration system and connecting footpaths, but remains unfunded, with Council advocating to the Victorian Government for an additional 5 million AUD to proceed. The pool has been closed since 2022 after an independent assessment found the 50-metre pool at end-of-life due to structural cracking and subsidence.
Maryborough Central Activity District (MCAD)
The Maryborough Central Activity District (MCAD) involves significant public sector investment to revitalise key civic anchor sites in Central Maryborough. It aims to leverage these projects to drive public realm improvements, support affordable town-centre housing, and stimulate private sector investment in retail, tourism, hospitality, and services. The project includes re-imagining spaces like the Post Office, courthouse, and Town Hall as a civic square or open plaza, integrating urban infrastructure treatments to enhance walkability and connect key areas such as the Central Goldfields Art Gallery, High Street retail area, and the redeveloped Hospital precinct.The MCAD forms a central component of the Victorian Goldfields UNESCO World Heritage Bid.
Central Goldfields Land Use Framework Plan
Strategic land use planning project for Central Goldfields Shire covering Maryborough North, Flagstaff and Carisbrook. Comprises two components: the Maryborough, Carisbrook and Flagstaff Framework Plan (LUFP) identifying areas suitable for future housing and industrial growth, and the Rural Living Zone Review (URLO) assessing subdivision potential of rural living land. Draft plans were released for public consultation in August 2025, informed by a 2020 Population, Housing and Residential Settlement Strategy. Council adopted the Land Use Planning Framework and Urban Residential Land Opportunities documents at its 27 May 2026 meeting; a Planning Scheme Amendment to formally reference the documents is expected to follow.Funded by the Victorian Planning Authority under the Streamlining for Growth program.
Maryborough Town Hall Revitalisation
Revitalisation of the historic Maryborough Town Hall through a significant electrical upgrade to ensure community safety, support arts, civic activities, and align with modern standards as a regional centre. The main hall and lower hall are now open for community use.
Energy Breakthrough Event Infrastructure
Annual renewable energy education event held in Maryborough attracting over 250 teams and 5,000 students from across Victoria and beyond. The November 2025 event requires significant temporary infrastructure and supports STEM education, showcasing Maryborough as a regional education and innovation hub.
Maryborough Hospital Student Accommodation
A $4 million student accommodation facility at Maryborough and District Hospital providing 20 single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, communal living areas, kitchen and dining areas, and landscaped gardens for medical, nursing and allied health students during training and work placements.
988 residents of St Arnaud are employed, from a labour force of 1,013. Unemployment sits at 2.5%, with participation at 52.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,766, about 79% 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
St Arnaud maintains a diverse workforce across blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by essential services and an unemployment rate of 2.5% according to aggregated statistical area figures from AreaSearch. In March 2026988 residents were employed, while local unemployment sat 1.2% lower than the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic.. However, workforce participation was comparatively subdued at 52.9%, trailing the 61.1% seen across Regional Vic.. Additionally, Census findings recorded 4.1% of workers operating from home, an outcome potentially shaped by pandemic lockdown measures. Local employment is concentrated within health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade.
St Arnaud demonstrates marked workforce specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, employing 2.1 times the regional proportion. Conversely, construction accounts for 5.2% of the local workforce, trailing the 10.4% recorded across Regional Vic.. The ratio of resident workers to local jobs suggests limited employment opportunities within the immediate area. Over a 12-month period, aggregated SALM and ABS data evaluated by AreaSearch revealed a 3.9% reduction in the local labour force alongside a 1.5% decrease in employment, lowering the unemployment rate by 2.4 percentage points. Across Regional Vic., employment slipped by 0.1%, the labour force contracted by 0.3%, and unemployment eased by 0.2 percentage points. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 project employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Mapping these sector-level expectations against St Arnaud's workforce structure points to potential local job expansion of 5.8% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, based on illustrative weighting calculations independent of local population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in St Arnaud is $920 a week (about $48,000 a year), with median personal income at $560 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $40,429 a year against an average of $48,282. 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 for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that St Arnaud personal incomes trail national standards, recording a median of $40,429 and an average of $48,282. In comparison, Regional Vic. generated a median income of $50,954 and an average of $62,728. Accounting for a 9.62% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, March 2026 income levels are estimated at $44,318 (median) and $52,927 (average). The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household earnings between the 1st and 7th percentiles nationwide. The largest earnings band comprises 35.5% of residents (793 people) receiving $400 - 799 weekly, contrasting with the regional concentration of 30.3% in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket.
Overall, 45.0% of locals make under $800/week. Although households retain 89.5% of income after modest housing outlays, overall disposable income sits at the 4th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
St Arnaud had 1,042 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 0% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 51% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $188 a week and the median mortgage repayment $867 a month. Rent absorbs 20.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The latest Census data for St Arnaud shows that 94.4% of dwellings are houses, while the remaining 5.6% are other types such as semi-detached units, apartments, and other dwellings. This contrasts with Regional Vic., where 90.1% of dwellings are houses and 9.9% are other types. Home ownership in St Arnaud stands at 50.6%, which is higher than the rate in Regional Vic. Among the remaining dwellings, 28.6% are mortgaged and 20.8% are rented. The median monthly mortgage repayment in St Arnaud is $867, which is lower than the Regional Vic.
average. Weekly rent in the area is $188, compared to $1,430 for mortgage repayments and $285 for rent in Regional Vic. On a national scale, St Arnaud's mortgage repayments are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels are also well below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
St Arnaud counted 1,042 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.0 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 43% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households constitute 55.3% of the community, comprising couples without children (26.8%), couples with children (17.6%), and single parent families (9.7%). The remaining 44.7% consists of non-family arrangements, dominated by lone person households at 42.5% alongside group households at 2.2%. The median household size stands at 2.0 people, which is smaller than the 2.4 average recorded across Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.4% of adults in St Arnaud hold a university qualification, including 9.1% with a bachelor degree and 1.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 82% of areas nationally. A further 28.6% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 370 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 974 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
Tertiary educational attainment in the local community remains lower than broader state benchmarks, with 12.4% holding a university qualification versus 33.4% across VIC. Bachelor degrees represent 9.1% of qualifications, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.1% and postgraduate credentials at 1.2%. Meanwhile, vocational and technical pathways are common, with 37.7% of residents aged 15+ holding certificates (28.6%) or advanced diplomas (9.1%). A total of 23.5% of local residents are actively engaged in study. This includes 9.2% enrolled in primary education, 6.9% attending secondary school, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around St Arnaud means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 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
Commuting infrastructure in St Arnaud comprises 3 active public transport stops operating across 3 routes, which together deliver 26 weekly passenger trips. Public transit access remains constrained, with an average distance of 705 meters to the closest stop. Travel is predominantly outward-focused and vehicle-reliant, with private cars accounting for 87% of trips and walking representing 10%. Local households maintain an average of 1.4 vehicles. Meanwhile, 4.1% of workers commuted from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 settings. Public transport services run at an average frequency of 3 trips per day across the network, providing approximately 8 weekly trips per transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
56.0% of residents in St Arnaud report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 84% of areas nationally. 10.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.9 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 patterns and chronic illnesses highlight significant local health challenges across age groups, accompanied by a low private health insurance uptake of approximately 46% (~1,028 people). This coverage rate falls below the 50.5% recorded across Regional Vic. and the national level of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnoses, affecting 12.4% and 10.1% of residents respectively, while 56.0% reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 63.4% throughout Regional Vic.. The working-age population exhibits elevated rates of chronic illness, while residents aged 65 and over make up 34.2% of the population (764 people)—well above the 24.0% regional proportion—with senior health metrics presenting challenges relative to national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
St Arnaud is largely Australian-born, at 93.1% of residents, with 2.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.4%) and Australian (33.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
St Arnaud displays lower cultural diversity than wider benchmarks, with 90.7% of residents holding Australian citizenship, 93.1% born in Australia, and 97.3% speaking solely English at home. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 58.3% of the community compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic.. In terms of parental heritage, English (34.4%), Australian (33.5%), and Scottish (9.8%) represent the largest ancestral backgrounds in St Arnaud. Among other lineages, Hungarian ancestry is represented at 0.3% (versus 0.2% regionally), Irish at 9.6% (versus 9.7%), and Maltese at 0.3% (versus 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of St Arnaud is 52, older than 94% of areas nationally. 19.8% 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
St Arnaud's population structure features a significant mature demographic, with residents aged 65+ accounting for 34.2% of the community as at August 2026 compared to 24.0% across Regional Vic., while young to middle aged adults aged 25 - 44 represent 18.7% versus 23.1% regionally. The estimated median age remains at 52, matching the 2021 Census level, sitting 9 years above the Regional Vic. median of 43 and well above the Australian median of 38 recorded at that time. The 45 - 64 age group contracted from 26.7% at the Census to an estimated 22.8%.
Looking forward to 2041, demographic expansion will be led by the 25 - 44 cohort, which is forecast to increase by 112 residents (27%) to reach 530.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for St Arnaud
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 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 — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,318 at the 2021 Census → 2,234 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 (SAL22334). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.