Victor Harbor

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

The population of the Victor Harbor statistical area (Lv2) is estimated at approximately 5,206 as of November 2025. This figure represents a growth of 686 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,520. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 4,819 in June 2024, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 131 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 608 persons per square kilometer. The Victor Harbor (SA2) experienced a population growth rate of 15.2% between the 2021 Census and November 2025, exceeding the non-metro area's growth of 7.3%. This growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 86.0% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in June 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. Looking ahead, demographic trends project above median population growth for Australia's regional areas. The Victor Harbor (SA2) is expected to expand by 637 persons to reach a total of approximately 5,843 by 2041, reflecting an overall gain of 4.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Victor Harbor among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Victor Harbor has approved approximately 64 dwellings annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 320 homes received development approval, with an additional 61 approved in FY26 so far. On average, about 1.3 people moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating a balanced supply and demand. However, this has moderated to 0.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

The average construction value of development projects is $391,000, suggesting a focus on premium properties. This year, $16.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of SA, Victor Harbor maintains similar construction rates per person, preserving market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. Nationally, however, construction rates are substantially lower, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location.

New building activity comprises 95% standalone homes and 5% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (74% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. The location has approximately 53 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections show Victor Harbor adding 217 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Victor Harbor has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones are Best Life Canterbury Victor Harbor, McKinlay Street Car Parking Precinct, Victor Retail Depot, and Flinders Parade Townhouse Development. The following list details those most relevant:.

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 employment landscape in Victor Harbor shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Victor Harbor has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate is 3.3%.

Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 0.9%. As of September 2025, 1,746 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.0% lower than Rest of SA's rate of 5.3%. Workforce participation in Victor Harbor lags behind at 39.8%, compared to Rest of SA's 54.1%. Major employment sectors include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade.

The area has a strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.6% compared to the regional average of 14.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.9%, labour force grew by 2.0%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.0 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of SA recorded employment growth of 0.3%, labour force growth of 2.3%, with unemployment rising 1.9 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia for May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Victor Harbor's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Victor Harbor's suburb income level is lower than average nationally, per latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Victor Harbor is $38,548, with an average of $49,250. For comparison, Rest of SA has median and average incomes of $48,920 and $58,933 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% since financial year 2023, estimated current incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $41,940 (median) and $53,584 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Victor Harbor fall between the 1st and 5th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that 37.6% of locals (1,957 people) earn between $400 - $799 weekly, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 27.5%. A notable 46.0% of households earn below $800 weekly, indicating affordability pressures for many residents. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile.

Victor Harbor is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Victor Harbor's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.7% houses and 26.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro SA had 92.1% houses and 7.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Victor Harbor was at 47.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (22.7%) or rented (30.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,203, below Non-Metro SA's average of $1,300 and significantly lower than the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Victor Harbor was $267, compared to Non-Metro SA's $280 and substantially below the national figure of $375.

Victor Harbor features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 57.3% of all households, including 14.8% couples with children, 31.2% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 42.7%, with lone person households at 40.6% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of SA average of 2.2.

Educational outcomes in Victor Harbor fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding them - advanced diplomas account for 11.6% and certificates for 27.8%.

School and university attendance encompasses 19.8% of the community, including 8.6% in primary education, 5.4% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Victor Harbor is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Victor Harbor faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 47%, covering around 2,421 people, which is lower than the national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, impacting 13.7% and 10.0% of residents respectively. However, 52.8% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 58.3% across Rest of SA. The population aged 65 and over comprises 42.4%, totaling 2,207 people, which is higher than the 37.0% recorded in Rest of SA.

Victor Harbor ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Victor Harbor has a low level of cultural diversity, with 80.6% of its population born in Australia, 92.2% being citizens, and 96.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Victor Harbor, comprising 43.9% of the population. There is no representation of Judaism in Victor Harbor, which aligns with the regional average of 0%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (37.5%), Australian (29.3%), and Scottish (8.1%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: German at 6.1% compared to 6.7% regionally, Welsh at 0.7% versus 0.6%, and Dutch at 1.5% compared to 1.6%.

Victor Harbor ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Victor Harbor's median age is 59 years, which exceeds both the Rest of SA average of 47 years and the national average of 38 years. The 75 - 84 age cohort represents 16.8% of Victor Harbor's population, notably higher than the Rest of SA average of 10.2%. Conversely, the 25 - 34 age group comprises only 6.6%, lower than the Rest of SA average of 11.7%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 13.0% to 16.8% of Victor Harbor's population. The 65 to 74 cohort has decreased from 20.0% to 18.2%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 15.6% to 14.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Victor Harbor's age profile. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 103%, reaching 782 people from the current 385. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 97% of this growth. Meanwhile, population declines are anticipated for the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 age groups.