Wangaratta (Vic.)

Population growth drivers in Wangaratta are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of Wangaratta (Vic.) is around 19,199, a decrease of 15 people from the 2021 Census figure of 19,214. This decline of 0.1% is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 19,110, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and validation of 430 new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 393 persons per square kilometer. While Wangaratta experienced a decline since the census, the SA3 area achieved growth of 1.1%, indicating divergent trends. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.0% of overall population gains in recent periods. AreaSearch's projections for each SA2 area are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 for areas not covered by this data.

Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas, with Wangaratta expected to expand by 4,729 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 24.2% over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Wangaratta when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Wangaratta shows an average of 125 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25629 homes were approved, with a further 84 approved so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, an average of 0.6 new residents arrived per new home.

This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and enabling population growth. The average construction value of new properties is $456,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. In FY-26, $94.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting strong local business investment.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Wangaratta has similar development levels per person, maintaining market balance with the broader area. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. Detached dwellings make up 76.0% and townhouses or apartments 24.0% of new building activity, preserving Wangaratta's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes. With around 192 people per dwelling approval, the area exhibits characteristics of low density. Population forecasts indicate Wangaratta will gain 4,640 residents by 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, although buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Wangaratta has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that could significantly impact the local area due to their influence on infrastructure changes. Among these key projects are the Wangaratta Health Precinct Structure Plan, Wangaratta Landmark Retail Development Site, Wangaratta High School Upgrade, and Equine Village Estate. The following list details those projects expected to have the most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment drivers in Wangaratta are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Wangaratta has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.7% as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. By December 2025, 8,745 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.0% above Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation in Wangaratta was somewhat below standard at 58.3%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. According to Census responses, only 9.1% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Wangaratta showed strong specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 2.3% compared to Regional Vic.'s 7.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on the count of Census working population to local population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Wangaratta's labour force decreased by 3.8%, while employment declined by 5.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Vic. experienced an employment decline of 0.6% and a labour force decline of 0.7%, with a drop in unemployment of 0.1 percentage point. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wangaratta's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localized population projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Wangaratta's median income among taxpayers is $47,260. The average income in the suburb is $56,184. Both figures are lower than national averages. Regional Vic.'s median income is $50,954 and average is $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Wangaratta's median and average incomes are approximately $51,806 and $61,589 respectively as of March 2026. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Wangaratta fall between the 14th and 28th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 29.1% of Wangaratta residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, with this band representing 30.3% of the broader area's population. After accounting for housing costs, 85.8% of income remains in Wangaratta, which ranks at the 17th percentile nationally.

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

Wangaratta's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wangaratta stood at 38.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.5% and rented ones at 30.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Wangaratta was $260, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Wangaratta's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 62.2% of all households, including 22.3% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 12.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.8%, with lone person households at 35.2% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Wangaratta shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 19.5%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (27.3%). Educational participation is high, with 27.0% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 9.9% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Wangaratta has 122 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 18 routes that facilitate 918 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 225 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily, primarily using cars (91%), while 5% walk and 2% cycle. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, only 9.1% of residents work from home, which could be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 131 trips per day across all routes, translating to about 7 weekly trips per stop. A map accompanies this data, highlighting the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

Health performance in Wangaratta is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Wangaratta faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age groups.

Only approximately 49% of Wangaratta's total population (~9,428 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis (10.6%) and mental health issues (10.3%), while 59.1% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Wangaratta has 24.5% of its residents aged 65 and over (4,703 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Wangaratta is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Wangaratta, surveyed in June 2016, had a cultural diversity index below average, with 90.5% of its population being Australian citizens and 89.6% born in Australia. English was spoken exclusively at home by 93.6%. Christianity dominated religious affiliations, comprising 52.6%.

Judaism, while low at 0.1%, was proportionally similar to Regional Vic's 0.1%. Ancestry-wise, the top three groups were English (31.6%), Australian (29.1%), and Irish (10.5%). Notable differences existed in Italian representation, higher at 5.1% locally compared to Region Vic's 2.9%, Hungarian at 0.3% vs regional 0.2%, and Scottish slightly lower at 8.5%.

Wangaratta hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Wangaratta's median age is 44 years, similar to Regional Vic.'s 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Vic., Wangaratta has a higher percentage of 25-34 year-olds (12.6%) but fewer 55-64 year-olds (11.6%). Between the 2016 Census on August 9, 2016 and the 2021 Census on March 27, 2021, Wangaratta's 25 to 34 age group grew from 11.6% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort declined from 12.0% to 10.7%. By 2041, Wangaratta is projected to experience significant changes in its age structure. The 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 45%, adding 1,096 people and reaching a total of 3,516 from the current figure of 2,419. The 15 to 24 age group is projected to grow at a more modest rate of 1%, with an increase of only 32 residents.