Waurn Ponds

Population growth drivers in Waurn Ponds are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Waurn Ponds statistical area (Lv2) has an estimated population of around 4,824. This shows a decrease of 132 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,956. AreaSearch's resident population estimate for Jun 2024 was 4,794. The area has a density ratio of 276 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Waurn Ponds (SA2) had a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, they use VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projected demographic shifts indicate exceptional growth over the period, with the area expected to increase by 2,801 persons to 2041, reflecting a 72.6% increase in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Waurn Ponds is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Waurn Ponds has seen minimal construction activity with fewer than one new dwelling approved annually over the past five years. This totals to minimal development across this period. The low development levels reflect Waurn Ponds' rural nature, where housing needs typically drive development rather than broad market demand.

Note that the small sample size can significantly influence annual growth and relativity statistics. Compared to Rest of Vic., Waurn Ponds has much lower development activity. Its development pattern is also well below national averages.

Waurn Ponds has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 17 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Waurn Ponds Sporting Complex, Levande Highton Retirement Village, Armstrong Mount Duneed Estate, and Grovedale Village. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Waurn Ponds has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Waurn Ponds has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 5.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 2,987 employed residents, with an unemployment rate at 1.4% above Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. The workforce participation rate in Waurn Ponds is high at 69.2%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Notably, accommodation & food employs 1.7 times more residents than the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.2% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.9, indicating substantial employment opportunities in Waurn Ponds. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.7%, and employment declined by 1.2% in Waurn Ponds, causing an unemployment rate rise of 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced a marginal employment decline of 0.7% and labour force decline of 0.6%. State-wide, VIC saw employment growth of 1.13% year-on-year (adding 41,950 jobs) by 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Waurn Ponds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, the median income among taxpayers in Waurn Ponds is $43,276. The average income for this period is $54,084. This is below the national average. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s median income is $50,954 with an average of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates for Waurn Ponds would be approximately $46,846 (median) and $58,546 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household incomes rank at the 82nd percentile ($2,286 weekly), while personal income ranks at the 18th percentile. Income analysis shows that 34.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (1,649 individuals). This aligns with the broader area where this cohort likewise represents 30.3%. Higher earners make up a substantial presence with 33.9% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. After housing costs, residents retain 88.2% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Waurn Ponds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Waurn Ponds' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.6% houses and 2.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Waurn Ponds stood at 34.9%, with the rest being mortgaged (44.0%) or rented (21.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,755, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,712. The median weekly rent figure was $430, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $335. Nationally, Waurn Ponds' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher at $430 versus the national figure of $375.

Waurn Ponds features high concentrations of family households and group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 81.2% of all households, including 46.1% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.8%, with lone person households at 14.5% and group households making up 4.6%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational achievement in Waurn Ponds places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 28.9% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Vic. average of 21.7%. This reflects the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 18.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%).

Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 31.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (20.3%). Educational participation is high, with 45.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 23.0% in tertiary education, 9.0% in primary education, and 8.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 16 active stops operating in Waurn Ponds, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 individual routes, together providing 3084 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 250 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 440 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 192 weekly trips per stop.

Waurn Ponds's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Waurn Ponds. Both young and old age cohorts have low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 2,329 people), compared to 53.3% across Rest of Vic., which is lower than the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 8.9 and 8.6% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 73.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.9% across Rest of Vic.. The area has 8.0% of residents aged 65 and over (385 people), which is lower than the 16.8% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Waurn Ponds records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Waurn Ponds' cultural diversity aligns with its broader region, with 86.6% citizens, 81.3% born in Australia, and 86.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 45.8%. Hinduism is overrepresented at 3.4%, compared to 1.7% regionally.

Top ancestry groups are English (28.0%), Australian (27.9%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notable differences include Dutch (2.5% vs regional 2.0%), Hungarian (0.5% vs 0.3%), and Sri Lankan (0.4% vs 0.2%) groups.

Waurn Ponds hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Waurn Ponds has a median age of 27, which is significantly younger than the Rest of Vic's figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Waurn Ponds has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (27.9%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.0%). This concentration of young adults is notably higher than the national figure of 12.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the population distribution has shifted since the previous census: the 25-34 age group increased from 12.1% to 15.1%, while the 35-44 cohort grew from 10.5% to 12.2%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 decreased from 29.4% to 27.9%, and those aged 55-64 dropped from 8.5% to 7.3%. Population forecasts for Waurn Ponds indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow significantly at a rate of 118%, adding 857 residents to reach a total of 1,586.