Woodend (Vic.)

Woodend lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, Woodend's population is estimated at around 6,858 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 126 people (1.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,732 people. The change was inferred from the resident population of 6,818 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 98 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Woodend demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%, outpacing the SA4 region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 54.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, significant population increases are forecasted in the top quartile of locations outside capital cities, with Woodend expected to expand by 2,466 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 35.1% in total over these 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Woodend recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Woodend has seen approximately 27 dwelling approvals per year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval data. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 135 homes were approved, with a further 8 approved in FY-26 so far. Each new home constructed attracted an average of 2.8 people per year over these five years.

The average construction cost value for new homes was $793,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. In FY-26, there have been $9.9 million in commercial approvals, suggesting moderate levels of commercial development. Comparatively, Woodend has about two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person when measured against Rest of Vic., and it ranks among the 43rd percentile nationally for areas assessed.

This results in relatively constrained buyer choice, which supports interest in existing dwellings. Recent construction comprises 86.0% standalone homes and 14.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 389 people. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Woodend is projected to grow by 2,406 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a single project likely to impact the area: Hanging Rock to Daylesford Shared Trail, Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor, Victorian Renewable Energy Zones, and Regional Housing Fund Projects are key initiatives, with the following list detailing 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.

Woodend ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Woodend's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 1.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2%.

As of September 2025, 3,330 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.0%, below Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Workforce participation was 60.6%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The area had a particular specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 2.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 1.4% of Woodend's workforce compared to Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census data comparison. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, labour force by 2.6%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Vic., where employment fell by 0.7% and unemployment rose marginally. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 showed VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 projected national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Woodend's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Woodend suburb's income level is among Australia's highest, per latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Woodend's median taxpayer income is $57,103, average is $83,788, compared to Rest of Vic.'s $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates are approximately $61,814 (median) and $90,701 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, Woodend incomes cluster around the 66th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 27.1% of residents earn between $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,858 people), mirroring metropolitan regions at 30.3%. Notably, 34.6% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting prosperity pockets driving local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 87.7% of income, indicating strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Woodend's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 90.8% houses and 9.1% other dwellings. Compared to Non-Metro Vic., which had 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woodend was 41.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.2% and rented ones at 15.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,600. Median weekly rent in Woodend was $400, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $320. Nationally, Woodend's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Woodend has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.8% of all households, including 34.9% couples with children, 30.0% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.2%, with lone person households at 21.4% and group households making up 1.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

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

In Woodend, 39.3% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, surpassing the broader benchmarks of 21.7% in Rest of Vic. and 25.4% in the SA4 region. This high educational attainment is driven by bachelor degrees (23.5%), postgraduate qualifications (10.2%), and graduate diplomas (5.6%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 29.0% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (17.7%). Educational participation is notably high in Woodend, with 30.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (11.2%), secondary education (9.3%), and tertiary education (4.1%).

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

Woodend has three operational public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by seven distinct routes that facilitate 312 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents' access to these transports is rated as limited, with an average distance of 1344 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes averages 44 trips per day, which equates to approximately 104 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Woodend are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Woodend's health indicators show below-average results with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age groups. As of 31 December 2020, approximately 60% (4,105 people) have private health cover, compared to the Rest of Vic.'s 53.1%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 9.1 and 8.4% of residents respectively, while 66.6% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Rest of Vic. The area has 23.3% (1,597 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the Rest of Vic.'s 24.9%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Woodend's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 83.2% of its population born in Australia and 91.2% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 94.9% of Woodend residents. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 40.8% of the population.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented compared to the rest of Victoria, with 0.2% of Woodend's population identifying as such. The top three ancestry groups were English (30.4%), Australian (26.7%), and Irish (12.3%). Scottish ancestry was notably overrepresented at 10.3%, Welsh at 0.8%, and Maltese at 1.0%.

Woodend hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Woodend's median age in 2021 was 45 years, which is modestly higher than Rest of Vic.'s 43 and considerably older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic. average, Woodend has a notably over-represented 45 - 54 cohort (16.0% locally) and an under-represented 25 - 34 age group (5.4%). Between 2021 and the present, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 6.8% to 8.4%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 9.7% to 11.1%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group declined from 6.9% to 5.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that Woodend's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to expand notably, with an increase of 472 people (43%) from 1,097 to 1,570.