Yarram

An assessment of population growth drivers in Yarram reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, Yarram's population is estimated at around 2,171, reflecting an increase of 35 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,136. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,120 based on ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and additional 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 19.6 persons per square kilometer. Interstate migration contributed approximately 74% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts 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 uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 adjusted employing weighted aggregation method to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends forecast a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's regional areas, with Yarram expected to increase by 577 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 26.2% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Yarram, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Yarram has averaged around 4 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 23 homes. So far in FY-26, 1 approval has been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 2.4 people have moved to the area per new home constructed, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $426,000, which is consistent with regional patterns. This year has also seen $698,000 in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of Vic., Yarram shows substantially reduced construction activity, being 64.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. This activity is also lower than nationally, which reflects market maturity and possible development constraints.

All new construction has been comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 862 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Yarram will gain 568 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Yarram has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified two projects likely impacting the area: Yarram Pool Upgrade and Yarram Energy Park. Other notable projects include Gippsland Dawn Offshore Wind Project and Star of the South. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Yarram recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Yarram has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, diverse sector representation, and an unemployment rate of 4.5% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of June 2025865 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.7% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Yarram lags at 44.9%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries for employment among residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong with an employment share 2.2 times the regional level. Conversely, construction is under-represented at 7.6% of Yarram's workforce compared to Rest of Vic.'s 10.4%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.7% and employment by 1.0%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw an employment decline of 0.9% and labour force decline of 0.4%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Yarram's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

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

Yarram's median taxpayer income in financial year 2022 was $38,768, with an average of $53,504. This is lower than the national averages for both median and average incomes. Rest of Vic., on the other hand, had a median income of $48,741 and an average income of $60,693 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated median and average incomes for Yarram would be approximately $43,482 and $60,010 respectively. Census figures from 2021 indicate that household, family, and personal incomes in Yarram fall between the 1st and 5th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the majority of residents (766 people) earn within the $400 - $799 weekly bracket, accounting for 35.3% of the population. This is lower than regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. The concentration of 45.4% in sub-$800 weekly brackets highlights economic challenges faced by a significant portion of the community. Despite modest housing costs allowing for retention of 87.4% of income, total disposable income ranks at just the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

In Yarram, as per the latest Census, 85.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 14.9% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic had 91.9% houses and 8.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yarram stood at 52.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.1% and rented ones at 24.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro Vic's average of $1,300. Median weekly rent in Yarram was $225, compared to Non-Metro Vic's $260. Nationally, Yarram's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 vs Australia's $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 58.7% of all households, including 17.4% that are couples with children, 30.0% that are couples without children, and 10.5% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.3%, with lone person households at 39.0% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

Yarram faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 12.8%, substantially below the VIC average of 33.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 8.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.9%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (29.5%).

A substantial 24.9% of the population actively pursues formal education, including 9.4% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education. Yarram's 3 schools have combined enrollment reaching 485 students while the area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 963) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with 2 primary and 1 secondary schools serving distinct age groups. The area functions as an education hub with 22.3 school places per 100 residents – significantly above the regional average of 14.5 – attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis shows one active public transport stop operating in Yarram. This stop offers mixed bus services, served by three distinct routes that together facilitate 68 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as limited, with residents generally situated 606 meters away from the nearest transport stop.

On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to nine trips per day, resulting in approximately sixty-eight weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Yarram faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 48%, covering around 1,043 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.7% of residents) and mental health issues (9.1%). A total of 56.0% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.7% in the rest of Victoria. Yarram has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 33.0% or approximately 716 people, compared to the 23.5% in the rest of Victoria. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are better than those of the general population.

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

Yarram's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.5% of its population being citizens born in Australia speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 47.6%. The most notable overrepresentation was in Other, at 0.7%, compared to 0.6% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups were English (33.4%), Australian (33.0%), and Irish (8.8%). Dutch (2.0%) and Hungarian (0.3%) were overrepresented in Yarram compared to regional figures of 2.1% and 0.1%, respectively, while Scottish representation was slightly lower at 8.4%.

Yarram ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Yarram's median age is 53, significantly higher than Victoria's figure of 43 and the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of Vic., Yarram has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (16.8%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.1%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is notably above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 35 to 44 has increased from 8.9% to 9.9%, while the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 15.0% to 13.4% and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 10.9% to 9.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Yarram's age structure. Notably, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 55%, reaching 313 people from 201, while the 55 to 64 cohort will increase modestly by 7% (20 people).