Yarram

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

Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region combined with new address validations by AreaSearch since the Census points to a Yarram population of approximately 2,108 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 28 individuals (1.3%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 2,136 residents. The change is calculated from a resident base of 2,102 estimated by AreaSearch following the ABS release of June 2025 ERP statistics, supplemented by 22 verified new addresses since the Census date. This population scale translates to a density of 19.0 individuals per square kilometer, indicating a low-density environment with substantial space per resident. Population expansion was mostly supported by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 74.0% of all population increases in recent times.

AreaSearch implements ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, projections from the VIC State Government released in 2023 are used, adjusted via weighted aggregation of growth patterns from LGA to SA2 levels. Age group growth dynamics from these aggregations are also projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic patterns, substantial expansion is projected within the top tier of regional Australian localities, with this specific location expected to add 532 individuals by 2041 under aggregated SA2-level modeling, representing a total rise of 24.9% over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch assessments of ABS building approvals allocated from local statistical boundaries, the suburb of Yarram averages approximately 4 residential approvals yearly, accumulating to an estimated 23 properties over the previous 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 3 approvals have been logged. With the local population declining recently, this pace of construction has been relatively sufficient, which benefits purchasers, while new homes carry a mean build cost of $426,000, indicating that developers are prioritizing upscale, premium builds. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $375,000 have been logged during the current financial year, underlining the dominant residential profile of the locality.

Compared against the Rest of Vic. baseline, construction activity in the suburb of Yarram is heavily suppressed, sitting 64.0% below the regional per capita average. This restricted pipeline generally underpins demand and supports values for established dwellings. Construction volumes are similarly below national benchmarks, pointing to a mature property market and potential development constraints. Additionally, recent residential building activity consists entirely of standalone houses, maintaining the low-density character of the area with detached options suited to buyers seeking space. The ratio of 528 individuals for every single housing approval highlights a quiet development sector with low construction volumes.

Demographic modeling projects that the suburb of Yarram will add 526 residents by 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, residential supply may fail to keep up with population gains, which is likely to increase competition among buyers and support upward price trends.

Yarram has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Local performance is heavily shaped by developments in regional infrastructure, major construction works, and planning updates. AreaSearch has identified a total of 2 key developments expected to influence the locality. Significant initiatives include the Yarram Pool Upgrade, Yarram Energy Park, Star of the South, and the Gippsland Offshore Wind Transmission Project, with the subsequent list detailing the most relevant projects.

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The employment landscape in Yarram shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

The suburb of Yarram features a balanced workforce distributed across professional and manual occupations with broad industry representation, an unemployment rate of 4.2%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.8% over the prior year according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. As of March 2026884 local citizens are employed, with the jobless rate sitting 0.5% higher than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, while labor participation is notably lower, recording 50.4% compared to 61.1% across Regional Vic. Census data shows that a small proportion of 10.7% of workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 restriction periods.

The primary employment sectors for local workers are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, along with retail trade. The locality shows a heavy concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 2.2 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, construction is underrepresented, employing only 7.6% of the local workforce compared to 10.4% in Regional Vic. The discrepancy between Census working populations and local resident jobholders suggests the area has a shortage of local jobs.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regions shows that in the year ending March 2026, employment grew by 3.8% and the labor force expanded by 3.1%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional Vic. recorded a 0.1% contraction in employment and a 0.3% drop in the labor force, with its unemployment rate falling by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional context on future demand in the suburb of Yarram. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce mix to estimate future trends. Nationally, jobs are expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary significantly by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry mix suggests employment in the suburb of Yarram should rise by 5.6% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation for illustration rather than a localized demographic forecast.

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

The suburb of Yarram displays a median taxpayer income of $38,768 and an average income of $53,504, based on the latest postcode ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. These figures sit below the national average and contrast with the Regional Vic. median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $42,497 for the median and $58,651 for the average as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Yarram all fell between the 1st and 5th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows the dominant bracket is $400 - 799 weekly, containing 35.3% of residents (744 individuals), whereas the leading regional bracket is $1,500 - 2,999 at 30.3%. The concentration of 45.4% of the population in weekly income brackets below $800 highlights economic difficulties for a large part of the community. Even though housing expenses are relatively low, leaving 87.4% of income retained, total disposable income sits in only the 3rd percentile nationwide.

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

Residential property types in the suburb of Yarram at the last Census consisted of 85.1% standalone houses and 14.9% alternative structures like townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional Vic. levels of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 52.7%, tracking well ahead of the Regional Vic. average, while remaining properties were either mortgaged (23.1%) or rented (24.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,083 was far below the Regional Vic. norm, and the median weekly rent was recorded at $225, compared to regional figures of $1,430 and $285 respectively. Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Yarram are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rental costs are substantially below the national benchmark of $375.

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

Family households represent the largest segment at 58.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 17.4%, couples without children at 30.0%, and single parents at 10.5%. Non-family households account for the remaining 41.3%, with single person households making up 39.0% and group housing accounting for 2.3% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.1 residents is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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

Educational statistics indicate localized challenges, with university completion rates at 12.8%, which is substantially below the VIC state benchmark of 33.4%. This highlights both an educational deficit and a target area for future learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 8.5%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.4% and postgraduate degrees at 1.9%. Vocational and technical skillsets are prominent, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 29.5%.

A significant 24.9% of local residents are enrolled in formal study programs. This student base includes 9.4% in primary schools, 8.3% in secondary schools, and 1.5% in higher education institutions.

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

Public transport networks feature 1 active transit stop within the suburb of Yarram. This stop is connected to 1 route, which provides a combined total of 40 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is limited, with residents living an average of 606 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 84%, while 11% walk and 2% cycle to work. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per household, tracking below the regional average. A small proportion of 10.7% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Transit service frequency averages 5 runs daily across all active routes, resulting in roughly 40 weekly departures from each individual stop.

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

Public health records show notable challenges in the suburb of Yarram, based on AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates, with common conditions observed across both younger and older cohorts, alongside a low rate of private health insurance at roughly 48% of the population (~1,013 individuals). This level of coverage is below the Regional Vic. average of 50.5% and the national standard of 55.7%.

The leading medical diagnoses locally are arthritis and mental health disorders, affecting 12.7% and 9.1% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 56.0% of the population reported having no chronic medical issues, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age bracket experiences high rates of chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and over make up 35.0% of the community (737 individuals), compared to 23.9% in Regional Vic. Senior health outcomes present notable difficulties, with national health rankings for older residents tracking even higher than the general local population.

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

The suburb of Yarram has below-average cultural diversity, with citizens making up 88.5% of the population, 88.4% born in Australia, and 96.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 47.6% of residents. The most visible statistical overrepresentation is in the Other category, which accounts for 0.7% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional Vic.

Ancestry details show that the top three self-reported backgrounds in the suburb of Yarram are English (33.4%), Australian (33.0%), and Irish (8.8%). There are also notable deviations in other backgrounds: Dutch ancestry is overrepresented at 2.0% (compared to 1.7% regionally), Hungarian stands at 0.3% (compared to 0.2%), and Scottish is recorded at 8.4% (compared to 8.8%).

Yarram ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

With a median age of 53, the suburb of Yarram is older than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and significantly older than the national median of 38. Compared to Regional Vic., the area features a higher share of residents aged 65 to 74 (17.1%) but fewer children aged 5 to 14 (9.4%). The proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 is well above the national level of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group increased from 8.9% to 10.4% of the population, while the 55 to 64 group decreased from 15.0% to 13.2% and the 45 to 54 group fell from 10.9% to 9.2%. Projections for 2041 indicate shifts in the age profile, led by a 49% expansion in the 25 to 34 age bracket (adding 92 individuals) to reach 280 from 187, while the 55 to 64 cohort will grow by a modest 7% (adding 18 individuals).