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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Ararat has an estimated 8,418 residents, down from 8,500 at the 2021 Census — a change of 82 people, or 1.0%. 229 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Density is about 52 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research from AreaSearch, the resident count of Ararat stands at approximately 8,418 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 2021 Census tally of 8,500 people, this represents a reduction of 82 people (1.0%). This metric is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 8,399 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 229 validated new addresses added post-Census. With a resultant density of 52 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous space per inhabitant. Although the district recorded a 1.0% contraction since the 2021 census, this surpassed the broader SA3 area (-1.6%).
Inbound overseas migration served as the primary and virtually exclusive catalyst for local demographic increases across recent intervals. Projections compiled by ABS/Geoscience Australia released in 2024 (anchored to 2022) serve as AreaSearch's primary modeling baseline across SA2 areas, with non-covered localities drawing on the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA dataset via weighted LGA-to-SA2 aggregation algorithms. These frameworks extend age-cohort trajectory projections through the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic expansion is expected to track slightly beneath the median benchmark for non-metropolitan Australia, expanding by 588 persons to 2041 according to current annual ERP figures, representing an overall expansion of 6.8% across the 16-year timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
216 new dwellings have been approved in Ararat over the past five years, an average of 43 a year. That is 5.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 43 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 86% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential approvals in Ararat have averaged approximately 43 dwellings annually, culminating in 216 permitted homes across the last 5 financial years (spanning FY-22 to FY-26). Set against recent demographic contractions, this pace of building activity provides healthy supply for purchasers, with newly approved properties carrying an expected construction cost of $363,000, aligning with broader regional levels. Concurrently, non-residential building permits achieved $10.1 million this financial year, reflecting a moderate level of commercial development. Per capita building approvals in Ararat outpace Rest of Vic. by 57.0%, expanding options for property purchasers despite a recent cooling in construction momentum.
Detached houses account for 86.0% of freshly approved projects while townhouses or apartments constitute 14.0%, preserving spacious neighborhood character and appealing to buyers seeking roomier allotments. A metric of approximately 301 people per approval underscores the low-density profile of the district. Based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update, projections indicate an increase of 569 residents across Ararat by 2041. Prevailing building activity appears well-positioned to satisfy incoming accommodation requirements, fostering buyer-friendly conditions and potentially accommodating population growth ahead of baseline expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Ararat
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 79 current infrastructure and development projects close to Ararat, worth an estimated $6.68 billion. 15 are already under construction and 31 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local economic and social outcomes are heavily shaped by planning frameworks and capital works. At present, no active major projects have been recorded by AreaSearch as likely to influence the immediate district. Prominent regional initiatives include the Western Highway Upgrade - Ararat to Stawell, Western Highway Ballarat to Stawell Upgrade, Ararat to Maryborough Line Upgrades (Murray Basin Rail Project), and Melbourne To Adelaide Freight Rail Improvements.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Great Western Future Plan 2014-2024
A 10-year plan developed in partnership with the Northern Grampians Shire Council and the community to guide the future development and growth of Great Western. The plan considers the impact of the Western Highway bypass and aims to enhance the town's village feel, heritage, and tourism potential, particularly around its wineries.
Western Highway Upgrade - Ararat to Stawell
Planning continues for duplication of the Western Highway between Ararat and Stawell. The project includes two lanes in each direction separated by a central median, upgraded intersections, safer local road connections, a bypass north of Great Western, new bridges and overpasses, and improved freight and road safety outcomes. Early environmental investigations and tree surveys are underway while planning and approvals continue.
Western Highway Upgrade
Multi-billion dollar duplication of the Western Highway between Ballarat and Stawell, the busiest national undivided highway in Australia and the key freight link between Melbourne and Adelaide. The Ballarat to Buangor section (55km) is complete. The Buangor to Ararat section (12km, Section 2B) is in preconstruction, with design, Cultural Heritage Management Plan, planning scheme amendment and key environmental approvals now finalised; construction is expected to start before the end of 2026, funded by an additional $446 million joint state and federal commitment announced in the 2026/27 budgets, taking the cost of this section to $1.17 billion.Works include an extra lane in each direction, a centre median, safety barriers, a new interchange at Hillside Road, and new bridges over the railway line and Hopkins River. The Ararat to Stawell section remains in planning. The corridor has recorded 158 crashes and 22 fatalities in the decade to March 2026, underscoring the safety case for the upgrade.
Correa Park Residential Development
Developed by the Pyrenees Shire Council, Correa Park aimed to create affordable residential housing lots to meet the needs of a growing population. The development proceeded in stages over seven years and was completed in 2021. Approximately 100 blocks of land were sold.
Beaufort Commuter Car Park Upgrade
A new car park at Beaufort Station, delivered through the Victorian Government's Car Parks for Commuters program. The project includes at least 40 new car parking spaces, two new accessible spaces, and 15 new bicycle hoops. It also features new lighting and CCTV for enhanced security and landscaping.
Beaufort Bypass
The Beaufort Bypass project, part of the Western Highway Upgrade, comprises 11 kilometres of dual carriageway bypassing Beaufort and connecting to duplicated sections of the Western Highway. It includes half-diamond interchanges, a full diamond interchange at Beaufort-Lexton Road, one road-over-rail bridge, overpass structures, culverts, small bridges, and watercourse realignments. The Environment Effects Statement (EES) process was concluded in November 2023.
Beaufort Lake Caravan Park Upgrade
Phase one of the Beaufort Lake Caravan Park upgrade has been completed, delivering seven new visitor cabins including an all-abilities access cabin (two bedrooms, toilet, kitchen and ramp access). The works form part of a broader $3.8 million masterplan and included associated civil upgrades to power, wastewater, plumbing, roads and drainage. The new cabins double the total cabins in the park to 14 and are intended to support both tourism and short-term worker accommodation.
Beaufort Linear Park Master Plan
The Beaufort Linear Park project aims to create a recreational corridor along the course of the Garibaldi Creek, extending from Beaufort Lake to Yam Holes Creek north of the railway line. The master plan, completed in May 2024, focuses on enhancing water quality and biodiversity, promoting community health and wellbeing, and improving the experience for visitors to Beaufort.
3,510 residents of Ararat are employed, from a labour force of 3,605. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 50.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour profile presents a balanced mix of professional and manual occupations alongside strong representation across vital public services, paired with an unemployment level of 2.6%. As of March 2026, 3,510 residents are gainfully employed. The local jobless rate sits 1.0% below the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., though the regional workforce participation benchmark (61.1%) noticeably outstrips the local figure of 50.3%. Census returns indicated that 7.3% of workers operated from home, though historical Covid-19 restrictions provide context to this figure. Local workforce participation is heavily clustered across health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and public administration & safety.
Manufacturing in particular exhibits strong local specialization, capturing a workforce share 1.9 times the broader regional benchmark. In contrast, construction engagement remains subdued at 6.2% compared to 10.4% regionally. Comparing Census workplace counts against resident numbers indicates that a significant share of working residents commute outside the immediate locality for employment. AreaSearch assessment of ABS and SALM metrics indicates that in the twelve months to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 3.6% while overall employment dipped by 1.2%, driving a 2.4 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Over the equivalent period across Regional Vic., employment declined by 0.1%, labour force numbers decreased by 0.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. Forward-looking employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 outline national employment growth expectations of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, exhibiting wide variance by industry. Mapped against the district's industrial makeup, this model suggests local employment could expand by 5.7% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (functioning as an indicative weighted extrapolation that excludes localized demographic adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Ararat is $1,216 a week (about $63,000 a year), with median personal income at $681 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,021 a year against an average of $57,320. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxpayer statistics for financial year 2023 aggregated by AreaSearch reveal the Ararat SA2 recorded a median individual income of $49,021 and a mean of $57,320, trailing corresponding Regional Vic. benchmarks of $50,954 and $62,728 as well as nationwide averages. Factoring in subsequent Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% from financial year 2023, updated figures reach roughly $53,737 (median) and $62,834 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, local personal, family, and household earnings situated between the 14th and 24th percentiles across Australia. A bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 29.6% of residents (2,491 individuals), closely tracking the 30.3% regional benchmark.
While manageable shelter outlays leave 88.2% of income retained, net disposable earnings place at the 19th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Ararat had 3,225 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 0% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 20.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records show that standalone houses constitute 89.8% of the housing landscape in Ararat against 10.2% comprising other formats including semi-detached dwellings and apartments, mirroring the Regional Vic. split of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Unencumbered property ownership stands at 42.2%, tracking the regional proportion, while mortgaged residences represent 30.6% and tenanted properties make up 27.1%. Median monthly home loan repayments settled at $1,083 compared to $1,430 across Regional Vic. and an Australian benchmark of $1,863. Typical weekly rent registered at $250, markedly below the Regional Vic. standard of $285 and the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Ararat counted 3,225 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 86% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families form 62.7% of all domestic arrangements, comprising couples without children (29.1%), couples with children (20.2%), and one-parent homes (12.2%). The balance of 37.3% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone-person dwellings at 34.1% alongside group households at 3.1%. Average occupancy sits at 2.2 people per household, smaller than the Regional Vic. standard of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.3% of adults in Ararat hold a university qualification, including 9.6% with a bachelor degree and 2.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 25.3% hold a vocational qualification. 7 schools serve the area, with 1,393 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 974 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment poses a development challenge locally, with higher education qualification rates standing at 14.3% against the broader VIC level of 33.4%, highlighting a clear scope for skill-building programs. Holders of bachelor degrees account for 9.6%, postgraduate award holders represent 2.5%, and graduate diplomas comprise 2.2%. Vocational and technical pathways exhibit substantial strength, with 35.2% of persons aged 15+ holding trade credentials, distributed between advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (25.3%). Formal study engagement is substantial throughout the community, with 30.5% of the population enrolled in an educational course. Broken down by tier, primary students represent 11.3%, secondary attendees account for 9.3%, and tertiary scholars make up 2.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Ararat reaches 64 stops on 12 routes, timetabled for about 310 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure in Ararat comprises 64 active stops integrating train links, coordinated over 12 separate lines that deliver 306 weekly scheduled services. Stop connectivity is convenient, with residents situated an average of 205 meters from their closest boarding point. Commuting is largely externally oriented, dominated by private vehicle travel at 90% alongside walking at 7%. Households maintain an average of 1.3 vehicles, below regional standards. Remote work participation recorded at 7.3% in the 2021 Census, potentially reflecting prevailing pandemic circumstances. Route timetables deliver an average volume of 43 trips per day network-wide, translating to around 4 weekly departures per individual stop location.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.6% of residents in Ararat report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 88% of areas nationally. 8.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality patterns and chronic ailment incidence point to significant health considerations in Ararat, with widespread health conditions apparent among both younger and older demographics. Private medical insurance adoption is low, covering approximately 48% of the population (~4,006 people), below the Regional Vic. level of 50.5% and the national standard of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, reported by 11.1 and 10.9% of the population respectively, whereas 58.6% of residents reported having no medical conditions compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.. Chronic ailments place notable pressure on the working-age cohort, while seniors aged 65 and over total 2,079 people (24.7% of residents) and register elevated health difficulty rates relative to national standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Ararat is largely Australian-born, at 87.1% of residents, with 7.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.1%) and English (31.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Indicators show below-average cultural diversity within Ararat, where 87.1% of residents were born in Australia, 81.1% hold citizenship, and 92.8% speak only English in the home. Christianity represents the leading religious denomination, accounting for 44.3% of the community. The most notable statistical variation appears in the Other classification, which encompasses 0.8% locally and 0.8% across Regional Vic.. Regarding ancestral origins based on parental birthplaces, Australian leads at 32.1%, English follows at 31.5%, and Scottish comprises 9.6%. Distinct representation also emerges across other backgrounds: German heritage accounts for 4.6% locally (compared to 3.5% across the region), Maori represents 0.6% (against 0.2%), and Samoan makes up 0.4% (versus 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Ararat is 45, older than 78% of areas nationally. 23.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Demographically, Ararat shows a lean towards early-career age brackets, with adults aged 25 - 44 constituting 26.1% of the community as of August 2026 estimates compared to 23.1% in Regional Vic., while the cohort aged 0 - 24 makes up 24.8% against 28.5% regionally. The estimated median age of 45 in August 2026 aligns with the 2021 Census mark, sitting 2 years above the Regional Vic. Census benchmark of 43 and higher than the national Census figure of 38. The mature cohort aged 45 - 64 reduced from 26.2% at the Census to an estimated 24.4%.
Projections to 2041 indicate young to middle-aged adults will experience the strongest expansion, rising by 543 (25%) to reach 2,743, while mature adult and early retiree brackets are forecast to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Ararat
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 229 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (8,500 at the 2021 Census → 8,418 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (215011386). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.