Avoca

Avoca has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Avoca's population is approximately 4,164 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 632 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,532. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,634 in June 2024 and an additional 262 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2.4 persons per square kilometer. Avoca's growth rate of 17.9% since the 2021 census exceeds both the non-metro area (6.0%) and SA3 area, indicating it is a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 85.3% 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 by this data, AreaSearch employs the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for Australia's non-metropolitan areas. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by 478 persons based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a decrease of 1.3% in total over the 17 years.

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

Avoca has recorded approximately 14 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 71 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3 people per year have moved to the area for each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $677,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $6.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Rest of Vic., Avoca records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 47th percentile nationally, offering somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated count of 365 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Avoca should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Avoca has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Ten projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area, with key projects including Ararat to Maryborough Line Upgrades (Murray Basin Rail Project), Western Highway Ballarat to Stawell Upgrade, Carisbrook Levee Project, and Talbot Futures Sewerage System.

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

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

Avoca's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. The unemployment rate was 5.5% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 8.4%.

As of June 2025, 1,517 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.5%, which is 1.7% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Avoca lags at 46.6%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Leading employment industries among residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing. Agriculture, forestry & fishing shows strong specialization with an employment share 2.8 times the regional level, while education & training has limited presence at 5.9% compared to the regional 9.1%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 8.4%, and labour force increased by 7.1%, leading to a 1.2 percentage point decrease in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment decline by 0.9% and an unemployment rate rise of 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Avoca's employment mix suggests local employment growth should be around 5.1% over five years and 11.7% over ten years, though this is an illustrative extrapolation not accounting for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Avoca SA2 had a median income of $44,147 and an average income of $52,493 among taxpayers. These figures are lower than the national averages. Rest of Vic., for instance, had a median income of $48,741 and an average income of $60,693 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $49,515 (median) and $58,876 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Avoca fall between the 3rd and 4th percentiles nationally. The income distribution shows that 30.1% of residents earn between $400 and $799 weekly, compared to surrounding regions where 30.3% earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. Notably, 41.0% of Avoca's residents fall into the sub-$800 weekly bracket, indicating economic challenges for a significant portion of the community. Despite modest housing costs, with 90.5% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 7th percentile nationally.

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

In Avoca, as per the latest Census evaluation, 97.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 2.3% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Non-Metro Vic., where 93.8% of dwellings are houses and 6.2% are other types. Avoca's home ownership rate was 58.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.5% and rented ones at 11.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Avoca was $1,006, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,127. The median weekly rent figure for Avoca was $200, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $230. Nationally, Avoca's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Avoca features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 64.0% of all households, including 19.1% couples with children, 35.3% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 33.5% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Rest of Vic average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.4%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are held by 39.3% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 29.2%. Currently, 25.7% of residents are enrolled in formal education, including 9.4% in primary, 8.7% in secondary, and 2.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Avoca shows that there are currently 18 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 6 individual routes providing service to these locations. Collectively, these routes offer 22 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Avoca is rated as limited, with residents typically located approximately 1701 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are about 3 trips per day across all routes, which equates to roughly 1 weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Avoca faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. The rate of private health cover is low at approximately 47%, covering around 1,944 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 13.0% and 9.9% of residents respectively. Conversely, 58.2% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 56.8% across the rest of Victoria. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 29.5% (1,228 people), compared to 27.9% in the rest of Victoria. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors perform better than the general population.

The latest Census data sees Avoca placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Avoca's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.3% of its population being Australian citizens and 89.4% born in Australia. The majority, 97.6%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 48.5% of Avoca's population.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to 0.1% across the rest of Victoria. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (34.5%), Australian (31.8%), and Scottish (10.2%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Hungarian was slightly overrepresented at 0.4%, Irish was marginally higher at 9.6% compared to 9.2% regionally, and Maltese remained steady at 0.6%.

Avoca ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Avoca is 52 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 years and well above the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic. average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 16.8% in Avoca, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.5%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and the present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 8.3% to 10.0%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 8.7% to 10.0%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 19.4% to 16.8%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 14.5% to 12.7%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Avoca. The 25 to 34 cohort is projected to grow by 35%, adding 109 residents to reach a total of 420. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 age cohorts.