Ballarat East - Warrenheip

Population growth drivers in Ballarat East - Warrenheip are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Ballarat East - Warrenheip's population was around 9,691 as of June 2021. By Nov 2025, this had increased to approximately 9,921, a rise of 230 people (2.4%). This growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,735 in June 2024 and an additional 251 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was around 516 persons per square kilometer as of Nov 2025. Overseas migration primarily drove this population growth.

AreaSearch adopted 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 used VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting with weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by 2,833 persons, reflecting a total increase of 26.5% over the 17 years.

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

Ballarat East - Warrenheip has seen approximately 54 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 270 homes. In FY-26 so far, 88 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.3 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were added between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value of these dwellings was $320,000.

This financial year has seen $9.6 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Ballarat East - Warrenheip has had 54.0% less development activity per person. The area's new constructions typically consist of 84.0% detached dwellings and 16.0% attached dwellings, maintaining its low density character with approximately 229 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 2,629 residents, based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate.

At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep up with population growth.

Ballarat East - Warrenheip has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 39 projects likely to impact the region. Notable ones include The Meadows on Eureka Estate, Eastwood Community Hub, Equinox Ballarat Lifestyle Village Expansion, and Apple Tree Hill Estate. Below is a list of 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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Ballarat East - Warrenheip recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Ballarat East - Warrenheip has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.3% in September 2024, falling to 1.9% by September 2025.

Employment grew by an estimated 1.9% over the year ending September 2025. As of that date, 4,591 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.3%, 1.5% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was broadly similar to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%.

Leading employment industries among residents comprised health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 1.3% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. Employment levels increased by 1.9% and labour force increased by 1.4% during the year to September 2025, resulting in a fall in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-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 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ballarat East - Warrenheip's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by a similar rate, assuming constant population growth.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on 29 June 2022 for financial year 2022, Ballarat East - Warrenheip SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $51,678 with an average level of $66,358. This was above the national average and compared to levels of $48,741 and $60,693 across Rest of Vic. respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $57,962 (median) and $74,427 (average). Census data from 2021 shows household, family and personal incomes in Ballarat East - Warrenheip all fall between the 13th and 22nd percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 29.2% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly (2,896 residents), differing from the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 30.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 83.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 14th percentile.

Ballarat East - Warrenheip is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Ballarat East - Warrenheip's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.1% houses and 12.8% other dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 85.6% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ballarat East - Warrenheip was 32.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.7% and rented ones at 38.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,499. Median weekly rent in the area was $288, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $300. Nationally, Ballarat East - Warrenheip's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Ballarat East - Warrenheip features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 58.2% of all households, including 19.5% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.8%, with lone person households at 36.8% and group households comprising 5.0%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Ballarat East - Warrenheip aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Ballarat East, as of the latest available data, show that 25.6% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to Victoria's state average of 33.4%. The most common university qualification is a bachelor degree, held by 16.4% of residents in this age group, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.4%, and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 35.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications. Advanced diplomas account for 10.7% of this group, while certificates make up 24.8%.

Educational participation is high in Ballarat East, with 26.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.6% in primary education, 6.0% in secondary education, and 5.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ballarat East-Warrenheip has 59 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 17 different routes that together facilitate 3,002 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 255 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 428 trips per day across all routes, which translates to about 50 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Ballarat East - Warrenheip faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents.

The private health cover rate stands at approximately 52%, slightly higher than the average SA2 area (~5,198 people). Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions, impacting 12.8% and 10.2% of residents respectively. However, 57.1% report being free from medical ailments, compared to 62.3% in Rest of Vic.. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.6% (2,145 people), compared to the state average of 17.8%. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging but generally align with the overall population's health profile.

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

Ballarat East-Warrenheip showed lower cultural diversity, with 90.3% citizens, 89.1% born in Australia, and 94.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated at 44.0%. The 'Other' religion category was slightly overrepresented at 1.1%, compared to 1.0% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were English (31.0%), Australian (28.2%), and Irish (12.3%). Dutch, Scottish, and German ancestries were also notably present at 2.1%, 9.0%, and 3.4% respectively, with slight overrepresentations compared to regional averages of 2.1%, 9.2%, and 3.2%.

Ballarat East - Warrenheip's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Ballarat East - Warrenheip was 40 years as of the census conducted on 28 August 2021. This figure is slightly below the average median age of Rest of Vic., which stands at 43, but it is modestly higher than the Australian median age of 38. The age cohort of 25-34 years was notably over-represented in Ballarat East - Warrenheip, making up 16.9% of the local population compared to the Rest of Vic. average. Conversely, individuals aged 5-14 years were under-represented, comprising only 10.1% of the population. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the proportion of people in the 25-34 age group increased from 14.7% to 16.9%, while those aged 35-44 years rose from 12.2% to 13.3%. However, the percentage of individuals aged 15-24 years decreased from 10.8% to 9.9%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 suggest significant demographic shifts in Ballarat East - Warrenheip. The number of people in the 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase substantially, growing by 930 individuals (55%) from 1,680 to 2,611. Meanwhile, the population in the 55-64 age group is expected to decrease by 89 people.