Beaufort
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Beaufort are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Beaufort's population was 4,644 as of August 2021. By August 2025, it is estimated to be around 5,198, an increase of 554 people (11.9%) since the 2021 Census. This growth is inferred from ABS estimates showing a population of 4,840 in June 2024 and an additional 221 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density as of 2025 is approximately 2.8 persons per square kilometer. Beaufort's growth rate of 11.9% since the 2021 census exceeded that of non-metro areas (5.5%) and SA3 areas, making it a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed around 84.5% 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, they utilise VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Nationally, non-metropolitan areas are projected to have above median population growth, with Beaufort expected to grow by 661 persons to 2041, a total gain of 5.7% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Beaufort when compared nationally

Beaufort has received approximately 28 dwelling approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides development approval data on a financial year basis, with a total of 141 approvals recorded between FY-21 and FY-25, and one so far in FY-26. On average, 2.1 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), indicating strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $446,000.

This year, $5.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Beaufort has shown moderately higher building activity, with 17.0% more dwelling approvals per person over the five-year period (FY-21 to FY-25). This has preserved reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand, although development activity has decreased recently.

All new construction in Beaufort has been standalone homes, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of 238 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, Beaufort is projected to grow by 298 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Beaufort has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include the Beaufort Lake Caravan Park Upgrade, Beaufort Linear Park Master Plan, Beaufort Bypass, and Correa Park Residential Development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Beaufort has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Beaufort's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse industry representation. Its unemployment rate was 4.2% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 7.0%. There are 2,096 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, which is 0.4% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Beaufort lags behind Rest of Vic., at 49.1% compared to 57.4%. Leading employment industries are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong, with an employment share of 2.4 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance has a limited presence, at 13.5% compared to the regional 16.8%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as suggested by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 7.0%, while labour force grew by 6.8%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment contract by 0.9% and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's May 2025 forecasts project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Beaufort's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Beaufort's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $45,764. The average income stood at $55,798 during the same period. These figures compare to Rest of Vic.'s median and average incomes of $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. Based on a 10.11% growth in wages since financial year 2022, current estimates for Beaufort's median income would be approximately $50,391 as of March 2025, with the average estimated at $61,439 during this period. According to data from the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Beaufort all fall between the 13th and 15th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 27.8% of Beaufort's community earns within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which mirrors regional levels where 30.3% occupy this income band. Despite modest housing costs, allowing for 89.3% of income to be retained, total disposable income in Beaufort ranks at just the 19th percentile nationally.

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

Beaufort's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.5% houses and 4.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s dwelling structures comprised 93.8% houses and 6.2% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Beaufort was 51.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.5% and rented dwellings at 13.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,216, while the median weekly rent figure was $218. Nationally, Beaufort's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 per week.

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

Family households constitute 66.3% of all households, including 22.8% couples with children, 33.4% couples without children, and 9.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.7%, with lone person households at 31.4% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average in Rest of Vic.

Beaufort shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 15.5%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.0%) and certificates (28.4%). Current educational participation is high at 32.4%, comprising 12.4% in primary, 9.6% in secondary, and 3.1% in tertiary education.

Beaufort's four schools have a combined enrollment of 372 students, serving balanced educational opportunities with an ICSEA score of 995. The area has three primary and one secondary school, providing places for 7.2 residents per 100, which is below the regional average of 10.7. Some students may attend schools in adjacent areas. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Beaufort has eight active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 15 different routes, collectively facilitating 164 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents generally located 1022 meters away from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 23 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Beaufort faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 48% (~2,474 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Arthritis (11.0%) and mental health issues (10.2%) are the most common medical conditions in Beaufort. Around 59.2% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 56.8% in Rest of Vic.. Approximately 25.5% (1,326 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the 27.9% in Rest of Vic..

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

Beaufort had a low level of cultural diversity, with 82.3% of its population being citizens and 89.3% born in Australia. English was the primary language spoken at home by 97.5% of residents. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 48.0% of people in Beaufort.

Judaism had a slightly higher representation in Beaufort compared to the rest of Victoria, with 0.1% of the population practicing it. In terms of ancestry, English and Australian were the most common, comprising 33.2% and 32.4% respectively. Irish ancestry was also significant at 10.2%. Notably, Scottish ancestry was slightly overrepresented in Beaufort at 9.8%, compared to 9.3% regionally. Dutch ancestry was also somewhat higher than average at 2.0%, versus 1.6% regionally, and Maltese ancestry was present at 0.5%, compared to 0.6%.

Beaufort hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Beaufort's median age of 48 years is significantly older than Rest of Vic.'s 43 and Australia's 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 15.3% of the population, while those aged 5-14 are comparatively smaller at 10.1%. This concentration of those aged 65-74 is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the age group of 25 to 34 has grown from 8.7% to 11.0%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 9.1% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 16.0% to 13.7%. Demographic modeling suggests that Beaufort's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, increasing by 270 people (47%) from 573 to 844. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 45 to 54 cohorts.