Bendigo Surrounds - North

Bendigo Surrounds - North lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Bendigo Surrounds - North's population was approximately 5,505 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 571 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,934. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 5,505 in June 2025 and 446 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3.8 persons per square kilometer. Bendigo Surrounds - North's population grew by 11.6% between the 2021 Census and May 2026, surpassing the SA4 region (4.0%) and SA3 area growth rates. Interstate migration contributed approximately 85.5% 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 by this data, AreaSearch employs 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. Future population trends predict a significant increase in the top quartile of national regional areas, with Bendigo Surrounds - North expected to expand by 2,113 persons to reach approximately 7,618 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 38.4% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Bendigo Surrounds - North among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Bendigo Surrounds - North recorded approximately 65 residential property approvals annually. Between FY21 and FY25327 homes were approved, with an additional 35 approved in FY26. Each dwelling built over the past five financial years attracted an average of 2.1 new residents per year.

The average construction cost value for new homes was $308,000. This year, $14.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to Rest of Vic., Bendigo Surrounds - North has 80% more building activity per person, indicating strong developer confidence. New developments consist of 98% standalone homes and 2% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density nature. With around 94 people per approval, it reflects a developing area.

By 2041, Bendigo Surrounds - North is projected to grow by 2,113 residents. Building activity is aligning with growth projections, but increased competition among buyers is expected as the population grows.

Bendigo Surrounds - North has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 88 projects likely to impact the area. Major ones include Goornong Railway Station, Huntly Growth Area, Huntly Structure Plan, and Huntly Railway Station, as detailed below.

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

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Employment performance in Bendigo Surrounds - North has been broadly consistent with national averages

Bendigo Surrounds - North has a balanced workforce with equal representation of white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.3% in the past year.

As of December 2025, 2683 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%, 0.4% lower than Regional Vic.'s rate. Workforce participation is similar to Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. According to Census responses, 17.7% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and construction.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a notable concentration with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. Accommodation & food services have limited presence with 4.5% employment compared to 6.9% regionally. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending May-25, employment increased by 2.3%, labour force by 2.1%, resulting in a unemployment fall of 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Vic., where employment contracted by 0.6%, labour force fell by 0.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bendigo Surrounds - North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.7% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows median income in Bendigo Surrounds - North SA2 is $51,601, average is $60,690. Regional Vic.'s figures are median $50,954 and average $62,728. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be around $56,565 (median) and $66,528 (average), based on a 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data from 2021 places Bendigo Surrounds - North's incomes modestly between the 24th to 32nd percentiles. Income brackets indicate 35.0% of residents (1,926 individuals) earn $1,500-$2,999 annually, similar to surrounding regions at 30.3%. Housing costs allow for retention of 89.1%, but disposable income is below average at the 39th percentile.

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

In Bendigo Surrounds - North, as per the latest Census, 98.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 1.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bendigo Surrounds - North stood at 44.9%, with mortgaged dwellings making up 44.6% and rented dwellings accounting for 10.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in the area was $230, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Bendigo Surrounds - North's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bendigo Surrounds - North has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.7% of all households, including 32.7% couples with children, 33.2% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.3%, with lone person households at 22.2% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Bendigo Surrounds - North fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.3%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (33.4%). Educational participation is high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 11.8% in primary, 8.8% in secondary, and 2.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.8% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 15 active stops operating within Bendigo Surrounds - North. These include train stops serviced by 10 routes offering 149 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is limited with residents typically located 786 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward using cars at a rate of 94%, while 4% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 2.1 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 17.7% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 21 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Bendigo Surrounds - North is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Bendigo Surrounds' northern region faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (~2,708 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 11.6 and 10.3% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 61.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 21.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,186 people), which is lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Bendigo Surrounds - North had a cultural diversity score below average, with 88.7% of its population being citizens, 93.4% born in Australia, and 97.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Bendigo Surrounds - North, comprising 48.9% of people, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic., as recorded on 2016 Census data. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.4%), English (31.6%), and Irish (9.9%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.2%, matching the regional percentage of Maltese at 0.5% and German at 3.5%.

Bendigo Surrounds - North hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Bendigo Surrounds - North's median age is 45 years, which is slightly higher than Regional Victoria's median age of 43 and considerably older than the national norm of 38. The 55-64 age group is notably over-represented in Bendigo Surrounds - North at 15.6%, while the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 6.6%. Between 2021 and present, the population of 15 to 24-year-olds has increased from 9.9% to 11.9%, and the 25 to 34 age group has risen from 8.9% to 10.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 13.9% to 11.9%, and the 55 to 64 age group has fallen from 17.5% to 15.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant growth in the 35 to 44 age cohort, with an increase of 446 people (65%) from 682 to 1,129. In contrast, the 55 to 64 age group is projected to grow minimally by just 5% (39 people).