Bendigo Surrounds - South
Statistical Area - sa2

Bendigo Surrounds - South lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Bendigo Surrounds - South's population was around 9,037 as of Nov 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 693 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,344 people. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 8,971 in June 2024 and an additional 129 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 11.3 persons per square kilometer. Bendigo Surrounds - South's growth of 8.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (5.9%) and non-metro areas, indicating strong population growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 65.8% to overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For un-covered areas, it utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made via weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future projections anticipate exceptional growth, placing the area in the top 10 percent of national regional areas. By 2041, the area is expected to expand by 4,501 persons, recording a gain of 49.1% over the 17 years.

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

Between FY21 and FY25, Bendigo Surrounds - South recorded approximately 312 residential property approvals annually. This totals to around 62 properties granted approval each year on average during this period. In FY26 up until now, 16 homes have been approved.

Over the past five financial years, an average of 3.4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. The average construction cost value of new properties is $351,000. This year has seen $6.3 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development compared to residential.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, Bendigo Surrounds - South has slightly more development activity, with an 11.0% increase per person over the five-year period. All recent developments have been detached dwellings, maintaining the area's low-density character and appealing to families seeking space. With around 188 people moving in for each approval granted, Bendigo Surrounds - South reflects a developing area with good buyer choice supporting existing property values. Population forecasts indicate an increase of 4,435 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Bendigo Surrounds - South has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure performance is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 91 such projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Hidden Valley Estate, Kangaroo Rise Estate, Kangaroo Flat Skate Park, and Kangaroo Flat Lifestyle Estate Expansion. The following list details 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 of employment trends sees Bendigo Surrounds - South performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Bendigo Surrounds - South has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.8% as of June 2025. This is lower than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

The area experienced employment growth of 1.1% over the past year. As of June 2025, 4699 residents are employed with a workforce participation rate of 67.4%, higher than the Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly strong with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 4.0% compared to 7.5% in Rest of Vic.. Employment levels increased by 1.1% during the year to June 2025 while labour force increased by 1.7%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released May 2025, project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bendigo Surrounds - South's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3%% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Bendigo Surrounds - South is above the national average. The median income is $53,966 and the average income stands at $66,226. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s figures of a median income of $48,741 and an average income of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $60,528 (median) and $74,279 (average). From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Bendigo Surrounds - South are around the 62nd percentile nationally. The largest income segment comprises 37.0% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, with 3,343 residents falling into this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 89.0% of their income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Bendigo Surrounds - South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Bendigo Surrounds - South, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.1% houses and 0.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic. had 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bendigo Surrounds - South was at 39.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 54.7% and rented ones at 6.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,600. The median weekly rent figure was $320, the same as Non-Metro Vic.'s figure. Nationally, Bendigo Surrounds - South's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,625 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $320 versus the national figure of $375.

Bendigo Surrounds - South features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 84.5% of all households, including 42.2% couples with children, 34.8% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 15.5%, comprising 14.0% lone person households and 1.5% group households. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Bendigo Surrounds - South aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area has lower university qualification rates at 23.3%, compared to the VIC average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (4.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (3.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 40.5% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 28.8%. Educational participation is high, with 30.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 12.4% in primary, 9.2% in secondary, and 3.1% in tertiary.

The area has five schools with a combined enrollment of 421 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 999). It includes four primary and one K-12 school. Local school capacity is limited at 4.7 places per 100 residents, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note that 'n/a' in school enrolments refers to the parent campus.

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

Transport analysis shows six active stops operating within Bendigo Surrounds - South. These are a mix of bus stops serviced by nine routes offering 22 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is limited with residents typically located 1676 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages three trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Bendigo Surrounds - South's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Bendigo Surrounds - South residents show positive health outcomes with common conditions prevalent across age groups.

Private health cover stands at approximately 52%, higher than the average SA2 area's 47%. Key medical issues include arthritis (8.9%) and mental health concerns (8.7%). Most residents, 68.6%, report no medical ailments compared to 63.4% in Rest of Vic.. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 16.5% (1,487 people) versus Rest of Vic.'s 24.9%. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming the general population's health metrics.

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

Bendigo Surrounds - South had cultural diversity scores below the average, with 92.7% of its population being citizens, 92.8% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was found to be the predominant religion in Bendigo Surrounds - South, comprising 45.2% of the population. However, Judaism showed an overrepresentation at 0.1%, compared to 0.2% across Rest of Vic..

In terms of ancestry, Australian parents accounted for 33.9% of the population, significantly higher than the regional average of 28.4%. English and Irish parents made up 32.6% and 9.9% respectively. Notable differences were seen in Scottish representation at 9.1%, Maltese at 0.5%, and Dutch at 1.4%.

Bendigo Surrounds - South's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Bendigo Surrounds - South is 40 years, which is slightly below the Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. The 5-14 age cohort is notably higher at 14.8% locally compared to the Rest of Vic. average, while the 75-84 year-olds are under-represented at 4.7%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.8% to 13.1%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 15.3% to 13.8% and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.9% to 12.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 25 to 34 age cohort projected to grow by 880 people (95%) from 930 to 1,811.