Bendigo Surrounds - South

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 9,094 as of May 2026, reflecting a 750 person increase since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 8,344 people. This growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures of 9,094 by June 2025 and an additional 135 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 11.4 persons per square kilometer. Bendigo Surrounds - South's growth rate of 9.0% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (4.0%) and the SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 58.0% 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 utilises Victorian State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future projections anticipate exceptional growth in the area, placing it in the top 10 percent of national regional areas. By 2041, the population is expected to expand by 4,173 persons based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 45.9% over the 16 years.

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

Bendigo Surrounds - South has granted approximately 62 residential property approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25312 homes were approved, with an additional 38 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, around 3.4 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years.

This high demand has led to price growth and increased buyer competition, with new properties constructed at an average cost of $351,000. In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled $6.3 million, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Bendigo Surrounds - South has slightly more development activity, maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values.

However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. All approved dwellings have been detached homes, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character focused on family homes. With around 188 people per approval, Bendigo Surrounds - South reflects a developing area with population forecasts indicating an increase of 4,173 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 91 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Hidden Valley Estate, Kangaroo Rise Estate, Kangaroo Flat Skate Park, and Kangaroo Flat Mine Site Rehabilitation. Below is a list detailing 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 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Bendigo Surrounds - South has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 1.7% as of December 2025. This is below Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in the area is 67.7%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.0%.

According to Census responses, 19.4% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area shows strong specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 4.0% of Bendigo Surrounds - South's workforce compared to Regional Vic.'s 7.5%.

Employment levels increased by 1.9% and labour force increased by 1.9% during the year to December 2025, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 2.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment 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 employment should increase by 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 2023 shows that income in Bendigo Surrounds - South SA2 is approximately average nationally. The median income is $56,515 and the average income stands at $67,302. This contrasts with Regional Vic.'s figures of a median income of $50,954 and an average income of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $61,952 (median) and $73,776 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Bendigo Surrounds - South cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. Looking at income distribution, the largest segment comprises 37.0% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (3,364 residents), which mirrors the surrounding region where 30.3% occupy this bracket. After housing costs, residents retain 89.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and 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 (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Regional Vic. had 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bendigo Surrounds - South was 39.0%, similar to Regional Vic., with the rest being mortgaged (54.7%) or rented (6.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent was $320, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Bendigo Surrounds - South's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,625 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 15.5%, with lone person households at 14.0% and group households making up 1.5%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Regional 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's university qualification rate is 23.3%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.3%, followed by graduate diplomas (4.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (3.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (28.8%). Educational participation is high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 12.4% in primary, 9.2% in secondary, and 3.1% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.4% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 3.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bendigo Surrounds - South has six active public transport stops. These are served by three different routes that together offer 13 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is limited, with residents living an average of 1676 metres from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards, predominantly using cars (97%). On average, there are 2.3 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 19.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, equating to roughly two weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Bendigo Surrounds - South is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Bendigo Surrounds - South shows better-than-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups have low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is held by approximately 53% of the total population (~4,783 people), higher than the average SA2 area at 50.5%, and Regional Vic.'s 50.5%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.9%) and mental health issues (8.7%). 68.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.. Working-age residents have a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 17.4% (1,578 people), less than Regional Vic.'s 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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, as per data from the 2016 Census, exhibited lower cultural diversity with 92.7% of its population being Australian citizens, 92.8% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 45.2% of the population. Judaism, however, was slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Regional Vic's 0.1%.

Ancestry-wise, Australian (33.9%), English (32.6%), and Irish (9.9%) were the top three groups. Notably, Scottish ancestry was higher at 9.1% in Bendigo Surrounds - South than regionally (8.8%). Dutch (1.4% vs 1.7%) and Maltese (0.5% vs 0.5%) showed minor divergences in representation.

Bendigo Surrounds - South's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Bendigo Surrounds - South has a median age of 41 years, which is lower than Regional Victoria's average of 43 but higher than the national average of 38. The age group of 5-14 years old makes up 14.3% of the population, higher than Regional Victoria's percentage. However, the 75-84 age group comprises only 5.2%, which is lower compared to Regional Victoria. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.8% to 13.4%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 4.0% to 5.2%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 15.3% to 13.8%, and the 45 to 54 age group has fallen from 13.9% to 12.5%. Demographic projections suggest significant changes in Bendigo Surrounds - South's age profile by 2041, with the 35 to 44 age cohort expected to grow by 65%, adding 771 residents to reach a total of 1,958.