Bright - Mount Beauty

Population growth drivers in Bright - Mount Beauty are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Bright-Mount Beauty's population was 8,903 as of the 2021 Census. As of Nov 2025, it is around 9,086, reflecting a growth of 183 people (2.1%) since the Census. This increase is inferred from ABS estimated resident population of 8,962 in June 2024 and an additional 84 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 2.1 persons per square kilometer. Bright-Mount Beauty's growth rate of 2.1% since the Census compares favorably with its SA3 area's growth rate of 4.2%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 89.3% of recent population gains.

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, it utilizes VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of locations outside capital cities, with Bright-Mount Beauty expected to gain 552 persons by 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 4.7% over 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Bright - Mount Beauty when compared nationally

Mount Beauty has seen approximately 47 residential properties approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 238 homes were approved, with an additional 12 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 1.5 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these years. However, this figure has decreased to 0.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating improved supply availability.

The average construction value of development projects is around $491,000, suggesting a focus on premium market properties. This financial year alone, $4.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to other Victorian areas, Mount Beauty has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 68th percentile nationally.

Recent construction comprises mostly standalone homes at 88%, with medium and high-density housing making up the remaining 12%. This reflects the area's traditional low density character, appealing to those seeking space and family homes. The population is expected to grow by approximately 425 residents by 2041, with current construction levels likely meeting demand and potentially exceeding growth forecasts.

Bright - Mount Beauty has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 44thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Bright Valley, Alpine Shire Land Development Strategy 2024, The Great Valley Trail, and Porepunkah Roadworks and Rail Trail Reconstruction. 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 places Bright - Mount Beauty well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Bright Mount Beauty has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 2.0% as of September 2025. There are 4,767 residents employed, which is 1.7% lower than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is similar to the regional average at 57.4%. Key industries include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in accommodation & food with an employment share 2.7 times higher than the regional level, while health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 10.0% compared to the regional average of 16.8%. Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.6%, employment declined by 2.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.7% and unemployment rose marginally. State-level data from November 25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts suggest a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections based on Bright Mount Beauty's employment mix estimate increases of 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Bright - Mount Beauty SA2 has an income below the national average. The median income is $44,915 while the average income stands at $57,971. 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, current estimates would be approximately $50,377 (median) and $65,020 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Bright - Mount Beauty, between the 28th and 42nd percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 30.2% of the population (2,743 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, aligning with the metropolitan region where this cohort likewise represents 30.3%. Housing costs are manageable with 87.7% retained, though disposable income sits below average at the 33rd percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

In Bright - Mount Beauty, as evaluated at the latest Census, 92.1% of dwellings were houses and 7.9% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 91.6% houses and 8.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bright - Mount Beauty stood at 47.6%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (32.3%) or rented (20.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,473. The median weekly rent in Bright - Mount Beauty was recorded at $298, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $280. Nationally, Bright - Mount Beauty's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bright - Mount Beauty has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.8% of all households, including 24.5% couples with children, 35.3% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.2%, with lone person households at 29.3% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Bright - Mount Beauty exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 28.8% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA4 region average of 19.8% and the SA3 area rate of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (27.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis in Bright-Mount Beauty shows 15 active public transport stops operating. These are a mix of bus stops serviced by five individual routes providing 96 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited with residents typically located 1472 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 13 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately six weekly trips per individual stop.

Bright - Mount Beauty'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

Bright-Mount Beauty's health data shows its residents have a relatively positive health status with common conditions seen across all ages. Private health cover is lower at approximately 49%, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.1%) and mental health issues (7.4%), while 68.5% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Rest of Vic's 64.1%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 23.5%, compared to Rest of Vic's 20.7%. Senior health outcomes are strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Bright - Mount Beauty ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bright-Mount Beauty was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 86.9% of its population being Australian citizens and 84.4% born in Australia. 94.2% spoke English only at home. The predominant religion was Christianity, comprising 36.8% of the population.

Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to the regional average of 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.3%), Australian (28.1%), and Irish (9.6%). Notably, Dutch (2.0%) and Scottish (8.9%) groups were overrepresented compared to their respective regional averages of 1.6% and 8.3%, while German was slightly underrepresented at 4.6%.

Bright - Mount Beauty hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Bright-Mount Beauty has a median age of 46, which is higher than Victoria's figure of 43 and significantly higher than Australia's norm of 38. The 45-54 age group constitutes 13.6% of the population compared to Rest of Vic., while the 5-14 cohort makes up 10.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group grew from 11.7% to 13.6%, and the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 10.0% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 15.6% to 13.7%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 11.3% to 10.0%. By 2041, Bright-Mount Beauty is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25 to 34 group growing by 32% (332 people) to reach 1,383 from 1,050. Meanwhile, the 75 to 84 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.