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 around 9,216 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 313 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,903. The growth is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 8,959 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2.2 persons per square kilometer. Bright Mount Beauty's 3.5% growth since the census compares favorably with its SA3 area's 4.8%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 89.3% of overall population gains recently.

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 employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting 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 grow by 552 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 3.2% over 17 years.

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

Mount Beauty has received approximately 47 residential property approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 238 homes were approved, with an additional 14 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, about 1.5 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five 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 year, commercial approvals totaling $4.7 million have been registered, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to other Victorian areas, Mount Beauty has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks in the 68th percentile nationally for assessed areas.

Recent construction comprises predominantly standalone homes (88.0%) with a smaller proportion of medium and high-density housing (12.0%), maintaining the area's traditional low density character. Currently, Mount Beauty has around 196 people per approval. Looking ahead, it is projected to gain approximately 295 residents by 2041, suggesting that current construction levels should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth beyond current forecasts.

Bright - Mount Beauty has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects that may 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.

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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 in work, which is 1.7% below the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is at 63.5%, slightly higher than the Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%.

According to Census responses, 22.5% of residents work from home. Key industries include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area has a strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 2.7 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance has limited presence at 10.0%, compared to the regional average of 16.8%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.6% alongside a 2.2% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project an increase of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bright - Mount Beauty's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 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 2023 shows that Bright - Mount Beauty SA2 has an income below the national average. The median income is $47,390 and the average income stands at $60,779. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s figures where the median income is $50,954 and the average income is $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $51,300 (median) and $65,793 (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 (2,783 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, which aligns 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 while 7.9% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bright - Mount Beauty stood at 47.6%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 32.3% and rented ones making up 20.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, exceeding Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Weekly rent in the area was recorded at $298, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Bright - Mount Beauty's median monthly mortgage repayment is significantly lower than Australia's average of $1,863, and weekly rents are 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 compose 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 account for 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, 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 at 28.8%, exceeding the SA4 region average of 19.8% and the SA3 area rate of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common 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 at 12.8% and certificates at 27.1%.

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

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

Bright Mount Beauty has 15 active public transport stops. These are serviced by three routes offering 79 weekly passenger trips. Residents' average distance to the nearest stop is 1473 meters. Most residents commute outward daily. Cars dominate at 77%, with walking at 17% and cycling at 2%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 22.5% of residents work from home. Service frequency averages 11 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately five weekly trips per stop.

Bright - Mount Beauty's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Bright - Mount Beauty shows excellent health outcomes according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (~4,534 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.1%) and mental health issues (7.4%). 68.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the Rest of Vic's 63.4%. Under-65 population has better-than-average health outcomes. 23.5% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,169 people). Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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 showed below-average cultural diversity, with 86.9% citizens, 84.4% born in Australia, and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 36.8%. Judaism's representation was slightly higher than the regional average, at 0.1%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (31.3%), Australian (28.1%), and Irish (9.6%). Notably, Dutch (2.0%) Scottish (8.9%) and German (4.6%) ancestry were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 1.7%, 8.8%, and 3.5% respectively.

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 comprises 13.6%, compared to Rest of Vic., while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 10.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35-44 age group grew from 11.7% to 13.6%, and the 25-34 cohort increased from 10.0% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 55-64 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 age composition shifts. The 25-34 group will grow by 30% (317 people), reaching 1,383 from 1,065. Meanwhile, the 75-84 and 15-24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.