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 is approximately 9,255 as of February 2026. This represents an increase of 352 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,903. The growth was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 8,959 in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2.2 persons per square kilometer. Bright-Mount Beauty's growth rate of 4.0% since the census is close to its SA3 area's growth rate of 4.9%. 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, AreaSearch employs 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. Based on these projections, Bright-Mount Beauty is expected to increase its population by approximately 552 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of about 2.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Mount Beauty has received approvals for approximately 47 residential properties annually over the past five financial years, totalling 238 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 new residents per year have moved into newly constructed dwellings between FY-21 and FY-25. However, this figure has decreased to 0.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. The average construction value of development projects is $491,000, indicating a focus on premium properties.

This year, there have been $4.7 million in commercial approvals. Compared to other areas in Victoria, Mount Beauty exhibits around 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks in the 68th percentile nationally for construction activity. Recent developments consist of 88.0% detached houses and 12.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's low density character.

There are approximately 196 people per dwelling approval in Mount Beauty. Population forecasts suggest that Bright - Mount Beauty will gain 256 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects potentially affecting this region. Notable initiatives include Bright Valley, Alpine Shire Land Development Strategy 2024, The Great Valley Trail, and Porepunkah Roadworks and Rail Trail Reconstruction. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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

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Employment conditions in Bright - Mount Beauty demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Bright Mount Beauty's workforce is skilled with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.0%. There are 4,767 residents in work, which is 1.7% below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is at 63.6%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, 22.5% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area has a particular specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 2.7 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance employs only 10.0% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 16.8%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population counts. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.6%, and employment declined by 2.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced an employment decline of 0.7% and a labour force decline of 0.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Bright Mount Beauty's employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The Bright - Mount Beauty SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $47,390 and an average of $60,779 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This was below the national average, with Rest of Vic.'s median income being $50,954 and average income being $62,728. By September 2025, these figures are estimated to be approximately $51,300 (median) and $65,793 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Bright - Mount Beauty ranked modestly, between the 28th and 42nd percentiles. The distribution data showed that the largest segment comprised 30.2% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,795 residents), which was similar to the surrounding region where 30.3% occupied this range. Housing costs were manageable with 87.7% retained, but disposable income sat below average at the 33rd percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed 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, with the remaining 7.9% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In Non-Metro Vic., this was 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bright - Mount Beauty stood at 47.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.3% and rented ones at 20.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Bright - Mount Beauty was $298, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were higher at $375.

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

Family households account for 67.8 percent of all households, including 24.5 percent that are couples with children, 35.3 percent that are couples without children, and 7.5 percent that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.2 percent, with lone person households at 29.3 percent and group households comprising 2.9 percent of the total. 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 at 28.8% for residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA4 region average of 19.8% and the SA3 area average of 21.1%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (27.1%).

Educational participation is high at 28.0%, comprising primary education (9.8%), secondary education (8.8%), and tertiary education (3.5%).

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

Transport analysis shows 15 operational stops in Bright - Mount Beauty. Three routes serve these stops, offering 79 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is limited, with residents typically 1473 meters from the nearest stop. Most commute outward; cars dominate at 77%, walking is 17%, cycling 2%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.6 per dwelling. In 2021 Census data, 22.5% work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Daily service averages 11 trips across routes, equating to about 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's health outcomes data shows excellent results according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

Approximately 49% (~4,553 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is relatively low compared to the national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.1 and 7.4% of residents respectively. 68.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the Rest of Vic's rate of 63.4%. The under-65 population has better health outcomes than average. The area has 22.9% (2,123 people) of residents aged 65 and over, with strong health outcomes among seniors that align 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 had a cultural diversity below average, with 86.9% citizens, 84.4% born in Australia, and 94.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 36.8%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

Top three ancestry groups were English (31.3%), Australian (28.1%), and Irish (9.6%). Dutch (2.0%) was notably overrepresented compared to the regional average of 1.7%. Scottish (8.9%) and German (4.6%) also showed higher representation than the regional averages of 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 the Rest of Vic's figure of 43 and significantly higher than Australia's norm of 38. The 35-44 age group makes up 14.1% of the population compared to the Rest of Vic., while the 5-14 cohort represents only 10.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows a rejuvenation, with median age falling from 47 to 46 years. The 35-44 age group grew from 11.7% to 14.1%, and the 25-34 cohort increased from 10.0% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 15.6% to 13.4%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 11.3% to 10.0%. By 2041, Bright-Mount Beauty is projected to see notable shifts in age composition. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow steadily, expanding by 249 people (22%) from 1,133 to 1,383. In contrast, both the 75-84 and 15-24 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.