Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Population
Population growth drivers in Bruthen - Omeo are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Bruthen - Omeo's population is around 8631 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 341 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8290 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8633 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 134 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1.2 persons per square kilometer. Bruthen - Omeo's growth rate of 4.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 4%, marking it as a leader in regional growth. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 68.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering these projections, a significant population increase is forecast for Bruthen - Omeo, with an expected growth of 3603 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 41.1% in total over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within Bruthen - Omeo when compared nationally
Bruthen - Omeo has granted around 66 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 334 homes. As of FY26, 22 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents arrive per new home each year between FY21 and FY25. The average construction value of new dwellings is $294,000.
This financial year has seen $2.7 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Bruthen - Omeo maintains similar construction rates per person, preserving market equilibrium. All new constructions have been standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with around 179 people per dwelling approval.
According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bruthen - Omeo is projected to add 3,551 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Bruthen - Omeo has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally
AreaSearch has identified 26 infrastructure projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Wy Yung Acres Rural Lifestyle Subdivision, Princes Highway and McEacharn Street Intersection Upgrade, Dan Murphy's Bairnsdale, and Quest Bairnsdale. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Paynesville Slip Road Maritime Precinct Upgrade
Upgrade of the maritime precinct including construction of new seawalls, jetties (creating around 40 new berths), a new longer and deeper boat ramp, car parking, boardwalks, pathways, and landscaping to enhance access and support recreational boating, tourism, and local marine businesses. The project has undergone design updates and is being delivered in phases. Construction is expected to be complete by February 2026.
Gippsland Lakes Shared Community Hub
A new multi-purpose community facility replacing the existing Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club building. The facility, which is currently in the detailed design stage, will include amenities, boat storage, meeting and social spaces, multi-functional spaces, a public deck, and a function hall to support water sports, events, and tourism. The project received a $6.35 million Federal Government grant in January 2025, which, combined with a 1:1 Council contribution, brings the total project value to approximately $12.7 million.
Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project
The Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project is a proposed mineral sands mining operation near Glenaladale in East Gippsland, accessing a significant deposit of rare earth elements and critical minerals vital for renewable energy, computing, defense, and medical science. It employs strip mining with continuous backfill and progressive rehabilitation, aiming to create 300 local jobs and generate $180 million in royalties for the Victorian Government.
Paynesville Growth Area Structure Plan (C172egip)
Implementation of the Paynesville Growth Area Structure Plan (PGASP) into the East Gippsland Planning Scheme via Amendment C172egip. The plan guides future housing and infrastructure growth in response to population demand. The Independent Planning Panel has provided its report, which Council is now considering before deciding whether to adopt the recommendations and proceed with the amendment's approval, with or without changes.
Paynesville Water Recycling Facility Storage Expansion
Construction of a new 300 megalitre (ML) water storage lagoon and associated infrastructure at the Paynesville Water Recycling Facility (WRF) in Forge Creek. This $8 million project will almost triple the facility's storage capacity to 460 ML, enhancing capacity for wet weather management, lowering the risk of environmental impacts from extended wet periods, and supporting population growth in coastal towns south of Bairnsdale (Paynesville, Newlands Arm, Eagle Point, Banksia Peninsula, Raymond Island). The new lagoon is 2 km from the existing WRF, requiring infrastructure for water transfer and irrigation. The project is being undertaken by Max Bright and Sons.
Eagle Point Lifestyle Estate
A premium masterplanned over-50s land lease community by Lincoln Place with plans for 209 architecturally designed two- and three-bedroom single-storey homes, located in Victoria's Gippsland Lakes region. Early works were planned to begin before the end of 2025, with the first residents expected by Christmas 2026. Resort-style amenities will include a clubhouse with cinema, library, and alfresco dining, a wellness centre with a gym and heated pool, a competition-sized bowls green, and a pickleball court. The development model is land lease, with no stamp duty, exit, or council fees for homeowners.
Jemmys Point Lookout Stage 2 and Kalimna Loop Walk
Completed tourism infrastructure upgrade at Jemmys Point featuring a large circular viewing platform with panoramic 270-degree views of the Gippsland Lakes, Bass Strait and 90 Mile Beach. Stage 2 works include all-abilities toilet facilities with baby change, solar-powered BBQ, picnic shelter and tables, landscaping, improved parking and turnaround area, and a loop walking trail connecting Hotel Road lookout, Kalimna Jetty and Jemmys Point Reserve. The facilities promote community gathering, outdoor recreation and enhance visitor experiences in Lakes Entrance.
Dan Murphy's Bairnsdale
A 1,250 square metre state-of-the-art Dan Murphy's liquor store developed by Castlerock Property in the East Gippsland town of Bairnsdale, generating approximately 60 jobs during construction and 20 ongoing full-time, casual, and part-time positions, with a 10-year lease and emphasis on local labour and suppliers.
Employment
AreaSearch assessment positions Bruthen - Omeo ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance
Bruthen-Omeo has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.2% in September 2025, below the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.
Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.8%. As of September 2025, 4,419 residents were employed. Key industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly specialized with an employment share 2.3 times the regional level.
Health care & social assistance is under-represented at 13.9% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 16.8%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited based on Census data comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.8%, labour force increased by 3.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment decline by 0.7% and unemployment rise marginally. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, varying significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Bruthen-Omeo's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
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 in Bruthen - Omeo SA2, median income is $44,300 and average income is $52,386. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., where median income is $48,741 and average income is $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $49,687 (median) and $58,756 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household income in Bruthen - Omeo falls between the 21st and 22nd percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 31.0% of locals (2,675 people) with incomes between $1,500 and $2,999. Housing costs are modest, with 89.3% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at the 29th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Bruthen - Omeo is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Bruthen-Omeo, as per the latest Census evaluation, 96.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.9% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bruthen-Omeo stood at 52.4%, similar to Non-Metro Vic., with mortgaged dwellings at 38.4% and rented ones at 9.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,343, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300 but significantly lower than the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Bruthen-Omeo was $250, lower than both Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $268 and the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Bruthen - Omeo has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households account for 72.9% of all households, including 27.5% couples with children, 36.3% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.1%, with lone person households at 25.0% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.4 people, larger than the Rest of Vic average of 2.2.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Bruthen - Omeo fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area's university qualification rate is 16.4%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (31.1%). Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.
This includes 10.7% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Transport analysis shows 17 active stops operating in the Bruthen-Omeo area, offering mixed bus services. These stops are served by 11 individual routes, collectively facilitating 150 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated limited, with residents typically located 5490 meters from the nearest stop.
Service frequency averages 21 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 8 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Bruthen - Omeo is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts
Bruthen-Omeo faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~3987 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.
The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.9% and 8.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 65.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 60.1% across Rest of Vic. The area has 23.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2046 people), which is lower than the 30.5% in Rest of Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The latest Census data sees Bruthen - Omeo placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Bruthen-Omeo had below average cultural diversity, with 89.2% of its population being citizens and 90.3% born in Australia. English was spoken exclusively at home by 96.7%. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 42.0%.
The 'Other' category comprised 0.6%, similar to the regional average. In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (33.7%), Australian (32.1%), and Irish (8.8%). Notably, Dutch ancestry was overrepresented at 2.1% compared to the regional 1.9%. Scottish ancestry was also slightly higher at 8.8%, while Maltese remained steady at 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Bruthen - Omeo hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Bruthen-Omeo's median age of 47 years is notably higher than Victoria's average of 43 and the national average of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 55-64 make up 16.0%, while those aged 15-24 constitute only 9.5% of the population, both figures differing significantly from Victoria's averages. Between 2021 and the present, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 10.4% to 11.7%, while the 0 to 4 cohort has risen from 4.7% to 5.9%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 13.2% to 11.2%, and the 55 to 64 group has fallen from 17.2% to 16.0%. By 2041, Bruthen-Omeo's demographic is projected to change significantly. Notably, the 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 70%, increasing from 859 to 1,465 individuals.