Buloke

Buloke is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Buloke's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was around 6,008 as of February 2026. This figure reflects a decrease of 176 people, representing a 2.8% drop since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,184. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,960 in June 2024 and an additional 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.70 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 uses 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of national regional areas, with Buloke expected to grow by 417 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 6.1% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Buloke, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Buloke has experienced approximately 13 dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years FY21 and FY25, 69 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved in FY26 so far. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas, benefiting buyers while developers focus on premium properties with an average construction cost of $477,000.

In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $42.6 million, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of Vic., Buloke shows about 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks in the 44th percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strong demand for established properties. New developments consist of 92% detached houses and 8% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density nature and appealing to space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 380 people.

By 2041, Buloke is forecasted to gain 369 residents. Current development levels appear aligned with future requirements, suggesting stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Buloke has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 20 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Corack East Wind Project, Corack Road Service Station & Food Premises, Kooka's Country Cookies New Manufacturing Facility, and Donald's Transformation. 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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Employment conditions in Buloke demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Buloke has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs and diverse sectors. As of September 2025, 2,921 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%. This rate is 2.1% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%, but workforce participation is slightly below the standard at 58.1%.

According to Census responses, 17.2% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. The dominant employment sectors are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Notably, agriculture, forestry & fishing has high concentration with employment levels at 4.3 times the regional average. Conversely, construction is under-represented at 4.8% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 10.4%.

Some residents may commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.4%, employment declined by 2.8%, leading to a 1.7 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In comparison, Rest of Vic. had an employment decline of 0.7% and labour force decline of 0.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Buloke's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.1% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The Buloke SA2's income level is lower than average on a national basis according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Buloke SA2 is $47,341 and the average income stands at $58,382. This compares with figures for Rest of Vic., which are $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $51,247 (median) and $63,199 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Buloke all fall between the 6th and 13th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 28.6% of the population (1,718 individuals) fall within the $800 - 1,499 income range, contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest with 94.0% of income retained, but the total disposable income ranks at just the 15th percentile nationally.

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

In Buloke, as per the latest Census, 94.1% of dwellings were houses with 5.9% being semi-detached, apartments, or other dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Buloke stood at 60.5%, with mortgages accounting for 23.3% and rentals making up 16.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $734, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Buloke was $158, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Buloke's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $734 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Buloke features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 62.8% of all households, including 21.8% couples with children, 32.4% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 37.2%, with lone person households at 34.7% and group households making up 2.5% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Buloke fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 15.1%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.8% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 28.4%. Educational participation is high, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.1% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Buloke has 16 active public transport stops served by three routes offering 21 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is limited with residents typically living 968 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward using cars (82%), while 14% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, above the regional average. In 2021 Census data, 17.2% of residents worked from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages three trips daily across all routes, resulting in approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 3 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 1 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Buloke is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Buloke faces significant health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is low at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,895 people), compared to 50.5% in Rest of Vic., and 55.7% nationally.

The most common conditions are arthritis (12.1%) and asthma (8.6%), while 59.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Rest of Vic.. Working-age population health is notably challenging due to high chronic condition rates. Buloke has 29.7% residents aged 65 and over (1,782 people), higher than the 23.9% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, ranking even worse than the general population nationally.

The latest Census data sees Buloke placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Buloke had a cultural diversity index below average, with 88.6% of its residents being Australian citizens and 92.8% born in Australia. English was spoken exclusively at home by 96.4% of the population. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 58.8%, compared to 47.3% in the rest of Victoria.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.2%), English (31.5%), and Irish (13.0%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 10.7% compared to the regional average of 8.8%.

Buloke ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Buloke is 52 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 years and also notably above the national norm of 38 years. The 55-64 age cohort is over-represented in Buloke at 17.5%, compared to the Rest of Vic. average, while the 35-44 year-olds are under-represented at 8.9%. This concentration of the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of 35 to 44-year-olds has increased from 7.9% to 8.9%, while the 45 to 54 age cohort has decreased from 13.1% to 10.8%. By 2041, significant demographic changes are projected for Buloke. The 35 to 44 age group is forecast to grow by 25%, adding 135 residents to reach a total of 673. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age cohorts.