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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
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Buloke has an estimated 5,904 residents, down from 6,184 at the 2021 Census — a change of 280 people, or 4.5%. The population has thinned by an average 0.9% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research from AreaSearch, the resident count in Buloke stands at approximately 5,904 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 6,184 people, this represents a contraction of 280 people (4.5%). This adjustment is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 5,891 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 31 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The resulting population density is 0.70 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable personal living space. Buloke's -4.5% post-census reduction is within 2.0 percentage points of the wider SA3 area (-2.5%), demonstrating shared demographic contraction across the broader district.
Inward migration from overseas served as the primary demographic driver, accounting for virtually all population additions in recent times. SA2 geographic modeling by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia projections pegged to a 2022 baseline. Where SA2 coverage is absent, figures draw upon the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA dataset, applying weighted population distribution techniques from local government areas down to the SA2 level. For the period spanning 2032 to 2041, age-specific growth trajectories from these aggregations are utilized across every region. Future demographic outlooks point to growth sitting slightly under the non-metropolitan median, with the locality projected to gain 423 persons to 2041 based on current annual ERP benchmarks, representing a cumulative rise of 6.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
77 new dwellings have been approved in Buloke over the past five years, an average of 15 a year. That is 2.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Buloke have maintained a pace of roughly 15 dwellings annually, totaling 77 homes authorized throughout the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Alongside ongoing population decreases, local residential construction has comfortably met market requirements, ensuring healthy stock availability for purchasers, while newly approved builds average $519,000 in projected construction cost—moderately exceeding regional benchmarks and pointing toward higher-spec builds. Concurrently, non-residential building permits reached $42.6 million this financial year, highlighting substantial commercial development. Relative to Rest of Vic., local building approvals per capita in Buloke are 17.0% lower, placing the district in the 37th percentile across the country and restricting newly built supply, which in turn reinforces demand across existing residential assets.
Construction rates also trail the Australian benchmark, reflecting an established urban footprint alongside potential planning constraints. Detached houses comprise 93.0% of new residential approvals while medium and high-density housing makes up 7.0%, sustaining the region's low-density profile and appealing to purchasers pursuing spacious land allotments. An average of 402 people per residential approval underscores a restrained, low-volume construction environment. Long-term forecasts anticipate Buloke expanding by 410 residents through to 2041 according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction volumes appear well aligned with projected residential demand, promoting stable property conditions without excessive cost escalation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Buloke
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Buloke. A further 58 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $12 billion. 7 are already under construction and 21 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, residential development and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local capital works, major developments, and council planning policies exert a substantial influence on regional outcomes. AreaSearch has tracked 20 active infrastructure initiatives likely to impact the district. Prominent undertakings comprise the Corack East Wind Project, the Corack Road Service Station & Food Premises, the Kooka's Country Cookies New Manufacturing Facility, and Donald's Tramsformation, with details of key projects set out below.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Corack East Wind Project
A large-scale wind energy project proposed by ACEN Australia in the Buloke Shire, located on privately owned land between Donald, Birchip, and Wycheproof. It is currently in the early development stage with construction proposed to begin in 2029.
Corack Road Service Station & Food Premises
Proposal for a 24-hour unmanned service station with food and drink premises, associated buildings, and signage at 39 Corack Road, Donald. The application includes plans for fuel storage and wastewater treatment.
Tower Rd, Donald
A residential masterplan for 59 two-storey and three-storey townhouses incorporating a heritage-listed water tower.
Donald's Tramsformation
A decommissioned tram has arrived at Donald Railway Station to be transformed into a community space, aiming to create a vibrant hub for locals and tourists, celebrating the town's history and fostering community connections.
Kooka's Country Cookies New Manufacturing Facility
Expansion and relocation of Kooka's Country Cookies to a larger facility in Donald, supported by government funding. The new facility will triple production capacity to around 29,500 kg of biscuits per week, create up to 11 new full-time jobs, and include a new gluten-free area and solar power.
Cannie Wind Farm
The Cannie Wind Farm is a proposed 1300 MW wind farm located approximately 25 km north-west of Kerang in North-West Victoria, Australia. It will include up to 174 wind turbines, electrical substations, a switching station, and provision for battery storage. The project is developed by RES Australia Pty Ltd and is intended to connect to the Victoria-NSW Interconnector West. A referral was submitted in mid-2024, and an Environmental Effects Statement is required. Planning application is expected in 2026, with construction starting late 2028 and completion by 2031.
Donald Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project
A globally significant, long-life open-pit mining and processing operation for critical rare earth elements (neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium) and mineral sands (zircon, titanium). Expected to create over 600 local jobs and contribute $205 million annually to the Wimmera region's economy over its 42-year lifespan.
Cannie Wind Farm
A proposed wind farm of up to 174 turbines with a total capacity of up to 1300 MW, located on approximately 14,000 hectares of farmland west of Kerang in the Gannawarra local government area. The project also includes a Battery Energy Storage System (up to 400 MW / storing up to 3 hours of supply) and an overhead transmission line connection to the proposed VNI-West interconnector terminal station at Tragowel. The Minister for Planning required an Environment Effects Statement (EES) in September 2024.Final EES scoping requirements were issued by the Minister in November 2025 after public exhibition. A planning application is targeted for late 2026, with construction planned to commence in 2029 pending approval. The project is expected to power over 600,000 Victorian homes annually.
2,899 residents of Buloke are employed, from a labour force of 2,945. Unemployment sits at 1.6%, with participation at 58.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour pool in Buloke displays an even distribution between professional and manual occupations across multiple industries, accompanied by a minimal jobless rate of 1.6%. As of March 2026, employed residents count 2,899, while local unemployment sits 2.1% under the 3.7% recorded for Regional Vic., alongside a labour force participation rate of 58.4% compared to 61.1% across Regional Vic.. In the Census, 17.2% of workers reported working remotely, though pandemic-related movement restrictions should be taken into account. Primary employment sectors for local workers comprise agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, as well as education & training.
The agricultural, forestry, and fishing category is especially prominent, engaging workers at 4.3 times the regional standard. Conversely, construction accounts for only 4.8% of the local workforce, trailing the 10.4% seen across Regional Vic.. While employment positions are present locally, comparisons between Census resident worker counts and local jobs indicate substantial outward commuting for work. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM figures shows that in the twelve months to March 2026, the available workforce shrank by 3.3% while overall jobs fell by 1.8%, causing the unemployment rate to drop by 1.5 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% dip in employment, a 0.3% contraction in the labour pool, and a 0.2 percentage point reduction in unemployment. Additional guidance on future employment requirements in Buloke is provided by national projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. These five-year and ten-year models have been applied to local workforce structures to estimate future trajectory. Across Australia, workforce growth is projected at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with substantial variance across industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to Buloke's local industry breakdown suggests local employment expansion of 5.1% over five years and 11.5% over ten years (an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Buloke is $1,089 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $618 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,341 a year against an average of $58,382. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxpayer statistics for financial year 2023 aggregated by AreaSearch indicate that the Buloke SA2 recorded a median individual income of $47,341 alongside a mean of $58,382. These figures trail nationwide figures and compare to $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average) across Regional Vic.. Factoring in cumulative Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, updated earnings are estimated at roughly $51,895 for median income and $63,998 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal, household, and family earnings in Buloke between the 6th and 13th percentiles across Australia.
Income brackets show 28.6% of residents (1,688 people) earning within the $800 - 1,499 band, contrasting with the wider regional concentration where 30.3% fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Despite residents retaining 94.0% of their earnings after housing costs, overall disposable income sits at the 15th percentile across the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Buloke had 2,556 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 2% apartments. 23% are owned with a mortgage, 16% rented and 61% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $158 a week and the median mortgage repayment $734 a month. Rent absorbs 14.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 15.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing inventory in Buloke was made up of 94.1% standalone houses and 5.9% other residential options such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Fully owned properties stood at 60.5%, significantly exceeding the regional standard, with 23.3% carrying a mortgage and 16.2% occupied by tenants. Typical monthly home loan payments were $734, well below the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, while weekly rent averaged $158 against $285 regionally. On a national scale, Buloke mortgage repayments remain considerably lower than the Australian benchmark of $1,863, with rental costs trailing well behind the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Buloke counted 2,556 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 81% of areas nationally, against 32% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 62.8% of local households, consisting of 32.4% couples without children, 21.8% couples with children, and 7.5% single-parent arrangements. Non-family dwellings make up 37.2% of the aggregate, driven by lone-person residences at 34.7% and group homes at 2.5%. The typical household size of 2.2 people is slightly below the Regional Vic. standard of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.1% of adults in Buloke hold a university qualification, including 11.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.4% hold a vocational qualification. 11 schools serve the area, with 799 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 988 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels show notable challenges, with higher education qualification rates standing at 15.1%, substantially below the VIC benchmark of 33.4%. This gap highlights key potential areas for targeted training programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees represent 11.5%, postgraduate credentials account for 1.7%, and graduate diplomas comprise 1.9%. Vocational and technical pathways are heavily represented, with 37.8% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of 28.4% with certificates and 9.4% holding advanced diplomas. Formal learning engagement remains robust, with 26.6% of local residents actively enrolled in an educational program.
Broken down by stage, this includes 10.1% attending primary schools, 9.4% in secondary institutions, and 2.2% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Buloke means driving: households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit networks in Buloke feature 16 active stops across the area, operated by 3 distinct routes that deliver a combined 25 weekly passenger services. Overall transit accessibility remains constrained, with the average resident situated 968 meters from their nearest stop. Reflecting outward travel patterns in a largely residential district, private vehicle use dominates at 82% of commutes, while 14% of workers walk. Vehicle availability stands at an average of 1.7 per home, exceeding regional levels. Additionally, 17.2% of the local workforce worked remotely according to the 2021 Census, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
Transit service schedules average 3 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 1 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.9% of residents in Buloke report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 86% of areas nationally. 8.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch indicate notable community health challenges in Buloke, evidenced by elevated rates of long-term medical conditions and mortality across younger and older demographics alike, while private health insurance coverage is limited to approximately 48% of residents (~2,845 people). This lags behind the 50.5% rate in Regional Vic. and the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most frequently reported conditions, diagnosed in 12.1 and 8.6% of the population, respectively, while 59.9% of residents reported having no diagnosed health conditions compared to 63.4% throughout Regional Vic..
Chronic ailments are particularly noticeable within the working-age cohort. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 31.2% of the population (1,843 people), exceeding the 24.0% regional proportion. Health burdens among older cohorts remain elevated, scoring higher against national benchmarks than the local community overall.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Buloke is largely Australian-born, at 92.8% of residents, with 3.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.2%) and English (31.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures for Buloke remain below national standards, with 88.6% of residents holding Australian citizenship, 92.8% born within Australia, and 96.4% speaking exclusively English in the home. Christianity represents the predominant religious affiliation, accounting for 58.8% of the local population compared to 47.3% in Regional Vic.. Evaluating ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplaces, the most prevalent heritages across Buloke are Australian at 33.2%, English at 31.5%, and Irish at 13.0%. Distinct variations also appear across other cultural heritages, with Scottish ancestry notably elevated at 10.7% in Buloke compared to 8.8% across the broader region.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Buloke is 52, older than 94% of areas nationally. 17.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Buloke displays an older demographic structure than Regional Vic., with senior citizens and retirees (65+) comprising 31.2% of the population as at August 2026 compared to 24.0% across Regional Vic., while younger to mid-career adults (25 - 44) account for 16.4% against 23.1% regionally. The median age is estimated at 52, mirroring the 2021 Census level, which stands 9 years older than the Regional Vic. median of 43 and above the national median of 38 recorded at that Census. The most pronounced demographic change since the Census has occurred in the 65+ cohort, rising from 28.7% to an estimated 31.2%.
Projections to 2041 indicate older residents will generate the majority of net growth, expanding by 260 residents (14%) to reach 2,103, whereas middle-aged groups, early retirees, children, and young adults are forecast to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Buloke
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 31 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,184 at the 2021 Census → 5,904 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (215031400). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.