Buloke
Statistical Area - sa2

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 of November 2025, is approximately 6,005 people. This figure represents a decrease of 179 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a total population of 6,184. The decline was inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 5,964 in June 2024 and an additional 20 validated new addresses after the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.70 persons per square kilometer. Buloke's population decrease of -2.9% since the census is similar to that of the SA3 area, which saw a decline of -0.3%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

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 from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on current demographic trends, Buloke is expected to experience a population increase just below Australia's regional median, with an anticipated growth of 6.2% by 2041, resulting in an additional 417 persons.

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 recorded approximately 13 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 69 homes. As of FY26, two approvals have been recorded. The population decline in recent years has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average value of $477,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $42.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Rest of Vic., Buloke shows around 75% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 45th percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options while demand for established properties strengthens. This activity is below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 92.0% detached houses and 8.0% attached dwellings, preserving Buloke's low-density character with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 380 people, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Buloke will gain 372 residents by 2041. Existing development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Buloke has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely to impact the area. Key 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.

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.

Employment performance in Buloke has been broadly consistent with national averages

Buloke has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, diverse sector representation, and an unemployment rate of 2.4%. As of June 2025, 2,927 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.4% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is somewhat lower at 52.4%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has notably high concentration with levels 4.3 times the regional average. Construction is under-represented at 4.8%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 10.4%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over June 2024 to June 2025, labour force decreased by 4.2% and employment declined by 3.7%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. Rest of Vic. saw employment decline of 0.9% and labour force decline of 0.4%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local growth patterns vary by sector. Applying these projections to Buloke's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.1% over five years and 11.5% over ten years.

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

Buloke's median income among taxpayers was $43,226 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $52,479 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s median and average incomes were $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Buloke would be approximately $48,482 and $58,860 based on a 12.16% growth since financial year 2022. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Buloke all fall between the 7th and 14th percentiles nationally. In Buloke, 28.6% of the population (1,717 individuals) earn within the $800 - $1,499 range, contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest in Buloke, with 94.0% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 16th 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 evaluation, 94.1% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 5.9% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.7% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Buloke stood at 60.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.3% and rented ones at 16.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $734, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,083. The median weekly rent in Buloke was recorded as $158, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $200. 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 account for 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, smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

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 prevalent, with 37.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (28.4%). Educational participation is high at 26.6%, with 10.1% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Eleven schools serve 799 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 988) offering balanced educational opportunities. These include five primary, one secondary, and five K-12 schools. Note that for schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 8 different routes that together offer 38 weekly passenger trips. Residents have limited access to these services, with an average distance of 990 meters to the nearest stop.

On average, buses run 5 times a day across all routes, resulting in approximately 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Buloke is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Buloke faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 47% (~2,804 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.1%) and asthma (8.6%), while 59.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Rest of Vic.. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 29.9% (1,792 people), higher than the 24.0% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors show some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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 was found to have a cultural diversity below average, with 88.6 percent of its population being citizens, 92.8 percent born in Australia, and 96.4 percent speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Buloke, comprising 58.8 percent of its population. This compares to a regional percentage of 53.2 across Rest of Vic..

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are Australian at 33.2 percent, English at 31.5 percent, and Irish at 13.0 percent. Notably, Scottish ethnicity is overrepresented in Buloke at 10.7 percent compared to the regional average of 8.0 percent.

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 17.4%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s average, while the 35-44 year-olds are under-represented at 8.5%. This concentration of the 55-64 age group is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 8.8% to 9.5% of Buloke's population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.1% to 11.2%. By 2041, projections indicate substantial demographic changes for Buloke. The 35 to 44 age cohort is expected to grow by 31%, adding 160 residents to reach a total of 673. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age cohorts.