Buninyong

Buninyong has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Buninyong's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 7,412. This figure represents an increase of 151 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 7,261. The growth from June 2024 to November 2025 is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,358 and 45 validated new addresses. This results in a population density of 143 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 70.5% of Buninyong's recent population gains.

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 the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Buninyong is projected to increase by 2,212 persons, reflecting a total increase of 29.1% over the 17-year period.

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

Buninyong has recorded approximately 20 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 104 homes. As of FY-26, 7 approvals have been recorded. The population has fallen during this period, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a well-balanced market with good buyer choice. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $446,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

In FY-26, $5.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting Buninyong's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Vic., Buninyong records markedly lower building activity (77.0% below regional average per person), which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. This level is also lower than nationally, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. All new construction in the area has been detached houses, maintaining Buninyong's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 568 people.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Buninyong is forecasted to gain 2,158 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Buninyong has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects potentially affecting this region. Notable ones are: Buninyong Botanic Gardens Landscape Masterplan and Gong Reservoir Wall Reconstruction, Buninyong Heritage Swimming Baths Conservation Works, Buninyog Community Road Safety Upgrades, and Buninyong Pump Track Upgrade. 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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Buninyong significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Buninyong has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.1%, lower than the national average of 5.1% as of September 2025.

The area has seen employment growth of 2.0% over the past year, compared to a decline of 0.7% in the rest of Victoria (Rest of Vic.). As of September 2025, 3,859 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%, below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is high at 62.9%, compared to the regional average of 57.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

Notably, employment in education & training is 1.7 times the regional average. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with only 1.6% employment compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Over the year to September 2025, Buninyong's employment increased by 2.0%, while labour force increased by 1.6%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment and labour force declines of 0.7% and 0.6% respectively, with a marginal rise in unemployment. State-wide, Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year to November 25, adding 41,950 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.3%. Job and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years. Applying these projections to Buninyong's current employment mix suggests local employment should increase by similar rates, assuming no significant changes in population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The Buninyong SA2 had an income level higher than average nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 30, 2022. Its median income among taxpayers was $54,138 and the average income stood at $68,291, compared to figures for Rest of Vic.'s of $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2025, current estimates would be approximately $60,721 (median) and $76,595 (average) as of September 2025. According to figures from the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Buninyong clustered around the 55th percentile nationally. In terms of income distribution, individuals earning between $1,500 - 2,999 captured 32.4% of the community (2,401 individuals), similar to metropolitan regions where this cohort likewise represented 30.3%. After housing costs, residents retained 89.4% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and indicating that Buninyong's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Buninyong, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 95.6% houses and 4.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s dwelling structure was 85.6% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Buninyong stood at 44.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.9% and rented dwellings at 14.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Buninyong was $1,662, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,499. The median weekly rent figure for Buninyong was recorded at $330, while Non-Metro Vic.'s was $300. Nationally, Buninyong's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Buninyong features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.9% of all households, including 36.6% couples with children, 31.8% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.1%, with lone person households at 19.2% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Buninyong exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Buninyong's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 34.2% have university qualifications, compared to 21.7% in Rest of Vic. and 24.6% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (5.9%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 21.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.3% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.9% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Buninyong has 37 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. Nine different routes service these stops, together offering 914 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Buninyong is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 424 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 130 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 24 weekly trips per individual stop.

Buninyong's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Buninyong's health metrics closely match national benchmarks. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover rate is approximately 54%, or about 3,980 people, which is higher than the 50.9% average in Rest of Vic.. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (8.5%) and mental health issues (8.3%). About 68.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.3% in Rest of Vic.. Buninyong has 19.5% of residents aged 65 and over, totaling 1,446 people, which is higher than the 17.8% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming the general population's health metrics.

Buninyong is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Buninyong had a cultural diversity level below average, with 89.5% of its population born in Australia, 92.3% being citizens, and 96.3% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Buninyong was Christianity, comprising 44.7% of the population, compared to 45.0% across Rest of Vic. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.0%), Australian (30.2%), and Irish (11.5%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 10.3%, compared to 9.2% regionally; Dutch ancestry was also slightly higher at 2.0%. Croatian ancestry was present but lower than the regional average at 0.5%.

Buninyong's median age exceeds the national pattern

Buninyong's median age is 42 years, similar to Victoria's average of 43 but considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that the 15-24 year-old group is prominent at 16.3%, while the 25-34 year-old group is smaller at 8.4% compared to Victoria's average. Between 2021 and present, Buninyong's population has seen an increase in the 15-24 age group from 13.0% to 16.3%, and a rise in the 75-84 age cohort from 4.8% to 5.9%. Conversely, there has been a decline in the 55-64 age group from 13.7% to 11.7% and a drop in the 5-14 age group from 15.8% to 14.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes with the 25-34 age cohort projected to grow by 107%, adding 665 residents to reach a total of 1,287 residents in that age group.