Buninyong

Population growth drivers in Buninyong are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Buninyong's population is 7,384 as of May 2026. This shows an increase of 123 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,261. The change is inferred from ABS' June 2025 estimate and 52 new addresses validated since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 143 persons per square kilometer. Buninyong's growth rate of 1.7% since the census is within 2.6 percentage points of the Rest of Vic's 4.3%, indicating competitive fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 78.2% to 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, it utilises 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 years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Buninyong is forecasted to increase by 2,184 persons, reflecting a total increase of 29.6% over the 16-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, 12 approvals have been recorded. The population has fallen during this period, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a 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 significantly lower building activity, at 76.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Nationally, Buninyong also records lower levels of building activity, suggesting market maturity and potential development constraints. All new construction in the area has been comprised of detached houses, maintaining its traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 568 people, reflecting Buninyong's quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Buninyong will gain approximately 2,184 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include the 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 well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate in December 2025 was 2.0%. There were 3,893 residents employed at this time, with an unemployment rate of 1.7% lower than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation was 65.6%, slightly higher than Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. According to Census responses, 24.1% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area showed strong specialization in education & training with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence at 1.6%, compared to 7.5% regionally. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.7% and employment decreased by 0.5%. This resulted in a fall of 0.2 percentage points in the unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Buninyong's employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The Buninyong SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $55,575 and an average income of $70,860 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was higher than the national average for both metrics, with Regional Vic.'s median income being $50,954 and average income $62,728. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $60,921 (median) and $77,677 (average), based on a 9.62% growth in wages since the financial year 2023. The 2021 Census showed that household, family, and personal incomes in Buninyong were around the 55th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicated that 32.4% of residents (2,392 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the surrounding region where 30.3% occupied this range. After housing costs, residents retained 89.4% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking in the 7th decile.

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

In Buninyong, as per the latest Census, 95.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 4.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Regional Vic.'s figures of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Buninyong stood at 44.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.9% and rented ones at 14.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,662, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Buninyong was $330, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Buninyong's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,662 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $330 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for 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, larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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

Educational attainment in Buninyong is notably high, with 34.2% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications as of the latest data point, compared to 21.7% in Rest of Vic. and 24.6% in 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 such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 21.3%. Educational participation is high, with 33.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the recorded period, including 11.9% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.3% of residents 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 serviced by five routes, offering 827 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop is 424 meters, with accessibility rated moderate. Most residents commute outward and primarily use cars (95%), with an average of 1.9 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 24.1% work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 118 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 22 weekly trips per stop.

Service frequency averages 118 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

Buninyong's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance across Buninyong. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low for both young and old age cohorts.

Approximately 54% of the total population (~3,994 people) had private health cover, compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic. The most common medical conditions were asthma (8.5%) and mental health issues (8.3%). 68.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Health outcomes among the working-age population are typical. 20.3% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,499 people), lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Buninyong's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.5% of its population born in Australia, 92.3% being citizens, and 96.3% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Buninyong is Christianity, comprising 44.7% of the population, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic. The top three ancestry groups in Buninyong are English (31.0%), Australian (30.2%), and Irish (11.5%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry is overrepresented at 10.3%, compared to 8.8% regionally, Dutch at 2.0% versus 1.7%, and Croatian at 0.5% against 0.4%.

Buninyong's median age exceeds the national pattern

Buninyong's median age is 42 years, similar to Regional Vic.'s average of 43 and considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that 16.0% are aged 15-24, while only 8.8% are aged 25-34, compared to Regional Vic.. Between 2021 and the present day, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.0% to 16.0%, and the 75-84 cohort has grown from 4.8% to 6.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has declined from 15.8% to 13.7%, and the 55-64 age group has dropped from 13.7% to 11.8%. Population forecasts for Buninyong indicate significant demographic changes by 2041, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 91%, adding 589 residents to reach a total of 1,239.