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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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California Gully - Eaglehawk has an estimated 13,706 residents, up from 12,949 at the 2021 Census — a change of 757 people, or 5.8%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years. 355 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Natural increase accounts for 49.8% of that increase. That puts 416 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's analysis, California Gully - Eaglehawk's population is around 13,706 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 757 people (5.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,949 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,524 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 355 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 416 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development.
California Gully - Eaglehawk's 5.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.9%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 49.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and interstate migration were positive factors. According to projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 using 2022 as a base, supplemented by Victorian Government municipal forecasts from 2023 for unrepresented locales scaled via weighted averages, the district is set for expansion. These combined metrics, which project age demographic changes up to 2041, point to a substantial upward trajectory. Specifically, the community is anticipated to grow by 5,103 persons to 2041 when measured against current annual ERP figures, indicating a total rise of 35.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
503 new dwellings have been approved in California Gully - Eaglehawk over the past five years, an average of 100 a year. That places the area in the 61st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 7 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 68 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 96% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 115, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approximately 100 home building permits are issued annually in the locality, accumulating to 503 homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far during FY-26, there are 106 approvals on record. An average influx of 1.4 individuals for each finished residence between FY-21 and FY-25 points to balanced supply and demand conditions, aiding market stability. Concurrently, new builds average $220,000 in value, which sits under the regional norm and highlights affordable options for purchasers. Additionally, commercial development remains quiet, evidenced by $1.8 million in non-residential approvals this financial year. Relative to Rest of Vic., the volume of new dwelling approvals per capita in this locality is similar, supporting market equilibrium in line with regional trends, even though construction activity has moderated lately.
Detached houses account for 96.0% of recent construction while townhouses or apartments make up the remaining 4.0%, preserving a low-density residential environment focused on spacious family homes. The quiet development context is highlighted by an estimated ratio of 361 people per housing approval. Long-term forecasts suggest the population will expand by 4,920 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations. Should building rates remain at their current level, residential supply could fall short of demand, potentially intensifing buyer rivalry and driving upward pressure on prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around California Gully - Eaglehawk
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside California Gully - Eaglehawk, worth an estimated $162 million. A further 85 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $13.1 billion. 32 are already under construction and 29 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and education & training. 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 infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant impact on local growth. AreaSearch has identified 16 key projects expected to influence the area. Notable examples include Virginia Hill, Bendigo, the Barrell Street Childcare Centre, the California Gully Oval Upgrade, and the Watson Avenue Childcare Centre.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Barrell Street Childcare Centre
Single-storey childcare centre for up to 110 children across four rooms, including demolition of the existing dwelling, outdoor play areas and a minor reduction in on-site car parking. City of Greater Bendigo issued a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit on March 17, 2025 subject to conditions.
Virginia Hill, Bendigo
Part of the Victorian Government's Big Housing Build, this project in the Virginia Hill neighbourhood of Eaglehawk, Bendigo, will deliver 129 modern, accessible and energy-efficient social housing and affordable rental homes in a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options, replacing 64 ageing public housing dwellings. At least 5% of homes are fully accessible for people with disabilities. All homes achieve a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating and Silver standard Liveable Housing Australia guidelines. Site clearing and early works commenced November 2025 and are scheduled to run through to August 2026, with main construction starting mid-2026 and full completion expected in 2028.
California Gully Oval Upgrade
Upgrades proposed to facilities at California Gully Recreation Reserve (California Gully Oval) to increase community use for sport and recreation, supporting the Eaglehawk Junior Football Club and the California Gully Cricket Club. The reserve currently includes an AFL/cricket oval, cricket training nets, a pavilion with two changerooms, a kiosk, and a playspace.
Poplar Street Townhouse Development
Permit approved 32 lot subdivision with 32 townhouse dwellings on an 8,878 m2 site in the General Residential Zone. Site servicing and ground works appear completed. The parcel is currently for sale with Ray White Bendigo and Savills, seeking a developer to deliver the townhouses.
Watson Avenue Childcare Centre
Permit-approved childcare project on a 3,042 sqm site at 5-7 Watson Avenue, with endorsed plans for a 136-place early learning centre. The site previously held a Goldrush-era bakery, grocer and residence, which were demolished ahead of construction, and a mature ironbark tree at the rear of the property was removed in 2023, prompting local concerns about tree and heritage protection in Greater Bendigo. The project is being delivered by Melbourne-based Mason Developments, a boutique developer specialising in childcare centres.The site was sold in 2024, with marketing indicating an agreement for lease with a national childcare operator (20 + 10 + 10 years). Located close to Eaglehawk town centre and near Lightning Reef Primary School and California Gully Primary School, the facility is positioned to serve working families in Bendigo's north-west.
Eden Academy Eaglehawk Childcare Centre
A childcare project pre-leased to Eden Academy.
Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade - Electronic Train Order (ETO) System
Delivery of a modernised electronic train order (ETO) system on the Bendigo regional network, covering the corridors to Swan Hill and Echuca. The ETO system enables additional services to Epsom and Eaglehawk and supports tripled weekday services between Bendigo and Echuca, along with faster, more reliable journeys.
Raywood Railway Station
New railway station on Swan Hill line featuring single-sided platform, car parking, bus stops, cycling facilities, lighting and CCTV. Part of $49.6 million Bendigo Metro 3 project providing regional rail access.
6,088 residents of California Gully - Eaglehawk are employed, from a labour force of 6,463. Unemployment sits at 5.8%, with participation at 58.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 11,689, about 85% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. 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 market features a mix of blue and white collar positions, with a strong presence of essential service personnel, an unemployment rate of 5.8%, and a 1.5% increase in employment over the preceding year. By March 2026, working residents numbered 6,088, while the jobless rate was 2.1% higher than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, and the participation rate trailed the regional standard at 58.1% compared to 61.1%. Census records show only 10.2% of the workforce operated from home, though pandemic restriction periods likely influenced this figure. Local jobs are largely concentrated in construction, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance.
The community demonstrates a notable concentration in health care & social assistance, employing residents at 1.2 times the regional proportion. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for just 1.9% of the local workforce, compared to 7.5% across Regional Vic.. A comparison between the census day working population and the resident workforce suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat constrained. According to evaluations of SALM and ABS statistics, the 12 months leading to March 2026 saw local employment rise by 1.5% alongside a 0.8% increase in the workforce, leading to a 0.7 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. This outperformed Regional Vic., which saw employment contract by 0.1%, labour force decline by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate fall by 0.2 percentage points. To project future labor demand, national five and ten-year forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 were applied to the local workforce structure. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary by sector. Projecting these industry-specific trends onto the local workforce suggests employment gains of 6.2% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in California Gully - Eaglehawk is $1,223 a week (about $64,000 a year), with median personal income at $660 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,037 a year against an average of $55,905. 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
Postcode data from the ATO for financial year 2023 shows that incomes in the area run below the national benchmark, recording a median of $51,037 and an average of $55,905. By comparison, Regional Vic. registered a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of $55,947 (median) and $61,283 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, local household, family, and individual incomes all ranked between the 14th and 20th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 30.3% of the population (4,152 people), matching the metropolitan distribution of 30.3%.
Financial pressure from housing is significant, leaving residents with only 84.0% of their income, which sits in the 16th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
California Gully - Eaglehawk had 5,178 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $280 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 22.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the last Census, the housing stock consisted of 94.9% houses and 5.2% alternative options like townhouses and apartments, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Home ownership stood at 32.8%, with mortgaged properties making up 36.5% and rental homes accounting for 30.7%. The median monthly home loan repayment was $1,300, while the median weekly rent was $280, compared to regional averages of $1,430 and $285. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
California Gully - Eaglehawk counted 5,178 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,481 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 77% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise 65.0% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 23.1%, couples without children at 24.5%, and single parent households at 15.8%. Non-family households represent the remaining 35.0%, with single person dwellings making up 31.9% and group living situations accounting for 3.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the average for Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.7% of adults in California Gully - Eaglehawk hold a university qualification, including 10.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 80% of areas nationally. A further 30.7% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 1,446 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 937 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 presents hurdles, as the proportion of residents with university qualifications is 14.7%, well below the state average of 33.4%. Among university degree holders, bachelor degrees are most common at 10.0%, with postgraduate qualifications at 2.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational and technical skills are highly represented, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (30.7%). Enrolment in education is strong, with 28.0% of the population actively participating in academic courses. This group consists of 10.4% in primary schools, 7.6% in high schools, and 2.7% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in California Gully - Eaglehawk reaches 79 stops on 11 routes, timetabled for about 1,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 400 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport options include 79 active stops in the area, which feature train services. These facilities are served by 11 routes that support 1,750 passenger trips each week. Transport connectivity is good, with residents living an average of 399 meters from the closest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb, most residents commute elsewhere, with private cars being the primary mode at 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 cars per household. A low 10.2% of the population worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.
Services average 250 trips daily across the network, translating to roughly 22 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.4% of residents in California Gully - Eaglehawk report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 86% of areas nationally. 8.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health analyses show notable difficulties in the area based on mortality and chronic illness rates across age brackets, combined with a very low private health insurance rate of roughly 48% of the population (~6,510 people). This rate falls below the Regional Vic. average of 50.5% and the national standard of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most prevalent issues, affecting 12.7 and 10.8% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 58.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.. Chronic illness rates are high among the working-age population.
Residents aged 65 and over comprise 18.1% of the local population (2,483 people), which is lower than the Regional Vic. average of 23.9%. Senior health outcomes align generally with national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
California Gully - Eaglehawk is largely Australian-born, at 90.5% of residents, with 7.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.2%) and Australian (31.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with citizenship at 90.3%, Australian-born residents at 90.5%, and English-only speakers at 92.5%. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 42.9% of the population. However, the most pronounced religious deviation is Buddhism, which is practiced by 1.8% of residents compared to 1.0% across Regional Vic.. English ancestry leads at 32.2% of the population, followed by Australian ancestry at 31.5% and Irish ancestry at 9.1%. Other notable groups include Scottish at 8.3% (compared to 8.8% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 2.7% (compared to 1.4% regionally), and German at 3.3% (compared to 3.5% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of California Gully - Eaglehawk is 37. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 30.2% 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
The local median age of 37 years is lower than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and close to the national average of 38. Young adults aged 25 - 34 are highly represented at 17.5%, while the 65 - 74 age bracket is smaller (9.6%) than the regional average. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age group increased from 15.1% to 17.5% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort grew from 11.0% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort declined from 11.2% to 9.6% and the 5 to 14 group fell from 12.7% to 11.2%.
Looking to 2041, the 25 to 34 demographic is projected to increase by 1,695 people (71%), rising from 2,401 to 4,097.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for California Gully - Eaglehawk
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 8 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 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 355 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (12,949 at the 2021 Census → 13,706 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 May 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 (202011019). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.