Castlemaine

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

Castlemaine's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 11,672. This represents an increase of 320 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,352. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 11,641 in June 2025 and 363 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 139 persons per square kilometer. Castlemaine's 2.8% growth since the Census is close to its SA4 region's 4.0%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.3% of overall population gains recently.

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, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are used, adjusted via weighted aggregation to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area's population is projected to decline by 707 persons. However, specific age cohorts like those aged 85 and over are expected to grow, with a projected increase of 135 people in this group.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Castlemaine when compared nationally

Castlemaine has averaged approximately 91 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 456 homes. As of FY26, 41 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.9 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were noted between FY21 and FY25. This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction value of these new homes is $300,000. Additionally, $100.2 million in commercial approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Castlemaine has slightly more development, with 20.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The new building activity shows 89.0% detached houses and 11.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. With around 172 people per dwelling approval, Castlemaine displays characteristics of a low density area. Population projections indicating stability or decline suggest reduced housing demand pressures in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

Castlemaine has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones are Levee Banks Project, Frederick Street Precinct Project, Haven Castlemaine, and Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant Upgrade. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Castlemaine has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Castlemaine has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.5%, with an estimated employment growth of 1.6% over the past year as of December 2025. In this month, 4,905 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.2% lower than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation in Castlemaine lags behind Regional Vic., at 50.9% compared to 61.0%. According to Census responses, 29.7% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Key industries employing residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and manufacturing. Notably, employment in education & training is high at 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented with only 1.3% of Castlemaine's workforce compared to 7.5% in Regional Vic.. Local employment opportunities exist, but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 1.6%, while labour force grew by 1.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Vic., where employment fell by 0.6% and unemployment decreased by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Castlemaine's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows Castlemaine SA2 has median income of $46,172 and average income of $59,657. This is below national averages of $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average) in Regional Vic. Based on 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $50,614 (median) and $65,396 (average). Census data reveals Castlemaine's household, family and personal incomes fall between the 13th and 25th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 27.5% of locals earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to the region where 30.3% are in this bracket. After housing costs, 86.3% of income remains, ranking at the 16th percentile nationally. Castlemaine's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

As per the latest Census evaluation in Castlemaine, 94.4% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 5.5% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Regional Victoria's figures of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Castlemaine stood at 48.3%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 31.1% and rented dwellings making up 20.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,408, lower than Regional Victoria's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Castlemaine was $310, compared to Regional Victoria's $285. Nationally, Castlemaine's mortgage repayments were significantly below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially lower than the national figure of $375.

Castlemaine features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 61.1% of all households, including 19.8% couples with children, 29.0% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 35.9% and group households comprising 3.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Castlemaine shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

In Castlemaine, 36.7% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 21.7% in the rest of Victoria and 25.4% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.9%) and graduate diplomas (6.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 29.8% of residents, with advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 18.1%. Educational participation is high, with 30.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.3% in primary, 9.2% in secondary, and 4.6% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 9.2% in secondary education, and 4.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Castlemaine has 63 active public transport stops offering a mix of train services. These are served by 15 routes providing 531 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents located an average of 409 meters from their nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car use dominates at 84%, while walking and cycling account for 7% and 3% respectively. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 29.7% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 75 trips per day across all routes, equating to around 8 weekly trips per stop.

Castlemaine's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data for Castlemaine shows positive outcomes overall, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts at a standard level.

Private health cover is low, at approximately 49% of the total population (~5,707 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (10.4%). A majority (60.8%) report being free from medical ailments, slightly lower than Regional Vic.'s 63.4%. Working-age residents have a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 29.2% (~3,410 people), compared to Regional Vic.'s 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Castlemaine's population showed low cultural diversity, with 86.0% being citizens, 85.7% born in Australia, and 95.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 28.7%. Judaism, though small at 0.3%, was overrepresented compared to Regional Vic's 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, English (32.5%) and Australian (25.8%) were the top groups, followed by Irish (12.3%). Scottish (10.9%), Welsh (0.8%), and German (3.9%) were notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 8.8%, 0.4%, and 3.5% respectively.

Castlemaine ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Castlemaine's median age is 50, surpassing Regional Vic.'s figure of 43 and the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 15.0% of Castlemaine's population, higher than Regional Vic., while the 15-24 cohort represents 7.4%, lower than the regional figure. This 65-74 concentration is notably above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group grew from 12.0% to 13.5% of Castlemaine's population, while the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 14.4% to 13.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Castlemaine's age profile. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 135 people (29%), reaching 605 from an initial 469. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 75-84 cohorts.