Castlemaine Surrounds

An assessment of population growth drivers in Castlemaine Surrounds reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Castlemaine Surrounds' population, as of May 2026, is approximately 9,679, showing a 4.9% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 9,225 people. This growth is inferred from ABS data: an estimated resident population of 9,675 in June 2025 and 236 new addresses validated since the Census date. The population density is around 6.4 persons per square kilometer. Castlemaine Surrounds' growth exceeded that of its SA4 region (4.0%) and SA3 area, making it a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 80% of 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 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, the population is projected to decline by 884 persons. However, specific age cohorts like the 25-34 group are expected to grow, with an increase of 95 people anticipated in this cohort.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Castlemaine Surrounds among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Between FY21-FY25, Castlemaine Surrounds averaged 61 new home approvals per year. In total, 307 homes were approved during these five years. As of FY26, 38 homes have been approved.

Each dwelling brought an average of 2.4 new residents annually between FY21-FY25. New homes are being built at an average cost of $342,000. This year has seen $6.4 million in commercial approvals.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Castlemaine Surrounds exhibits similar building activity per capita, indicating market stability aligned with regional trends. All recent development consists of detached houses, maintaining the area's low-density character and appealing to families seeking space. With around 192 people per dwelling approval, Castlemaine Surrounds displays characteristics of a low-density region. Population is expected to remain stable or decline, potentially easing housing pressure and creating buying opportunities.

Castlemaine Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 28 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Haven Castlemaine, Levee Banks Project, Frederick Street Precinct Project, and Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant 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.

The employment environment in Castlemaine Surrounds shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Castlemaine Surrounds has an educated workforce with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.8%, with estimated employment growth of 2.0% in the past year as of December 2025. The area had 4,578 residents employed with a 0.9% lower unemployment rate than Regional Vic.'s 3.7%.

Workforce participation was 56.1%, below Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. Census responses showed 27.8% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training, with a notable specialization in professional & technical services at 1.4 times the regional level. However, accommodation & food employs only 4.6% of local workers, below Regional Vic.'s 6.9%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparisons. Between December 2024 and 2025, employment increased by 2.0%, while labour force rose by 1.9%, keeping unemployment broadly stable. This contrasts with Regional Vic., where employment contracted by 0.6%, the labour force fell by 0.7%, and unemployment decreased slightly. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Castlemaine Surrounds, projecting national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Castlemaine Surrounds' employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The Castlemaine Surrounds SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $47,136 and an average income of $61,400 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ending June 2023. This was below the national average, which stood at a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth figures of 9.62% from July 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes for Castlemaine Surrounds would be approximately $51,670 (median) and $67,307 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census data, incomes in Castlemaine Surrounds fell between the 21st and 22nd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income distribution showed that 28.8% of the population, equating to 2,787 individuals, earned within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, which was consistent with broader trends across regional levels where 30.3% fell into the same category. Housing costs were relatively low, with residents retaining 88.1% of their income after housing expenses. However, this resulted in a total disposable income ranking at just the 27th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the fifth decile.

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

In Castlemaine Surrounds, as per the latest Census, 98.7% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 1.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This differs from Regional Vic.'s figures of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Castlemaine Surrounds stood at 52.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.9% and rented ones at 8.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,473, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Castlemaine Surrounds was $280, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Castlemaine Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.6% of all households, including 23.3% couples with children, 35.6% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.4%, with lone person households at 29.9% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 31.5%, higher than the Rest of Vic average of 21.7% and the SA4 region average of 25.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (5.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 35.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.3% and certificates at 23.6%. Educational participation is high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.2% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Castlemaine Surrounds shows that there are currently 32 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops are serviced by a total of 7 individual routes, which collectively provide 153 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as limited, with residents typically located an average distance of 1128 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. The dominant mode of transportation among residents is the car, used by 90% of them. Walking is the second-most common mode, used by 6% of residents.

Vehicle ownership in the area averages at 1.8 per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high percentage of residents, specifically 27.8%, work from home, which may reflect the conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service frequency across all routes averages 21 trips per day, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

Castlemaine Surrounds'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 Surrounds shows positive outcomes overall. Mortality rates and health conditions are largely in line with national benchmarks.

Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts at a standard level. Private health cover is relatively low, with approximately 50% of the total population (~4,820 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (9.6%). 61.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. As of 2021, the area has 29.8% of residents aged 65 and over (2,879 people), higher than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Castlemaine Surrounds, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2006, exhibited a relatively low level of cultural diversity. The population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 90.1% falling into this category. Additionally, 87.7% were born in Australia and 97.1% spoke English as their only language at home.

Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 34.4% of the population. However, Judaism showed a notable overrepresentation with 0.3% of the population, compared to the regional average of 0.1%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (32.5%), Australian (27.8%), and Irish (11.6%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences in representation: Scottish was overrepresented at 10.3% (compared to 8.8% regionally), Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.2%), and Dutch at 1.7%.

Castlemaine Surrounds ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Castlemaine Surrounds is 52 years, which is significantly higher than Regional Victoria's average of 43 and also well above the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Castlemaine Surrounds at 18.0%, compared to Regional Victoria's average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.5%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 7.9% to 9.5% of the population, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 7.9% to 9.0%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 19.0% to 17.2%, and the 45-54 age group dropped from 14.3% to 13.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Castlemaine Surrounds, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 10%, adding 72 residents to reach 803. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 75-84 and 0-4 age cohorts.