Castlemaine Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

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 November 2025, is approximately 9,974. This figure represents an increase of 749 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,225. The growth was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 9,596 in June 2024 and validated new addresses totalling 197 since the Census date. This results in a population density of 6.6 persons per square kilometer. Castlemaine Surrounds' growth rate of 8.1% exceeds both the SA4 region (5.9%) and non-metro areas, indicating it as a growth leader. Interstate migration accounted for approximately 78.4% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are used, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project a decline of 799 persons by 2041 in Castlemaine Surrounds. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 25-34 age group projected to increase by 125 people.

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

Castlemaine Surrounds has seen approximately 61 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 307 homes were approved, with an additional 17 approved so far in FY26. Each dwelling built over these years has resulted in an average of 2.4 new residents per year, reflecting strong demand that supports property values.

The average expected construction cost value for these new homes is $342,000. This financial year has seen $6.4 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Castlemaine Surrounds has similar development levels per person, contributing to market stability and aligning with regional patterns.

All recent developments have been detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character and appealing to families seeking space. With around 192 people per dwelling approval, Castlemaine Surrounds exhibits characteristics of a growth area. However, with population expected to remain stable or decline, there may be reduced pressure on housing in the future, potentially presenting opportunities for buyers.

Castlemaine Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 28 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Haven Castlemaine, Levee Banks Project, Frederick Street Precinct Project, and Community Health and Learning Hub. The following 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.

Employment performance in Castlemaine Surrounds has been broadly consistent with national averages

Castlemaine Surrounds has a well-educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.9% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.9% over the past year.

As of this date, 4,451 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.8% below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was somewhat lower at 54.3%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Professional & technical services had notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

However, accommodation & food services were under-represented, with only 4.6% of Castlemaine Surrounds's workforce compared to Rest of Vic.'s 6.9%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 0.9%, while the labour force increased by 1.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced an employment decline of 0.9% and a labour force decline of 0.4%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Castlemaine Surrounds' employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

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

Castlemaine Surrounds had a median taxpayer income of $45,672 and an average of $59,612 in financial year 2022. These figures are lower than the national averages of $48,741 (median) and $60,693 (average). By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $51,226 (median) and $66,861 (average), based on a 12.16% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to census data, incomes in Castlemaine Surrounds fall between the 21st and 22nd percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 28.8% of the community (2,872 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 30.3% in the same category. Housing costs are modest, with 88.1% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 27th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Castlemaine Surrounds' dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 98.7% houses and 1.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic. had 95.2% houses and 4.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Castlemaine Surrounds was 52.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 38.9% and rented ones at 8.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,473, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,600. Median weekly rent in Castlemaine Surrounds was $280, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $320. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,473 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 account for 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, smaller than the Rest of 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% among residents aged 15+, exceeding the Rest of Vic average of 21.7% and the SA4 region average of 25.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (5.1%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.3% while certificates make up 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. There are 10 schools operating within Castlemaine Surrounds, educating approximately 495 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1029) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 8 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. Local school capacity is limited at 5.0 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 10.5, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

The public transport analysis indicates that there are 32 active transport stops within the Castlemaine Surrounds. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 13 individual routes operating. Collectively, these routes provide 182 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1127 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes is 26 trips per day, equating to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Castlemaine Surrounds is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Castlemaine Surrounds faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% (~4,937 people) have private health cover, lower than Rest of Vic's 52.9% and the national average of 55.3%. The most common conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (9.6%), with 61.6% reporting no medical ailments, compared to Rest of Vic's 63.4%.

The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 29.0% (2,890 people), compared to Rest of Vic's 24.9%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Castlemaine Surrounds are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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' cultural diversity was below average, with 90.1% of its population being citizens, 87.7% born in Australia, and 97.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 34.4%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to 0.2% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.5%), Australian (27.8%), and Irish (11.6%). Notably, Scottish was overrepresented at 10.3% versus 10.1% regionally, Hungarian at 0.4% versus 0.3%, and Dutch at 1.7% versus 1.4%.

Castlemaine Surrounds ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Castlemaine Surrounds is 52 years, significantly higher than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 years and well above the national norm of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented at 18.1% locally compared to Rest of Vic.'s average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.5%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 7.9% to 8.8% of the population, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 19.0% to 17.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Castlemaine Surrounds, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow by 10%, adding 75 residents to reach 820. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 75-84 and 0-4 age cohorts.