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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Chiltern - Indigo Valley has an estimated 3,261 residents, up from 3,184 at the 2021 Census — a change of 77 people, or 2.4%. Growth has averaged 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 77% of areas nationally. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Chiltern - Indigo Valley is estimated by AreaSearch to have a population of around 3,261 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 3,184 people recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents a gain of 77 people (2.4%). This demographic shift is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,257 as of June 2025 alongside 44 validated new addresses documented since the Census date. With a density ratio of 6.4 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous personal space. Chiltern - Indigo Valley's post-census expansion of 2.4% sits within 0.3 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (2.7%), underlining resilient growth drivers.
Net interstate migration served as the primary growth contributor, accounting for approximately 58.7% of recent population additions, while natural increase and overseas arrivals also made positive additions. Projections for each SA2 region are drawn from ABS/Geoscience Australia data published in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year), supplemented where needed by the 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA projections via a weighted aggregation approach. Cohort-specific growth trajectories derived from these aggregations are applied across all districts for the 2032 to 2041 period. Long-term forecasts place the locality within the upper quartile of regional districts across the country, anticipating a gain of 718 persons to 2041 according to current annual ERP metrics, translating to an overall growth rate of 21.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
70 new dwellings have been approved in Chiltern - Indigo Valley over the past five years, an average of 14 a year. That is 4.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Chiltern - Indigo Valley have averaged around 14 new dwellings annually, amounting to 70 homes over the preceding 5 financial years. With an influx of 1.3 new residents per approved residence between FY-22 and FY-26, construction and demand have remained balanced, supporting a steady environment; this dynamic moderated to 0.6 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years to indicate expanding supply conditions. Estimated construction costs for newly approved dwellings average $486,000. Additionally, the region recorded $10.7 million in approved commercial projects during this financial year, pointing to steady commercial building momentum.
Per capita residential construction in Chiltern - Indigo Valley stands at roughly three-quarters of the level recorded in Rest of Vic., though the area ranks within the 74th percentile nationwide following an uptick in recent construction activity. All recent residential approvals consist exclusively of separate houses, preserving the district's low-density profile and appealing to purchasers pursuing larger allotments. With approximately 151 people per dwelling approval, the region maintains distinct low-density traits. Looking forward, the district is projected to expand by 714 residents through to 2041, based on the latest quarterly AreaSearch projection. Should current construction volumes persist, residential development might find it challenging to satisfy population demand, which could intensify buyer interest and bolster local property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Chiltern - Indigo Valley
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 104 current infrastructure and development projects close to Chiltern - Indigo Valley, worth an estimated $4.68 billion. 23 are already under construction and 34 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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 economic and social outcomes are substantially shaped by capital works, planning policies, and infrastructure upgrades. AreaSearch has pinpointed 6 major projects likely to influence the district, including the Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, the Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion, Hydrogen Park Murray Valley (HyP Murray Valley), and the Wodonga Solar Farm.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence
A new facility to be built at Wodonga TAFE's Logic campus to provide an introduction to advanced manufacturing and prototyping capabilities.
Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Major $73 million expansion of the wastewater treatment plant to double capacity from current levels to support Wodonga's growing residential and industrial population. Features covered anaerobic lagoons for biogas recovery and renewable electricity generation, reducing emissions by over 50% annually.
Hydrogen Park Murray Valley (HyP Murray Valley)
A 10 MW renewable hydrogen production facility using solar-powered electrolysis. Produces green hydrogen that is blended at up to 10% into the local Albury-Wodonga gas network, serving over 40,000 customers. Officially opened in September 2024 and now fully operational.
Wodonga Solar Farm
A completed 3 megawatt solar farm featuring 6,500 panels with single-axis tracking system, now powering the Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant with renewable energy. Operational since August 2023, the facility generates enough electricity to power the treatment plant during daylight hours with surplus energy fed back to the grid. The project reduces North East Water's carbon footprint by 6,000 tonnes of CO2 annually and contributes to the corporation's 100% renewable energy achievement.
Belvoir Village Motel Expansion - Additional 20 Motel Units
Expansion of the existing Belvoir Village Motel with construction of a double storey building comprising 20 additional motel units, creation of a new road access, and associated landscaping works on the 2-acre property. The existing motel currently operates 12 rooms and this expansion would bring the total accommodation to 32 units.
Beechworth Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
Upgrade of the existing lagoon-based system to a new mechanical biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment plant. Features include new concrete bioreactors, inlet works, UV disinfection, aerobic digestion, and residuals management systems. Designed to ensure environmental compliance and provide capacity for Beechworth's ongoing residential and industrial growth.
McFeeters Road Bridge Renewal
Replacement of the load-limited timber bridge over Spring Creek along McFeeters Road, approximately 5km north of Beechworth. The renewal delivers a new compliant single-lane structure with a 4.5m trafficable width, removing the 16-tonne load restriction to improve local vehicle safety and emergency access into the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Wonga Wetlands Visitor Education and Experience Centre
The project, part of NSW Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund projects, will provide a gateway to Wonga Wetlands, including landscaping and car park improvements. It aims to enhance the experience for an estimated 4,000 visitors per month, focusing on educating school groups and others about the wetlands. It will also strengthen the city's lifestyle and nature-based tourism offer and provide a venue for large events and functions, located at the doorstep to the network of lagoons habitat for thousands of native birds and animals.Visitor education and experience centre at Wonga Wetlands with detailed designs being prepared for construction to enhance environmental education and tourism opportunities at this significant wetland site.
1,758 residents of Chiltern - Indigo Valley are employed, from a labour force of 1,836. Unemployment sits at 4.2%, with participation at 66.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,674, about 82% 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
A well-balanced mix of blue and white collar roles characterizes the local labor market in Chiltern - Indigo Valley, supported by strong representation across essential services and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. As of March 2026, working residents numbered 1,758, while joblessness was 0.6% higher than the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%. Meanwhile, the local labor participation rate stood high at 66.5%, well above the 61.1% seen across Regional Vic.. Census data indicated that a moderate 15.4% of workers conducted their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.
Key sectors employing local residents include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing represents a clear area of concentration, engaging a workforce share 1.6 times that of the regional benchmark. Conversely, construction accounts for only 7.8% of local workers compared to 10.4% in Regional Vic.. Comparing resident counts against local Census workplace figures indicates that internal job opportunities within the immediate area remain relatively constrained. According to AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM releases, the 12 months to March 2026 saw the local labor force shrink by 2.1% alongside a 2.4% contraction in total employment, pushing the unemployment rate up by 0.3 percentage points. Across Regional Vic. over the same interval, employment dipped 0.1%, the labor pool shrank 0.3%, and unemployment decreased by 0.2 percentage points. Longer-term employment trajectories are informed by Jobs and Skills Australia projections from Mar-26. Across Australia, workforce expansion is projected at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely by sector. When mapped to the local industry distribution, Chiltern - Indigo Valley's employment base is projected to rise by 5.7% over five years and 12.6% over ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes micro-level population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Chiltern - Indigo Valley is $1,493 a week (about $78,000 a year), with median personal income at $752 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,067 a year against an average of $58,980. 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
Aggregated ATO tax records for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that Chiltern - Indigo Valley SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $51,067 alongside an average of $58,980. These figures sit below nationwide standards, while Regional Vic. recorded a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728. Accounting for a 9.62% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of approximately $55,980 (median) and $64,654 (average) as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household levels, Census earnings sit in the modest 35th to 39th percentiles.
The primary earnings cohort covers 36.1% of earners making between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,177 residents), aligning with the wider metropolitan rate of 30.3%. Housing costs remain manageable with 88.2% of income retained, although disposable earnings rank at the 40th percentile and the SEIFA income position falls into the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Chiltern - Indigo Valley had 1,238 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 1% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 11% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,389 a month. Rent absorbs 17.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential stock in Chiltern - Indigo Valley consisted of 94.9% houses and 5.1% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative dwelling types), compared with 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings throughout Regional Vic.. Outright home ownership reached 43.1%, surpassing the Regional Vic. level, while mortgaged properties accounted for 46.1% and rental housing made up 10.8%. Median monthly mortgage costs were $1,389 and median weekly rents were $260, lower than the corresponding Regional Vic. figures of $1,430 and $285. In a national context, the area's mortgage repayments sit well below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents remain substantially lower than the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Chiltern - Indigo Valley counted 1,238 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 35% couples without children. 26% 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 constitute 71.6% of local households, comprising couples without children (34.9%), couples with children (28.7%), and single parent families (6.7%). The remaining 28.4% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person households (26.3%) alongside group households (2.5%). Average household size stands at 2.4 people, matching the Regional Vic. norm.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.6% of adults in Chiltern - Indigo Valley hold a university qualification, including 12.2% with a bachelor degree and 2.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 32.0% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 170 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 984 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 levels show a lower incidence of higher education qualifications, with tertiary degree attainment at 18.6% compared to the statewide VIC level of 33.4%, highlighting a target area for educational development. Within higher education, bachelor degrees make up 12.2%, graduate diplomas represent 3.7%, and postgraduate credentials account for 2.7%. Vocational education is strongly represented, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, comprising certificates (32.0%) and advanced diplomas (11.2%). A significant 27.2% of local inhabitants are currently engaged in formal learning. This student cohort includes 9.7% attending secondary schools, 9.1% enrolled in primary education, and 2.4% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Chiltern - Indigo Valley means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transportation across Chiltern - Indigo Valley is facilitated by 4 stops catering to train services across 3 routes, providing a total of 59 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is comparatively limited, with dwellings situated an average distance of 607 meters from the nearest stop. Given the area's residential orientation, external commuting is common, with private cars serving as the primary transport mode for 94% of commuters. Household vehicle ownership averages 2.0 per dwelling, exceeding the regional figure, while 15.4% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census under potential COVID-19 conditions.
Scheduled public transport services run at an average rate of 8 trips per day across all available routes, providing approximately 14 weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
60.3% of residents in Chiltern - Indigo Valley report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 80% of areas nationally. 5.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.4% 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 indicators compiled by AreaSearch indicate notable challenges across Chiltern - Indigo Valley based on chronic disease rates and mortality statistics, with conditions prevalent across older and younger demographics alike. Private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 48% of the local population (~1,578 people), trailing both the Regional Vic. rate of 50.5% and the Australian average of 55.7%. Arthritis (10.8%) and mental health conditions (9.6%) represent the most widely reported medical conditions among locals, while 60.3% of the community reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic..
Working-age residents experience elevated chronic condition rates, and the 781 residents aged 65 and over (comprising 24.0% of the population) exhibit health challenges that track above wider national figures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Chiltern - Indigo Valley is largely Australian-born, at 91.5% of residents, with 1.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (35.1%) and English (32.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics for Chiltern - Indigo Valley sit below national averages, with Australian-born residents accounting for 91.5% of the community, Australian citizens comprising 91.7%, and 98.3% using only English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation at 50.4% of the population, slightly higher than the 47.3% recorded for Regional Vic.. Regarding parental ancestry, the primary reported backgrounds are Australian (35.1%, compared to 29.6% regionally), English (32.6%), and Irish (9.8%). Other ancestral backgrounds show distinct concentrations, including German at 4.4% (vs 3.5% across the region), Dutch at 1.7% (matching the regional 1.7%), and Hungarian at 0.3% (vs 0.2% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Chiltern - Indigo Valley is 47, older than 84% of areas nationally. 21.0% 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
Demographic age distributions in Chiltern - Indigo Valley align closely with Regional Vic. patterns, with the largest variation measuring 4.9 percentage points. AreaSearch places the median age at 47 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census result, which sat 4 years above the Regional Vic. median of 43 and above the national median of 38 at that time. Looking at specific age brackets, residents aged 45 - 64 reduced from 32.7% at the Census to an estimated 29.2%. In contrast, the 25 - 44 cohort is projected to see the strongest expansion by 2041, climbing by 276 individuals (43%) to reach 921.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Chiltern - Indigo Valley
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 44 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,184 at the 2021 Census → 3,261 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 Aug 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 (204031070). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.