Cobram

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

Cobram's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 6,982 by November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 517 people, marking an 8.0% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,465. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,600 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 199 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 53 persons per square kilometer. Cobram's growth rate of 8.0% since the 2021 census surpassed both its SA4 region (3.5%) and SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 69.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is using 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 the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting them using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, Cobram is predicted to experience exceptional growth, placing it among the top 10 percent of national regional areas. By 2041, the area is expected to expand by approximately 2,826 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 35.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Cobram recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Cobram averaged approximately 41 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25205 homes were approved, with an additional 27 approved so far in FY26. On average, each new home has led to around 0.7 new residents per year over these five years.

This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost of new homes was $346,000. This financial year, there have been $23.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating steady commercial investment activity in the area.

Compared to other regions in Victoria (Vic.), Cobram shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 77th percentile nationally when assessed for new building activity. The majority of new dwellings approved in Cobram are detached houses, making up 87.0% of approvals, while attached dwellings account for 13.0%. This maintains the area's traditional low-density character, appealing to those seeking space and family homes. With around 151 people per dwelling approval, Cobram shows characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Cobram is forecasted to gain approximately 2,444 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply could potentially lag behind population growth, which may intensify buyer competition and support price growth in the future.

Cobram has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects potentially impacting this region. Key projects are Thompsons Beach and Kennedy Park Precinct Plan, NCN Health Cobram Urgent Care Centre Renovation, Cobram Village, and VICSES Cobram Unit. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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While Cobram retains a healthy unemployment rate of 2.9%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Cobram's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominent. The unemployment rate in September 2025 was 2.9%.

At this time, 2830 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.8% lower than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Cobram was 49.3%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key employment industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly specialized, with an employment share 2.1 times the regional average.

Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 11.3% compared to the regional average of 16.8%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Cobram's labour force decreased by 10.6%, employment declined by 11.9%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.7%, the labour force fell by 0.6%, and unemployment rose marginally. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts suggest total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cobram's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by approximately 5.0% over five years and 11.4% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released in financial year 2022, Cobram SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $44,672. The average income stood at $53,357. This was lower than the national average and compared to levels of $48,741 and $60,693 across Rest of Vic respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for median income would be approximately $50,104 by September 2025. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Cobram fall between the 5th and 12th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 30.4% of individuals earn within the $400 - 799 bracket (2,122 individuals), contrasting with broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains, ranking at only the 8th percentile nationally.

Cobram is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Cobram, as per the latest Census evaluation, 91.6% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 8.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s figures of 90.8% houses and 9.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cobram stood at 45.0%, similar to Non-Metro Vic., with mortgaged dwellings at 26.3% and rented ones at 28.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,278, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure in Cobram was $250, matching Non-Metro Vic.'s figure. Nationally, Cobram's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,278 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 62.3% of all households, including 19.8% that are couples with children, 31.2% that are couples without children, and 10.3% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 37.7%, with lone person households at 34.4% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic average of 2.3.

Cobram faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.2%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.6%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 27.2%. Educational participation is high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.9% in primary, 7.7% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cobram has 19 operational public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 13 unique routes, collectively facilitating 146 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good with residents generally residing 299 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 20 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 7 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cobram is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Cobram faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 47%, covering around 3,281 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.7%) and mental health issues (9.3%). About 59.7% of residents report having no medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Vic's 60.0%. Cobram has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 28.7%, or 2,006 people, compared to Rest of Vic's 27.0%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Cobram are better than the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Cobram records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cobram's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, with 83.9% being citizens, 82.2% born in Australia, and 86.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Cobram, comprising 57.4%. The 'Other' category is overrepresented in Cobram at 2.2%, compared to 0.7% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups are English (30.8%), Australian (26.3%), and Italian (9.0%). Notably, Irish (8.7%) and Chinese (2.2%) groups are overrepresented in Cobram compared to regional averages.

Cobram hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Cobram's median age of 48 years is materially older than Rest of Vic.'s 43 and significantly higher than the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent at 10.5%, while the 35-44 group is comparatively smaller at 10.5% than in Rest of Vic.. Post-Census data from 2021 shows that the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.4% of the population, while the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 15.4% to 14.3%. Demographic modeling suggests that Cobram's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age cohort projected to expand considerably, growing by 484 people (61%) from 793 to 1,278.