Cobram

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

Cobram's population is approximately 6,634 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 169 people, a 2.6% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,465. The increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 6,626 in June 2025 and an additional 277 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 50 persons per square kilometer. Cobram's growth rate exceeded that of its SA4 region (1%) and SA3 area, making it a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 54.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Population projections predict exceptional growth in the top 10% of Australia's non-metropolitan areas over the period to 2041, with Cobram expected to grow by 2,748 persons, reflecting a total gain of 41.3%.

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

Cobram has received approximately 41 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 205 homes. As of FY-26, 86 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 new residents have moved into newly constructed dwellings annually between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value for new dwellings is $346,000.

This financial year has seen $23.0 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Cobram shows around 75% of construction activity per person and ranks at the 77th percentile nationally. Recent construction comprises 87.0% detached dwellings and 13.0% medium and high-density housing.

The area has approximately 151 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Cobram is projected to add 2,740 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth.

Cobram has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Six projects identified by AreaSearch could significantly impact the local area: Thompsons Beach and Kennedy Park Precinct Plan, NCN Health Cobram Campus Redevelopment, Cobram Village, and VICSES Cobram Unit.

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 2.8%, Cobram has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Cobram's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate in December 2025 was 2.8%. Residents' employment stood at 2,863, below Regional Vic.'s rate by 0.9%, but participation lagged at 52.5% compared to the regional average of 61.0%.

Home-based work accounted for a low 7.2%. Key industries were agriculture, forestry & fishing (2.1 times regional level), manufacturing, and health care & social assistance (11.3%). Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the year to May-25, labour force decreased by 5.1% and employment fell by 5.9%, raising unemployment by 0.8%.

National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cobram's mix suggests local employment growth of 5.0% in five years and 11.4% in ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The Cobram SA2's income level is lower than average on a national basis according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The Cobram SA2's median income among taxpayers is $44,735 and the average income stands at $52,959. These figures compare to those of Regional Vic., which are $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Cobram would be approximately $49,039 (median) and $58,054 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Cobram all fall between the 5th and 12th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows that the $400 - 799 earnings band captures 30.4% of the community (2,016 individuals), differing from patterns across the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 band dominates with 30.3%. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains, though this ranks at only the 8th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Cobram, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 91.6% houses and 8.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional Vic. had 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cobram was 45.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.3% and rented ones at 28.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,278, below Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Cobram was $250, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Cobram's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and 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% couples with children, 31.2% couples without children, and 10.3% 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 Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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 them, including advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (27.2%). Educational participation is high, with 26.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (9.9%), secondary (7.7%), and tertiary (2.1%) levels.

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

Cobram has 19 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 8 routes, collectively providing 64 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good with residents typically located 299 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, with car being the dominant mode at 92%, while 6% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 7.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 9 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Cobram faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~3,071 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic.

and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.7%) and mental health issues (9.3%). 59.7% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. Cobram has 29.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,943 people), higher than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Senior health outcomes present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with 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% citizens, 82.2% born in Australia, and 86.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Cobram, comprising 57.4%. The 'Other' category shows overrepresentation in Cobram at 2.2%, compared to Regional Vic's 0.8%.

Top three ancestry groups are English (30.8%), Australian (26.3%), and Italian (9.0%), significantly higher than regional averages. Notable ethnic group divergences include Irish (8.7% vs region's 9.7%), Chinese (2.2% vs 0.9%), and Macedonian (0.1% vs 0.2%).

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

Cobram's median age of 48 years is notably higher than Regional Vic.'s 43 and significantly exceeds the Australian median of 38. The age profile indicates that those aged 75-84 are particularly prominent, comprising 10.9% of the population, while the 35-44 group is comparatively smaller at 10.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 9.2% to 10.1%, whereas the 65 to 74 cohort has decreased from 15.4% to 14.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that Cobram's age profile will undergo significant changes by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age cohort projected to expand considerably, growing by 470 people (61%) from 765 to 1,236.