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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Colac Surrounds has an estimated 5,670 residents. 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
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Colac Surrounds is approximately 5,670 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1 person (0.0%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 5,669 residents. The estimate is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 5,670 in June 2025 alongside 39 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population size results in a density of 2.9 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per resident. Although growth remained flat at 0.0% compared to the 2021 census, the locality outperformed the broader SA3 region (-1.6%).
The primary driver of population increase was natural growth, which accounted for roughly 76.7% of the gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for individual SA2 regions published in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 regions lacking this data, projections from the VIC State Government's 2023 Regional/LGA release are applied, adjusted through weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 tiers. The age group growth rates derived from these aggregations are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic expectations suggest expansion matching the lower quartile of national regional areas, with the local population projected to rise by 70 people by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a 1.2% total increase over the 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
112 new dwellings have been approved in Colac Surrounds over the past five years, an average of 22 a year. That is 4.0 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 31, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
An average of approximately 22 new home approvals are recorded in Colac Surrounds each year, totaling 112 dwellings over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 29 during FY-26 to date. With an average of only 0.6 additional residents per constructed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), the incoming housing supply matches or exceeds local demand, ensuring diverse options for buyers and creating headroom for growth beyond current population forecasts, with new dwellings carrying an average build cost of $346,000. Furthermore, $4.1 million in commercial building approvals have been registered during this financial year, pointing to the residential focus of the locality.
Colac Surrounds records approximately three-quarters of the dwelling approvals per capita seen in the Rest of Vic., placing it in the 52nd percentile of all evaluated areas nationwide. Recent building activity has consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the traditional low-density profile of the area and focusing on spacious properties suitable for families. Averaging about 317 residents for every approved dwelling, Colac Surrounds displays the structural hallmarks of a low-density community. Demographic projections suggest Colac Surrounds will add 70 residents by 2041, relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly figures. With the current pace of construction, the supply of new housing is expected to easily accommodate this demand, sustaining favorable purchasing conditions and potentially facilitating growth above current population expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Colac Surrounds
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Colac Surrounds, worth an estimated $14 million. A further 114 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $18.5 billion. 34 are already under construction and 42 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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
Changes to local planning, major projects, and public infrastructure have a significant impact on local growth. AreaSearch has identified 9 projects expected to influence the region. Key developments include Lake Colac School, the Colac West Primary School Upgrade, Clearwater Colac, and Colac Plaza, with detailed information on the most relevant schemes listed below.
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
Colac West Primary School Upgrade and Modernisation
Upgrade and modernisation of Colac West Primary School, including a new main building on the eastern side of the school grounds to provide contemporary classrooms, upgraded technology, a new canteen, a centrally located first aid room, temperature-controlled learning areas, hearing loop technology and improved disability access. Once the new building is complete, the original main wing will be demolished and replaced with landscaped grounds that reflect the school's heritage. Total project funding of $10.2 million was confirmed in the 2025-26 State Budget, including earlier planning funding from the 2023-24 Budget.
Lakeside Colac
A boutique community of 55 lots, Lakeside Colac offers an opportunity to build your dream home next to the picturesque Lake Colac. Nestled in a premium pocket of Colac, it provides future residents with peace of mind and security in an established area, with easy access to walking tracks, local amenities, schools, and transport links.
Lake Colac School - Hydrotherapy Pool and Upgrade & Modernisation
Lake Colac School (formerly Colac Specialist School) has undergone a rebuild on part of the former Colac High School site on Murray Street, modernising the heritage building to house a library, art room, music room, woodwork room, food technology facility, staff areas and an Early Education Program facility, plus new classroom and administration buildings, a car park, bus loop and play areas. This upgrade and modernisation was completed in Q2 2024. A separate hydrotherapy pool project, funded through the Hydrotherapy Pools at Specialist Schools Fund, began in Q1 2024 and is forecast to finish in Q3 2026.
Pound Road, Colac
Homes Victoria is delivering 50 new homes on 1.8 hectares of vacant State Government land at Pound Road, Colac, funded through the Victorian Government's Regional Housing Fund (part of the Big Housing Build) with enabling works support from the Australian Government's Housing Support Program. The mix of 30 social and 20 affordable rental homes will be located close to the town centre, public transport, retail, educational and community facilities. Homes include a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom single-storey dwellings, designed to be modern, accessible and energy efficient.Planning approvals were received in March and April 2026. Site preparation works are due to begin May 2026, with construction of homes commencing in 2027. Colac Otway Shire Council reaffirmed its opposition to the concentrated development at its December 2025 meeting, citing neighbourhood character concerns.
Colac Plaza
Completed retail shopping centre featuring Coles, Liquorland, Kaisercraft and 10 other specialty stores, bordering Barongarook creek trail with sensitive architectural and landscaping solutions.
Clearwater Colac
Clearwater is a premium masterplanned land estate located on the shores of Lake Colac. The community features 500 residential lots ranging in size from 301m2 to 1600m2, with future onsite amenities including a childcare facility, parklands, playgrounds, and active open spaces.
Olive Court Estate
A residential land development offering 26 premium blocks ranging from 391 sqm to 812 sqm in a peaceful court near Colac's CBD, medical precinct, schools, and amenities. Fully titled with utilities connected, ready for immediate building.
Harris Road Residential Development
A 3.65-hectare zoned residential development opportunity within the approved Irrewillipe Road Framework Plan, zoned General Residential Zone. The site has potential for approximately 40 residential lots (STCA) and is currently for sale.
3,017 residents of Colac Surrounds are employed, from a labour force of 3,049. Unemployment sits at 1.0%, with participation at 65.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,920, about 87% 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
The workforce in Colac Surrounds is highly skilled and distributed across various industries, maintaining an unemployment rate of only 1.0%. In March 2026, there were 3,017 employed residents, and the unemployment rate sat 2.6% below the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, while the participation rate of 65.4% was typical relative to the 61.1% recorded across Regional Vic. Census data indicated that a moderate 22.1% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of Covid-19 restrictions. Resident employment is primarily centered within agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing.
The locality displays a marked concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 3.4 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, representation in health care & social assistance is lower, standing at 13.1% compared to the regional figure of 16.8%. The relationship between the census working population and the resident workforce suggests that local employment options are somewhat restricted within the immediate area. An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch indicates that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 6.5% and total employment fell by 6.3%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional Vic. saw employment shrink by 0.1% and the labour force contract by 0.3%, also resulting in a 0.2 percentage point reduction. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional context regarding future employment trends in Colac Surrounds. These five and ten-year national outlooks have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rate of change varies widely by sector. Applying these industry trends directly to the local employment composition indicates that Colac Surrounds could expect employment growth of 5.2% over five years and 11.7% over ten years, representing a basic weighted projection that does not factor in localized demographic changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Colac Surrounds is $1,441 a week (about $75,000 a year), with median personal income at $732 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,102 a year against an average of $57,527. 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
According to the latest ATO postcode statistics released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayer median income in the Colac Surrounds SA2 is $47,102, with an average income of $57,527. These figures sit below national benchmarks and compare to a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728 across Regional Vic. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimated values would be roughly $51,633 for the median and $63,061 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that personal, family, and household incomes are modest, ranking between the 32nd and 34th percentiles nationally.
The largest cohort, representing 33.2% of residents (1,882 people), falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which is comparable to the 30.3% of households in this range within the metropolitan area. Housing costs are relatively manageable, leaving 89.2% of income retained, though disposable income remains low at the 38th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 5th decile for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Colac Surrounds had 2,124 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 100% detached houses and 0% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,400 a month. Rent absorbs 17.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Colac Surrounds at the time of the latest Census consisted of 99.6% houses and 0.3% other dwelling types, such as apartments or semi-detached options, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% alternative dwellings across Regional Vic. Home ownership in Colac Surrounds was high at 48.7%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (38.4%) or rented (12.8%). The median mortgage payment of $1,400 per month was below the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to $285 regionally. On a national level, housing costs in Colac Surrounds are highly affordable, with median mortgage repayments well below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents significantly lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Colac Surrounds counted 2,124 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 34% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 72.2% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 30.1%, couples without children at 34.2%, and single parents at 7.2%. The remaining 27.8% of households are non-family arrangements, with single-person households representing 25.8% and group living situations accounting for 1.8%. The average household size of 2.5 residents is slightly above the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.8% of adults in Colac Surrounds hold a university qualification, including 13.0% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 30.4% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 254 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 974 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 in the region presents target areas for development, as university graduation rates (18.8%) are lower than the VIC average of 33.4%. This gap highlights opportunities for focused learning programs. Among tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 41.8% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational training, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (30.4%). A significant portion of the population is engaged in study, with 28.8% of residents enrolled in formal education.
Primary school students represent 11.1% of the population, secondary students account for 8.3%, and tertiary students make up 2.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Colac Surrounds means driving: households keep an average of 2.1 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 transport options in Colac Surrounds include 18 active stops, consisting of train services. These facilities are connected by 4 routes, which provide a total of 82 passenger journeys per week. Overall transport access is limited, with an average distance of 4251 meters from dwellings to the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, resulting in high rates of outward commuting; private vehicles are the main transport mode at 90%, while 7% of residents walk to work. Dwellings average 2.1 vehicles, higher than the regional average. Census data from 2021 shows that 22.1% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Service patterns show an average of 11 daily trips across all active routes, which averages out to about 4 weekly journeys per individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.8% of residents in Colac Surrounds report no long-term health condition. 4.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic illness rates, Colac Surrounds records favorable overall health metrics, with low rates of common illnesses observed in both younger and older demographics. However, the prevalence of private health insurance is low, covering only about 48% of the population (~2,698 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 50.5% in Regional Vic. and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent chronic conditions in the locality, affecting 8.9% and 7.8% of the population respectively, while 68.8% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.
Health profiles for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 21.1% of the population (1,194 people), which is lower than the Regional Vic. average of 23.9%. Health outcomes for this senior cohort are very positive, with national comparisons exceeding the general local average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Colac Surrounds is largely Australian-born, at 92.3% of residents, with 2.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.3%) and English (31.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Colac Surrounds is lower than average, with citizens making up 90.4% of the population, 92.3% of residents born in Australia, and 98.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 50.5% of residents, which is higher than the 47.3% average recorded across Regional Vic. Regarding parental ancestry, the three largest ethnic groups in Colac Surrounds are Australian (33.3%), English (31.9%), and Irish (12.1%). There are also notable differences in the representation of other backgrounds: Scottish ancestry is higher at 10.6% of the population (compared to 8.8% in the wider region), while Dutch is at 1.3% (compared to 1.7%) and French is at 0.4% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Colac Surrounds is 44, older than 78% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 21.6% 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
The median age of 44 years in Colac Surrounds is similar to the Regional Vic. average of 43 years, and sits well above the national median of 38. Compared to Regional Vic., there is a higher proportion of residents in the 55 - 64 age bracket (14.8%) but fewer individuals aged 85 and over (1.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 5.3% to 7.2%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 10.2% to 11.6%. In contrast, the 65 to 74 demographic decreased from 14.3% to 12.6%, and the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.3% to 11.8%.
By 2041, demographic projections indicate shifts in the local age structure, led by a 25% increase in the 25 to 34 age group (adding 143 people to reach 713 from 569), while the 85+ and 75 to 84 demographics are expected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Colac Surrounds
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 1 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 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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 — 39 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (5,669 at the 2021 Census → 5,670 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 May 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 (217031473). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.