Echuca

Population growth drivers in Echuca are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Echuca's population is approximately 15,842 as of November 2025. From the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,636, there has been an increase of 206 people (1.3%). This change can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,566 in June 2024 and an additional 183 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 86 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Echuca has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 0.6%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth 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, they utilise Victoria's State Government Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is forecasted to increase by 3,735 persons, reflecting a total gain of 21.7% over the 17-year period.

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

Echuca has averaged approximately 77 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 389 homes were approved, with an additional 48 approved so far in FY26. On average, over these five years, each newly constructed dwelling has attracted approximately 0.7 new residents per year.

This suggests that the supply of new dwellings is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new homes being built in Echuca is $286,000. In terms of commercial development, $23.2 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating balanced commercial development activity.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, Echuca has seen slightly more development activity over the past five years, with a 35.0% increase per person above the regional average. This has helped preserve reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The majority of new development consists of standalone homes, making up 89.0% of approvals, with medium and high-density housing accounting for the remaining 11.0%. This preserves Echuca's low density nature and attracts space-seeking buyers. With approximately 292 people per dwelling approval, Echuca exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Echuca is expected to grow by 3,444 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match this population growth, potentially leading to increased buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Echuca has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include McMahon's Place Estate, Echuca Regional Health Infrastructure Upgrade, Yallarah Estate. The following details projects likely to have the most relevance.

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.

The labour market in Echuca demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Echuca's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.6% as of September 2025.

In this period, 7,521 residents were employed, which was 1.1% below the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was on par with Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key employment sectors for residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Echuca shows strong specialization in accommodation & food services, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 3.3% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Echuca's labour force decreased by 10.6%, while employment declined by 11.9%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.7% over the same period. State-level data from VIC as of 25-Nov shows employment grew year-on-year by 1.13% (adding 41,950 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Echuca's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 30, 2022 shows Echuca SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $48,501 and an average of $59,883. This is below the national average. Rest of Vic.'s median was $48,741 with an average of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year ended June 30, 2022, current estimates for Echuca would be approximately $54,399 (median) and $67,165 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census data ranks household, family and personal incomes in Echuca between the 23rd and 30th percentiles. The earnings profile shows 30.5% of locals (4,831 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to metropolitan regions where 30.3% fall in this range. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains, ranking at the 26th percentile nationally.

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

Echuca's dwelling structures in its latest Census comprised 86.4% houses and 13.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s figures were 90.3% houses and 9.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Echuca stood at 39.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.9% and rented ones at 28.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,483, exceeding Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300. Median weekly rent in Echuca was $285, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $250. Nationally, Echuca's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,483 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Echuca has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.4% of all households, including 24.2% couples with children, 30.5% couples without children, and 11.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.6%, with lone person households at 29.9% and group households making up 2.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 16.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (28.7%). Educational participation is high, with 26.8% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.9% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 2.3% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Echuca has 74 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. There are 36 individual routes in total, collectively providing 835 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically located 363 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 119 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Echuca faces significant health challenges, as indicated by its health data. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately half of Echuca's total population (around 7,841 people) has private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.4% and 8.9% of residents respectively. Around two-thirds of residents (62.9%) report having no medical ailments, compared to 62.2% in the rest of Victoria. Echuca has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 24.8% (3,920 people) falling into this age group. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Echuca perform better than those of the general population in terms of health metrics.

Echuca is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Echuca's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population comprised 90.2% citizens, 91.2% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 52.0% of Echuca's population, compared to 53.0% across Rest of Vic.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.6%), Australian (32.5%), and Irish (9.1%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 8.5%, compared to 8.4% regionally. Australian Aboriginal ancestry was also higher at 3.0%, versus 2.2%. Maltese ancestry stood out at 0.4%, against a regional average of 0.3%.

Echuca hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Echuca's median age is 45 years, which is slightly higher than Rest of Vic.'s 43 years and considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic. average, Echuca has a notably over-represented 25-34 cohort (12.1%) and an under-represented 5-14 age group (10.5%). Between 2021 and the present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 11.0% to 12.1%, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 12.6% to 11.3% and the 5-14 group has dropped from 11.6% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Echuca's age profile will change significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 1,091 people (57%), from 1,920 to 3,012. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts.