Echuca
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Echuca are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Echuca's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 15,842 people. This figure represents a growth of 206 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 15,636. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,566 in June 2024 and an additional 183 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 86 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Echuca has shown steady growth with a compound annual growth rate of 0.6%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during this period.

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 from 2023, adjusting using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics forecast significant growth in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas. Echuca is expected to increase by 3,735 persons by 2041, marking a total gain of 21.7% over the 17 years.

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

Echuca averaged approximately 77 new dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25389 homes were approved, with an additional 23 approved so far in FY-26. On average, over these five years, 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded.

This suggests that new supply 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 was $286,000. In FY-26, $23.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating balanced commercial development activity.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Echuca has slightly more development, with 35.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. New development consists of 89.0% standalone homes and 11.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 292 people per dwelling approval, Echuca shows characteristics of a low density area. Looking ahead, Echuca is expected to grow by 3,444 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Echuca has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 19thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects likely impacting the region. Key projects include McMahon's Place Estate, Echuca Regional Health Infrastructure Upgrade, Yallarah Estate. The following details those most relevant:.

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 employment environment in Echuca shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Echuca's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.1%.

In this month, 7,416 residents are employed, which is 1.7% lower than Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Workforce participation matches Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries for local employment 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. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Echuca's labour force decreased by 14.6%, while employment declined by 15.3%, raising unemployment by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.9%, labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Echuca's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2%% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Echuca's median income among taxpayers is $48,501. The average income in Echuca during this period was $59,883. Both figures are below the national average. Comparing to Rest of Vic., Echuca's median income is slightly lower at $48,741 with an average of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Echuca's median and average incomes would be approximately $54,399 and $67,165 respectively as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Echuca rank modestly, between the 24th and 31st percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 30.5% of locals (4,831 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to metropolitan regions where 30.3% occupy this range. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains in Echuca, which ranks at the 27th 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 structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 86.4% houses and 13.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s dwelling structure was 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 in Echuca was $1,483, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure for Echuca was recorded at $285, whereas Non-Metro Vic.'s was $250. Nationally, Echuca's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Echuca features high concentrations of lone person households, 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 university qualification rate in Echuca is 16.8%, significantly lower than the Victorian average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas represent 9.7% and certificates make up 28.7%.

Educational participation is high at 26.8%, including 9.9% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education. Echuca has a robust network of 9 schools educating approximately 3,533 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 954) and balanced educational opportunities. The schools include 4 primary, 3 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds residential needs at 22.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.6, indicating Echuca serves as an educational center for the broader region. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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. These include train and bus services. There are 36 different routes operating in total, offering 835 weekly passenger trips combined.

The average distance from a resident's location to the nearest transport stop is 363 meters. On average, there are 119 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Echuca, with common conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Approximately half (50%) of Echuca's total population (~7,841 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (affecting 10.4% of residents) and mental health problems (impacting 8.9%). Conversely, 62.9% of Echuca's population reports no medical conditions, slightly higher than the Rest of Vic's figure of 62.2%. The area has a notable senior population, with 24.8% aged 65 and over (~3,920 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Echuca show some challenges but perform better than the general population in 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. It had 90.2% citizens, 91.2% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 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 representation was higher at 8.5%, Australian Aboriginal at 3.0%, and Maltese at 0.4%.

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

Echuca's median age is 45 years, 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 present, the 25-34 age group grew from 11.0% to 12.1%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.6% to 11.3% and the 5-14 age group 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.