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 was approximately 15,805 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 169 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,636. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data: 15,562 in June 2024 and an additional 169 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 85 persons per square kilometer. Echuca's growth rate of 1.1% since the 2021 census exceeded its SA3 area's rate of -0.4%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains 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 utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, a significant population increase is forecasted in Echuca, with an expected gain of 3,735 persons, marking a total increase of 22.0% 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. Development approval data, produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, shows that between FY21 and FY25389 dwellings were approved. In FY26, 7 approvals have been recorded so far. Over the past five financial years, an average of 0.7 new residents per year has been associated with each dwelling constructed.

This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new homes in Echuca is $508,000. In the current financial year, $23.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting 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 past five years. This preserves 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 (89.0%), preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Echuca shows characteristics of a low-density area with around 292 people per dwelling approval. Looking ahead, Echuca is expected to grow by 3,481 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, 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 that may impact the area. Notable ones include McMahon's Place Estate, Echuca Regional Health Infrastructure Upgrade, Yallarah Estate, and Victoria Park Multipurpose Community and Emergency Relief Centre. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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

Echuca has a balanced workforce with representation in both white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

The area shows strong specialization in accommodation & food services, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 3.3%, compared to the regional average of 7.5%. As of June 2025, 7,416 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%. This is below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8% and in line with its workforce participation rate of 57.4%.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, Echuca's labour force decreased by 14.6%, while employment declined by 15.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. State-wide, Victoria saw employment growth of 1.08% year-on-year to September 2025, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.2% over ten years in Echuca, although specific industry projections may vary.

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 taxpayer income is $48,501. The average income in Echuca is $59,883. Both figures are below the national averages. Rest of Vic.'s median and average incomes for the same period are $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. Based on a 10.11% increase since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest Echuca's median income is approximately $53,404 as of March 2025, with the average being around $65,937. The 2021 Census reveals modest rankings for household, family and personal incomes in Echuca, falling between the 24th and 31st percentiles. Income distribution indicates that 30.5% of locals (4,820 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to metropolitan regions where 30.3% fall within this range. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains, ranking 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, consisted of 86.4% houses and 13.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.3% houses and 9.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Echuca stood at 39.6%, with the rest being mortgaged (31.9%) or rented (28.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,483, higher than 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 lower at $285 against the national figure of $375.

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

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

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

The area has lower university qualification rates at 16.8%, compared to the VIC 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, including advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (28.7%).

Educational participation is high at 26.8%, comprising primary education (9.9%), secondary education (8.3%), and tertiary education (2.3%). Echuca has a network of nine schools educating approximately 3,533 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 954) offering balanced educational opportunities. The schools include four primary, three secondary, and two K-12 institutions. 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: refer to parent campus for schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments.

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 stops. They are served by 36 different routes offering a total of 835 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have good access to transport with an average distance of 363 meters to the nearest stop. 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

Echuca faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately half of Echuca's population (~7823 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.4%) and mental health issues (8.9%). 62.9% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Vic's 62.2%. Echuca has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (24.8%, or 3911 people). Senior health outcomes 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, as per recent data, has a predominantly homogenous population with 90.2% citizens and 91.2% born in Australia. English is the primary language spoken at home by 95.2%. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 52.0%, slightly lower than the regional average of 53.0%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (32.6%), Australian (32.5%), and Irish (9.1%). Notable differences exist in Scottish ancestry, which is higher at 8.5% compared to the regional 8.4%, and Australian Aboriginal, at 3.0% versus 2.2%. Maltese ancestry is also slightly higher at 0.4% compared to 0.3% regionally.

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

Echuca's median age is 45 years, which is slightly higher than Rest of Vic.'s median age of 43 years. This figure is also considerably older than the national norm of 38 years. Comparing Echuca's demographics with those of the Rest of Vic., the 25-34 age cohort is notably over-represented in Echuca, making up 12.1% of the population, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 10.5%. Between 2021 and the present day, the proportion of people aged 25 to 34 has grown from 11.0% to 12.1%, while the proportion of those aged 45 to 54 has declined from 12.6% to 11.3%. Additionally, the proportion of 5-14 year-olds has dropped from 11.6% to 10.5%. Demographic projections suggest that Echuca's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow significantly, increasing by 1,096 people (57%) from 1,915 to 3,012. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 age cohorts.