Gannawarra
Statistical Area - sa2

Gannawarra has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Gannawarra's population is approximately 6,614 as of August 2025. This figure represents a decrease of 105 people (1.6%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,719 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,586 in June 2024 and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Gannawarra's population decline of -1.6% since the census is similar to that of the SA3 area at -1.5%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the overall population is projected to decline by 1,622 persons. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, which is projected to increase by 4 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Gannawarra, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Gannawarra has averaged approximately 26 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, there have been 134 home approvals. In the current financial year FY26, there have been no new dwelling approvals as yet.

The population in Gannawarra has been declining in recent years, but development activity has been adequate relative to this decline, which is positive for buyers. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost of $607,000, higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. This financial year, there have been $13.7 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, Gannawarra records somewhat elevated construction levels, with 25.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. All new constructions have been standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population-to-dwelling-approval ratio is 383 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. With population projections indicating stability or decline, Gannawarra should see reduced housing demand pressures in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

Gannawarra has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified ten projects that are expected to impact this region. Notable projects include Kerang Solar & BESS Hybrid, Kerang District Health Facility Upgrade (CSSD, PACU, and Operating Theatre Equipment), Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West), and Koorangie Energy Storage System (KESS). The following list provides details on those most likely to be relevant.

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

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

Gannawarra has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, diverse sector representation, and an unemployment rate of 2.1% as of June 2025. It has 3,123 residents employed, which is 1.7% lower than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is at 52.6%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is particularly strong with an employment share 4.2 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 11.6% compared to the regional 16.8%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count.

In the 12-month period ending June 2025, labour force decreased by 4.2%, employment decreased by 3.6%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.6 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., where employment fell by 0.9%, labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gannawarra's employment mix indicates local growth of approximately 5.0% over five years and 11.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022 shows Gannawarra's median income among taxpayers was $42,806, with an average of $49,897. This is below the national average. Rest of Vic.'s median was $48,741 and average was $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year ended June 2022, current estimates for Gannawarra would be approximately $47,134 (median) and $54,942 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals household income in Gannawarra falls between the 8th and 12th percentiles nationally. Family income also falls within this range. Personal income is at the 9th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 28.3% of individuals earn between $800 - 1,499 annually, compared to the broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest with 92.0% of income retained after housing expenses. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 16th percentile nationally.

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

In Gannawarra, as recorded in the latest Census, 96.8% of dwellings were houses while 3.1% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s figures of 90.7% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Gannawarra's home ownership rate stood at 57.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.9% and rented ones at 16.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $997, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,083. The median weekly rent figure in Gannawarra was $180, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $200. Nationally, Gannawarra's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 67.8 percent of all households, including 23.1 percent couples with children, 36.6 percent couples without children, and 7.5 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.2 percent, with lone person households at 30.0 percent and group households comprising 2.0 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.9%, significantly lower than the Victorian average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 29.5%. A total of 24.6% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 10.5% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 1.5% in tertiary education.

Gannawarra has a network of 7 schools educating approximately 568 students, with an ICSEA score of 971 indicating typical Australian school conditions. There are 6 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents is 8.6, below the regional average of 14.7, suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas. Note: for schools with 'n/a' enrolments, please refer to their parent campus.

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

Gannawarra has 18 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 17 individual routes providing weekly passenger trips amounting to 102. The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents typically residing 961 meters away from the nearest stop.

The average service frequency across all routes is 14 trips per day, translating to approximately 5 weekly trips per stop.

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

Health data indicates significant challenges in Gannawarra with high prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is notably low, at approximately 46% (around 3,049 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.1%) and asthma (9%). Conversely, 60.8% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the 64.1% in Rest of Vic.. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 30.4% (around 2,011 people), compared to 24.0% in Rest of Vic..

The latest Census data sees Gannawarra placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Gannawarra's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.5% of its population being citizens, 94.0% born in Australia, and 97.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Gannawarra, making up 52.8% of people, compared to 53.2% across Rest of Vic.. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (36.1%), English (33.7%), and Irish (9.3%).

Notably, Scottish ethnicity is overrepresented at 8.7%, Dutch at 1.3%, and Maltese at 0.4%, compared to regional averages of 8.0%, 0.9%, and 0.2% respectively.

Gannawarra ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Gannawarra is 52 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 years and also above the national norm of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Gannawarra at 16.7%, compared to the Rest of Vic.'s average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 7.8%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 10.0% to 10.7% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age cohort has declined from 10.9% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Gannawarra. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 0%, adding 0 residents to reach 200. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive all population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, both the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups are forecasted to decrease in numbers.