Gannawarra
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Gannawarra's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 6,711 as of November 2025. This figure reflects a decrease of 8 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,719 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,582 in June 2024 and an additional 71 validated new addresses post-Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.9 persons per square kilometer. Gannawarra's minimal decline of 0.1% since the 2021 Census was marginally better than the SA3 area average (-0.3%). Overseas migration primarily drove population growth, being the sole driver of gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, Gannawarra's population is expected to decline by 1,622 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 85 and over group are projected to increase by 4 individuals.

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 averaged approximately 26 new dwelling approvals annually. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 134 homes were approved, with an additional 3 approved so far in FY-26. The average expected construction cost value for these dwellings was $320,000.

In the current financial year, commercial development approvals amount to $13.7 million. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Gannawarra exhibits moderately higher new home approvals, with 25.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. All approved constructions have been detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

As of now, there are estimated to be 383 people in the area per dwelling approval. With a stable or declining population expected, Gannawarra is likely to face reduced pressure on housing, potentially presenting buying opportunities.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Kerang Solar & BESS Hybrid, Kerang District Health Facility Upgrade (CSSD, PACU, Operating Theatre Equipment), Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West), and Koorangie Energy Storage System (KESS). Below is a list of most relevant projects.

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.

Employment performance in Gannawarra exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Gannawarra's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs with diverse sector representation. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.1%.

In comparison to Rest of Vic., Gannawarra has an unemployment rate that is 1.7% lower (3.8%) and a workforce participation rate somewhat below standard at 52.6%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Notably, the area has strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 4.2 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance has limited presence at 11.6% compared to the regional average of 16.8%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Gannawarra's labour force decreased by 4.2%, while employment fell by 3.6%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.6 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 during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase in employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Gannawarra's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.0%% over five years and 11.3% over ten years, based on 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 for financial year 2022 shows Gannawarra's median income among taxpayers is $42,806 and the average is $49,897. This is below the national average. Rest of Vic.'s median income is $48,741 with an average of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Gannawarra would be approximately $48,011 (median) and $55,964 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Gannawarra fall between the 8th and 12th percentiles nationally. In income distribution, 28.3% of the community earns between $800 and $1,499 (1,899 individuals), contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 to $2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest, with 92.0% of income retained, but 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 per the latest Census evaluation, 96.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s figures of 90.7% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gannawarra stood at 57.9%, with mortgaged properties making up 25.9% and rented dwellings accounting for 16.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $997, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,083. Weekly rent in Gannawarra was recorded at $180, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $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 constitute 67.8% of all households, including 23.1% couples with children, 36.6% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.2%, with lone person households at 30.0% and group households comprising 2.0%. 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 Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas comprise 8.4% and certificates make up 29.5%. A total of 24.6% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 10.5% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 1.5% in tertiary education.

There are seven schools operating within Gannawarra, educating approximately 568 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 971) with balanced educational opportunities. Six primary and one secondary schools serve distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.6, below the regional average of 14.7, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas. Note: for schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the 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 operational public transport stops. These are served by a mix of buses along 17 different routes. Together, these routes facilitate 102 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is limited, with residents usually located 961 meters from the nearest stop. On average, services run 14 times daily across all routes, translating to about five weekly trips per individual 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 shows significant challenges in Gannawarra. Both younger and older age groups have notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Only approximately 46% (~3,093 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.1%) and asthma (9.0%). 60.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Rest of Vic.. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 30.4% (2,041 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, as per the data, showed lower cultural diversity with 89.5% of its population being Australian citizens, 94.0% born in Australia, and 97.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 52.8%, compared to 53.2% across Rest of Vic. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (36.1%), English (33.7%), and Irish (9.3%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was higher in Gannawarra at 8.7% compared to the regional average of 8.0%, Dutch at 1.3% vs 0.9%, and Maltese at 0.4% vs 0.2%.

Gannawarra ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Gannawarra is 52 years, significantly higher than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and well above the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Gannawarra at 16.7%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.8%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased 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+ cohort shows the strongest projected growth at -1%, adding approximately -2 residents to reach around 200. In contrast, population declines are projected for both the 85+ and 25 to 34 age cohorts.