Horsham
Statistical Area - sa2

Horsham has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Horsham's population was around 17,067 as of August 2025. This showed an increase of 82 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 16,985. The change was inferred from ABS estimates of 17,015 in June 2024 and 111 validated new addresses since then. This resulted in a density ratio of 205 persons per square kilometer. Horsham's growth rate of 0.5% since the Census exceeded the SA3 area (-0.6%) and the SA4 region, though it remained modest. Overseas migration contributed approximately 63.9% of population gains recently.

AreaSearch used ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, they utilized VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made via weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future projections anticipate above median population growth in Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to increase by 2,904 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, representing a 16.4% total increase over the 17 years.

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

Horsham has recorded approximately 76 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 381 homes approved over the past five years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 7 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 0.5 people have moved to the area annually for each dwelling built over these years. This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more buying options and potentially accelerating population growth beyond current projections.

The average expected construction cost of new homes is $461,000. Commercial approvals totaling $42.8 million have been registered in the current financial year, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Horsham has seen slightly more development, with a 30.0% increase per person over the past five years.

This maintains reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, recent development activity has moderated. Recent construction comprises 81.0% standalone homes and 19.0% medium to high-density housing, preserving Horsham's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. With around 335 people per approval, Horsham reflects a low density area. Future projections estimate Horsham will add 2,793 residents by 2041. Building activity is currently keeping pace with growth projections, but buyers may face increased competition as the population grows.

Horsham has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 16 projects potentially impacting the area. Key projects are Avonnefields Regional Development, Horsham Residential Growth Areas Development, Horsham Hospital Upgrade (Regional Health Infrastructure), and Horsham Recreation Infrastructure Improvements. The following list details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch assessment positions Horsham ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Horsham's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. As of June 2025, 8,488 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% lower than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation at 59.8%.

Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Manufacturing is under-represented, with only 4.2% of Horsham's workforce compared to 7.7% in the Rest of Vic. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, Horsham's labour force decreased by 4.1%, employment declined by 3.5%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.6 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Horsham's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Horsham's median income among taxpayers is $49,559. The average income in Horsham is $59,577. This is lower than the national average. Compared to Rest of Vic., Horsham has a median income of $48,741 and an average income of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Horsham's median income would be approximately $54,569 by March 2025, with the average being around $65,600. Census data shows personal income ranks at the 42nd percentile ($766 weekly) and household income at the 24th percentile in Horsham. The largest income bracket comprises 31.0% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (5,290 residents), similar to the broader area with 30.3% in the same category. Housing costs are modest, with 87.9% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 29th percentile nationally.

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

In Horsham, as per the latest Census evaluation, 89.6% of dwellings were houses, with 10.5% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic. had 93.0% houses and 6.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Horsham stood at 38.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.3% and rented ones at 28.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,203, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,043. Median weekly rent in Horsham was $245, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $215. Nationally, Horsham's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 64.3% of all households, including 25.0% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.7%, with lone person households at 32.7% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.2.

Educational outcomes in Horsham fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 17.4%, significantly lower than the VIC average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 27.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.2% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education. Horsham has a robust network of 10 schools educating approximately 3,299 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 986) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 5 primary, 3 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds residential needs at 19.3 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.8, indicating Horsham 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

Transport analysis shows 123 active stops operating in Horsham, including trains and buses. These stops are served by 19 routes providing a total of 499 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good transport access, with an average distance of 208 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency is 71 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per stop.

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

Horsham faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Approximately half of its population (8,448 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (affecting 10.2% of residents) and mental health problems (9.2%). A majority (63.3%) report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Vic.'s 61.2%. As of June 2021, 22.1% of Horsham's population is aged 65 or above (3,770 people), lower than Rest of Vic.'s 25.2%.

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

Horsham was found to have a below average cultural diversity, with 91.3% of its population being citizens, 92.1% born in Australia, and 94.4% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Horsham is Christianity, accounting for 52.2% of the population compared to 51.6% across Rest of Vic. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (31.9%), English (31.5%), and Scottish (8.4%).

Notably, German (7.7%) and Irish (7.8%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Horsham compared to regional averages of 6.6% and 8.1%, respectively. Italian ethnicity is underrepresented at 2.4% compared to the regional average of 1.6%.

Horsham's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Horsham is 40 years, which is slightly lower than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but higher than Australia's median of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic.'s average, the 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Horsham at 14.6%, while the 55-64 age group is under-represented at 11.1%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 13.3% to 14.6%, and the 35 to 44 cohort has grown from 11.3% to 12.5%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 12.6% to 11.1%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Horsham. The 35 to 44 age cohort is projected to expand by 809 people (38%), growing from 2,129 to 2,939. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 65 to 74 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.