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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Horsham has an estimated 16,905 residents, down from 16,985 at the 2021 Census. 244 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 204 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to demographic research by AreaSearch, the community of Horsham stands at approximately 16,905 residents as of Aug 2026. This count represents a reduction of 80 people (0.5%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 16,985 people. The updated figure is determined using the ABS estimated resident population of 16,885 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 244 validated new addresses established following the Census. With this resident base, the locality records a population density of 203 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable personal space and capacity for upcoming residential projects.
Although Horsham logged a 0.5% contraction following the 2021 census, this outcome was stronger than the wider SA3 region (-1.6%). Inbound overseas migration formed the primary demographic driver, accounting for roughly 60.9% of total population additions over recent intervals. Projections for each SA2 district rely on ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. Where local coverage is absent, figures incorporate VIC State Government Regional/LGA forecasts published in 2023, adjusted by distributing LGA expansion down to SA2 zones through population-weighted aggregation. Age-specific trajectories from these models are similarly utilized for every district covering 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the district is slated for demographic growth running above the median for non-metropolitan Australia, with local numbers projected to rise by 2,770 persons to 2041 based on current annual ERP benchmarks, representing a cumulative increase of 16.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
346 new dwellings have been approved in Horsham over the past five years, an average of 69 a year. That is 4.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 69 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 81% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building activity across Horsham averages roughly 69 dwellings granted approval annually, yielding 346 homes approved throughout the preceding 5 financial years (spanning FY-22 and FY-26). Alongside local population contraction, dwelling additions have kept pace with requirements, fostering a well-equilibrated environment with ample selection for purchasers, while construction costs for new dwellings average $470,000. Additionally, commercial development shows solid traction, with commercial approvals reaching $42.8 million over the ongoing financial year. When evaluated against Rest of Vic., building volumes in Horsham remain elevated (25.0% higher per capita over the 5 year period), supporting existing home valuations while preserving sufficient options for buyers.
Of all recent residential approvals, 81.0% represent detached houses while 19.0% consist of attached dwellings, preserving the traditional low-density neighborhood fabric tailored to buyers seeking spacious single-family homes. The area registers roughly 236 people per dwelling approval, underscoring its low-density residential profile. Over the period running through to 2041, forecasts indicate Horsham will add 2,747 residents (benchmarked against the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release). While residential building keeps reasonable pace with expected gains, intensifying demand could lead to tighter buyer competition as local numbers expand.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Horsham
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 15 current infrastructure and development projects inside Horsham, worth an estimated $1.24 billion. A further 29 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.81 billion. 6 are already under construction and 15 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, communities, precincts & urban renewal and energy. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure upgrades and regional development projects serve as vital catalysts for community growth. Across the district, AreaSearch has highlighted 16 key initiatives expected to shape the local environment, notably the Grampians Health Horsham Campus Redevelopment, Avonnefields Regional Development, Horsham Recreation Infrastructure Improvements, and the Horsham South Structure Plan, which are detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Grampians Health Horsham Campus Redevelopment
Staged redevelopment of the Grampians Health Horsham Campus (Wimmera Base Hospital) following the 2018 Masterplan and the 2023 to 2043 Grampians Health Infrastructure Plan. Key priorities include expanding the Emergency Department with a fast-track clinic and short-stay area, modernising aged care and inpatient bedrooms, and upgrading clinical infrastructure across mental health, maternity, and rehabilitation services. A new Emergency Department is being planned to open in 2027.
SEC Renewable Energy Park - Horsham
The SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham comprises a 119 MW solar farm paired with a 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). Developed by OX2 in partnership with the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, the project connects directly into the local grid to provide dispatchable clean power across regional Victoria. Early works and site establishment progressed through 2024 with commercial operation targeted for 2027.
Avonnefields Regional Development
An innovative and genuinely sustainable 50-hectare master planned residential and community development on the northern fringe of Horsham, Victoria. Features over 300 dwellings (compact, multi-unit and traditional lots), an aged care and independent living precinct, community hub with childcare and employment facilities, active recreation precinct, flower production and distribution precinct, and renewable energy infrastructure including what is anticipated to be Australia's largest community microgrid. Sustainability features include solar energy generating 25% of electricity from renewable sources, community battery storage, EV charging station, and potential hydrogen production.Rezoning process was scheduled September 2024 to March 2025, with solar and grid connection construction from early 2025, and aged care, community hub and recreation assets commencing construction from late 2025 through 2026.
Horsham City Urban Renewal Project
Comprehensive urban renewal project transforming three key precincts in central Horsham to deliver housing diversity and commercial investment. The project focuses on the current council depot site in Selkirk Drive, the area north of Selkirk Drive and south of Wilson Street, and the area encompassing Firebrace, Madden and Baker streets. It aims to provide 100 new dwellings, 10,000 square meters of apartment space, and 10,000 square meters of office and retail space.
Horsham Recreation Infrastructure Improvements
Ongoing Horsham Rural City Council program delivering recreation infrastructure improvements across the municipality. Current priorities include implementation of the Active Horsham Strategy 2026-2036, City Oval redevelopment, aquatic centre planning, sports lighting and community recreation facility upgrades to improve accessibility, participation and regional sporting capacity.
Horsham Intersection Upgrade
Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Henty Highway, Western Highway, Golf Course Road and Plumpton Road to improve safety and traffic flow. The intersection serves 18,000 vehicles per day (18% heavy vehicles) and had 12 crashes between 2019-2023, with 6 resulting in serious injuries. Preconstruction works including service relocation commenced July 2025.
7-Eleven Horsham Development
New 24-hour 7-Eleven convenience store and service station development with 6 fuel bowsers, single-storey building, associated car parking, fuel canopy areas, accessways and landscaping. The project was approved by VCAT after initial council refusal and is currently under active construction by Barker Group.
Horsham South Structure Plan
A long-term strategic planning framework covering 4,540 hectares south of the Wimmera River, encompassing Haven. The plan coordinates residential, industrial, and commercial growth to address infrastructure pressures, heavy vehicle movements, and connectivity issues. Following council adoption in late 2025, the project transitioned into the Planning Scheme Amendment phase to codify the vision into the Horsham Planning Scheme.
8,513 residents of Horsham are employed, from a labour force of 8,675. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 62.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local economy in Horsham features a balanced occupational profile spanning professional and manual roles with prominent public and essential services, maintaining an unemployment rate of only 1.9%. As of March 2026, employed locals number 8,513, while unemployment sits 1.8% beneath the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%, and the participation rate aligns closely with the Regional Vic. mark of 61.1%. In terms of working arrangements, a modest 9.2% of residents operated from home during the Census, though pandemic-related lockdown measures influenced these findings. Resident employment demonstrates high concentrations across health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.
In contrast, the manufacturing industry plays a smaller role, engaging 4.2% of the local workforce compared to 7.7% across the broader region. While jobs exist within the boundary, comparisons between local resident counts and Census workplace locations suggest a substantial share of workers travel beyond the area for employment. AreaSearch assessment of ABS and SALM records indicates that over the 12 months to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 3.5% as overall employment fell by 2.2%, resulting in a 1.3 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Concurrently across Regional Vic., jobs dipped by 0.1%, the broader labour pool shrank by 0.3%, and unemployment eased by 0.2 percentage points. Future workplace demand can be evaluated via national industry outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. These five- and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce composition to model expected job trajectories. Nationally, total employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories vary widely by sector. Aligning these sector projections with the employment distribution of Horsham indicates potential job creation of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (note that this extrapolation uses weighted industry shares for illustrative purposes without factoring in localized demographic growth).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Horsham is $1,347 a week (about $70,000 a year), with median personal income at $766 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,519 a year against an average of $61,285. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxation records compiled by AreaSearch from ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023 indicate a median taxpayer income of $51,519 and an average of $61,285 across the Horsham SA2. These figures trail nationwide benchmarks, while Regional Vic. registers a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index increases of 9.62% from financial year 2023, updated earnings are estimated at $56,475 (median) and $67,181 (average) as of March 2026. At the 2021 Census, individual weekly earnings positioned the area at the 42nd percentile ($766 weekly), whereas household receipts reached the 23rd percentile.
The predominant earnings cohort captures 31.0% of earners making $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (5,240 residents), matching capital city proportions where 30.3% fall within this band. Even though accommodation costs remain manageable with residents retaining 87.9% of earnings, overall net disposable funds rank at only the 29th percentile across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Horsham had 6,953 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 5% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $245 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,203 a month. Rent absorbs 18.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the residential landscape of Horsham consisted of 89.6% separate houses and 10.5% alternative dwelling formats (such as semi-detached residences, flats, and other configurations), relative to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Full home ownership stood at 38.1%, marginally lower than Regional Vic., while remaining homes were divided between mortgaged properties (33.3%) and rental accommodation (28.6%). Mortgage holders incurred median monthly costs of $1,203, significantly below the Regional Vic. norm of $1,430, whereas median weekly rents were $245 compared to $285 regionally.
On a national scale, local monthly housing loan payments sit substantially under the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and weekly rents track well below the nationwide median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Horsham counted 6,953 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 64.3% of local households, encompassing couples without children (27.5%), couples with children (25.0%), and single parent families (10.8%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 35.7%, dominated by single-person residences at 32.7% and group homes at 3.1%. With an average of 2.3 people per household, occupancy is slightly below the 2.4 recorded for Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.4% of adults in Horsham hold a university qualification, including 12.0% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.7% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 3,299 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 986 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education metrics present notable room for improvement across the district, as the proportion of tertiary degree holders (17.4%) falls well short of the 33.4% VIC benchmark. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher credential at 12.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Conversely, vocational qualifications are well established, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding practical trade credentials, comprising certificates (27.7%) and advanced diplomas (10.9%). Formal learning engagement shows strong numbers, with 27.1% of the local population actively attending educational institutions. This cohort includes 10.2% enrolled in primary education, 8.1% attending secondary education, and 2.8% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Horsham reaches 123 stops on 12 routes, timetabled for about 460 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local transit network in Horsham comprises 123 operational passenger stops across 12 unique routes, delivering 455 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transit is favorable, with residents situated an average of 208 meters from their closest boarding point. Given the residential orientation of the area, daily travel largely heads outwards, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of commuting journeys and walking representing 5%. Households maintain an average of 1.4 vehicles. Working from home was recorded at 9.2% during the 2021 Census, reflecting potential pandemic lockdown conditions. Transit schedules provide an average of 65 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 3 weekly trips per stop.
The accompanying mapping illustrates the 100 closest stops relative to the center of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.3% of residents in Horsham report no long-term health condition. 6.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic disease figures show meaningful health challenges across Horsham, with long-term ailments impacting younger as well as older demographics, while private health insurance adoption is modest at around 50% of all residents (~8,418 people) compared to the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, affecting 10.2 and 9.2% of residents respectively, whereas 63.3% of the community reported having no long-term medical conditions, comparable to 63.4% across Regional Vic.. Chronic ailments place a distinct burden on working-age residents.
Seniors aged 65 and over account for 23.0% of the populace (3,888 people), slightly under the 24.0% regional share, though health condition metrics among seniors exceed national levels.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Horsham is largely Australian-born, at 92.1% of residents, with 5.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.9%) and English (31.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures in Horsham fall below broader benchmarks, with Australian citizens making up 91.3% of the populace, 92.1% born domestically, and 94.4% using only English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation, representing 52.2% of the local populace relative to 47.3% across Regional Vic.. Looking at ancestral heritage based on parental birthplace, the primary backgrounds are Australian at 31.9%, English at 31.5%, and Scottish at 8.4%. Notable variances emerge among other lineages: German ancestry is elevated at 7.7% in Horsham (compared to 3.5% across the region), Irish accounts for 7.8% (against 9.7% regionally), and Italian represents 2.4% (versus 2.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Horsham is 40. 24.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Horsham closely align with Regional Vic., showing a maximum divergence of 2.9 percentage points across the four broad demographic groups. As at August 2026, the estimated median age stands at 40 years, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 3 years younger than the regional median of 43 observed in the same Census. Since then, mature adults and early retirees (45 - 64) have decreased from 23.8% of the local populace to an estimated 21.5%. Long-term growth to 2041 will be spearheaded by the 25 - 44 age cohort, which is projected to expand by 1,206 residents (27%) to 5,598.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Horsham
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month all 15 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 244 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (16,985 at the 2021 Census → 16,905 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (215011388). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.