Kerang
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Kerang's population is around 3,844 as of Aug 2025. This reflects a decrease of 116 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,960 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,832 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 7 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 26 persons per square kilometer. Kerang's population decline of -2.9% since census is within 1.4 percentage points of the SA3 area (-1.5%). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by balanced factors across natural increase and migration patterns.

AreaSearch adopts 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 released in 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, the area's population is expected to decline by 1,071 persons by 2041.

The level of residential development activity in Kerang is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Kerang has received around 12 dwelling approvals per year. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 62 homes approved over the past five years from FY-21 to FY-25, and no approvals yet in FY-26. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice, with new homes valued at an average of $501,000. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $4.4 million, indicating limited commercial development focus.

Kerang maintains similar construction rates per capita when compared to the Rest of Vic., reflecting a consistent market balance with the broader area, but lower than national levels, suggesting possible development constraints. New building activity consists of 86.0% standalone homes and 14.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's traditional low-density character favouring family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 549 people, indicating a quiet development environment. With stable or declining population expected, Kerang may experience reduced housing pressure, potentially offering opportunities for buyers.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Kerang should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Kerang has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely affecting the region. Notable projects include the Kerang District Health Facility Upgrade (CSSD, PACU, Operating Theatre Equipment), Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West), Koorangie Energy Storage System (KESS), and Kerang Solar & BESS Hybrid. The following details those most relevant.

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

The employment landscape in Kerang presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.9%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Kerang's workforce comprises an equal mix of white and blue-collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well-represented, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%.

As of June 2025, 1,593 residents are employed, a figure that is 0.1% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. However, workforce participation lags behind at 46.9%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Public administration & safety stands out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, accommodation & food services have a limited presence, employing only 5.1% of residents compared to the regional average of 6.9%. Between Jul-24 and Jun-25, Kerang's labour force decreased by 4.2%, while employment dropped by 3.6%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point reduction in unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Rest of Vic. saw employment fall by 0.9%, labour force contract by 0.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Statewide, VIC's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year to Sep-25, adding 39,880 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kerang's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.7% over five years and 12.5% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows Kerang's median income is $42,504 and average income is $50,020. This is below the national average. Rest of Vic.'s median income was $48,741 with an average of $60,693 in 2022. By March 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $46,801 (median) and $55,077 (average), based on a 10.11% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data shows Kerang's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 4th and 9th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals 32.5% of Kerang residents earn between $400 - $799 weekly, differing from the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is dominant at 30.3%. Notably, 40.1% of households in Kerang earn below $800 weekly, indicating affordability pressures. Despite modest housing costs with 89.0% income retention, disposable income ranks at the 7th percentile nationally.

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

Kerang's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 89.6% houses and 10.5% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s figures were 90.7% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kerang stood at 48.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.5% and rented ones at 23.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,000, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,083. Median weekly rent in Kerang was $200, matching Non-Metro Vic.'s figure but significantly below the national average of $375. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863.

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

Family households constitute 58.7% of all households, consisting of 19.1% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 41.3%, with lone person households at 38.7% and group households making up 2.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

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

The area faces educational challenges with university qualification rates at 11.8%, substantially below Victoria's average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (29.1%).

Educational participation is high at 25.3%, including primary education (10.6%), secondary education (7.9%), and tertiary education (1.6%). Kerang's five schools have a combined enrollment of 686 students, serving typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 959). The educational mix includes three primary schools, one secondary school, and one K-12 school. School capacity exceeds residential needs at 17.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.7, indicating Kerang serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Kerang has two operational public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 14 different routes which together facilitate 108 weekly passenger journeys. Transport accessibility is limited in Kerang, with residents usually residing 902 meters away from the nearest transport stop.

The average service frequency across all routes is 15 trips per day, resulting in approximately 54 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Kerang is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Kerang faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Only approximately 46% (~1,775 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.0%) and asthma (9.9%), while 56.6% reported no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Rest of Vic.. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 30.4% (1,169 people), higher than the 24.0% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Kerang's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 91.2% citizens, 93.9% born in Australia, and 97.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Kerang, comprising 55.6%, compared to 53.2% across Rest of Vic.. The top three ancestry groups are English (35.2%), Australian (33.5%), and Scottish (9.2%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal is overrepresented at 2.6% versus regional average of 2.5%. Irish and German groups also differ slightly from regional averages, with Irish at 8.3% (versus 9.2%) and German at 3.3% (versus 3.0%).

Kerang ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Kerang's median age is 51 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic average of 43 years and considerably older than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Kerang at 15.9%, while the 45-54 age group is under-represented at 9.4%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 9.6% to 10.7% of Kerang's population, while the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 10.9% to 9.4%. By 2041, Kerang is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 85+ group is projected to grow by -7 people (-7%), reaching 173 from 185. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 85+ and 45 to 54 cohorts.