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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Loddon has an estimated 7,248 residents, down from 7,289 at the 2021 Census. 173 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessments by AreaSearch place the population of Loddon at roughly 7,248 as of Aug 2026, marking a reduction of 41 residents (0.6%) compared to the 7,289 counted at the 2021 Census. This updated figure is derived from June 2025 ABS estimated resident population statistics of 7,231 alongside 173 validated new addresses recorded post-Census. With a low density of 1.2 persons per square kilometer, the region offers substantial open space. Net overseas migration has served as virtually the sole contributor to local population additions in recent times. Projections for each SA2 area utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, supplemented where necessary by 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections converted via weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 geographies.
Age-specific growth parameters from these aggregations are applied across all locations for the 2032 to 2041 period. Looking ahead, these models point toward a shrinking population base, anticipating a reduction of 3,156 persons in Loddon by 2041.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
115 new dwellings have been approved in Loddon over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 3.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 23 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% 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 in Loddon has averaged approximately 23 dwelling approvals annually, totaling 115 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Given that local population inflow averaged just 0.4 persons per year for each new residence approved between FY-22 and FY-26, construction activity is keeping pace with or exceeding local demand, expanding residential choices, supporting prospective population growth, and registering an average construction cost of $408,000 per dwelling. Furthermore, commercial building approvals reached $25.3 million in the current financial year, signaling steady non-residential development. Per capita residential construction in Loddon sits 55.0% below the broader regional standard across Rest of Vic., reflecting subdued building volumes that generally reinforce demand and pricing for existing housing stock.
Construction rates also trail the national baseline, pointing to an established settlement footprint alongside potential planning constraints. Approvals in recent times have consisted exclusively of separate houses, reinforcing the low-density, family-oriented residential environment. Overall, the area records about 292 residents per dwelling approval. Given expectations of a flat to declining population trajectory, housing pressure in Loddon is anticipated to soften, potentially enhancing purchasing opportunities across the residential market.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Loddon
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Loddon, worth an estimated $250 million. A further 78 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.96 billion. 27 are already under construction and 28 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and education & training. 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, major developments, and strategic planning decisions play a critical role in shaping community outcomes. AreaSearch has pinpointed 79 influential projects across the district, prominent among which are the Derby Solar Farm, Campbells Forest Solar Farm, Marong Township Growth Area, and Calder Highway Upgrades, with key initiatives outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Derby Solar Farm
A 95 MW solar farm with an 85 MW / 100 MWh battery energy storage system planned near Derby in Victoria's Murray River Renewable Energy Zone. The project is designed to dispatch renewable electricity to the Victorian grid, power around 25,000 homes per year, offset about 150,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, and create more than 150 construction jobs. ACEnergy's latest project page lists the project as under development, with development and approvals in 2025-2026, construction in 2027, and operations from 2028.
Campbells Forest Solar Farm
The Campbells Forest Solar Farm is a proposed 205 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm located approximately 20 km north-west of Bendigo on Pyramid-Yarraberb Road in Loddon Shire, Victoria. The project covers approximately 360 hectares of cleared rural land. It received planning approval from the Loddon Shire Council in May 2020 and was selected for the Federal Government's Capacity Investment Scheme in December 2024, providing revenue underwriting. Construction is targeted to commence in late 2024, with commercial operation by Q3 2026.
Marong Township Growth Area
Long-term residential and mixed-use growth framework for Marong, 15km west of Bendigo CBD. Amendment C263gben to the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme was gazetted on 29 May 2025, implementing the Marong Township Structure Plan 2020 (re-adopted 2024). The amendment rezones land within the township to Neighbourhood Residential Zone and Mixed-Use Zone, expands commercial zoning, applies heritage, flood, bushfire and development overlays, and identifies four residential growth precincts to accommodate a population of approximately 8,000 people over 25 years.A Shared Infrastructure Contributions Plan is being prepared, and further rezoning applications for individual growth precincts will follow as a separate process.
Calder Highway Upgrades
$20 million highway upgrade including overtaking lanes, rest area improvements, and safety enhancements. Grade-separated interchange at Calder Highway/Calder Alternative Highway intersection near Ravenswood.
Marong Estate (Discover Marong)
Masterplanned residential estate by Birchgrove Property Group in Marong (Greater Bendigo) comprising 226 lots. The estate is adjacent to Malone Park Recreation Reserve and within walking distance to local school, hotel, pool, and sporting facilities. The development is completely sold out with titled lots ready to build on.
Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct (BREP)
A 294-hectare industrial and employment precinct located south of Marong. The project involves rezoning 206 hectares to Industrial 1 Zone (INZ1) to address industrial land shortages. It is designed for advanced manufacturing and logistics, featuring six development stages. It is expected to create 3,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs, delivering an estimated $9.5 billion in economic benefits over 30 years.
Virginia Hill, Bendigo
Part of the Victorian Government's Big Housing Build, this project in the Virginia Hill neighbourhood of Eaglehawk, Bendigo, will deliver 129 modern, accessible and energy-efficient social housing and affordable rental homes in a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options, replacing 64 ageing public housing dwellings. At least 5% of homes are fully accessible for people with disabilities. All homes achieve a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating and Silver standard Liveable Housing Australia guidelines. Site clearing and early works commenced November 2025 and are scheduled to run through to August 2026, with main construction starting mid-2026 and full completion expected in 2028.
Maiden Gully Growth Area
A strategic residential growth corridor designed to accommodate 25% of Bendigo's new housing over 20 years. Key 2026 updates include the progression of the Maiden Gully Urban Design Framework (UDF) for the town centre, and Victorian Government budget funding for the critical Calder Highway and Maiden Gully Road intersection upgrade. Infrastructure works like the 11km Maiden Gully to Marong water and sewer pipeline are nearing completion in late 2026 to support an expected population of 11,600 by 2030.
3,159 residents of Loddon are employed, from a labour force of 3,327. Unemployment sits at 5.0%, with participation at 53.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.8% 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 labour market features a combination of white-collar and blue-collar occupations across diverse sectors, accompanied by a 5.0% unemployment rate and a 1.4% annual rise in estimated employment. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,159, while the local jobless rate sat 1.4% above the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., and labour force participation lagged behind at 53.8% versus 61.1% regionally. Census returns indicated that 22.2% of workers operated from home, though historical pandemic restrictions may have influenced these figures. Employment among residents is primarily concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
Agricultural sectors represent a standout specialty, engaging workers at 4.8 times the regional concentration. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for 12.0% of local employment, trailing the 16.8% regional share. Comparing resident counts with local Census employment numbers indicates relatively few employment positions within the immediate area. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM figures show that over the 12 months to March 2026, Loddon recorded a 1.4% expansion in jobs and a 0.8% increase in the labour pool, reducing the local unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points, in contrast to Regional Vic. where jobs declined 0.1%, labour supply fell 0.3%, and unemployment contracted by 0.2 percentage points. Longer-term employment insights stem from Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 projections, which forecast national job expansion of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years. Mapping these sectoral projections against Loddon's specific industry composition indicates potential local job increases of 4.8% over five years and 11.1% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that excludes localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Loddon is $1,027 a week (about $53,000 a year), with median personal income at $551 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,393 a year against an average of $52,167. 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
ATO taxation statistics for financial year 2023 aggregated by AreaSearch show taxpayers in the Loddon SA2 earned a median income of $44,393 and an average of $52,167, trailing national benchmarks as well as corresponding regional averages of $50,954 and $62,728 across Regional Vic.. Factoring in subsequent Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $48,664 (median) and $57,185 (average) as of March 2026. National Census percentile rankings place local household, family, and individual incomes between the 4th and 6th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 28.9% of residents (2,094 people) earning between $800 - 1,499, differing from Regional Vic.
where the $1,500 - 2,999 band leads at 30.3%. Although residents retain 92.6% of income after housing expenses, aggregate disposable income ranks at the 11th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Loddon had 2,869 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 0% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 60% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $170 a week and the median mortgage repayment $867 a month. Rent absorbs 16.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records indicate that separate houses constitute 95.6% of Loddon's residential stock, while semi-detached homes, apartments, and other housing forms make up 4.4%, compared to 90.1% and 9.9% across Regional Vic.. Outright home ownership stands at an elevated 60.2%, substantially exceeding regional norms, with remaining properties held under a mortgage (26.6%) or rented (13.2%). Monthly median mortgage costs of $867 and weekly median rents of $170 in Loddon sit well below regional counterparts of $1,430 and $285, while also tracking significantly below national medians of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Loddon counted 2,869 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 82% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 63.5% of households in the area, comprising couples without children (32.8%), couples with children (21.7%), and single parent arrangements (7.8%). Non-family living situations represent 36.5% of dwellings, led by single-person households at 34.0% and group households at 2.7%. The typical household size of 2.2 persons sits below the 2.4 recorded across Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.6% of adults in Loddon hold a university qualification, including 10.8% with a bachelor degree and 1.5% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 75% of areas nationally. A further 29.9% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 862 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 965 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 educational attainment in the region remains subdued, with university degree holders accounting for 14.6% of residents compared to the wider VIC benchmark of 33.4%, highlighting a key focus area for educational programs. Qualifications comprise bachelor degrees at 10.8%, graduate diplomas at 2.3%, and postgraduate credentials at 1.5%. Vocational training is widely represented, with 40.1% of people aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (29.9%). Formal study participation is solid, with 28.1% of the local population engaged in educational programs. This breakdown includes 11.2% attending primary school, 9.7% in secondary school, and 2.1% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Loddon means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in Loddon encompass 33 passenger stops with train connections, operated across 7 individual transit routes that provide 70 weekly services. Network accessibility is relatively constrained, with local residents living an average distance of 600 meters from a stop. The outward commuter pattern is heavily car-dependent, with 85% driving and 12% walking, while private vehicle availability stands at 1.8 per household, exceeding regional norms. In addition, 22.2% of workers carried out their roles from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era circumstances. Transit service schedules deliver an average frequency of 10 trips per day across the collective network, representing roughly 2 trips each week per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.5% of residents in Loddon report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 77% of areas nationally. 7.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health evaluations by AreaSearch indicate notable community health challenges in Loddon across mortality rates and chronic illnesses, with common conditions present across younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance coverage is especially low, held by approximately 46% of the population (~3,319 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic. and 55.7% across Australia. Arthritis and mental health conditions rank as the most widespread health issues locally, affecting 12.8% and 9.3% of the community respectively, while 58.5% of residents report no chronic illnesses compared to 63.4% regionally. Health issues are elevated among working-age individuals.
In addition, people aged 65 and over represent 32.6% of the population (2,362 people), higher than the 24.0% share across Regional Vic., resulting in higher national condition rankings relative to the overall population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Loddon is largely Australian-born, at 90.4% of residents, with 3.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.1%) and Australian (32.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Loddon is comparatively low, with Australian citizens comprising 86.5% of the community, 90.4% born in Australia, and 96.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation, claimed by 52.5% of residents versus 47.3% across Regional Vic.. Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplace, the largest cohorts are English (34.1%), Australian (32.0%), and Scottish (10.5%). Other ethnic groups show distinct local concentrations, with Irish ancestry recorded at 9.5% (compared to 9.7% regionally), Filipino at 1.3% (against 0.6% regionally), and Dutch at 1.3% (versus 1.7% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Loddon is 52, older than 94% of areas nationally. 16.6% 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
Loddon exhibits an older demographic profile, with seniors and retirees aged 65+ making up 32.6% of the population as at August 2026, exceeding the 24.0% regional level across Regional Vic., while adults aged 25 - 44 account for 16.5% versus 23.1% regionally. The estimated median age remains at 52, matching the 2021 Census baseline and sitting 9 years above the Regional Vic. median of 43 and well above the Australian median of 38 from that Census. The most noticeable demographic shift since the Census occurred among the 45 - 64 age bracket, which fell from 30.2% to an estimated 26.5%.
Long-term projections to 2041 indicate no meaningful growth across any broad age cohort, with both retiree cohorts and middle-aged groups projected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Loddon
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 1 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 May 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 — 173 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (7,289 at the 2021 Census → 7,248 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 (202031033). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.