Longford - Loch Sport

Longford - Loch Sport lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Longford - Loch Sport's population is around 5,645 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 730 people (14.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,915 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,033 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 220 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 3.5 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Longford - Loch Sport's 14.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (8.1%) and the Rest of Vic., marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 53.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of regional areas nationally is forecast, with the area expected to grow by 1,942 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 23.3% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Longford - Loch Sport when compared nationally

Longford - Loch Sport has experienced around 56 dwellings receiving development approval annually, with 282 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 18 so far in FY-26. Given an average of 1.3 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), the market shows a good balance between supply and demand, supporting stable conditions, while new homes are being built at an average value of $273,000. There have also been $3.2 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating a limited commercial development focus.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Longford - Loch Sport shows 94.0% higher new home approvals (per person), creating greater choice for buyers, though building activity has slowed in recent years. This level is substantially higher than the national average, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. Meanwhile, recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's low-density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 130 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Future projections show Longford - Loch Sport adding 1,317 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Longford - Loch Sport has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 40 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Gippsland Renewable Energy Park (GREP), Fulham Solar Farm, Longford Development Plan, and Port of Sale East Bank Redevelopment Study, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

Longford - Loch Sport has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Longford - Loch Sport possesses a skilled workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 4.6%, and 5.6% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 2,352 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 0.9% above Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%, and workforce participation is somewhat below standard (56.7% compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.5%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 15.6% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area has a particular employment specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share of 2.4 times the regional level. In contrast, manufacturing employs just 4.1% of local workers, below Regional Vic.'s 7.7%. While local employment opportunities exist in the area, it appears many residents commute elsewhere for work, based on the count of Census working population to local population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 5.6% while the labour force increased by 5.1%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Vic., where employment contracted by 0.6%, the labour force fell by 0.7%, and unemployment fell 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Longford - Loch Sport. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Longford - Loch Sport's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Longford - Loch Sport SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,165 with the average level standing at $59,828. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $50,954 and $62,728 across Regional Vic. respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $48,891 (median) and $64,764 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Longford - Loch Sport all fall between the 6th and 11th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows the $400 - 799 earnings band captures 28.1% of the community (1,586 individuals), differing from patterns across the region where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 30.3%. While housing costs are modest with 89.0% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 11th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure within Longford - Loch Sport, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 96.4% houses and 3.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Longford - Loch Sport was well beyond that of Regional Vic., at 57.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (34.3%) or rented (8.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was below the Regional Vic. average at $1,300, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $200, compared to Regional Vic.'s $1,430 and $285. Nationally, Longford - Loch Sport's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 66.1% of all households, comprising 22.1% couples with children, 36.7% couples without children, and 6.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.9%, with lone person households at 31.3% and group households comprising 2.6% of the total. The median household size of 2.2 people is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Longford - Loch Sport 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 (18.1%) substantially below the VIC average of 33.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 41.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (31.7%).

A substantial 24.4% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.7% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 26 active transport stops operating within Longford - Loch Sport. These stops are serviced by 2 individual routes, collectively providing 16 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1987 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 84%, with 10% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. Some 15.6% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 2 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 0 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Longford - Loch Sport is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Longford - Loch Sport faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 49% of the total population (~2,760 people). The national average is 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 11.9 and 8.0% of residents, respectively, while 61.3% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 26.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,491 people), which is higher than the 23.9% in Regional Vic., with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Longford - Loch Sport was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 85.4% of its population born in Australia, 89.6% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Longford - Loch Sport is Christianity, which makes up 49.1% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Judaism, which comprises 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic..

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Longford - Loch Sport are English, comprising 33.6% of the population, Australian, comprising 29.9% of the population, and Irish, comprising 9.5% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Dutch is notably overrepresented at 2.4% of Longford - Loch Sport (vs 1.7% regionally), Scottish at 9.1% (vs 8.8%) and Maltese at 1.0% (vs 0.5%).

Longford - Loch Sport ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

At 51 years, Longford - Loch Sport's median age is significantly above the Regional Vic. average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Regional Vic. average, the 55 - 64 cohort is notably over-represented (19.6% locally), while 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented (8.4%). This 55 - 64 concentration is well above the national 11.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.7% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 6.6% to 8.1%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 14.1% to 12.1% and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 18.6% to 17.3%. By 2041, Longford - Loch Sport is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading the demographic shift, the 25 to 34 group will grow by 68% (322 people), reaching 798 from 475.