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

Longford-Loch Sport's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 5,645. This figure represents a growth of 730 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,915. The increase can be inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,033 in June 2024 and an additional 220 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3.5 persons per square kilometer. Longford-Loch Sport's growth rate of 14.9% since the 2021 census exceeds that of the SA3 area (8.1%) and the Rest of Vic., indicating it as a region with significant growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 53.2% to this population increase during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends forecast significant growth in the top quartile of regional areas nationally, with Longford-Loch Sport expected to increase by 1,942 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 23.3% over the 17 years.

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

Longford-Loch Sport has seen approximately 56 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 282 homes were approved, with an additional 17 approved in FY26 so far. On average, each dwelling constructed over these years has attracted about 1.3 new residents annually.

This balance between supply and demand supports stable market conditions, with new homes being built at an average expected construction cost of $273,000. In the current financial year, there have been $3.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Longford-Loch Sport has experienced 94.0% higher new home approvals per capita, offering greater choice for buyers. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The area's population density is approximately 130 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Longford-Loch Sport is projected to add 1,317 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 40 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones include Gippsland Renewable Energy Park (GREP), Fulham Solar Farm, Longford Development Plan, and Port of Sale East Bank Redevelopment Study. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Longford - Loch Sport has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.5%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.3% over the past year as of September 2025. There are 2,337 residents in work, but the unemployment rate is 0.8% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation lags at 56.3%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. A moderate 15.6% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and construction, with a particular specialization in public administration & safety (2.4 times the regional level). Manufacturing employs only 4.1% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.7%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 4.3%, while labour force increased by 3.7%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment contract by 0.7% and unemployment rise marginally. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth rates differing significantly between industry sectors. Applying these 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, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

In AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Longford - Loch Sport SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,165 and an average level of $59,828. Both figures were below the national averages of $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average) for Rest of Vic. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $48,891, with average income projected at $64,764. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Longford - Loch Sport fall between the 6th and 11th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 28.1% of individuals (1,586) earn between $400 and $799, differing from regional patterns where earnings between $1,500 and $2,999 dominate at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest, with 89.0% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at the 11th percentile nationally.

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

In Longford-Loch Sport, as recorded in the latest Census, 96.4% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 3.6% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic., where 90.1% of dwellings were houses and 9.9% were other types. Home ownership in Longford-Loch Sport stood at 57.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.3% and rented ones at 8.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Weekly rent in Longford-Loch Sport was $200, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, mortgage repayments averaged $1,863 and rents were $375 per week.

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

Family households constitute 66.1% of all households, including 22.1% couples with children, 36.7% couples without children, and 6.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 33.9%, with lone person households at 31.3% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Rest of 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's university qualification rate is 18.1%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (31.7%). A total of 24.4% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 8.7% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

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

Longford-Loch Sport has 26 active public transport stops served by two routes offering 16 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is limited with residents typically 1987 meters from the nearest stop. Most commute outward using cars (84%), with 10% walking. Average vehicle ownership is 1.7 per dwelling, above the regional average. In 2021 Census data, 15.6% of residents worked from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages two trips daily across all routes, resulting in approximately zero weekly trips per individual stop.

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. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high among both younger and older age cohorts, with common health conditions somewhat prevalent.

Private health cover is very low at approximately 49% of the total population (~2,760 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.9%) and mental health issues (8.0%), while 61.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Rest of Vic.. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. There are 26.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,491 people), higher than the Rest of Vic.'s 23.9%. National rankings are 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 has a cultural diversity index below the average, with 85.4% of its population born in Australia, 89.6% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Longford-Loch Sport, comprising 49.1% of the population. While Judaism's representation is similar to the regional average (0.1%), there are notable differences in ancestry groups: English (33.6%) and Australian (29.9%) make up the largest proportions, followed by Irish at 9.5%.

Divergences exist in Dutch (2.4% vs regional 1.7%), Scottish (9.1% vs 8.8%), and Maltese (1.0% vs 0.5%) ancestry groups.

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

Longford-Loch Sport's median age of 51 is significantly higher than Victoria's average of 43 and Australia's median of 38. The 55-64 cohort is notably over-represented in Longford-Loch Sport at 19.6%, compared to the Rest of Vic. average of 11.2%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group is under-represented locally at 8.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35-44 age group grew from 9.2% to 10.7%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 6.6% to 8.1%. The 45-54 cohort declined from 14.1% to 12.1%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 18.6% to 17.3%. By 2041, Longford-Loch Sport's age composition is expected to shift notably, with the 25-34 group growing by 68% (322 people), reaching 798 from 475.