Macedon

Population growth drivers in Macedon are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Macedon's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 3,653 people. This figure represents an increase of 130 individuals, a rise of 3.7%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,523. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,645 in June 2024 and an additional 10 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 50 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 57.1% to recent overall population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics project an above median growth, with the area expected to expand by 744 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 20.1% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Macedon according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Macedon has recorded approximately five residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, 25 homes were approved, with two more approved in FY-26 so far. On average, 4.2 people moved to the area each year for each dwelling built during these years, indicating significant demand exceeding new supply.

This typically results in price growth and increased buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $721,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $425,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Macedon has significantly less development activity, 84.0% below the regional average per person.

This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. Future projections estimate Macedon adding 736 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Macedon has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Hanging Rock to Daylesford Shared Trail, Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct, Hamilton Road Reconstruction New Gisborne to Riddells Creek, and Gisborne Business Park Development. The following list details those most relevant:.

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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Macedon performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Macedon has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 1.4% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.4%.

In comparison to Greater Melbourne's unemployment rate of 4.7%, Macedon's was 3.3% lower, while workforce participation was similar at 71.0%. Census responses indicated that 40.5% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries were professional & technical, education & training, and health care & social assistance. The area had a particular specialization in education & training with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, accommodation & food services were under-represented at 3.5% compared to Greater Melbourne's 6.4%. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.4%, labour force grew by 1.8%, resulting in a rise of 0.3 percentage points in unemployment rate. In Greater Melbourne during the same period, employment growth was 3.0%, labour force grew by 3.3%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Macedon's employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Macedon SA2 has exceptionally high incomes nationally. The median income is $66,096 and the average income stands at $102,490. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's figures of a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $71,549 (median) and $110,945 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly in Macedon, between the 77th and 89th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the $4000+ earnings band captures 27.7% of the community (1,011 individuals), differing from patterns across the region where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 32.8%. The substantial proportion of high earners (41.8% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Macedon. After housing costs, residents retain 87.8% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Macedon's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.0% houses and 2.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Macedon was at 44.8%, with the rest being mortgaged (46.7%) or rented (8.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,492, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Macedon was $361, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Macedon's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,492 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $361 compared to the national figure of $375.

Macedon features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 80.8% of all households, including 39.0% that are couples with children, 34.7% that are couples without children, and 6.9% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 19.2%, with lone person households at 17.4% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Macedon demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Macedon is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2021, 42.3% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 27.7% in the SA3 area and 27.7% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 25.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.3%) and graduate diplomas (5.6%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 30.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding them - advanced diplomas account for 12.4% and certificates for 17.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 10.2% in secondary education, and 4.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Macedon has two operational public transport stops offering a mix of train services. Four unique routes serve these stops, collectively facilitating 230 weekly passenger trips. Residents' access to public transport is rated as limited, with an average distance of 1839 meters to the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward by car, which remains the primary mode at 93%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling stands at 2.0, surpassing the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 40.5% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 32 trips daily, equating to approximately 115 weekly trips per individual stop.

Macedon's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Macedon, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 72% of the total population (2,641 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 7.8 and 7.2% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 71.9%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Macedon has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.7% (790 people), compared to 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Macedon had a cultural diversity below average, with 84.1% born in Australia, 90.1% being citizens, and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 38.3%. Buddhism's representation was overstated at 0.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.

Top ancestry groups were English (29.2%), Australian (27.9%), and Irish (11.4%). Dutch, Polish, and Welsh groups showed notable divergences: 2.1% vs 1.2%, 1.1% vs 0.8%, and 0.8% vs 0.4% respectively.

Macedon hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Macedon is 46 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and also exceeds the Australian median of 38. The 45-54 age group comprises 17.0% of Macedon's population, compared to 12.0% nationally and 9.0% in Greater Melbourne. Conversely, the 25-34 age group makes up only 2.8% of Macedon's population, lower than both Greater Melbourne (12.0%) and the national average (16.0%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 5.8% to 8.5%, while the 15-24 cohort has risen from 9.5% to 11.4%. However, the 65-74 age group has decreased from 14.2% to 11.3%, and the 25-34 group has dropped from 5.6% to 2.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate that the 45-54 age cohort is expected to grow by 214 people (35%), reaching a total of 836 individuals. Meanwhile, the 35-44 age group is projected to decrease by 7 people.