Maryborough (Vic.)
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Maryborough reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Maryborough Vic's population is approximately 8,370 as of Aug 2025. This figure represents a rise of 210 individuals (2.6%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded 8,160 inhabitants. The increase is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 8,255 in June 2024 and an additional 86 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 183 persons per square kilometer. Maryborough's growth rate since the Census places it within 2.9 percentage points of non-metro areas (5.5%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration drove population growth, contributing around 78.9% of overall gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For un-covered areas, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are employed, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic trends suggest lower quartile growth in non-metro areas nationally, with Maryborough expected to grow by 176 persons to 2041, a total gain of 0.4% over the 17-year period.

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

Maryborough has seen approximately 40 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, totalling 203 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, and an additional 5 so far in FY-26. On average, over these five years, about 0.3 new residents have arrived per new home approved, indicating that supply has been meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential for population growth above projections. The average construction cost of new properties during this period was $409,000, aligning with regional patterns.

In FY-26, $13.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Maryborough has similar levels of development per person, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns, although construction activity has recently eased. Recent construction comprises 83.0% detached dwellings and 17.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature by emphasising detached housing which attracts space-seeking buyers.

Maryborough has approximately 255 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Future projections show Maryborough adding 35 residents by 2041. 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.

Maryborough has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 44thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified nine projects likely to impact the local area. Key projects include the Maryborough and District Hospital Redevelopment, Central Goldfields Land Use Planning Framework, Maryborough Central Activity District (MCAD), and Maryborough Municipal Olympic Swimming Pool Upgrade. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

The labour market performance in Maryborough lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Maryborough Vic has balanced white and blue collar jobs with high representation in essential services. Its unemployment rate is 8.5% with an estimated growth of 8.7% over the past year.

As of June 2025, it employs 2948 residents at a 4.7% unemployment rate above Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Participation lags at 42.6% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Leading industries are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing is notable with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 3.7%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work. Over a year, employment increased by 8.7% and labour force by 6.8%, reducing unemployment by 1.6 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts project employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections suggest Maryborough's growth may be approximately 5.9%% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Maryborough had a median income among taxpayers of $42,118 and an average level of $49,812. Both figures are below the national averages of $53,762 (median) and $63,388 (average). Comparing with Rest of Vic., Maryborough's incomes were lower at $48,741 (median) and $60,693 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2022 to March 2025, estimated median income in Maryborough is approximately $46,376, with average income around $54,848. Census 2021 data indicates that incomes in Maryborough are among the lowest nationally, with household, family and personal incomes all falling between the 1st and 4th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 36.1% of individuals in Maryborough earn within the $400 - 799 range, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Economic circumstances are challenging, with 46.1% of households operating on modest weekly budgets below $800. After accounting for housing costs, 85.4% of income remains, but this ranks at only the 4th percentile nationally.

Maryborough is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Maryborough, as per the latest Census data, 87.4% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 12.6% being semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This contrasts with Non-Metro Vic., where 93.8% of dwellings were houses and 6.2% were other dwelling types. Home ownership in Maryborough stood at 45.7%, with the rest either mortgaged (25.6%) or rented (28.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,000, significantly lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,127 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent in Maryborough was $240, substantially below Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $230 and the national average of $375.

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

Family households account for 58.2% of all households, including 16.3% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 12.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.8%, with lone person households at 39.0% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.2.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.7%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.8%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.0%) and certificates (29.5%). In total, 23.8% of the population is actively pursuing formal education: 9.2% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education.

Maryborough's four schools have a combined enrollment of 1,638 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 985) with balanced educational opportunities. It includes one primary, one secondary, and two K-12 schools. As an education hub, Maryborough offers 19.6 school places per 100 residents, higher than the regional average of 10.9, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Maryborough has 85 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 16 individual routes that collectively facilitate 578 weekly passenger trips. The city's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically residing 196 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 82 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 6 weekly trips per stop.

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

Maryborough faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~3,858 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (13.2%) and mental health issues (11.7%), while 53.0% report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Vic's 56.8%. Maryborough has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 31.3% (2,619 people), compared to the state average of 27.9%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Maryborough are better than those in the general population.

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

Maryborough's population showed low diversity, with 91.6% being citizens, 90.6% born in Australia, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 50.0%, compared to 47.6% across Rest of Vic.. The top three ancestry groups were English (35.1%), Australian (33.2%), and Scottish (8.8%).

Notably, Maltese (0.4%) and Irish (8.2%) were relatively overrepresented in Maryborough compared to regional averages of 0.6% and 9.2%, respectively. Additionally, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 1.8% than the regional average of 1.4%.

Maryborough ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Maryborough has a median age of 50, which is higher than the Rest of Vic figure of 43 and above the national average of 38. The 75-84 age group makes up 11.6% of Maryborough's population, compared to 9.2% for the 35-44 cohort. This is higher than the national figure of 6.0%. According to the 2021 Census, Maryborough saw an increase in the 15-24 age group from 9.5% to 11.2%, and a rise in the 35-44 cohort from 8.1% to 9.2%. However, the 65-74 cohort decreased from 15.9% to 14.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Maryborough's age profile. The 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 327 people (38%), reaching 1,200 from an initial 872. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 75-84 and 65-74 cohorts.