Moe - Newborough
Statistical Area - sa2

Moe - Newborough has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Moe - Newborough's population is approximately 18,276 as of August 2025. This figure represents a growth of 985 people, a 5.7% increase since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 17,291. The change is inferred from an estimated resident population of 17,553 in June 2024 and an additional 440 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 173 persons per square kilometer. Moe - Newborough's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (4.8%) and non-metro areas, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 54.7% to the overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For uncovers areas, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are used with adjustments made via weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future trends project above median population growth in non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Moe - Newborough expected to grow by 3,559 persons to 2041, marking a total gain of 15.3% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Moe - Newborough when compared nationally

Moe - Newborough has seen approximately 100 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25501 homes were approved, with an additional 32 approved in FY26 as of now. On average, 0.8 new residents per year have arrived for each new home over these five years, indicating that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand and providing more housing options while facilitating population growth.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings has been $368,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing choices for buyers. This financial year has seen $14.2 million in commercial approvals, reflecting moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Moe - Newborough exhibits comparable construction activity per person, maintaining market balance with the broader area.

Recent construction comprises 86% detached houses and 14% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's traditional low-density character that appeals to families seeking space. With around 178 people per approval, Moe - Newborough reflects a low-density area. Future projections indicate Moe - Newborough will add approximately 2,795 residents by 2041, with current construction rates appearing balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Moe - Newborough has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Monash Views, North Quarter, Narracan Drive Redevelopment, and Turras Reach (Narracan Lakes). The following list highlights those likely to be most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Moe - Newborough face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Moe - Newborough has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, with an unemployment rate of 8.0% as of June 2025.

There are 7,084 residents employed, which is 4.2% higher than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation lags at 48.9%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries for employment include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area specializes in electricity, gas, water & waste services with an employment share 3.9 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has a lower representation at 2.4% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.7%, and employment declined by 1.9%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. had an employment decline of 0.9% and a labour force decline of 0.4%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moe - Newborough's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.3%% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this is an illustrative extrapolation and does not account for localized population projections.

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

Moe Newborough's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $46,308. The average income stood at $56,401 during this period. Comparatively, Rest of Vic.'s median and average incomes were $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $50,990, and the average income around $62,103, based on a 10.11% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to 2021 Census figures, incomes in Moe Newborough fall between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 29.5% of residents earning $400-$799 weekly. This is unlike broader area patterns where the dominant income bracket is $1,500-$2,999 with 30.3%. With 40.2% earning under $800 per week, Moe Newborough faces significant income constraints impacting local spending habits. After housing costs, only 13.9% of income remains, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

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

Moe - Newborough's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.6% houses and 16.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic. had 88.1% houses and 11.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moe - Newborough was 38.6%, similar to Non-Metro Vic., with the rest being mortgaged (30.9%) or rented (30.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,213. The median weekly rent figure was $210, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $237. Nationally, Moe - Newborough's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,083 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 58.8% of all households, including 20.2% couples with children, 24.1% couples without children, and 13.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 41.2%, with lone person households at 38.4% and group households comprising 2.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.1%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 7.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (33.8%). Educational participation is high at 26.5%, comprising primary education (10.1%), secondary education (7.4%), and tertiary education (2.4%).

Moe - Newborough has a network of 10 schools educating approximately 2,567 students, including 7 primary, 2 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. The area's educational conditions vary across its regions. Note: for schools with 'n/a' enrolments, refer to the parent campus.

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

Moe - Newborough has 115 active public transport stops. These are a mix of train and bus services. There are 25 individual routes operating in total.

Collectively, these provide 1,853 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 195 meters. Service frequency averages 264 trips per day across all routes. This equates to approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Moe - Newborough faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. The private health cover rate is low at approximately 48%, covering around 8,772 people, compared to Victoria's average of 50.2% and Australia's national average of 55.3%. Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 11.2% each of the population.

However, 56.4% report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of Vic.'s 60.1%. As of 2021, 23.7%, or approximately 4,333 people aged 65 and over reside in the area, higher than Victoria's average of 21.2%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's health profile but present some challenges.

Moe - Newborough ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Moe-Newborough had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 88.9% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (85.6%), and speaking English only at home (93.7%). Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.0% of Moe-Newborough's population. However, Judaism showed an overrepresentation with 0.1%, compared to the rest of Victoria's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (30.8%), English (30.0%), and Scottish (7.9%). Notably, Dutch (3.2%) was overrepresented in Moe-Newborough compared to the regional average of 2.9%, Maltese at 2.6% versus 1.6%, and Polish at 0.9% versus 0.7%.

Moe - Newborough hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Moe - Newborough's median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of Vic.'s 43 years and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Vic., Moe - Newborough has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (13.2%), but fewer residents aged 45-54 (10.6%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 10.5% to 12.0%, while the 45-54 age group has decreased from 12.0% to 10.6%. The 55-64 age group has also dropped from 13.9% to 12.9%. By 2041, Moe - Newborough's population is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition. Notably, the 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 42%, reaching 3,436 people from 2,421. Conversely, the 65-74 and 55-64 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.