Mooroopna

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

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Mooroopna stands at approximately 8,391 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 79 residents (1.0%) relative to the 8,312 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 8,391 alongside 170 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The region maintains a density of 209 persons per square kilometer, indicating low-density living and capacity for future housing expansion. The 1.0% growth rate since the census is within 1.8 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (2.8%), showcasing solid local growth. The expansion was primarily fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 71.7% of the total population gains in recent times.

AreaSearch utilizes the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia projections based on 2022 figures for each SA2. For SA2 areas lacking this coverage, projections from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA dataset are integrated, applying weighted population growth distributions from LGA to SA2 levels. The age cohort growth rates derived from these methods are also applied to the years 2032 through 2041. Looking ahead, the region is projected to experience rapid expansion, ranking in the top 10 percent of all non-metropolitan zones in the nation. It is anticipated to gain 3,773 residents by 2041 compared to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a 45.0% rise over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mooroopna recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Residential approvals in Mooroopna average approximately 55 annually, with 276 homes approved over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 36 residential approvals have been logged. With an average increase of just 0.2 new residents per built dwelling during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, residential construction is successfully matching or outstripping local demand, offering buyers plenty of choices and setting up headroom for population growth beyond current projections. New homes have a mean building cost of $252,000, aligning with regional averages. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $12.4 million in the current financial year, pointing to steady commercial investment.

In comparison to the Rest of Vic., new residential approvals per resident in Mooroopna are similar, keeping the local market in equilibrium with the state average. Housing construction is heavily skewed toward detached houses at 93.0%, with townhouses or apartments comprising just 7.0%, which maintains the low-density landscape and appeals to buyers looking for larger blocks of land. With roughly 212 residents for every residential approval, Mooroopna is characterized by a low-density profile.

Long-term forecasts suggest that Mooroopna will gain 3,773 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. If residential building activity continues at its current pace, housing construction might not keep up with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and driving up property values.

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

Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and council planning schemes are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified 20 notable projects that are expected to influence the local area. Principal developments include the Mooroopna West Growth Corridor Structure Plan, the Seven Creeks Estate, the GV Link Enterprise Park, and upgrades to Goulburn Valley Water Infrastructure, with the primary projects outlined below.

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

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Employment drivers in Mooroopna are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

The local workforce in Mooroopna is balanced between manual and professional roles, with a solid footprint in industrial and manufacturing operations, a 6.1% unemployment rate, and a 0.6% rise in estimated jobs over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,691, with the local unemployment rate sitting 2.4% higher than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%. Participation in the labor force is below average, standing at 56.1% compared to 61.1% across Regional Vic. Census data indicates that only 7.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by coronavirus lockdowns.

The major employment fields for residents are healthcare & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing is highly represented locally, with its share of the workforce reaching 1.5 times the regional proportion. On the other hand, public administration & safety is underrepresented, employing 4.4% of workers compared to the regional figure of 6.5%. The relationship between the resident worker count and the number of local jobs suggests a shortage of employment opportunities within the immediate area.

According to SALM and ABS statistics analyzed by AreaSearch, employment grew by 0.6% and the total labor force expanded by 3.4% during the twelve months leading to March 2026, which pushed the unemployment rate up by 2.6 percentage points. Over the same timeframe in Regional Vic., total employment decreased by 0.1%, the workforce shrank by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate dropped by 0.2 percentage points. The May-25 national workforce forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia help illustrate potential future employment demand in Mooroopna. These five and ten-year national projections are adjusted to the local industry structure to model potential growth. Although total national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the local workforce mix indicates that Mooroopna's employment could grow by 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this calculation is a direct weighting mapping and excludes local population growth forecasts.

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

Postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year show that taxpayers in the Mooroopna SA2 recorded a median income of $48,245 and an average income of $53,835. These figures are below the national benchmarks and compare to median and average incomes of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively in Regional Vic. Adjusting for a 9.62% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of approximately $52,886 and an average of $59,014 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that personal, family, and household incomes in Mooroopna lie between the 8th and 16th percentiles across Australia. About 27.5% of the local population (2,307 people) earn between $400 - 799 weekly, whereas the leading cohort in the wider region is the $1,500 - 2,999 range at 30.3%. Residents retain 85.4% of their income after paying for housing, which places the area in the 11th percentile nationally.

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

At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Mooroopna consisted of 80.7% standalone houses and 19.3% alternative dwellings like apartments, townhouses, and other types, compared to Regional Vic. where standalone houses made up 90.1% and alternative dwellings 9.9%. Home ownership in Mooroopna is lower than the regional rate, standing at 36.5%, with the remaining properties split between mortgaged homes (31.6%) and rental properties (31.9%). The median mortgage payment of $1,148 per month was lower than the regional median of $1,430, while weekly rent sat at $250, compared to $285 across Regional Vic. Looking at national figures, Mooroopna's mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also lower than the national benchmark of $375.

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

Families comprise the majority of households at 62.3%, which is split into couples without children at 25.7%, couples with children at 20.2%, and single-parent households at 15.1%. The remaining 37.7% are non-family households, consisting of single-person households at 34.6% and group shared homes at 3.2%. The median household occupancy is 2.2 residents, which is slightly below the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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

The region shows lower rates of tertiary education, with university degree attainment at 12.8%, well below the state average of 33.4%. This highlights a clear need for focused education programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.6%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.4% and postgraduate degrees at 1.8%. Vocational and technical training is strong, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, split between advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (30.5%).

A significant proportion of the population is engaged in learning, with 29.4% of local residents registered in formal education. Primary school pupils make up 10.8% of the community, secondary school students account for 8.8%, and tertiary students comprise 2.4%.

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

There are 69 active public transport stops in Mooroopna, which include train connections. These stops are served by 12 distinct routes that provide 197 passenger services every week. Local transport access is strong, with residents living an average of 197 meters from the nearest stop. The town is predominantly residential, resulting in most workers commuting out of the area, and private vehicles remain the primary transit mode at 96%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles, which is lower than the regional average. A small proportion of the population, 7.3%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.

Transit routes run at an average frequency of 28 services per day, which translates to roughly 2 departures per week at each individual stop.

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

Significant health concerns are present in Mooroopna, according to AreaSearch's analysis of mortality and chronic illness rates, which impact residents across both younger and older age brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is low at roughly 47% of the population, which equals approximately 3,910 people. This is below the Regional Vic. average of 50.5% and the national rate of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the community, affecting 11.8 and 11.6% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 56.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic. The working-age population experiences elevated rates of long-term illnesses. Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.3% of the community (1,956 people), and their overall health metrics align closely with national averages for seniors.

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

Mooroopna has low cultural diversity compared to national averages, with citizens making up 84.3% of the population, Australian-born residents at 87.2%, and English-only speakers at 90.8%. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 49.9% of the local population. The most notable deviation from regional averages is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.3% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional Vic.

Looking at parent countries of origin, the largest ancestral backgrounds in Mooroopna are English at 29.8%, Australian at 28.4%, and Irish at 8.5%. The community also has distinct cultural groups, with Australian Aboriginal residents making up 5.5% of the population compared to 1.4% across the region, Italian background at 4.6% compared to 2.9%, and Samoan ancestry at 0.3% compared to 0.1% regionally.

Mooroopna's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Mooroopna is 42 years, which is close to the Regional Vic. median of 43 years but older than the national median of 38 years. The local age distribution has a high share of 25 - 34 year-olds at 15.3%, while the 5 - 14 cohort is smaller at 10.4% than the regional average. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 increased from 12.8% to 15.3%, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 7.5% to 8.5%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.4% to 11.1%, and children aged 5 to 14 dropped from 11.6% to 10.4%. Projections for 2041 point to significant demographic shifts, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow the fastest at 72%, adding 925 people to reach 2,211, while the 55 to 64 group is projected to grow by just 10% (94 people).