Mooroopna
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Mooroopna are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Mooroopna's population is approximately 8,329 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 17 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,312. The growth was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 8,316 in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 208 persons per square kilometer. Mooroopna's growth rate of 0.2% since the Census places it within 2.4 percentage points of its SA4 region (2.6%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 93.3% of overall population gains recently.

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, it 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 years 2032 to 2041. Future trends predict exceptional growth in Mooroopna, with an expected increase of 3,838 persons by 2041, representing a total gain of 45.9%.

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

Mooroopna has seen approximately 55 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 276 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with two recorded so far in FY-26. On average, zero people per year have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five financial years, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand and providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $378,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

There have been $12.4 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Relative to Rest of Vic., Mooroopna shows comparable building activity per person, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns. New building activity comprises 93.0% detached houses and 7.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

With around 209 people per dwelling approval, Mooroopna shows characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts indicate Mooroopna will gain approximately 3,824 residents through to 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could potentially lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Mooroopna has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 20 projects that could impact the area, with key ones including Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton Bypass - Stage 1, Mooroopna West Growth Corridor Structure Plan, GV Link Enterprise Park, and Seven Creeks Estate. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

While Mooroopna retains a healthy unemployment rate of 4.0%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Mooroopna's workforce in June 2025 was balanced between white and blue-collar jobs, with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented. The unemployment rate stood at 4.0%.

There were 3,521 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was significantly lower at 50.4%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Leading employment industries included health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing had a particularly high share of employment, at 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety showed lower representation at 4.4% compared to the regional average of 6.5%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 14.5%, while employment declined by 15.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.9%, with a labour force fall of 0.4% and an unemployment rate increase of 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 showed VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 indicated that national employment was projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Mooroopna's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Mooroopna had a median income among taxpayers of $45,395 and an average level of $50,616. These figures are lower than the national averages of $48,741 and $60,693 respectively for Rest of Vic. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of March 2025 would be approximately $49,984 and average income $55,733. Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Mooroopna fall between the 8th and 16th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 27.5% of the community (2,290 individuals) earn within the $400 - 799 bracket, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. After housing costs, 85.4% of income remains, ranking at only the 11th percentile nationally.

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

In Mooroopna as of the latest Census, 80.7% of dwellings were houses while 19.3% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro Vic., where 88.5% of dwellings were houses and 11.5% were other types. Home ownership in Mooroopna stood at 36.5%, similar to Non-Metro Vic.'s rate, with the remainder being mortgaged (31.6%) or rented (31.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,148, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300. The median weekly rent in Mooroopna was recorded at $250, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $260. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 62.3% of all households, including 20.2% that are couples with children, 25.7% that are couples without children, and 15.1% that consist of single parents. Non-family households make up the remaining 37.7%, with lone person households at 34.6% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic average of 2.5.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 12.8%, significantly below the Victorian average of 33.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent higher education qualifications, at 8.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (30.5%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.8% in primary, 8.8% in secondary, and 2.4% in tertiary education. Mooroopna's three schools have a combined enrollment reaching 660 students, focusing exclusively on primary education with secondary options available in surrounding areas from January 2022 onwards. Limited local school capacity (7.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.0) means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling as of September 2021.

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

Mooroopna has 69 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. There are 25 individual routes servicing these stops, providing a total of 268 weekly passenger trips collectively.

The accessibility to public transport is rated excellent, with residents typically located just 196 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 38 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 3 weekly trips per 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

Mooroopna faces significant health challenges, impacting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 46%, covering around 3,847 people, compared to Victoria's average of 48.4% and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (11.8%) and mental health issues (11.6%).

A total of 56.1% claim to be free from medical ailments, lower than Rest of Vic.'s 64.8%. As of 2021, 23.2% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,929 people), higher than Rest of Vic.'s 18.9%. Health outcomes among seniors align with the general population's health profile.

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

Mooroopna, as per the data, has a lower level of cultural diversity compared to the average. The population breakdown shows that 84.3% are citizens, 87.2% were born in Australia, and 90.8% speak English at home exclusively. Christianity is the dominant religion with 49.9%.

However, the 'Other' category appears overrepresented at 1.3%, compared to the Rest of Vic's 2.7%. The top three ancestral groups are English (29.8%), Australian (28.4%), and Irish (8.5%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences: Australian Aboriginal is higher at 5.5% versus 2.9% regionally, Italian is lower at 4.6% compared to 6.0%, and Samoan is also lower at 0.3% against the regional average of 0.4%.

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

Mooroopna's median age in 2021 was 42 years, similar to Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile showed that the 25-34 year-olds were particularly prominent at 15.5%, while the 5-14 group was smaller at 10.4% compared to Rest of Vic.. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group grew from 12.8% to 15.5% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.4% to 11.1%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 11.6% to 10.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Mooroopna. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 82%, adding 1,060 residents to reach 2,354. Meanwhile, the 55-64 cohort grows modestly by 7% (65 people).