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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Mount Baw Baw Region has an estimated 6,755 residents, up from 6,585 at the 2021 Census — a change of 170 people, or 2.6%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years, slower than 76% of areas nationally. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to investigations by AreaSearch, the resident count of Mount Baw Baw Region stands at approximately 6,755 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 170 individuals (2.6%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a total of 6,585 people. This shift is deduced from the ABS estimated resident population of 6,750 recorded in June 2025 alongside 54 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 2.5 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment. The area's growth rate of 2.6% since the census trails the Rest of Vic.
(4.3%) by 1.7 percentage points, showing a relatively competitive expansion trajectory. Net gains were chiefly propelled by arrivals from overseas, which comprised roughly 40.4% of the overall population rise in recent times, though natural increase and interstate migration also registered positive results. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are implemented by AreaSearch for each SA2 unit. Where such figures are unavailable, AreaSearch uses the 2023 Regional/LGA projections from the VIC State Government, adjusting them through a weighted aggregation of population expansion from LGA to SA2 tiers. The age-specific growth rates derived from these aggregations are also applied across all regions for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Future demographic outlooks suggest growth aligned with the lowest national quartile for regional zones, with the locality projected to add 130 persons by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, indicating a total long-term increase of 1.9% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
141 new dwellings have been approved in Mount Baw Baw Region over the past five years, an average of 28 a year. That is 4.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 20 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 16, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Mount Baw Baw Region has averaged approximately 28 residential building approvals annually, summing to 141 dwellings over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, there have been 15 approvals documented. An average of 2.2 new residents were added for every finished home between FY-21 and FY-25, showing solid demand that bolsters local real estate values, with new residential projects averaging a construction cost of $376,000—slightly exceeding the regional benchmark—which points to a preference for higher-quality building standards. Furthermore, commercial building approvals total $6.8 million this financial year, reflecting a modest focus on non-residential development.
In comparison to the Rest of Vic., construction activity in Mount Baw Baw Region is substantially lower, sitting at 60.0% below regional average per person. This constrained volume of new inventory generally supports demand and pricing for existing homes. Additionally, all recent construction projects have consisted of detached dwellings, maintaining the low-density profile of the community and appealing to buyers looking for larger properties. The ratio of 394 people for every single dwelling approval underscores the quiet and low-key building environment of the area. According to demographic forecasts, Mount Baw Baw Region is set to add 125 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Given current building trends, the incoming supply of housing is expected to comfortably satisfy local demand, yielding favorable purchasing dynamics for buyers and potentially facilitating expansion that outpaces current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mount Baw Baw Region
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 115 current infrastructure and development projects close to Mount Baw Baw Region, worth an estimated $21.9 billion. 38 are already under construction and 50 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and energy. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning updates are critical drivers of regional performance. In total, AreaSearch has identified 57 projects expected to influence this locality. Prominent undertakings include the Warragul Sewer Main Upgrade - North East Growth Corridor, the 147 Dollarburn Road Residential Development, the Dollarburn Road Extension, and The Saleyards, with key details of the most significant projects presented in the accompanying list.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Darnum Battery Energy Storage System (Darnum BESS)
Proposed utility-scale 200 MW / 800 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and grid connection infrastructure located at Shady Creek, connecting to AusNet's 220 kV transmission line to support renewable energy integration and grid stability across Victoria.
Loom Warragul
TW Projects, backed by Monark Property Partners, is delivering Loom Warragul, a 200-lot house and land estate on a circa 16 ha site at 321 Copelands Road. Civil works are underway across Stages 1 and 2, with Winslow appointed as civil contractor, while Stages 3, 5A and 5B are now selling from $273,000. The estate is roughly 50 percent sold, with land marketed through Oliver Hume and a sales office open on site.
Emberwood Estate - Stage 11
Stage 11 forms part of the 330-lot Emberwood masterplanned estate in Warragul. The stage comprises titled residential lots that are benched, retained and fenced, with supporting parklands, playgrounds and pedestrian connections. Stage 11 is selling alongside Stage 12, with Stage 13 announced as the next release.
147 Dollarburn Road Residential Development
26.25 hectare approved residential subdivision within the Warragul Precinct Structure Plan featuring 114 residential lots, neighbourhood parks, sporting reserves, and farmland. Connected via a proposed street through a future government primary school to Waterford Rise Estate and Warragul township. Located within the Urban Growth Boundary with proximity to the future West Gippsland Hospital.
Dollarburn Road Extension
Extension of Dollarburn Road to connect Warragul and Drouin through the purchase and designation of land for road reserve. This project will provide an alternate collector/arterial route for Warragul and Warragul North to access Princes Highway, alleviating congestion on Princes Way and improving freeway access for residential areas. The extension will connect to the proposed Buln Buln Road Interchange to provide significantly improved access to the Princes Freeway for a large residential catchment.
Baw Baw Economic Land Use Strategy (Amendment C154bawb)
Planning scheme amendment (C154bawb) by Baw Baw Shire Council to implement the Economic Land Use Strategy. The amendment updates Local Planning Policy and rezones land across Warragul and Drouin to increase the supply of commercial and industrial land. It is currently post-exhibition and has been referred to an independent planning panel.
Drouin West Kindergarten
New kindergarten facility serving the Drouin West community, providing early learning education services.
Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct (Stage 1)
Construction of a new multi-level community library, learning centre, arts/gallery space, co-working facilities, cafe, and integrated civic plaza connecting to West Gippsland Arts Centre and Civic Park.
3,604 residents of Mount Baw Baw Region are employed, from a labour force of 3,682. Unemployment sits at 2.1%, with participation at 64.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,879, about 87% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A highly capable talent pool resides in Mount Baw Baw Region, with the construction sector showing notable local concentration, an unemployment rate of only 2.1%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.7% over the prior year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,604, while the local jobless rate remained 1.6% below the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., and participation in the labor force aligned closely with typical levels (64.9% relative to 61.1% in Regional Vic.). Census responses indicate a moderate proportion of workers, 22.8%, performed their duties from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, construction, and health care & social assistance. The region displays a distinct concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where the employment proportion is 2.0 times the broader regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 12.4% of the local workforce, which is lower than the 16.8% average for Regional Vic. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident workforce suggests that local job opportunities within the immediate area are somewhat constrained. According to AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS statistics, the year ending March 2026 saw employment expand by 3.7% and the active labor force grow by 3.3%, which reduced the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. This performance stands in contrast to Regional Vic., where employment fell by 0.1%, the labor force dropped by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide context on future demand trends for Mount Baw Baw Region. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary by sector. Projecting these industry trends onto the local employment distribution suggests that employment within Mount Baw Baw Region could rise by 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, noting this is a basic weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate local demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mount Baw Baw Region is $1,456 a week (about $76,000 a year), with median personal income at $695 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,766 a year against an average of $64,024. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Aggregated postcode-level ATO data released for the financial year 2023 shows that the Mount Baw Baw Region SA2 recorded a median taxpayer income of $48,766 alongside an average income of $64,024. These figures sit below national benchmarks and compare to median and average levels of $50,954 and $62,728 across Regional Vic., respectively. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $53,457 (median) and $70,183 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and individual incomes are all positioned modestly, placing between the 27th and 33rd percentiles.
Income distribution metrics indicate that the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket accounts for 30.6% of the population (2,067 individuals), mirroring the broader regional pattern where 30.3% fall into this range. Housing expenses remain manageable with residents keeping 89.0% of their earnings, although disposable income ranks below average at the 39th percentile and the local SEIFA income measure places the area in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mount Baw Baw Region had 2,409 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 1% apartments. 39% are owned with a mortgage, 10% rented and 52% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 17.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
An analysis of housing types in Mount Baw Baw Region during the most recent Census revealed that detached houses made up 97.9% of the housing stock, while other housing options like semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings accounted for 2.1%. This compares to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic. Home ownership rates in Mount Baw Baw Region were notably high at 51.6%, with the remaining properties being either mortgaged (38.8%) or rented (9.6%). The median monthly payment for mortgages in the area was $1,517, which exceeded the Regional Vic.
average of $1,430, whereas the median weekly rent was $250, compared to the regional median of $285. On a national level, mortgage commitments in Mount Baw Baw Region are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent expenses are substantially below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mount Baw Baw Region counted 2,409 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 35% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families represent the vast majority of households at 73.7%, consisting of couples with children at 29.9%, couples without children at 35.0%, and single-parent households at 8.1%. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.3% of the total, with single-person households accounting for 24.7% and group housing comprising 1.5%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is slightly larger than the average of 2.4 observed across Regional Vic.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.6% of adults in Mount Baw Baw Region hold a university qualification, including 12.9% with a bachelor degree and 3.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.5% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 602 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 981 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The locality experiences some educational disparities, with university completion rates at 19.6%, which is considerably below the statewide average for VIC of 33.4%. This gap highlights a clear opportunity for targeted academic programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.5% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 42.9% of the population aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (31.5%). Enrolment levels are notably high throughout the community, with 28.0% of residents active in formal studies.
This overall enrollment includes 10.1% of residents attending primary school, 8.9% in secondary education, and 2.8% undertaking tertiary coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mount Baw Baw Region means driving: households keep an average of 2.1 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.0% of residents in Mount Baw Baw Region report no long-term health condition. 5.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mount Baw Baw Region exhibits positive health profiles according to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates, with both younger and older demographics showing low rates of common health conditions. The level of private health insurance coverage is relatively modest, representing approximately 50% of the total population (~3,411 people) compared to a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical concerns locally, affecting 10.5% and 8.4% of the population, respectively. Conversely, 65.0% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, which compares favorably to the 63.4% average across Regional Vic.
Residents of working age exhibit higher-than-average rates of chronic health issues. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 25.1% of the community (1,692 people), surpassing the Regional Vic. benchmark of 23.9%. Health statistics for this older demographic are especially positive, ranking higher nationally than the general population profile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mount Baw Baw Region is largely Australian-born, at 89.5% of residents, with 3.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.9%) and English (31.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The population of Mount Baw Baw Region exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 89.7% of residents, 89.5% born within Australia, and 96.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, claimed by 43.9% of local residents. The most distinct statistical overrepresentation occurs within Judaism, which is practiced by 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% share recorded across Regional Vic. Regarding family heritage and parental birthplaces, the three most common ancestries in Mount Baw Baw Region are Australian at 32.9%, English at 31.5%, and Scottish at 9.3%.
There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with Dutch ancestry overrepresented at 2.9% of the population (compared to 1.7% across the region), Maltese at 0.6% (compared to 0.5% regionally), and Irish at 9.2% (compared to 9.7% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mount Baw Baw Region is 48, older than 86% of areas nationally. 21.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 48 years in Mount Baw Baw Region is older than the Regional Vic. median of 43 and sits well above the Australian national median of 38. The age distribution shows a high concentration of residents in the 55 - 64 bracket (15.2%), while the 25 - 34 cohort is smaller (9.7%) than in Regional Vic. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket has expanded from 8.7% to 9.7% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group grew from 10.4% to 11.4%. During the same timeframe, the 55 to 64 group shrank from 17.2% to 15.2% and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 13.3% to 11.7%.
Long-term projections indicate the local age profile will shift by 2041, with the 25 to 34 cohort expected to grow by 178 people (27%) from 656 to 835, while the 15 to 24 and 65 to 74 groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mount Baw Baw Region
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 54 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,585 at the 2021 Census → 6,755 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (205011077). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.