Myrtleford

Myrtleford is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Myrtleford's population was around 4,636 as of November 2025. This reflected a decrease since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,745 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,640 in June 2024 and an additional 12 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 8.4 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, they utilised VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends indicated a population increase just below the median of locations outside capital cities, expecting an expansion of 218 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 4.8% over 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Myrtleford, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Myrtleford has recorded approximately 20 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 101 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved in FY-26 so far. Despite population decline in recent years, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas, which is positive for buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $312,000. In terms of commercial development, $6.3 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Myrtleford has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 44th percentile nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes.

New building activity shows 92.0% detached houses and 8.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 373 people in the area. Looking ahead, Myrtleford is expected to grow by 221 residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Myrtleford has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region. Key projects include Porepunkah Roadworks and Rail Trail Reconstruction, Alpine Shire Land Development Strategy 2024, North East Rail Line Upgrade, and Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury. The following details projects most relevant to the area.

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

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.

Myrtleford shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Myrtleford has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors strongly represented, and an unemployment rate of 4.2% as of September 2025. The area has 2,308 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 0.4% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is on par with Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. Manufacturing has a particularly high employment share at 1.7 times the regional level, while education & training has limited presence at 6.3% compared to the regional rate of 9.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

In the 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force decreased by 1.8%, employment declined by 3.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.3 percentage points compared to Rest of Vic.'s marginal increase. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Myrtleford's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Myrtleford SA2 has an income below the national average. The median income is $45,849 and the average income stands at $55,287. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s figures where the median income is $48,741 and the average income is $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Myrtleford as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,424 (median) and $62,010 (average). Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Myrtleford all fall between the 15th and 25th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 28.9% of the community (1,339 individuals), which aligns with the metropolitan region where this cohort also represents 30.3%. Housing costs are modest, with 88.2% of income retained. However, the total disposable income ranks at just the 20th percentile nationally.

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

In Myrtleford, as per the latest Census evaluation, 93.9% of dwellings were houses, with 6.0% being other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This is compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 91.6% houses and 8.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Myrtleford stood at 50.5%, with mortgaged properties making up 28.8% and rented dwellings accounting for 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,473. The median weekly rent in Myrtleford was $250, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $280. Nationally, Myrtleford's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Myrtleford has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.3% of all households, including 22.8% couples with children, 35.4% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.7%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households making up 2.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Myrtleford shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 18.5%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.8%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.9%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (28.4%). A total of 24.9% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, with 8.9% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.9% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Myrtleford has four active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that combined offer 33 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as limited, with residents typically living 956 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are four trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately eight weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Myrtleford is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant challenges for Myrtleford, with high prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 48%, affecting around 2,206 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.3%) and mental health issues (8.7%). About 63.3% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in the rest of Victoria. Myrtleford has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 27.6%, with around 1,280 people falling into this category, compared to 20.7% in the rest of Victoria. Despite this, health metrics are better than the general population.

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

Myrtleford's cultural diversity was below average, with 84.8% of its population born in Australia, 90.5% being citizens, and 89.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Myrtleford, comprising 58.6% of people, compared to 48.2% across Rest of Vic. The top three ancestry groups were English (27.6%), Australian (27.2%), and Italian (13.7%), significantly higher than the regional average of 3.0%.

Notably, Dutch representation was at 1.6%, Scottish at 8.0%, and Irish at 8.7%, showing divergences from regional averages.

Myrtleford ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Myrtleford's median age in 2021 was 49, surpassing Rest of Vic.'s figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38. Comparing with Rest of Vic., the 65-74 cohort was notably higher at 15.0% locally, while the 5-14 age group was lower at 9.8%. This 65-74 concentration was significantly above the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 8.8% to 11.2%, while the 55 to 64 cohort decreased from 16.7% to 14.3% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 10.9% to 9.8%. By 2041, projections show significant shifts in Myrtleford's age structure. The 25 to 34 cohort is projected to grow by 154 people (30%), from 517 to 672. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 75 to 84 and 15 to 24 cohorts.