Myrtleford
Statistical Area - sa2

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 approximately 4,651 as of August 2025. This figure represents a decrease of 94 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 4,745. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 4,642, with an additional 18 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this change. This results in a population density of 8.4 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration primarily drove recent population growth in Myrtleford.

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, AreaSearch employs the 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 population trends indicate a projected increase of 218 persons by 2041 based on the latest numbers, representing a total growth of 4.4% over these 17 years. This expected growth is just below the median rate for locations outside capital cities.

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. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, around 103 homes have been approved. As of FY26, four residential properties have received approval so far.

Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to demand, creating a balanced housing market with good buyer choice. The average construction cost value for new homes is $492,000. In the current financial year, $6.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating limited focus on commercial development.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Myrtleford has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 45th percentile nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers. New building activity comprises 92% detached houses and 8% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population density is 373 people per dwelling approval. Looking ahead, Myrtleford is projected to grow by 206 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Myrtleford has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region: Porepunkah Roadworks and Rail Trail Reconstruction. Other key projects include Alpine Shire Land Development Strategy 2024, Inland Rail - Albury to Illabo Section, and North East Rail Line Upgrade. The most relevant projects are listed below.

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

Employment conditions in Myrtleford remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Myrtleford's skilled workforce is notable with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. Its unemployment rate of 4.0% is stable over the past year.

As of June 2025, 2,360 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, 0.2% higher than Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Workforce participation is at 57.4%, matching Rest of Vic.'s rate. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. Manufacturing has a significant share with 1.7 times the regional level.

Education & training has limited presence, with 6.3% employment compared to the regional 9.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work. Over the past year (July 2024-June 2025), employment increased by 0.0%, labour force rose by 1.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.3 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.9% and unemployment rose by 0.4%. State-level data (Sep-25) shows VIC's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Myrtleford's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.6%% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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 has an income below the national average. The median income is $45,849 and the average income stands at $55,287. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s figures show a median income of $48,741 and an average income of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $50,484 for the median income and $60,877 for the average income as of March 2025. 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 (1,344 individuals), which aligns with metropolitan regions where this cohort also represents approximately 30.3%. Housing costs are modest, allowing for 88.2% of income to be retained, but 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

Myrtleford's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 93.9% houses and 6.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic had 91.6% houses and 8.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Myrtleford was 50.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.8% and rented ones at 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,400, below Non-Metro Vic's average of $1,473. Median weekly rent in Myrtleford was $250, compared to Non-Metro Vic's $280. Nationally, Myrtleford's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,400 versus Australia's $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $250 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 18.5%, substantially below the VIC average of 33.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 12.8%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.9% and postgraduate qualifications at 2.8%. Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 39.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 28.4%.

A substantial 24.9% of the population actively pursues formal education, including 8.9% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education. Myrtleford's 3 schools have combined enrollment reaching 668 students while Myrtleford demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1016) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 1 primary, 1 secondary, and 1 K-12 school.

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

Myrtleford has four operational public transport stops, all of which serve buses. These stops are served by four distinct routes that together facilitate 33 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered limited, with residents residing an average of 956 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are four bus trips per day across all routes, translating to roughly 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 cohorts. Private health cover rate is low at approximately 48% (around 2,213 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.3% and 8.7% of residents respectively. Around 63.3% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Vic.'s 64.1%. Myrtleford has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 27.6% (around 1,284 people), compared to Rest of Vic.'s 20.7%.

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

Myrtleford had a cultural diversity level 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, comprising 58.6% of Myrtleford's population, compared to 48.2% across Rest of Vic.. The top three represented ancestry groups were English (27.6%), Australian (27.2%), and Italian (13.7%), significantly higher than regional averages of 3.0%.

Notably, Dutch representation was overrepresented at 1.6%, Scottish at 8.0% compared to regional averages of 1.6% and 8.3%, respectively, and Filipino at 1.2% versus the regional average of 0.6%.

Myrtleford ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Myrtleford has a median age of 49, which is higher than the Rest of Vic's figure of 43 and Australia's figure of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Myrtleford at 15.0%, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 9.8%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above Australia's figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and the present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 8.8% to 11.2% of Myrtleford's population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 16.7% to 14.3%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 10.9% to 9.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Myrtleford's age structure. The 25 to 34 age cohort is projected to experience strong growth, expanding by 152 people (29%) from 519 to 672. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 75-84 and 15-24 cohorts.