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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Swan Hill Surrounds has an estimated 6,467 residents. 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
Demographic analysis from AreaSearch indicates that Swan Hill Surrounds records an estimated population of approximately 6,467 as of Aug 2026. Relative to the 2021 Census tally of 6,477 people, this represents a slight contraction of 10 people (0.2%). This figure is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 6,467 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 27 validated new addresses established post-Census. With a low population density of 1.1 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers considerable space across its expanse. Furthermore, the local 0.2% decline since the 2021 census compared favourably against the broader SA3 area (-2.5%).
Most of the recent population additions were driven by overseas migration, which made up roughly 73.2% of total population gains over recent periods. Projections used by AreaSearch are sourced from the ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset for each SA2 area, published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline. Where SA2 coverage is absent, figures draw from the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections issued in 2023, adjusted via weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 geographic boundaries. Age-specific growth rates generated through these aggregations are subsequently projected across all localities for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on this modelling framework, the total population is projected to experience a net decline, shrinking by 568 persons by 2041. In contrast, select demographics are expected to expand, most prominently the 45 to 54 age group with an anticipated increase of 38 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
55 new dwellings have been approved in Swan Hill Surrounds over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 1.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Annual residential building activity across Swan Hill Surrounds has averaged roughly 11 new dwelling approvals per year, summing to 55 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Because the area added an average of only 0.2 new residents per year per newly approved home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), residential development has equalled or exceeded underlying demand, enhancing purchaser options and creating capacity for population growth above projections. Furthermore, new residential projects register an average construction value of $590,000, underscoring a developer focus on upscale and premium residential construction.
In addition, $10.8 million in commercial approvals have been recorded during this financial year, demonstrating steady investment across local commercial property. Dwelling approval rates per capita in Swan Hill Surrounds are roughly half the level observed across Rest of Vic., placing the region in the 21st percentile of areas assessed nationally; this constrained pipeline limits available buyer stock and sustains demand for established dwellings. This modest building volume also sits below the nationwide benchmark, reflecting planning boundaries and the mature footprint of the district. In terms of residential composition, standalone homes constitute 91.0% of new activity while townhouses or apartments make up 9.0%, maintaining the area's spacious environment with detached formats tailored to space-oriented buyers. The high ratio of 701 people per approved dwelling highlights an exceptionally quiet, low-scale development climate. Given that demographic projections point toward a stable or contracting population trajectory, housing demand across Swan Hill Surrounds is anticipated to ease, creating advantageous conditions for future homebuyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Swan Hill Surrounds
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Swan Hill Surrounds, worth an estimated $3.6 billion. A further 88 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $39.9 billion. 18 are already under construction and 36 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, sports & recreation and transport & logistics. 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
Infrastructure upgrades and major regional developments play a critical role in local growth and performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed a total of 23 projects expected to influence the region. Prominent initiatives include the Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange Strategic Review, the Swan Hill Regional Community Sports Hub, the Transforming the Heart of Swan Hill Precinct, and the Swan Hill Riverfront Precinct.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Nyah West Skate Park Development
Construction of a new skate park facility in Nyah West to provide recreational opportunities for young people and families. The project will deliver modern skate park infrastructure with metal skate elements including ramps, spine, quarters, fun box, and ledges designed to meet community needs and encourage active participation.
Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange Strategic Review
Strategic review and potential redevelopment of the Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange to enhance its capacity and modernize facilities. The project aims to secure the long-term viability of this important agricultural infrastructure for the region.
Swan Hill Regional Community Sports Hub
Council has approved the layout designs and external facade renders for a new single-storey, under-croft community sports hub on the south side of the existing grandstand at the Swan Hill Showgrounds Sport and Recreation Precinct. The hub is a catalyst project from the adopted precinct masterplan and is moving through detailed design so it can be shovel ready for future State and Federal funding. Planned features include club administration areas, meeting rooms, a large social space, storage, accessible amenities and flexible multi-use spaces for sporting, social and community activities.
Southview Estate
Southview Estate is a stage one land release offering residential lots ranging from 490m2 to 2936m2, located 3km from Swan Hill city centre. The development provides access to schools, parks, and amenities with government grants available including Regional Victoria FHOG up to $60,000 in savings. Limited lots available in current stage.
Swan Hill Central Business Precinct Masterplan
Development of a place-based Central Business Precinct Masterplan to guide how the Swan Hill CBD will look, feel and function to 2050 and beyond. Funded by $650,000 from the Australian Government's regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP), the project is led by Swan Hill Rural City Council with Hanson Partnership consultants. The masterplan covers six community sites and sets a shared community vision for a more welcoming city centre, with improved walking connections, safer streets, stronger links to the Murray River, climate-resilient streets, and support for outdoor dining, markets and night-time activity.Community consultation was conducted in February-March 2026 to shape the long-term framework guiding future Council and private investment.
Swan Hill Riverfront Precinct
Transformation of an underutilised riverfront area into a contemporary community space. The project includes new Active and Adventure Play Precinct, Regional Skate Park at Riverside Park, Marraboor River Viewing Platform and Boardwalk, and upgraded Monash Drive carpark for better accessibility.
Swan Hill District Health Emergency Department Redevelopment
Complete redevelopment of Swan Hill District Health emergency department with new state-of-the-art facilities. The project delivered a new emergency department building with additional treatment spaces, isolation room, behavioural assessment room, and four-bed short-stay unit. More than doubled the points of care from 7 to 15 treatment spaces.
Heirloom Estate
Heirloom Estate is a family-oriented residential subdivision offering 246 lots for home building across multiple stages. Located 3km from Swan Hill city centre, the estate features lots ranging from 400m2 to 1500m2 with central parklands and thoughtfully designed streetscapes. Stage 1 offers titled lots while Stage 2 Parklands Release is now selling. The master-planned community embraces nostalgia with streets reminiscent of traditional neighborhoods where children can play cricket and ride bikes safely.
3,487 residents of Swan Hill Surrounds are employed, from a labour force of 3,543. Unemployment sits at 1.6%, with participation at 66.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,837, about 90% 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
The local labour market in Swan Hill Surrounds features a well-rounded distribution of white-collar and blue-collar roles across multiple sectors, accompanied by an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 1.6%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 3,487, while the area's jobless rate sits 2.1% lower than the 3.7% recorded for Regional Vic.. Additionally, labour force participation remains strong at 66.7%, well above the 61.1% seen across Regional Vic.. According to Census returns, only 12.7% of employed locals worked from home, a metric that may reflect temporary COVID-19 restriction measures. Key employment sectors for resident workers are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.
The agricultural sector is particularly prominent, employing residents at 4.3 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 10.9% of the local workforce, trailing the 16.8% benchmark across Regional Vic.. Based on the balance between Census working population and resident counts, local job positions within the district remain relatively constrained. AreaSearch assessment of data from SALM and the ABS shows that the local labour force contracted by 3.2% alongside a 2.1% decrease in employment over the 12-month period, reducing the overall unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Vic. recorded an employment decline of 0.1% and a labour force drop of 0.3%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point fall. Looking forward, national employment forecasts from Mar-26 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further indications of future labour requirements across Swan Hill Surrounds. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to local workforce proportions to project occupational demand. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories vary by industry. When weighted against the industry profile of Swan Hill Surrounds, local employment is estimated to grow by 5.0% over five years and 11.2% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Swan Hill Surrounds is $1,373 a week (about $71,000 a year), with median personal income at $706 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,771 a year against an average of $55,250. 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
According to the latest postcode-level ATO figures from AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the Swan Hill Surrounds SA2 record a median income of $46,771 and an average income of $55,250. These earnings sit below national benchmarks, as well as the Regional Vic. median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $51,270 (median) and $60,565 (average) as of March 2026. Census data from the 2021 Census shows personal, family, and household earnings ranking in the lower brackets between the 25th and 29th percentiles.
The primary income bracket encompasses 32.9% of residents (2,127 people) earning within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, comparable to the regional proportion of 30.3%. Housing costs remain contained with residents retaining 92.1% of their income, though disposable earnings remain low at the 36th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Swan Hill Surrounds had 2,303 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 48% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $180 a week and the median mortgage repayment $966 a month. Rent absorbs 13.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 16.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential stock in Swan Hill Surrounds at the latest Census consisted of 95.5% houses and 4.6% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Full home ownership in Swan Hill Surrounds was substantial at 47.7%, well exceeding regional averages, while mortgaged properties accounted for 34.3% and rental properties represented 18.0%. The median monthly mortgage payment stood at $966, notably below the Regional Vic. average of $1,430 and the national figure of $1,863. Similarly, median weekly rents were $180, significantly more affordable than the Regional Vic.
benchmark of $285 and the Australian average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Swan Hill Surrounds counted 2,303 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the predominant living arrangement, representing 70.6% of households; these consist of 32.9% couples without children, 28.8% couples with children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family residences account for 29.4%, comprising lone person households at 25.2% and group shared dwellings at 4.1%. The average household size is 2.5 people, exceeding the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.7% of adults in Swan Hill Surrounds hold a university qualification, including 9.6% with a bachelor degree and 1.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 86% of areas nationally. A further 31.0% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 271 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 927 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
Tertiary qualification levels present an educational hurdle for the locality, with 12.7% of residents holding university degrees compared to the VIC average of 33.4%. Among tertiary credentials, bachelor degrees represent 9.6%, graduate diplomas make up 2.0%, and postgraduate degrees account for 1.1%. In contrast, vocational education is widespread, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, split between certificates (31.0%) and advanced diplomas (9.1%). Enrolment across formal educational pathways is substantial, encompassing 29.5% of the local population. Within this cohort, primary education enrolments represent 11.9%, secondary schooling accounts for 9.1%, and tertiary studies comprise 1.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Swan Hill Surrounds means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit across Swan Hill Surrounds consists of 21 transport stops serviced by 6 transit routes, generating a combined total of 92 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is limited, with locals situated an average distance of 855 meters from their closest stop. Most workers commute out of the district, relying predominantly on private vehicles for 90% of journeys, while 7% walk. Household vehicle access averages 2.0 per dwelling, exceeding regional norms. Additionally, 12.7% of workers worked from home based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era circumstances. Across all transit lines, public transport services average 13 trips per day, which corresponds to roughly 4 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.3% of residents in Swan Hill Surrounds report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 81% of areas nationally. 5.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch highlight significant local challenges regarding chronic ailment prevalence and mortality benchmarks, with elevated rates of medical conditions evident in younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance uptake is subdued, covering roughly 47% of residents (~3,065 people), below the Regional Vic. rate of 50.5% and the national figure of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most widespread diagnosed conditions locally, affecting 9.8 and 9.2% of residents respectively, while 66.3% of the community reported having no long-term medical conditions compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.. Chronic ailments are elevated among the working-age cohort.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.8% of the populace (1,341 people), lower than the 24.0% regional level, though health challenges among older demographics remain heightened relative to national measures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Swan Hill Surrounds is largely Australian-born, at 88.2% of residents, with 9.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.3%) and English (28.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity across Swan Hill Surrounds is below average, with 88.2% of residents born in Australia, 83.0% holding citizenship, and 90.4% using only English at home. Christianity forms the principal religious affiliation, accounting for 50.1% of the population. Notably, Buddhism represents an above-average religious share at 2.2%, compared to 1.0% in Regional Vic.. In terms of parental heritage, the most common ancestries are Australian at 33.3%, English at 28.8%, and Irish at 8.8%. Diverse community backgrounds also show varying representations: Italian ancestry is elevated at 5.0% (compared to 2.9% across the region), German accounts for 3.8% (versus 3.5%), and Samoan represents 0.3% (against 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Swan Hill Surrounds is 42. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 22.5% 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 age profile of Swan Hill Surrounds closely tracks the wider Regional Vic. pattern, showing a maximum divergence of 3.3 percentage points. The estimated median age stands at 42, slightly down from 43 at the 2021 Census and 1 year younger than the Regional Vic. median of 43 recorded at the same Census. Since the Census, residents aged 45 - 64 have decreased from 29.0% to an estimated 25.6%. Demographic projections indicate that no broad age group will experience substantial expansion by 2041, with cohorts of children, young adults, middle-aged individuals, and early retirees projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Swan Hill Surrounds
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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last 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 | May 2026 4 months ago 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 27 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,477 at the 2021 Census → 6,467 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 Aug 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 (215031405). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.