Swan Hill Surrounds

Swan Hill Surrounds has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Swan Hill Surrounds' population is approximately 6,578 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 101 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,477. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,521 in June 2024 and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.1 persons per square kilometer. Swan Hill Surrounds' growth rate of 1.6% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 area (-0.3%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.8% of overall population gains in recent periods.

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 the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, the area's population is expected to decline by 540 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts like the 25 to 34 age group are projected to grow, with an increase of 62 people anticipated.

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

Swan Hill Surrounds has granted around 15 residential property approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 75 homes were approved, with another 3 approved so far in FY26. On average, one new resident arrives per newly constructed home each year over these five years. However, this ratio has decreased to -0.1 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

The average construction value for new properties is $370,000, which is moderately above regional levels. In FY26, $10.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Swan Hill Surrounds shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 25th percentile nationally, suggesting limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. Recent construction comprises 90.0% standalone homes and 10.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density nature.

The estimated population count is 622 people per dwelling approval, reflecting a quiet development environment. Population projections indicate stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Swan Hill Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 22 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange Strategic Review, Swan Hill Regional Community Sports Hub, Transforming the Heart of Swan Hill Precinct, and Swan Hill Riverfront Precinct. The following list details those most relevant.

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.

Swan Hill Surrounds ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Swan Hill Surrounds has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation as of September 2025. There are 3,512 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%.

This is 2.2% below the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%, and workforce participation stands at 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area has a strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 4.3 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance has limited presence, with 10.9% compared to the regional figure of 16.8%.

Labour force levels decreased by 4.3% over the year to September 2025, alongside a 2.8% employment decline, causing unemployment to fall by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment fall by 0.7%, labour force contract by 0.6%, and unemployment rise marginally. State-level data from 25-Nov shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts indicate a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Swan Hill Surrounds's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.0% over five years and 11.2% over ten years, although this is an illustrative extrapolation not accounting for localised population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Swan Hill Surrounds SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $43,658 and an average level of $50,857. This is lower than national averages, which stood at $48,741 and $60,693 respectively for Rest of Vic. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $48,967, with average income at around $57,041. Census 2021 income data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Swan Hill Surrounds rank modestly, between the 25th and 29th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 32.9% of the population, equating to 2,164 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to the broader area where this cohort represents 30.3%. Housing costs allow for retention of 92.1%, but disposable income is below average at the 36th percentile.

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

In Swan Hill Surrounds, as per the latest Census evaluation, 95.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 4.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s figures of 90.7% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Swan Hill Surrounds stood at 47.7%, with mortgaged properties at 34.3% and rented dwellings at 18.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $966, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,083. The median weekly rent in Swan Hill Surrounds was $180, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $200. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $966 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Swan Hill Surrounds features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 70.6% of all households, including 28.8% couples with children, 32.9% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.4%, with lone person households at 25.2% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.7%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.0%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (31.0%). Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.9% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 21 active transport stops in operation within Swan Hill Surrounds as of December 2021. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 13 individual routes that facilitate 117 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport accessibility is assessed as limited, with residents on average situated 855 meters away from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 16 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Swan Hill Surrounds is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Swan Hill Surrounds faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~3,052 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.8% and 9.2% of residents respectively. 66.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 64.1% across Rest of Vic.. The area has 19.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,300 people), which is lower than the 24.0% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Swan Hill Surrounds was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 83.0% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia on 88.2%, and speaking English only at home on 90.4%. Christianity was the main religion in Swan Hill Surrounds, comprising 50.1% of people. However, Buddhism was overrepresented at 2.2%, compared to 2.4% across Rest of Vic..

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.3%), English (28.8%), and Irish (8.8%). Notably, Italian was overrepresented at 5.0% (vs regional 4.0%), Samoan at 0.3% (vs 0.1%), and German at 3.8% (vs 3.0%).

Swan Hill Surrounds's median age exceeds the national pattern

Swan Hill Surrounds has a median age of 42 years, similar to Rest of Vic.'s average of 43, but considerably older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent at 15.3%, while the 75-84 group is comparatively smaller at 5.9% compared to Rest of Vic.. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 35-44 has grown from 11.2% to 13.0%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 10.6% to 11.9%. Conversely, the 45-54 group declined from 12.3% to 10.7%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 16.7% to 15.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Swan Hill Surrounds, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 cohort at 4%, adding 33 residents to reach 802. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 85+ and 0-4 cohorts.