Swan Hill Surrounds

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

Swan Hill Surrounds' population, as of February 2026, is approximately 6,671, indicating a growth of 194 people (3.0%) since the 2021 Census which reported 6,477 inhabitants. This increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,519 in June 2024 and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 1.2 persons per square kilometer. Swan Hill Surrounds' growth rate exceeded that of the SA3 area (0.2%) and the SA4 region, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.8% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year.

For areas not covered by this data, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 are used, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate an overall population decline of 540 persons by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 62 people.

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 averaged approximately 15 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, 75 homes were approved, with a further 3 approved in FY-26 to date. Over the past five financial years, an average of one person moved to the area for each dwelling built. However, this ratio has moderated to -0.1 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

New homes are being constructed at an average value of $370,000. This financial year, there have been $10.8 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Rest of Vic., Swan Hill Surrounds shows about 75% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 25th percentile nationally for housing choices, indicating limited options for buyers. New building activity consists of 90.0% detached houses and 10.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density nature.

As of now, there are an estimated 622 people in the area per dwelling approval. Population projections suggest stability or decline, which may reduce housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Swan Hill Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects that could impact the region. Notable ones include the 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 likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Swan Hill Surrounds significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Swan Hill Surrounds has a balanced workforce with representation from both white and blue collar jobs across various sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 1.6%. In this month, 3,512 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.2% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

The workforce participation rate is 66.3%, slightly higher than Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, a low 12.7% of residents work from home. The leading employment industries are 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.

However, health care & social assistance employs only 10.9% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 16.8%. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.3%, alongside a 2.8% employment decline, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. recorded an employment decline of 0.7% and a labour force decline of 0.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years for national employment. Applying these projections to Swan Hill Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.0% over five years and 11.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Swan Hill Surrounds SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $46,771 and an average income of $55,250. These figures are lower than the national averages of $50,954 and $62,728 for Rest of Vic respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated median and average incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $50,630 and $59,808 respectively. Census 2021 income data shows Swan Hill Surrounds ranks modestly in household, family, and personal incomes, between the 25th and 29th percentiles. The largest income bracket comprises 32.9% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, with 2,194 residents falling into this category. This pattern is similar to the broader area where 30.3% occupy this range. Housing costs are manageable with 92.1% retained, but disposable income sits 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, 95.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 4.6% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Non-Metro Vic., where 90.1% of dwellings were houses and 9.9% were other dwelling types. Home ownership in Swan Hill Surrounds stood at 47.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.3% and rented ones at 18.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $966, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Swan Hill Surrounds was $180, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285 and the national average of $375. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 compose 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 constitute 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 2.4.

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 them, 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

Swan Hill Surrounds has 21 active public transport stops. Six routes service these stops, offering 83 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents typically living 855 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commutes are outward-bound. Cars dominate at 90%, with 7% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 2.0 per dwelling, above the regional average.

In 2021 Census data, 12.7% of residents worked from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 11 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Swan Hill Surrounds faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (~3,162 people), compared to 50.5% in Rest of Vic., and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (9.8%) and asthma (9.2%), while 66.3% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Rest of Vic. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. The area has 19.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,305 people), lower than the 23.9% in Rest of Vic. Health outcomes among seniors present additional challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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, 88.2% born in Australia, and 90.4% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Swan Hill Surrounds is Christianity, comprising 50.1% of the population. Notably, Buddhism is overrepresented, making up 2.2% compared to 1.0% across Rest of Vic..

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (33.3%), English (28.8%), and Irish (8.8%). Other ethnic groups with notable divergences include Italian at 5.0% (vs regional 2.9%), Samoan at 0.3% (vs 0.1%), and German at 3.8% (vs 3.5%).

Swan Hill Surrounds's median age exceeds the national pattern

Swan Hill Surrounds' median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that 14.9% are aged 55-64, while only 5.9% are aged 75-84, compared to Rest of Vic.. Between 2021 and the present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 11.2% to 13.3%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 10.6% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.3% to 10.5%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 16.7% to 14.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Swan Hill Surrounds. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow by 6%, adding 38 residents to reach 740. In contrast, declines are projected for the 25-34 and 75-84 cohorts.