Wangaratta Surrounds

Wangaratta Surrounds has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Wangaratta Surrounds' population is approximately 10,300 as of February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 375 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,925 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,100 in June 2024 and an additional 92 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2.9 persons per square kilometer. Wangaratta Surrounds' growth rate of 3.8% since the census is within 2.1 percentage points of its SA3 area's growth rate of 5.9%. Natural growth contributed approximately 41.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and overseas migration being positive factors.

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 utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Wangaratta Surrounds is forecasted to increase by 2,309 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 20.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Wangaratta Surrounds recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Wangaratta Surrounds has granted around 34 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 173 homes. In FY26 so far, 20 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents arrived per new home each year between FY21 and FY25. The average dwelling value is $398,000.

This financial year, $4.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Rest of Vic., Wangaratta Surrounds records about 56% of building activity per person, placing it at the 47th percentile nationally. The area has seen only detached houses constructed, maintaining its traditional low density character with an estimated 351 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, population forecasts indicate Wangaratta Surrounds will gain 2,109 residents.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and price growth.

Wangaratta Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified 29 potential impact projects in total. Notable ones include Moyhu Township Development Plan, South Wangaratta Residential Growth Area, Mason Street Residential Development, and Wangaratta Landmark Retail Development Site. The following list details those likely to be 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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Wangaratta Surrounds ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Wangaratta Surrounds has a skilled workforce with prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 2.6%, as of September 2025. There are 5,485 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 1.2% lower than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation stands at 68.0%, higher than the regional average of 61.4%. According to Census responses, 21.4% of residents work from home. Leading industries include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing. The area is particularly specialized in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 2.3 times the regional level.

Retail trade has limited presence at 7.6%, compared to the regional average of 9.9%. Over the year ending September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.6% and employment fell by 2.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wangaratta Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 5.5% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Wangaratta Surrounds SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $47,781 and an average income of $60,280 in financial year 2023. This was lower than the national average, with Rest of Vic.'s median income being $50,954 and average income being $62,728. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $51,723 (median) and $65,253 (average), based on an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, Wangaratta Surrounds' incomes ranked modestly, between the 35th and 41st percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income brackets showed that 32.5% of the population (3,347 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the surrounding region where 30.3% occupied this range. Housing costs were manageable with 89.6% retained, but disposable income was below average at the 41st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

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

In Wangaratta Surrounds, as per the latest Census, 98.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 1.2% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wangaratta Surrounds stood at 51.7%, with mortgaged properties at 37.6% and rented ones at 10.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in the area was $250, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $285. Nationally, Wangaratta Surrounds' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wangaratta Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.4% of all households, consisting of 30.4% couples with children, 37.2% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.6%, with lone person households at 22.8% and group households accounting for 1.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Wangaratta Surrounds aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 21.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.8%, followed by graduate diplomas (3.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (3.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (29.4%). Educational participation is high, with 27.0% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (10.3%), secondary education (8.8%), and tertiary education (2.1%).

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

Wangaratta Surrounds has 21 active public transport stops serving a mix of train routes. These are covered by 7 different routes, offering a total of 96 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is limited, with residents typically located 2910 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily, predominantly using cars (92%), while 6% walk. On average, there are 2.2 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 21.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 13 trips per day, resulting in approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Wangaratta Surrounds is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Wangaratta Surrounds shows superior health outcomes according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups exhibit low incidence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is quite low here, at approximately 49% (~5,036 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.4%) and asthma (8.6%). A significant majority, 65.6%, claim to be free from medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Vic's 63.4%. Working-age residents here have a higher-than-average chronic health condition prevalence. The area has a considerable senior population, with 23.7% aged 65 and over (2,445 people). Health outcomes among seniors rank even better nationally than those of the general population.

The latest Census data sees Wangaratta Surrounds placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Wangaratta Surrounds had a lower cultural diversity, with 91.1% citizens, 91.9% born in Australia, and 96.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 51.3%, compared to 47.3% across Rest of Vic.. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.6%), Australian (31.0%), and Irish (10.7%).

Notably, Scottish (9.7%) and Italian (4.7%) groups were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 8.8% and 2.9%, respectively. Dutch representation was lower at 1.4% than the regional average of 1.7%.

Wangaratta Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Wangaratta Surrounds has a median age of 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic average of 43 and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, making up 15.3% of the population, while the 25-34 age group is comparatively smaller at 7.9%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.1% to 10.6%, and the 35-44 cohort has increased from 10.8% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has declined from 14.8% to 12.4%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 16.7% to 15.3%. By 2041, Wangaratta Surrounds is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 35-44 age group is projected to grow by 35%, reaching 1,698 people from the current 1,256. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is projected to decline by 3 people.