Chart Color Schemes
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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Wangaratta Surrounds has an estimated 10,090 residents, up from 9,925 at the 2021 Census — a change of 165 people, or 1.7%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years, slower than 83% of areas nationally. 101 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. 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
According to demographic evaluations by AreaSearch, the resident count in Wangaratta Surrounds stands at approximately 10,090 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 165 people (1.7%) relative to the 2021 Census benchmark of 9,925 people. This updated figure is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 10,070 recorded as of June 2025, alongside 101 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census. With a population density of 2.8 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers an exceptionally spacious living environment. The community's 1.7% pace of expansion since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 area (1.2%), positioning it at the forefront of regional growth.
Natural increase served as the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 61.5% of total population additions over recent timeframes, with net overseas migration and interstate migration also providing positive contributions. Projections utilised by AreaSearch originate from the ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset published in 2024 (using 2022 as its baseline year). Where specific SA2 boundaries lack coverage, figures incorporate the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA releases, harmonised via weighted aggregation from local government to statistical area levels, with age-cohort growth trajectories extended across all territories for the 2032 to 2041 period. Looking ahead, long-term demographic modelling places the district within the highest quartile among non-metropolitan regions across the nation. Growth forecasts project an addition of 2,147 persons to 2041 compared against current annual ERP metrics, translating to an overall expansion of 21.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
163 new dwellings have been approved in Wangaratta Surrounds over the past five years, an average of 32 a year. That is 3.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 32 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Wangaratta Surrounds have averaged roughly 32 new homes per annum, totalling 163 homes approved across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over this 5 financial years span (between FY-22 and FY-26), inbound population movement tracking at 1.6 people per year for every constructed residence pointed to a balanced supply-demand dynamic, which subsequently adjusted to 0.6 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years to signify improving stock availability. The typical approved project carries a construction value of $657,000, underscoring an emphasis by builders on higher-end, premium housing.
Meanwhile, commercial activity has been modest, with commercial approvals recording $4.7 million in the present financial year. Wangaratta Surrounds exhibits approximately half the building activity per capita relative to Rest of Vic., positioning it at the 42nd percentile among areas evaluated nationwide, which leads to a fairly limited selection for buyers and fuels demand for current properties. This level of construction also falls below the national mean, reflecting the locality's mature status and hinting at possible planning restrictions. The new housing stock comprises 97.0% detached homes and 3.0% attached homes, preserving the region's customary low density layout and emphasizing family residences that attract residents desiring more room. The approximate figure of 347 people per dwelling approval underscores the area's tranquil and subdued development pattern. Demographic projections indicate that Wangaratta Surrounds will welcome 2,127 residents by 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. Should construction maintain its current velocity, additions to housing stock could struggle to absorb demand, which may heighten competition among purchasers and exert upward pressure on local home prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wangaratta Surrounds
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Wangaratta Surrounds, worth an estimated $170 million. A further 57 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.8 billion. 18 are already under construction and 28 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and sports & recreation. 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
Public works, major property schemes, and strategic planning decisions play an integral role in shaping regional performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 30 projects poised to affect the district. Among the most notable undertakings are the Moyhu Township Development Plan, South Wangaratta Residential Growth Area, Mason Street Residential Development, and the Wangaratta Landmark Retail Development Site, with key details outlined in the accompanying project inventory.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Moyhu Township Development Plan
15-30 year township development plan for Moyhu providing framework for future land use, growth and built form. Adopted by Council in 2024. Identifies commercial core and residential development opportunities in King Valley.
Wangaratta Industrial Land Use Strategy
Council-adopted strategic planning framework for Wangaratta's industrial land, focused on the South Wangaratta and North Wangaratta industrial areas. The strategy guides planning scheme changes, rezoning, buffers, road and service planning, land supply, built form and investment attraction to support long-term industrial growth, employment and business development.
Winton Solar Farm
150MW solar farm completed by ENGIE. One of Victoria's significant renewable energy projects supporting 150 construction jobs during development. Powers approximately 65,000 homes annually.
South Wangaratta Residential Growth Area
Southern residential growth area rezoned to General Residential, with the South Growth Area spanning 71.5 hectares and expected to yield approximately 615 lots accommodating 1,880 residents. Construction of sewer pipelines by North East Water is continuing to support this development.
Mason Street Residential Development
A 2.43 hectare prime residential development opportunity in central Wangaratta, currently home to the well-established Moore Than Swimming education centre which has served the community for over 25 years. The site presents exceptional potential for residential subdivision in a highly accessible location.
Equine Village Estate
A 43.05-hectare thoroughbred trainers village development with approved plans for 29 lifestyle allotments ranging from 2 to 6.5 acres each. Located adjacent to Wangaratta Turf Club with dedicated bridle trail access linking directly to racing facilities. Designed specifically for high-performance horse trainers and equestrian enthusiasts seeking premium lifestyle acreage.
Wangaratta Woolstores Development Site
A 5.77 hectare landmark retail development site known as Wangaratta Woolstores. It is a master planned precinct anchored by Harvey Norman featuring flexible showroom tenancies from 600sqm to 4,000sqm and a 270sqm QSR pad site. The council-endorsed site offers 388 metres of triple street frontage, over 390 proposed parking spaces, and is poised to serve a trade area population of over 70,000.
Wangaratta Hospital Redevelopment
$22.9 million redevelopment completed in December 2022. Includes 12-bed intensive care unit, 8-bed short stay unit, expanded emergency department, new paediatric ward, and two 20-bed medical units. Funded through Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
5,528 residents of Wangaratta Surrounds are employed, from a labour force of 5,662. Unemployment sits at 2.4%, with participation at 68.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 8,610, about 85% 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 Wangaratta Surrounds is characterised by a qualified workforce, substantial representation in core public services, and a low unemployment rate of 2.4%. As of March 2026, employed residents number 5,528, while the local jobless rate sits 1.3% below the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%. Participation in the labour force is exceptionally robust at 68.3%, well above the 61.1% recorded across Regional Vic.. Census returns indicate that 21.4% of employed persons conducted their jobs from home, a metric influenced by pandemic-related movement restrictions during that period. Resident employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing.
Agricultural, forestry, and fishing enterprises represent a core area of local specialisation, engaging a workforce share 2.3 times greater than the regional standard. Conversely, retail trade accounts for only 7.6% of local jobs, trailing the 9.9% seen in Regional Vic.. Comparing total working-age residents to the local job base indicates a relatively constrained volume of employment within the immediate statistical boundary. AreaSearch assessment of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months to March 2026, both the labour pool and total employment contracted by 2.2%, preserving a steady jobless rate. In comparison, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% decrease in employment, a 0.3% drop in the labour force, and a 0.2 percentage points reduction in unemployment. Looking to broader trajectories, national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide an indicator of future occupational demand. When mapped against the local industry profile, five-year and ten-year forecasts outline potential sector shifts. Against nationwide projections of 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years, local employment is projected to expand by 5.5% over five years and 12.2% over ten years (note that this model uses a weighted industry baseline and excludes localized demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wangaratta Surrounds is $1,501 a week (about $78,000 a year), with median personal income at $763 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,781 a year against an average of $60,280. 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 AreaSearch's compilation of ATO postcode records for financial year 2023, the Wangaratta Surrounds SA2 recorded a median individual taxpayer income of $47,781 alongside an average of $60,280. These figures sit beneath nationwide averages and lag Regional Vic., where the median reaches $50,954 and the average is $62,728. Accounting for a 9.62% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, modelled benchmarks rise to approximately $52,378 (median) and $66,079 (average) as of March 2026. Across broader Census metrics, personal, family, and household earnings position the area between the 35th and 41st percentiles.
Within the income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket accounts for 32.5% of earners (3,279 individuals), closely aligning with the 30.3% observed regionally. Mortgage and rent obligations absorb modest shares of earnings, leaving 89.6% of income retained, though overall disposable earnings remain at the 41st percentile and the SEIFA economic index places the territory in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wangaratta Surrounds had 3,703 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 11% rented and 52% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,500 a month. Rent absorbs 16.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing stock at the most recent Census was composed of 98.9% houses, with semi-detached, apartment, and other residential formats making up 1.2%, contrasting with the 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Full home ownership is particularly widespread at 51.7%, significantly exceeding Regional Vic. levels, while 37.6% of homes are paying off a mortgage and 10.7% are occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage commitments averaged $1,500 locally, compared to $1,430 across Regional Vic., whereas weekly rental payments averaged $250 against the regional median of $285. In a national context, mortgage costs remain well below the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and rents sit substantially beneath the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wangaratta Surrounds counted 3,703 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 37% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local domestic arrangements at 75.4%, including 37.2% couples without children, 30.4% couples with children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family residences comprise 24.6% of the total, divided between lone person households (22.8%) and group dwellings (1.9%). The typical household comprises 2.5 people, exceeding the Regional Vic. norm of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.8% of adults in Wangaratta Surrounds hold a university qualification, including 14.8% with a bachelor degree and 3.3% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.4% hold a vocational qualification. 13 schools serve the area, with 435 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,009 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 educational attainment in the region is relatively subdued, with higher education degrees held by 21.8% of residents compared to the VIC benchmark of 33.4%. Among university qualifications, bachelor degrees account for 14.8%, graduate diplomas represent 3.7%, and postgraduate awards comprise 3.3%. In contrast, technical and vocational training is widely prevalent: 42.4% of the population aged 15+ holds vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (29.4%). A substantial 27.0% of the local population is actively engaged in studies. By sector, primary school students make up 10.3% of the community, secondary school attendees account for 8.8%, and 2.1% are enrolled in tertiary education courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Wangaratta Surrounds means driving: households keep an average of 2.2 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
A review of public transit infrastructure identifies 22 active transport stops within Wangaratta Surrounds, featuring train services. These facilities are served across 7 individual routes that generate 94 weekly passenger trips. Overall public transport access is limited, with local residents situated an average of 2910 meters from their closest transit point. Given the commuter profile, private vehicles serve as the main travel method for 92% of workers, while 6% commute on foot. Households maintain an average of 2.2 vehicles per dwelling, outpacing the wider region, while 21.4% worked from home at the 2021 Census under prevailing pandemic restrictions.
Public transport services run at a rate of 13 trips per day across the collective network, which translates to roughly 4 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.6% of residents in Wangaratta Surrounds report no long-term health condition. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Wangaratta Surrounds compare favorably against broader averages according to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic disease metrics, showing lower rates of common ailments among both younger and older cohorts. Private hospital insurance membership is low, held by roughly 49% of residents (~4,934 people), trailing the Australian standard of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent reported conditions, diagnosed in 10.4 and 8.6% of the local population respectively, while 65.6% of residents reported having no medical conditions, outperforming the 63.4% recorded across Regional Vic.. Chronic ailments are slightly elevated among residents of working age.
The proportion of residents aged 65 and over is 25.6% (2,582 people), above the 24.0% regional mark, with local seniors demonstrating health outcomes that place well above national standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Wangaratta Surrounds is largely Australian-born, at 91.9% of residents, with 3.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.6%) and Australian (31.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics for Wangaratta Surrounds trend below national norms, with Australian citizens making up 91.1% of the community, 91.9% of residents born in Australia, and 96.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 51.3% of the populace, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic.. Regarding parental lineage and heritage, the leading identified ancestries across Wangaratta Surrounds are English at 31.6%, Australian at 31.0%, and Irish at 10.7%. Notable variations from broader patterns also appear among other backgrounds, with Scottish heritage accounting for 9.7% locally (versus 8.8% regionally), Italian representing 4.7% (versus 2.9%), and Dutch comprising 1.4% (versus 1.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wangaratta Surrounds is 48, older than 86% of areas nationally. 16.9% 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 community's age distribution closely mirrors the Regional Vic. baseline, with no single cohort deviating by more than 5.2 percentage points. AreaSearch estimates the median age at 48 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure, which sits 5 years older than the Regional Vic. median of 43 and above the national Census median of 38. The 45 - 64 demographic has shrunk from 31.5% at the Census to an estimated 28.6%. Over the projection horizon to 2041, individuals aged 25 - 44 are forecast to drive the majority of growth, adding 752 residents (42%) to reach a cohort size of 2,557.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wangaratta Surrounds
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 3 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month 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 — 101 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (9,925 at the 2021 Census → 10,090 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 (204021067). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.