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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Warragul has an estimated 25,498 residents, up from 23,051 at the 2021 Census — a change of 2,447 people, or 10.6%. Growth has averaged 2.8% a year over five years. 1,065 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 64.1% of that increase. Density is about 72 people per square kilometre. 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 evaluation by AreaSearch, the resident count in Warragul stands at approximately 25,498 as of Aug 2026, representing an expansion of 2,447 people (10.6%) compared to the 23,051 people documented in the 2021 Census. This upward trend is established using the ABS estimated resident population of 25,393 as of June 2025 alongside 1,065 validated new addresses identified following the Census date. Settlement patterns reflect a density of 72 persons per square kilometer, ensuring ample room per inhabitant and scope for progressive expansion. Outpacing both Rest of Vic. (4.4%) and the wider SA4 region, Warragul's 10.6% increase positions it as an outstanding regional performer.
Inward movement from other states served as the primary growth engine by supplying roughly 64.1% of recent population additions, complemented by positive contributions from natural increase and arrivals from overseas. SA2 geographic modeling by AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 (taking 2022 as the base year), while unmapped localities utilize VIC State Government Regional/LGA figures published in 2023 adjusted through weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 divisions. Age-specific rates from these aggregations are additionally utilized across every sector from 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, Warragul is positioned within the top quartile among Australia's regional districts for forward expansion, with projections indicating an addition of 6,541 persons to 2041 relative to latest annual ERP population numbers, yielding a cumulative rise of 25.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
1,308 new dwellings have been approved in Warragul over the past five years, an average of 261 a year. That places the area in the 96th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 10 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 262 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 94% 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
Annual residential approvals in Warragul track at roughly 261 dwellings, amounting to 1,308 homes sanctioned over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Construction activity has supported an inflow of 2.5 new residents per year for every dwelling erected over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), underpinning local asset values alongside an average expected building cost of $406,000 per dwelling. Furthermore, the non-residential sector displays healthy development momentum, having recorded $70.6 million in commercial approvals during this financial year. Per capita building approvals across Warragul outpace the regional standard by 20.0% over the 5 year period compared to Rest of Vic., providing varied purchasing opportunities while protecting existing asset pricing.
This construction rate sits substantially higher than the national standard, demonstrating pronounced developer engagement in the locality. The distribution of new residential approvals is heavily oriented toward 94.0% detached houses alongside 6.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving an established low-density urban footprint tailored to family living and spaciousness. In addition, the market registers approximately 78 people per dwelling approval, underscoring ongoing territorial growth. According to the latest quarterly calculation from AreaSearch, Warragul is on track to accumulate an extra 6,435 residents by 2041. Current dwelling construction volumes appear well calibrated to meet upcoming demand, ensuring equilibrium within the housing sector without triggering undue price escalation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Warragul
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 51 current infrastructure and development projects inside Warragul, worth an estimated $3.35 billion. A further 108 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $28.4 billion. 59 are already under construction and 88 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal 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
Local economic and spatial momentum is fundamentally shaped by capital works, strategic planning, and major infrastructure deliveries. AreaSearch has identified a total of 33 projects anticipated to influence the district, highlighted by significant undertakings such as Alfred Street Mixed-Use Redevelopment, Emberwood Estate - Stage 11, Princes Highway East Upgrade - Warragul Section, and Loom Warragul, with prominent schemes outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
New West Gippsland Hospital
A flagship greenfield regional healthcare development delivering a modern replacement hospital for West Gippsland featuring 223 beds, 33 emergency department spaces, three operating theatres, outpatient care, birthing unit, and a residential aged care facility.
Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct (Stage 1)
Construction of a new multi-level community library, learning centre, arts/gallery space, co-working facilities, cafe, and integrated civic plaza connecting to West Gippsland Arts Centre and Civic Park.
Warragul North-East Sewer Upgrade
Gippsland Water is delivering the Warragul North-East Sewer Main Upgrade connecting from Sutton Street to Albert Road in Warragul. The project installs over 2.5 km of high-capacity gravity sewer trunk mains via micro-tunnelling to increase system capacity, prevent wet-weather sewer spills, and service residential growth in north-east Warragul. Construction works are actively progressing across staged corridors.
New West Gippsland Hospital
A major greenfield regional health project to construct a new, state-of-the-art hospital facility serving the Shire of Baw Baw and West Gippsland. Designed to replace the aging facility in Warragul, the new greenfield hospital in Drouin East will feature an expanded emergency department, acute inpatient beds, modern surgical suites, and public sector residential aged care facilities.
Emberwood Estate - Stage 11
Stage 11 forms part of the 330-lot Emberwood masterplanned estate in Warragul. The stage comprises titled residential lots that are benched, retained and fenced, with supporting parklands, playgrounds and pedestrian connections. Stage 11 is selling alongside Stage 12, with Stage 13 announced as the next release.
Warragul Crownlea Residential Estate
Warragul Crownlea is a master-planned residential estate comprising over 300 residential lots in West Gippsland. The development features a 16-acre community park, extensive landscaped wetlands, open green space, and integrated family lifestyle infrastructure. Civil construction works and multi-stage land subdivision are actively progressing.
Warragul Lifestyle Centre
A major large-format retail development across a 3.18-hectare corner site at Queen Street and North Road in Warragul, featuring concept plans for a 13,705 sqm bulky goods retail hub directly adjoining existing Spotlight and Harvey Norman centres.
Brandy Creek Views Estate
A master-planned residential community estate by Seebeck Group located off Lillico Road in Warragul, featuring new house and land packages, a display village, an adventure park, wetlands, and integrated walking paths.
12,818 residents of Warragul are employed, from a labour force of 13,166. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 63.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Warragul maintains an accomplished local workforce with prominent representation across essential service sectors, an unemployment rate standing at only 2.6%, and an estimated employment expansion of 3.6% over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 12,818, while joblessness sat 1.0% lower than the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., and labour participation remained steady at 63.7% against 61.1% in Regional Vic.. Census data also recorded 17.5% of working residents operating from home, though this figure reflects conditions surrounding Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The primary sectors supporting local workers are health care & social assistance, construction, as well as education & training.
In particular, the area exhibits workforce concentration in construction, where its employment proportion reaches 1.2 times the benchmark across the region. Conversely, accommodation & food demonstrates a smaller footprint, accounting for 5.3% of employment relative to 6.9% regionally. Although employment openings are available locally, Census comparisons between resident workers and local job positions indicate that a substantial share of the workforce travels outside the district for employment. Analysis of ABS and SALM figures by AreaSearch reveals that across the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 3.6% while the available workforce grew by 3.4%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Vic. saw employment decline by 0.1%, the labour force shrink by 0.3%, and unemployment decrease by 0.2 percentage points. Long-term workplace prospects can be gauged through Jobs and Skills Australia national projections issued in Mar-26, which model five and ten-year demand trajectories against Warragul's industry distribution. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variation across individual sectors. Applying these national sector trends to Warragul's industry composition suggests an employment rise of 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, representing an illustrative weighting calculation that excludes localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Warragul is $1,590 a week (about $83,000 a year), with median personal income at $756 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,770 a year against an average of $65,822. 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
Aggregated ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that taxpayer earnings across the Warragul SA2 sit marginally behind national benchmarks. Individual taxpayers recorded a median income of $52,770 and an average income of $65,822, compared to Regional Vic. benchmarks of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, adjusted estimates reach approximately $57,846 (median) and $72,154 (average) as of March 2026. Across broader Census measures, personal, family, and household incomes place within the 39th to 40th percentiles. In terms of earnings distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket accounts for 32.9% of the local population (8,388 individuals), mirroring the 30.3% share observed across the wider metropolitan region.
After meeting shelter costs, households retain 86.4% of funds for discretionary outlays, situating the district in the 5th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Warragul had 8,552 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 4% apartments. 39% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $320 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,647 a month. Rent absorbs 20.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census findings for Warragul indicate that separate houses represent 89.0% of residential structures, while semi-detached dwellings, units, and other configurations comprise 10.9%, compared with 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Full home ownership mirrors the wider regional level at 39.8%, with the balance of private dwellings held under a mortgage (38.8%) or occupied by tenants (21.5%). Typical monthly mortgage commitments stood at $1,647, notably higher than the $1,430 recorded in Regional Vic., while weekly median rent reached $320 versus $285 regionally. On a nationwide scale, local mortgage servicing remains comfortably below the Australian benchmark of $1,863, with leasing rates likewise well underneath the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Warragul counted 8,552 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 9,460 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 30% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families form the primary household structure across the locality at 72.1%, consisting of couples without children (30.4%), couples with children (30.1%), and single parent families (10.8%). Non-family arrangements account for the remaining 27.9%, where single-occupant homes constitute 25.7% and group households make up 2.1%. The typical household size sits at 2.5 people, exceeding the Regional Vic. benchmark of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.2% of adults in Warragul hold a university qualification, including 15.3% with a bachelor degree and 4.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.2% hold a vocational qualification. 16 schools serve the area, with 5,498 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,011 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 attainment presents a development focus for the district, as the proportion of residents holding higher education degrees (23.2%) tracks below the broader VIC benchmark of 33.4%, offering clear scope for targeted educational initiatives. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees comprise 15.3%, postgraduate awards account for 4.4%, and graduate diplomas represent 3.5%. Meanwhile, vocational qualifications show strong representation, with 39.0% of individuals aged 15+ possessing technical training in the form of certificates (27.2%) and advanced diplomas (11.8%). Active participation in study is pronounced throughout the community, with 28.1% of residents engaged in formal learning programs.
This student cohort comprises 9.8% enrolled in primary education, 8.4% attending secondary school, and 3.7% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Warragul reaches 94 stops on 9 routes, timetabled for about 4,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 350 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure throughout Warragul encompasses 94 active passenger stops that include train facilities. These connection points are served by 9 separate transit routes, generating an aggregate of 4,810 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit remains favorable, with typical dwellings situated 345 meters from the nearest stopping point. Reflecting its predominantly residential makeup, travel patterns are outward-oriented, with private motor vehicles accounting for 94% of commuting movements and vehicle ownership averaging 1.6 per dwelling. In addition, 17.5% of local workers performed duties from home based on 2021 Census records, reflecting conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transit service schedules maintain an overall volume of 687 trips per day across the network, translating to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.9% of residents in Warragul report no long-term health condition. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 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 compiled by AreaSearch regarding mortality and long-term health issues point to below-average outcomes across Warragul, with general chronic conditions presenting near expected levels overall but elevated among senior demographics, while private health insurance uptake of approximately 52% (~13,233 people) tracks slightly behind the wider SA2 standard. The two most prevalent health diagnoses identified among residents are mental health issues and arthritis, registering at 9.8 and 9.6% respectively, while 63.9% of the population reported no chronic ailments compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.. Long-term health conditions are elevated among working-age individuals.
Residents aged 65 and over represent 21.2% of the population (5,413 people), sitting below the Regional Vic. proportion of 24.0%. Senior health metrics present certain challenges, though comparing more favorably on a national scale than the general community profile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Warragul is largely Australian-born, at 86.0% of residents, with 6.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.6%) and Australian (29.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics position Warragul below broader benchmarks, as 86.0% of residents were born in Australia, 89.9% hold citizenship, and 93.6% speak exclusively English in domestic settings. Christianity stands as the predominant religious affiliation, claimed by 46.5% of the local population. A minor divergence from broader trends appears in Other faiths, which represent 0.7% of local residents compared to 0.8% across Regional Vic.. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the primary ancestries reported across Warragul are English (31.6%), Australian (29.7%), and Irish (8.9%). Distinct variances are also visible among several other communities, including Dutch ancestry at 2.6% (compared to 1.7% regionally), Scottish at 8.8% (matching 8.8% regionally), and Hungarian at 0.3% (against 0.2% across the wider region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Warragul is 40. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 24.6% 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 demographic profile of Warragul leans toward younger cohorts. Estimates updated to August 2026 indicate that young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) make up 26.2% of the populace, exceeding the 23.1% share recorded in Regional Vic., while seniors and retirees (65+) account for 21.2% against 24.0% regionally. The median age is evaluated by AreaSearch at 40 as at August 2026, down from 41 at the 2021 Census and 3 years below the Regional Vic. benchmark of 43 recorded at the 2021 Census. The most noticeable cohort shift since the Census occurred among middle aged and young retiree residents (45 - 64), who contracted from 24.8% to 22.4%.
Projections to 2041 anticipate young to middle aged adults driving the majority of demographic expansion, increasing by 2,713 residents (41%) to total 9,391.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Warragul
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month all 51 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 Sep 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 — 1,065 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (23,051 at the 2021 Census → 25,498 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 (205011079). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.