Wendouree - Miners Rest

Population growth drivers in Wendouree - Miners Rest are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Wendouree - Miners Rest's population is around 16,247 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 914 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,333 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,570 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 209 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 240 persons per square kilometer. Wendouree - Miners Rest's growth rate of 6.0% since the census positions it within 2.1 percentage points of the Rest of Vic (8.1%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 74.6% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, a significant population increase in the top quartile of regional areas nationally is forecasted. Wendouree - Miners Rest is expected to grow by 4,415 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 23.0% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Wendouree - Miners Rest according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Wendouree - Miners Rest has seen approximately 63 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25319 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved so far in FY26. On average, 1.2 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these years, suggesting balanced supply and demand conditions.

The average construction cost of new homes was $173,000, lower than regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. This financial year has seen $106.8 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting strong commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Wendouree - Miners Rest has shown significantly reduced construction levels, with 66.0% fewer dwellings built per person on average. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and higher values for established dwellings. Recent construction has consisted of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding the range of medium-density housing options available.

This shift marks a departure from existing housing patterns, which are currently 85.0% houses. It may indicate diminishing developable land availability and a response to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The estimated population per dwelling approval in the area is 548 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Future projections estimate Wendouree - Miners Rest will add approximately 3,738 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Wendouree - Miners Rest has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 34 projects likely impacting the region. Notable projects include Learmonth Road Retail Hub, Wendouree Library and Learning Centre, Wendouree Station Precinct Structure Plan and Urban Design Framework, Ballarat Major Events Precinct Upgrades. 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.

Employment drivers in Wendouree - Miners Rest are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Wendouree - Miners Rest has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include essential services. The unemployment rate was 7.1% in September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.8%. As of September 2025, 6,847 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.4%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was 57.5% in Wendouree - Miners Rest, below the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 61.4%. Census responses showed that 11.5% of residents worked from home.

Major employment industries were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area had a significant specialization in manufacturing, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 1.9% of Wendouree - Miners Rest's workforce compared to 7.5% in Rest of Vic.. The ratio of workers to residents was 0.7 at the Census, indicating above-normal local employment opportunities. In the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.8%, and labour force increased by 1.6%, leading to a unemployment rate decrease of 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.7%, labour force fell by 0.6%, and unemployment rose marginally. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, covering May-25 for five and ten-year periods, suggest Wendouree - Miners Rest's employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The Wendouree - Miners Rest SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $49,469 and an average income of $61,622 in financial year 2023. This was lower than the national averages for Rest of Vic., which were $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $53,550 and $66,706, based on an 8.25% increase from the financial year 2023 Wage Price Index growth. According to Census 2021 income data, Wendouree - Miners Rest's household, family, and personal incomes fell between the 12th and 18th percentiles nationally. Income analysis showed that 28.7% of locals (4,662 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the surrounding region's 30.3% in the same income category. Housing affordability was severe, with only 84.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 14th percentile nationally.

Wendouree - Miners Rest is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Wendouree - Miners Rest, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 85.1% houses and 14.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wendouree - Miners Rest was at 32.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (30.5%) or rented (36.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, below Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $260, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Wendouree - Miners Rest's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Wendouree - Miners Rest features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 63.0% of all households, including 21.7% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 15.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households at 33.6% and group households making up 3.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Wendouree - Miners Rest fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.0%, significantly lower than the Victorian average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (29.1%). Educational participation is high, with 29.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.7% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 3.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Wendouree - Miners Rest has 116 active public transport stops offering a mix of train services. These stops are served by 9 individual routes, together providing 1,657 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 208 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 11.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 236 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 14 weekly trips per stop. The provided map displays the 100 nearest stops to the area's centerpoint.

Health performance in Wendouree - Miners Rest is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Wendouree-Miners Rest faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across a range of health conditions affecting both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% (around 8,091 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (affecting 12.0% of residents) and asthma (impacting 10.7%), while 58.1% claim to be free from medical ailments, lower than the Rest of Vic.'s figure of 63.4%. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 18.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,942 people), which is lower than Rest of Vic.'s 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Wendouree - Miners Rest is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Wendouree-Miners Rest showed cultural diversity levels below average, with 90.9% citizens, 90.6% born in Australia, and 94.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 44.4%. Islam's representation stood at 0.6%, compared to 1.0% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were Australian (32.5%), English (31.3%), and Irish (9.5%). Notable differences included Dutch (2.1% vs regional 1.7%), Scottish (8.5% vs 8.8%), and Maltese (0.4% vs 0.5%).

Wendouree - Miners Rest's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Wendouree - Miners Rest is 37 years, which is lower than Victoria's average of 43 and close to Australia's national average of 38. The age profile shows that the 25-34 year-olds are prominent at 17.6%, while the 65-74 group is smaller at 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 14.5% to 17.6%, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 12.5% to 10.9%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 11.6% to 10.2%. By 2041, projections show significant shifts in Wendouree - Miners Rest's age structure: the 25-34 cohort is projected to rise by 1,567 people (55%) to 4,427, while the 55-64 cohort grows by a modest 24 people.