Wendouree - Miners Rest
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Wendouree - Miners Rest are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Wendouree - Miners Rest's population is around 15,734 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 401 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,333 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,638 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 205 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 232 persons per square kilometer. Wendouree - Miners Rest's growth rate of 2.6% since census positions it within 2.9 percentage points of the non-metro area (5.5%). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 74.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections 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 methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. A significant population increase is forecast in the top quartile of non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Wendouree - Miners Rest expected to grow by 4,415 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 27.0% 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 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25319 homes were approved, with a further 3 approved so far in FY26. On average, 1.2 people moved to the area for each dwelling built during this period.

This balance between supply and demand has maintained stable market conditions. The average construction cost of new properties is $385,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $106.8 million, indicating robust commercial development momentum. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Wendouree - Miners Rest has significantly less development activity, 66.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

New building activity comprises 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering options across different price points. The current housing mix is predominantly houses at 85.0%, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 548 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections suggest Wendouree - Miners Rest will add approximately 4,251 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Learmonth Road Retail Hub, Wendouree Library and Learning Centre, Wendouree Library and Learning Centre, and Wendouree Station Precinct Structure Plan and Urban Design Framework. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment performance in Wendouree - Miners Rest has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Wendouree - Miners Rest has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 6.9% as of June 2025, and estimated employment growth of 8.2% over the past year. Compared to the rest of Victoria (Rest of Vic.), the area's unemployment rate is 3.2% higher at 3.8%, indicating room for improvement, while workforce participation is slightly lower at 53.8%.

Leading industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Manufacturing stands out with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.9% versus the regional average of 7.5%. As of the Census, there are 0.7 workers per resident, indicating above-normal local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 8.2%, labour force grew by 6.9%, leading to a 1.1 percentage point decrease in unemployment rate, contrasting with Rest of Vic.'s employment contraction of 0.9% and unemployment rise of 0.4%.

Statewide, Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year to Sep-25, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wendouree - Miners Rest's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2022 indicates Wendouree - Miners Rest had a median taxpayer income of $47,120 and an average of $58,409. These figures are lower than national averages, with Rest of Vic.'s median being $48,741 and average at $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2022 to March 2025 (an estimated increase of 10.11%), current estimates suggest Wendouree - Miners Rest's median income would be approximately $51,884 and average at $64,314 by March 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, incomes in Wendouree - Miners Rest fall between the 13th and 18th percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. The earnings profile shows that 4,515 residents (28.7%) earn between $1,500 to $2,999 weekly, similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Wendouree - Miners Rest, 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 per the latest Census, consisted of 85.1% houses and 14.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 85.6% houses and 14.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wendouree - Miners Rest was at 32.9%, similar to Non-Metro Vic., with the rest being mortgaged (30.5%) or rented (36.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,499 and Australia's average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in the area was $260, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s $300 and Australia's 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 Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (29.1%). Educational participation is high at 29.0%, comprising 10.7% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 3.4% in tertiary education.

Eleven schools serve 3,593 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 964) and balanced educational opportunities. The mix includes five primary, one secondary, and five K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds regional needs at 22.8 places per 100 residents versus the regional average of 18.0, indicating it serves as an educational center for the broader region. Note: for schools showing 'n/a' in enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

The analysis of public transport in Wendouree - Miners Rest shows that there are 115 active transport stops currently operating. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. They are served by 17 individual routes which together provide 2,104 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically located 208 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 300 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop.

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, affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 49% (~7,693 people) have private health cover, lower than the Victorian average of 50.9%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

Mental health issues (12.0%) and asthma (10.7%) are the most prevalent conditions in the area. Conversely, 58.1% report no medical ailments, compared to 62.3% across the rest of Victoria. The population aged 65 and over is 18.6% (2,934 people). Senior health outcomes align with general population health profiles.

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 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 was over twice that of Victoria's average (0.6% vs 0.7%).

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.5%), English (31.3%), and Irish (9.5%). Notably, Dutch (2.1%) and Scottish (8.5%) showed higher representation than the regional averages (both at 2.1% and 9.2%, respectively). Maltese representation was equal to Victoria's average (0.4%).

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 most prominent age group is 25-34 year-olds at 16.7%, while the 65-74 group is relatively smaller at 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 14.5% to 16.7%, and the 15-24 cohort increased from 12.1% to 13.1%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 12.5% to 11.2%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 11.6% to 10.5%. By 2041, projections show significant shifts in Wendouree - Miners Rest's age structure: the 25-34 age cohort is expected to rise substantially by 1,800 people (69%), from 2,626 to 4,427. Meanwhile, the 75-84 cohort grows modestly by 17 people (2%).