Yarram
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Yarram's population is approximately 5,738 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 133 people, a growth rate of 2.4%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5,605. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,615 in June 2024 and an additional 95 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3.0 persons per square kilometer. Yarram's growth rate of 2.4% since the census is within 2.6 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 5.0%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 74.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic trends forecast a significant population increase in Yarram, with an expected rise of 1,420 persons by 2041 based on current population numbers. This would result in a total gain of 22.6% over the 17-year period.

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

Yarram has averaged approximately 21 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25109 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each newly constructed dwelling accommodates about 1.3 new residents per year over these past five financial years.

This has resulted in a balanced supply and demand dynamic, maintaining stable market conditions. The average construction cost of new homes is around $258,000, aligning with regional patterns. In FY-26, there have been $5.4 million in commercial approvals, indicating the area's predominantly residential character.

Compared to Rest of Vic., Yarram shows about 65% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 49th percentile nationally, leading to somewhat limited buyer options and interest in existing homes. New development primarily consists of standalone homes (94.0%) with a smaller portion being medium and high-density housing (6.0%), preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 397 people, reflecting Yarram's quiet and less active development environment. By 2041, Yarram is projected to grow by approximately 1,297 residents. Given current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Yarram has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 21 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Yarram Pool Upgrade, Yarram Energy Park, Gippsland Dawn Offshore Wind Project, and Star of the South. The following details those expected to have the most relevance.

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Yarram shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Yarram has a balanced workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 4.1% as of June 2025. There are 2,496 residents in work, which is 0.3% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Yarram is 49.3%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has a high employment share at 3.1 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 7.3% compared to the regional average of 10.4%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparison. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Yarram's labour force decreased by 0.8%, while employment declined by 1.0%, increasing unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In Rest of Vic., employment fell by 0.9%, labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yarram's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.5% over five years and 12.1% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Yarram's median income among taxpayers is $40,548. The average income in Yarram during this period was $55,960. Both figures are below the national averages. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s median income was $48,741 with an average of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Yarram's median and average incomes are approximately $45,479 and $62,765 respectively as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Yarram all fall between the 4th and 6th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 29.4% of locals (1,686 people) have incomes in the $400 - $799 category, which differs from metropolitan regions where the predominant income bracket is $1,500 - $2,999 at 30.3%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 88.4% of income retention, Yarram's total disposable income ranks at just the 7th percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Yarram, as evaluated at the latest Census on 28 August 2016, comprised 92.0% houses and 7.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s dwelling structure was 91.9% houses and 8.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yarram stood at 55.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.7% and rented dwellings at 16.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Yarram was $1,192, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $1,300. The median weekly rent figure in Yarram was $240, while Non-Metro Vic.'s average was $260. Nationally, Yarram's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 65.1% of all households, including 20.0% couples with children, 35.9% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.9%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households making up 2.5% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Yarram fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 13.9%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (32.1%). A total of 23.8% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 9.3% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 1.5% in tertiary education.

Yarram's five schools have a combined enrollment of 617 students, serving distinct age groups with four primary and one secondary school. School places per 100 residents (10.8) are below the regional average (14.6), indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas.

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

Yarram has nine active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 99 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered limited, with residents typically residing 5699 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 14 trips per day across all routes, translating to about 11 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Yarram faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover in Yarram is approximately 48%, covering around 2,754 people, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 12.2% and 8.9% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 58.6% of Yarram's residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 62.7% across the rest of Victoria. The population aged 65 and over stands at 30.5%, or approximately 1,747 people, which is higher than the 23.5% recorded in the rest of Victoria.

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

Yarram's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.8% of its population being Australian citizens and 87.6% born in Australia. The majority, 96.9%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 45.2% of Yarram's population, compared to 46.9% across the rest of Victoria.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (32.9%), Australian (32.0%), and Scottish (9.1%). Notably, Dutch ethnicity was overrepresented in Yarram at 1.9%, compared to 2.1% regionally, while Hungarian was at 0.3% versus 0.1%. Irish ethnicity was equally represented at 9.0% in both Yarram and the regional comparison.

Yarram ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Yarram is 52 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and well above the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group is notably over-represented in Yarram at 18.7%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s average, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 8.7%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.3% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 18.2% to 16.8%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 12.3% to 11.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Yarram, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 53%, adding 278 residents to reach 807. Meanwhile, the 55-64 cohort is projected to grow by a modest 4% (41 people).