Yarriambiack
Statistical Area - sa2

Yarriambiack has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Yarriambiack's population is approximately 6,308 as of August 2025. This figure reflects a decrease of 193 people, representing a 3.0% decline from the 2021 Census count of 6,501 individuals. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,292 in June 2024 and an additional 9 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 0.90 persons per square kilometer. Yarriambiack's population decline of -3.0% since the census is similar to that of the SA3 area, which saw a decrease of -0.6%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to calculate population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, Yarriambiack's population is expected to shrink by 1,891 persons by the year 2041.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Yarriambiack, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Yarriambiack has averaged approximately 15 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 79 approvals across the past five financial years from FY2020-21 to FY2025-26, with one approval so far in FY2026-27. The population has declined recently, maintaining adequate housing supply relative to demand and creating a balanced market with good buyer choice. New dwellings are developed at an average construction cost value of $390,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year has seen $19.5 million in commercial development approvals, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Rest of Vic., Yarriambiack has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 48th percentile nationally, suggesting more limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing properties. This activity is below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 77.0% standalone homes and 23.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. This shift from the area's existing housing (currently 96.0% houses) suggests decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles requiring more diverse, affordable housing options.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 347 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. With stable or declining population forecasts, Yarriambiack may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Yarriambiack has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Area's performance is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 24 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Warracknabeal Energy Park, Donald Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project, Wimmera Plains Energy Facility, and another Wimmera Plains Energy Facility project. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

The employment landscape in Yarriambiack presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.0%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Yarriambiack's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs with a 3.0% unemployment rate as of June 2025. The area has 2,811 employed residents, an 0.8% lower unemployment rate than the Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%, but with significantly lower workforce participation at 49.4%.

Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (3.8 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction employment is lower at 5.5% compared to the regional average of 10.4%. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.2%, with a 3.0% employment decline, leading to a 1.1 percentage point fall in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.9%, labour force fell by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points.

State-level data to Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yarriambiack's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.8% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that in Yarriambiack, median income is $47,126 and average income is $64,349. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s median income of $48,741 and average income of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, estimates for March 2025 would be approximately $51,890 (median) and $70,855 (average). Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Yarriambiack fall between the 7th and 15th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 29.8% of residents (1,879 people) earn between $400 - 799, differing from broader area patterns where 30.3% earn between $1,500 - 2,999. Housing costs are modest with 94.1% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at the 17th percentile nationally.

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

In Yarriambiack, as per the latest Census, 96.1% of dwellings were houses, with 4.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic had 93.0% houses and 6.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yarriambiack stood at 59.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.4% and rented ones at 17.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $672, lower than Non-Metro Vic's average of $1,043. Weekly rent in Yarriambiack was $166, compared to Non-Metro Vic's $215. Nationally, Yarriambiack's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $672 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 61.6% of all households, including 19.3% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.4%, comprising 36.5% lone person households and 1.9% group households. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.2.

Yarriambiack faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area has university qualification rates of 13.2%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.5%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 28.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in primary, 8.9% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education. Fourteen schools serve 885 students, with Yarriambiack demonstrating typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 966) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes nine primary, two secondary, and three K-12 schools. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Yarriambiack shows that there are 31 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of buses, with 18 individual routes collectively providing 71 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as limited, with residents typically located approximately 991 meters from their nearest transport stop.

On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to about 10 trips per day, equating to roughly two weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Yarriambiack faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. The private health cover rate stands at approximately 52% (~3,273 people), higher than the average SA2 area's 48.8%.

The most prevalent medical issues are arthritis (13.2%) and mental health concerns (9.9%). Conversely, 55.7% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 61.2%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 30.2% (1,903 people), exceeding Rest of Vic.'s 25.2%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in the area are generally better than those of the general population.

The latest Census data sees Yarriambiack placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Yarriambiack had low cultural diversity, with 89.8% citizens, 92.6% born in Australia, and 96.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 57.4%, compared to 51.6% regionally. Top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.7%), English (31.2%), and Scottish (8.7%).

Notably, German and Irish ethnicities were somewhat overrepresented, at 7.3% and 8.4% respectively.

Yarriambiack ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Yarriambiack is 52 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 years and well above the national norm of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Yarriambiack at 16.6%, compared to the Rest of Vic. average, while the 45-54 year-olds are under-represented at 9.2%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and the present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 8.7% to 10.1%, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 15.3% to 16.6%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 11.3% to 9.2%, and the 5 to 14 age group dropped from 11.1% to 9.7%. Population forecasts for Yarriambiack in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 85+ cohort shows the strongest projected growth at -18%, adding approximately 45 residents to reach around 200. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 age group.