Yea

Yea lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of February 2026, Yea's population is approximately 4,728, reflecting a growth of 546 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4,182. This increase represents a 13.1% change from the Census date, inferred from ABS estimates. By June 2024, Yea's estimated resident population was 4,346, with an additional 111 validated new addresses since then. The population density is approximately 3.2 persons per square kilometer. Yea's growth of 13.1% since the 2021 Census exceeded both the SA4 region (6.9%) and the Rest of Vic., indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed about 87.2% of overall population gains 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 VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends predict exceptional growth, placing Yea in the top 10 percent of Australian non-metropolitan areas. By 2041, based on latest annual ERP population numbers, Yea is expected to increase by 2,236 persons, reflecting a total increase of 39.2% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Yea among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Yea has received approximately 34 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 171 homes. As of FY26, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25 attracted around 2.6 new residents per year. The average construction value for these dwellings was $358,000.

In FY26, commercial approvals amounted to $1.7 million, indicating limited commercial development activity. Yea's construction rates are similar to the Rest of Vic., maintaining market balance with surrounding areas. All new constructions have been standalone homes, preserving Yea's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 173 people per approval, Yea reflects a developing area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Yea is forecasted to gain 1,854 residents by 2041. If current construction levels continue, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Yea has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 42ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the area. Key projects are Donnybrook-Woodstock Precinct Structure Plan, Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub, Haven Seymour, and Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Yea are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Yea has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 4.9% as of September 2025. The construction sector is particularly prominent. There are 2,063 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% higher than the Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation stands at 57.0%, lower than Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, 23.7% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (2.2 times the regional average), construction, and health care & social assistance (11.3% of Yea's workforce compared to Rest of Vic.'s 16.8%). The labour force decreased by 1.4% between September 2024 and September 2025, with employment decreasing by 1.9%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points.

National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yea's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.1% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Yea SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,344 and an average level of $55,955. These figures are lower than the national averages of $50,954 and $62,728 for Rest of Vic respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $49,085, with average being around $60,571. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Yea fall between the 14th and 16th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 27.7% of individuals earn between $1,500 - $2,999 annually, aligning with the region where this cohort represents 30.3%. Housing costs are modest, with 87.2% of income retained. Total disposable income ranks at the 19th percentile nationally and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

In Yea, as per the latest Census, 98.1% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 1.9% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yea was 53.0%, with mortgaged properties at 33.2% and rented ones at 13.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Yea was $300, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Yea's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,500 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $300 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 65.5% of all households, including 20.2% couples with children, 35.8% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.5%, with lone person households at 31.8% and group households comprising 2.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Yea shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 19.6%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (30.9%). Educational participation is high, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising primary (10.2%), secondary (9.0%), and tertiary (2.5%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Yea indicates that there are ten active transport stops currently operating within the area. These stops are served by two individual routes, collectively offering 32 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 702 meters away from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the dominant mode of transportation at 91%, with 6% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, some 23.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect conditions related to COVID-19. Service frequency averages four trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Yea are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Yea's health indicators show below-average outcomes according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are higher than average, with common health conditions slightly more prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of Yea's total population (~2,245 people), compared to 50.5% across Rest of Vic., and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.5%) and mental health issues (8.7%). 61.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Rest of Vic.. Yea has notable health challenges among the working-age population due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 29.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,405 people), compared to 23.9% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Yea's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.7% of its population being citizens, 87.6% born in Australia, and 95.9% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Yea is Christianity, representing 46.8% of the population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented in Yea at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% across the rest of Victoria.

Regarding ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three groups are English (33.5%), Australian (29.3%), and Scottish (10.5%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Irish is overrepresented at 10.4% in Yea compared to 9.7% regionally, New Zealand at 0.8% vs 0.4%, and Dutch at 1.4% vs 1.7%.

Yea ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Yea 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 cohort is notably over-represented in Yea at 17.4%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s average, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 8.4%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the population of Yea aged 25 to 34 has grown from 6.9% to 8.6%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 18.7% to 16.8% and the 5 to 14 age group dropped from 9.8% to 8.4%. Population forecasts for Yea indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort projected to grow by 53%, adding 325 residents to reach a total of 935.