Yea
Statistical Area - sa2

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 Aug 2025, Yea's population is approximately 4,416, marking a 234 person increase (5.6%) from the 2021 Census figure of 4,182 people. This growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2024 (4,346) and validated new addresses since the Census date (108). Yea's population density is around 3.0 persons per square kilometer. The area's population grew by 5.6% between the 2021 Census and Aug 2025, outpacing the SA4 region's growth of 4.7%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 87.2% to Yea's recent population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area (released in 2024 with a base year of 2022), and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections (adjusted employing weighted aggregation method) for areas not covered by ABS data.

Predictions indicate exceptional growth, placing Yea among the top 10 percent of Australia's regional areas, with an expected increase of 2,236 persons to 2041, a total gain of 49.0% over the 17-year period.

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

Yea has recorded approximately 34 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 171 homes approved over the past five financial years from FY2021 to FY2025. As of FY2026, there have been 2 approvals so far. On average, 2.6 people per year have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five financial years, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $556,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. There have also been $1.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Yea shows comparable development activity per person, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns.

Recent building activity consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 173 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Population forecasts indicate that Yea will gain 2,166 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Yea has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects that could impact this area. Key projects are Donnybrook-Woodstock Precinct Structure Plan, Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal, Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub, and Haven Seymour. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Yea has a skilled workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. Its unemployment rate was 4.8% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year.

In this month, 2,058 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.0% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Yea lagged significantly at 50.9%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Leading employment industries among residents comprised agriculture, forestry & fishing, construction, and health care & social assistance. Agriculture, forestry & fishing was particularly concentrated, with employment levels at 2.2 times the regional average.

However, health care & social assistance was under-represented, with only 11.3% of Yea's workforce compared to 16.8% in Rest of Vic.. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 0.7% while the labour force increased by 1.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced employment decline of 0.9% and labour force decline of 0.4%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 showed VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published May 2025, estimated national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yea's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 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 latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 30, 2022 shows income in Yea is below the national average. The median income is $43,128 while the average income stands at $54,672. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s figures where the median income is $48,741 and the average income is $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year ended June 30, 2022, current estimates would be approximately $47,488 (median) and $60,199 (average) as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Yea all fall between the 15th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income distribution reveals that the predominant cohort spans 27.7% of locals (1,223 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, reflecting patterns seen in the broader area where 30.3% similarly occupy this range. Housing costs are modest with 87.2% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just 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

The dwelling structure in Yea, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.1% houses and 1.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 93.6% houses and 6.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yea was at 53.0%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (33.2%) or rented (13.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, aligning with Non-Metro Vic.'s average. The median weekly rent was $300, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $1,500 and $280 respectively. Nationally, Yea's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below 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 2.3.

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

The area has educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 19.6%, significantly lower than the VIC average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.0%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 12.9% and certificates at 30.9%.

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. Yea's 4 schools have a combined enrollment reaching 512 students as of the latest data available. Yea demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 972) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with 3 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Transport analysis shows ten active public transport stops in Yea, offering a mix of bus services. Six unique routes serve these stops, collectively facilitating fifty-four weekly passenger trips. Residents' access to transport is rated limited, with an average distance of 702 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages seven trips daily across all routes, equating to roughly five weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Yea is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Yea faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across all age groups. Only approximately 47% (2,084 people) have private health cover, compared to 49.6% in Rest of Vic and a national average of 55.3%. The most common conditions are arthritis (12.5%) and mental health issues (8.7%), with 61.0% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 63.0% in Rest of Vic.

Yea has 30.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,326 people), higher than the 25.2% in Rest of Vic. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming general population metrics.

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, comprising 46.8% of the population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented, making up 0.2% compared to the regional average of 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (33.5%), Australian (29.3%), and Scottish (10.5%). Significant differences exist in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Irish at 10.4% (regional average is 10.4%), New Zealand at 0.8% (regional average is 0.4%), and Dutch at 1.4% (regional average is 1.5%).

Yea ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Yea has a median age of 53, which is considerably higher than the Rest of Vic.'s figure of 43 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of Vic., Yea has a higher concentration of 65-74 residents (17.6%) but fewer 25-34 year-olds (7.8%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 6.9% to 7.8% of Yea's population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 18.7% to 17.3%, and the 5 to 14 age group has dropped from 9.8% to 8.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Yea's age structure. Notably, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 107%, reaching 712 people from its current total of 344.