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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Yea's population is around 4,728 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 546 people (13.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,182 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,346 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 111 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 3.2 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Yea's 13.1% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (6.9%) and the Rest of Vic., marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 87.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of Australian non-metropolitan areas, is predicted over the period, with the area expected to increase by 2,236 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 39.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Yea has experienced around 34 dwellings receiving development approval per year, totalling 171 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 19 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 2.6 new residents per year gained for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), suggesting solid demand that supports property values, new homes are being built at an average value of $358,000. There have also been $1.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating minimal commercial development activity.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Yea maintains similar construction rates (per person), preserving market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. Further, new construction has been completely comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. At around 173 people per approval, Yea reflects a developing area.

Population forecasts indicate Yea will gain 1,854 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 4 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Donnybrook-Woodstock Precinct Structure Plan, the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub, Haven Seymour, and Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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 possesses a skilled workforce, with the construction sector a particular standout in terms of representation, and an unemployment rate of 5.2%. As of December 2025, 2,050 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 1.5% above Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%, and workforce participation is somewhat below standard (56.9% compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.5%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 23.7% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, construction, and health care & social assistance. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 2.2 times the regional average. On the other hand, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 11.3% of Yea's workforce compared to 16.8% in Regional Vic.. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, the labour force decreased by 3.4% combined with employment decreasing by 4.6%, resulting in the unemployment rate rising by 1.1 percentage points. This compares to Regional Vic., where employment fell by 0.6%, labour force contracted by 0.7%, and unemployment fell 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Yea. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Yea's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.1% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Yea SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,344 with the average level standing at $55,955. This is lower than average on a national basis and compares to levels of $50,954 and $62,728 across Regional Vic. respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $49,085 (median) and $60,571 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Yea all fall between the 14th and 16th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 27.7% of the community (1,309 individuals), aligning with the region where this cohort likewise represents 30.3%. While housing costs are modest with 87.2% of income retained, the 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

Dwelling structure within Yea, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 98.1% houses and 1.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Yea was well beyond that of Regional Vic., at 53.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (33.2%) or rented (13.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Regional Vic. average at $1,500, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $300, compared to Regional Vic.'s $1,430 and $285. Nationally, Yea's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are 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 dominate at 65.5% of all households, comprising 20.2% couples with children, 35.8% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.5%, with lone person households at 31.8% and group households comprising 2.6% of the total. The median household size of 2.2 people is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (19.6%) substantially below the VIC average of 33.4%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 43.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (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.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 10 active transport stops operating within Yea. These stops are serviced by 2 individual routes, collectively providing 32 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 702 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 91%, with 6% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. Some 23.7% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 4 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 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

Health indicators suggest below-average outcomes in Yea, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,245 people). This compares to 50.5% across Regional Vic. The national average is 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 12.5% and 8.7% of residents, respectively, while 61.0% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 29.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,405 people), which is higher than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Yea was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 84.7% of its population being citizens, 87.6% born in Australia, and 95.9% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Yea is Christianity, which makes up 46.8% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Judaism, which comprises 0.2% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic..

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Yea are English, comprising 33.5% of the population, Australian, comprising 29.3% of the population, and Scottish, comprising 10.5% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Irish is notably overrepresented at 10.4% of Yea (vs 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 52-year median age in Yea is significantly above Regional Vic.'s average of 43 and similarly well above the national norm of 38. Compared to the Regional Vic. average, the 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented (17.4% locally), while 5 - 14 year-olds are under-represented (8.4%). This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national 9.5%. In the period since 2021, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 6.9% to 8.6% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 18.7% to 16.8% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 9.8% to 8.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Yea. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 53%, adding 325 residents to reach 935.