Blairgowrie (Vic.)

Detail

According to calculations derived from ABS demographic updates covering the broader region, combined with address records verified by Districts subsequent to the Census, the population of the suburb of Blairgowrie is approximated at 2,664 as of May 2026. This represents a reduction of 122 people (4.4%) from the 2,786 residents documented in the 2021 Census. This shift is determined from a resident population count of 2,663, estimated by Districts using the June 2025 ABS ERP figures alongside 2 newly validated addresses found since the census. The current population translates to a density of 423 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and potential scope for future development. Over the last ten years, the suburb of Blairgowrie has shown consistent development with a 1.0% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the wider SA3 region. Growth in the local population was mostly fueled by net overseas migration, which served as almost the sole driver of population expansion in recent times.

Detail

The suburb of Blairgowrie has a highly educated workforce with a significant proportion employed in professional fields, alongside an unemployment rate of only 1.9% based on Districts figures. As of March 2026, there are 1,215 employed residents, and the unemployment rate is 2.8% lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%. However, workforce participation is notably lower, standing at 51.2% compared to 70.2% for the Greater Melbourne area. Census data indicates that a high proportion of employed residents, at 39.1%, worked from home, though this figure likely reflects the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

Detail

According to tax data from the ATO for financial year 2023 aggregated to postcode level, taxpayers in the suburb of Blairgowrie recorded a median income of $47,906 and an average income of $82,442. This average ranks among the highest in the country, compared to $57,688 (median) and $75,164 (average) across Greater Melbourne. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $52,515 for the median and $90,373 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows that local personal, family, and household incomes are modest, falling between the 35th and 46th percentiles nationally. The figures show that 27.0% of the population (719 residents) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, which is comparable to the wider region where of the population falls into this bracket. Homebuyers and renters retain of their income after housing costs, though disposable income is below the national average at the th percentile, and the local SEIFA income score places the area in the th decile.

Detail

Data from the latest census indicates that houses make up 98.9% of the residential stock in the suburb of Blairgowrie, with other options like townhouses and apartments comprising 1.1% of dwellings, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings in Greater Melbourne. Home ownership is high at 60.1%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 25.4% of homes and rented properties representing 14.5%. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area of $2,000 matches the Greater Melbourne average, while the median weekly rent is $400, compared to Melbourne metro averages of $2,000 and $390. Locally, mortgage repayments exceed the national average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the Australian median of $375.

Detail

Families make up 68.6% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 18.9%, couples without children at 43.6%, and single parent households at 5.9%. Single person households account for 29.8% of the total, while group households comprise 1.6%, bringing total non-family households to 31.4%. The median household size is 2.1 persons, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Detail

The local population displays a strong educational profile, with university graduation rates of 32.8% among residents aged 15 and over exceeding the SA4 regional average of 23.5% and the SA3 average of 25.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 22.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.9%. In addition, vocational training is common, with 35.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (15.7%) and certificates (20.2%).

Detail

Public transport services in the suburb of Blairgowrie include 35 active stops serviced by bus routes. These stops are served by 2 routes, which support 306 passenger journeys each week. Local access is good, with residents living an average of 310 meters from the nearest stop. Because the area is primarily residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode for 94% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.5 cars per household, which is higher than the regional average. Additionally, 39.1% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic conditions.

Detail

Health indicators in the suburb of Blairgowrie are favorable, showing low rates of chronic conditions and mortality across all age brackets. Additionally, private health insurance uptake is high, with approximately 59% of the population (1,580 residents) holding cover, compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne.

Detail

The suburb of Blairgowrie exhibits lower cultural diversity compared to regional averages, with citizens making up 87.8% of the population, 85.4% of residents born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 48.0% of residents. The most notable religious overrepresentation is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the population, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

Detail

The median age of 58 years in the suburb of Blairgowrie is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 21.7% locally, compared to the Greater Melbourne average and the national average of 9.4%, while the 25 - 34 cohort is underrepresented at 4.9%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has increased from 12.7% to 15.6%, and the 85+ cohort has risen from 3.0% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 age group declined from 23.1% to 21.7%, and the to age group dropped from to . By demographic projections indicate significant changes, with the to cohort expected to grow by (adding people to reach ). Residents aged and over will account for of all population growth, highlighting the aging trend, while the to and to age brackets are projected to contract.

Detail

Blairgowrie currently has an estimated 85 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 54 children aged 0-2 and 35 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 30% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 16% by 2041 (to approximately 71 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 175. Birth rates in the area have averaged 6.5 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.