Bonshaw (Vic.)

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According to calculations derived from ABS demographic releases for the surrounding territory, along with quarterly address updates verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Bonshaw (Vic.) has a population of approximately 2,582 residents as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 1,633 people (172.1%) from the 2021 Census, when the head count stood at 949 people. This shift is calculated from a local cohort of 2,578, estimated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) coupled with 526 validated new addresses verified since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 804 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with typical patterns observed across regions evaluated by Districts. The expansion rate of 172.1% since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of Vic. (4.3%) and the broader SA4 territory, positioning the locality as a regional growth leader. Population expansion was driven chiefly by arrivals from other states, which accounted for roughly of total gains over recent quarters, though natural growth and overseas arrivals also made positive contributions.

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The local workforce shows strong educational credentials, with a solid representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 2.5%, and an estimated job growth rate of 14.9% over the course of the past year, according to Districts data compiled for the statistical area. In March 2026, the employed resident count reached 1,629, with an unemployment rate that is 1.2% lower than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%. Labor force participation is exceptionally high at 79.9% compared to the regional benchmark of 61.1%. According to Census records, a modest 14.0% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic-related restrictions.

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Tax data compiled by Districts from the ATO for the 2023 financial year indicates that personal earnings in the suburb of Bonshaw are slightly lower than the national average. The median income among local taxpayers is $57,723, while the average income is $66,538, compared to Regional Vic. benchmarks of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Applying a Wage Price Index growth rate of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated current figures of approximately $63,276 for the median and $72,939 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes are positioned near the 60th percentile nationally. Income distribution statistics show that 45.8% of the local population (1,182 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket, compared to of the wider region. Accommodation costs consume of household income, but solid overall earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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According to the most recent Census, the local housing mix consisted of 94.7% detached houses and 5.3% other dwelling types, such as semi-detached homes, townhouses, and apartments, compared to Regional Vic. where houses comprised 90.1% and other formats made up 9.9%. The rate of outright home ownership stood at 18.0%, which is lower than the Regional Vic. average, with the remaining residences occupied under a mortgage (52.2%) or rented (29.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,500 was higher than the regional average of $1,430, and the median weekly rent was $398, compared to the Regional Vic. median of $285. On a national level, monthly mortgage payments are substantially lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national average of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 75.8%, consisting of couples with children at 30.9%, couples without children at 25.9%, and single-parent households at 15.5%. The remaining 24.2% consists of non-family households, which are divided into single-person households at 17.5% and group share households at 5.0%. The median household occupancy of 2.7 residents is higher than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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The academic profile of local residents is highly competitive within the region, with university degree holders representing 27.7% of residents aged 15+, which is higher than the Rest of Vic. average of 21.7%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 19.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (26.9%).

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Evaluation by Districts of local mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses suggests notable health challenges, with chronic conditions common across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is slightly above the SA2 average at roughly 53% of the population, which represents approximately 1,372 individuals. This compares to a coverage rate of 50.5% across Regional Vic..

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The area shows a higher level of cultural diversity than the regional average, with 20.6% of residents born outside Australia and 17.8% using a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 35.7% of the population. The most pronounced deviation from regional norms is in the Other religion category, which accounts for 4.2% of local residents compared to 0.8% across Regional Vic..

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With a median age of 31, the local population is significantly younger than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and the national average of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 18.3% relative to Regional Vic., whereas the 65 - 74 bracket is less common at 3.5%. The median age has risen by 2.8 years since 2021, moving from 28 to 31 and showing an aging trend. Notable shifts include the 55 to 64 age group growing from 8.6% to 14.1% of the population, and the 45 to 54 cohort increasing from 9.2% to 12.4%. Conversely, the to cohort fell from to , and the to group declined from to . Projections suggest the age structure will change significantly by with the to cohort expected to increase by ( people) to reach residents, up from . In contrast, the + cohort shows almost no change, growing by natural language zero residents, which is exactly one individual.

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Bonshaw currently has an estimated 129 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 132 children aged 0-2 and 89 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 61% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 92% by 2041 (to approximately 248 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 282. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 15.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.