Kerang (Vic.)

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According to evaluations of ABS population adjustments for the wider region, alongside recent addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Kerang is projected to be approximately 3,786 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 174 residents (4.4%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 3,960 individuals. The variation is calculated from a resident population of 3,784, determined by Districts using the latest ABS ERP data release (June 2025) combined with 5 newly verified addresses following the Census. This population level yields a density of 25 persons per square kilometer, offering residents substantial personal space. The suburb of Kerang's -4.4% postwar Census reduction is within 1.6 percentage points of the broader SA3 territory (-2.8%), showing that population pressures are shared across the district. Demographic changes were balanced between migration and natural shifts.

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Kerang has a diverse workforce composed of both professional and manual workers, alongside a solid base in essential service sectors, resulting in an unemployment rate of only 2.8% according to aggregated statistical area data. As of March 2026, there are 1,586 employed residents. The local unemployment rate sits 0.9% lower than the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%, whereas the participation rate of 51.4% is notably lower than the Regional Vic. average of 61.1%. According to the Census, a modest 8.6% of working residents operated from home, though this figure should be interpreted in the context of pandemic restrictions.

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ATO records for the 2023 financial year show that incomes in the suburb of Kerang are below the national average, with a median of $42,504 and an average of $50,020. This compares to a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728 across Regional Vic. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $46,593 for the median and $54,832 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes all ranked between the 3rd and 8th percentiles nationwide. The largest income group contains 32.5% of residents (1,230 people) who earn between $400 - 799 weekly, whereas the wider region is dominated by the $1,500 - range at . With of the population earning under weekly, local purchasing power is limited. Although residents retain of their income due to low housing costs, total disposable income sits at the th percentile nationally.

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The mix of housing in Kerang at the time of the last Census consisted of 89.6% separate houses and 10.5% alternative dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other housing types, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% alternative dwellings in Regional Vic. Home ownership was particularly high at 48.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (27.5%) or renting (23.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment was notably lower than the regional average at $1,000, while the median weekly rent was $200, compared to Regional Vic. medians of $1,430 and $285. Nationally, mortgage payments are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent prices are far below the national median of $375.

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Family units account for the majority of households at 58.7%, which includes 19.1% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the other 41.3%, consisting of lone person households at 38.7% and group households at 2.8%. The median household size of 2.1 people is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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Local statistics highlight educational gaps, as university completion rates of 11.8% are much lower than the Victorian average of 33.4%. This represents an area for targeted educational strategies. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher qualification at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 1.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Technical and trade qualifications are common, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.5% and certificates at 29.1%.

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Public transport infrastructure consists of 2 active stops within Kerang, providing train services. These facilities are serviced by 5 distinct routes, offering a total of 64 passenger trips each week. Transport accessibility is low, with residents living an average of 902 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary mode of travel at 90%, followed by walking at 8%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles, which is lower than the regional average. A low 8.6% of residents worked from home, based on 2021 Census data which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health statistics show considerable difficulties in Kerang, based on mortality figures and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older cohorts, alongside private health insurance rates that are low at roughly 47% of the population (~1,768 people). This is below the Regional Vic. level of 50.5% and the national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity measures are low, with citizens making up 91.2% of the population, 93.9% of residents born in Australia, and 97.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 55.6% of the population, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic.

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The median age of 51 years is higher than the Regional Vic. median of 43 and the Australian median of 38. Compared to Regional Vic., the 65 - 74 age cohort is highly represented at 16.4%, while 15 - 24 year-olds are underrepresented at 8.8%. The proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 is higher than the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 35 to 44 age group increased from 9.6% to 10.7% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 10.9% to 9.4%. By 2041, demographic shifts are expected to change the age structure. The + cohort is projected to decrease by - (- people), shifting from to while population declines are also projected for the + and to cohorts.

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Kerang currently has an estimated 181 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 110 children aged 0-2 and 73 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 10% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 28% by 2041 (to approximately 130 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 338. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.8 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally).