1.Drouin West Kindergarten
Education & Training
CompletedNew kindergarten facility serving the Drouin West community, providing early learning education services.
Home › AUS › Rest of Vic. › Baw Baw › Neerim South
Rest of Vic. / Baw Baw
$409
Median rent / wk
Period ending Sep 2025
+6.5%
Rent growth / yr
Period ending Sep 2025
1,643
People
17 Jul 2026
+2.8%
Growth since 2021
Census
22
For sale now
indexed listings
Data sourcesABSDFFH Rental ReportACARARefreshed July 2026
ABS QuickStats SAL21911How we calculate this
How figures are calculatedFigures are extracted from the sources listed here at the observation date shown, and displayed unchanged. Rank bars use the profile's score out of 10 where one exists. Missing values are shown as unavailable — never estimated or back-filled.
Suburb (SAL) analysis
This analysis uses Suburb (SAL) boundaries, which can differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when they share the same name. SAL 21911.
1,643
People
est. as @ 17 Jul 2026
2021 Census | 1,599 people
63.78 km²
Land area
25.8 /km²
Density
2.7%
Unemployment
4 /yr
Resi approvals
Situated 90 kilometers east-southeast from the Melbourne CBD, the suburb of Neerim South is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, encompassing lush alpine forests, stunning mountain vistas, and picturesque walking trails. Rich with diverse flora and fauna, the area offers the opportunity to explore Australia's unique wildlife, including lyrebirds and wallabies, while also providing a welcome respite from more bustling urban areas. During the winter months, visitors can indulge in an array of snow sports or partake in dog sledding, adding a thrilling dimension to this tranquil alpine region. For those seeking to immerse themselves in native culture and history, the area also boasts intriguing sites and landmarks for Indigenous Australian heritage, providing a scenic haven for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those looking for cultural enrichment. Demographic insights from Districts estimate the population of the suburb of Neerim South at around 1,643 as of May 2026. This figure is derived from aggregated SA2-level ERP counts released yearly and national address file data updated each quarter, reflecting minimal change since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,599 people. Characterized by strong expansion patterns, the suburb of Neerim South features strong outright home ownership, a below-average unemployment rate, a high proportion of married families, and an above-average number of children per family. The housing market is led by detached dwellings, and the demographic profile includes a notable proportion of residents aged 85 and over. Residents in the area feature a high proportion of retirement-aged and older Australians, comprised largely of couples without children with lower quartile income levels. Furthermore, the area has an exceptional level of major infrastructure projects planned that are likely to drive future performance.
Estimated residents are up from 1,599 at the 2021 Census — a change of 44 people, or 2.8%.
Districts View
Data to 17 Jul 2026Population growth
Neerim South ranks in the 74th percentile nationally for population growth, with the population up +2.8% since the 2021 Census.
Forecast demand
Official forecasts point to an additional 79 residents by 2041 — growth of 4.8% on the current estimated population.
Infrastructure pipeline
8 major projects are tracked in and around Neerim South, and infrastructure activity ranks in the 88th percentile nationally.
Employment outlook
Industry-weighted employment growth of 5.9% is forecast over the next five years based on the local industry mix.
Below-average resident incomes
Neerim South ranks in the 20th percentile nationally for income (score 2/10).
Lower household incomes can constrain rent growth and buyer depth, and increase sensitivity to interest-rate and cost-of-living pressure.
Limited public transport access
Neerim South ranks in the 20th percentile nationally for transport & access (score 2/10).
Car-dependent locations can appeal to a narrower tenant pool and are more exposed to fuel and commuting costs.
Districts' reading of national rankings, Census change and the tracked project pipeline for Neerim South. Each line cites its evidence; this is interpretation, not advice. The Investment Report PDF is the long form of this thesis.
Sales activity
Data to 17 Jul 2026No market glance has been ingested for this suburb yet. Recorded sales below come from Districts property records where indexed.
Residential supply
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Residential development activity is lower than average in Neerim South according to Districts' national comparison of local real estate markets
Detail
Based on Districts analysis of ABS building approvals allocated from statistical area data, Neerim South averages approximately 4 new homes approved annually, with a total of 23 homes approved over the past 5 financial years. For the current FY-26, 4 approvals have been documented. With an average of 5.1 new residents per year for every home built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand is outstripping supply, which typically supports price growth and competition among buyers, while new builds carry an average value of $684,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market with upscale projects. Additionally, $123,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, showing a strong residential focus.
Compared to the Rest of Vic., Neerim South registers significantly lower building activity (73.0% below the regional average per capita). This low rate of new supply generally supports demand and values for established houses. This level also falls below the national average, highlighting the established nature of the area and indicating potential planning constraints. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining the low-density character of the area with a focus on detached homes that appeal to buyers seeking space. The ratio of 469 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights a quiet, low-activity development setting.
Future projections indicate Neerim South will add 79 residents by 2041 (from the latest Districts quarterly estimate). Based on current development trends, new housing supply is expected to comfortably meet demand, presenting favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.
Districts' assessment of the Baw Baw LGA register has identified no substantial development applications lodged in Neerim South over the past 5 years.
0 applications in the profile extract.
Recent Development Approvals by Type
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest FY Approvals | 7 | 185,138 | 607 |
| Current FY-to-Date Approvals | 4 | 184,871 | 505 |
| –Detached House Approvals | 6/100.0% | 89,436/61.9% | 391/91.7% |
| –Attached/Other Approvals | 0/0.0% | 55,043/38.1% | 35/8.3% |
| Average Annual Approvals | 4 | 188,882 | 625 |
| Total 5-Year Approvals | 23 | 944,410 | 3,125 |
| Approvals per 1,000 People (2yr) | 2.1 | 6.5 | 7.7 |
| Approvals per 1,000 People (5yr) | 2.9 | 7.2 | 10.7 |
| Pop Growth per Approval (2yr) | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.2 |
| Pop Growth per Approval (5yr) | 5.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 |
| Persons per Approval | 469 | 158 | 143 |
| Residential Value per Unit | 684 | 342 | 269 |
| Commercial Development Value | 123 | 105,080,908 | 128,333 |
| Development Drivers Ranking | 44 | 100 | 93 |
Project pipeline
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Neerim South has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally
Detail
Changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning frameworks have a significant impact on local performance. In total, no projects have been identified by Districts as likely to affect the area. Key regional projects include the Warragul and Drouin Precinct Structure Plans, Marinus Link, the Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility, and the Gippsland Line Upgrade, with the following list detailing those of primary local relevance.
Education & Training
CompletedNew kindergarten facility serving the Drouin West community, providing early learning education services.
Communities
Approved26.25 hectare approved residential subdivision within the Warragul Precinct Structure Plan featuring 114 residential lots, neighbourhood parks, sporting reserves, and farmland. Connected via a proposed street through a future government primary school to Waterford Rise Estate and Warragul township. Located within the Urban Growth Boundary with proximity to the future West Gippsland Hospital.
Source for 147 Dollarburn Road Residential Development (opens in new tab)
Communities
ConstructionTW Projects, backed by Monark Property Partners, is delivering Loom Warragul, a 200-lot house and land estate on a circa 16 ha site at 321 Copelands Road. Civil works are underway across Stages 1 and 2, with Winslow appointed as civil contractor, while Stages 3, 5A and 5B are now selling from $273,000. The estate is roughly 50 percent sold, with land marketed through Oliver Hume and a sales office open on site.
Residential Development
ConstructionStage 11 forms part of the 330-lot Emberwood masterplanned estate in Warragul. The stage comprises titled residential lots that are benched, retained and fenced, with supporting parklands, playgrounds and pedestrian connections. Stage 11 is selling alongside Stage 12, with Stage 13 announced as the next release.
Source 1 for Emberwood Estate - Stage 11 (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Emberwood Estate - Stage 11 (opens in new tab)
Residential Development
ConstructionThe Fairways Estate offers rural lifestyle in Gippsland's West with luxury country living and premium urban living options. Located adjacent to the Drouin Golf and Country Club, the estate features residential lots from 435m2 to 3,165m2 and half-acre country living allotments. Currently selling Stage 4 and 5 Urban Living plus Stage 4 Country Living with direct golf course access and exclusive club memberships.
Source 1 for The Fairways Drouin (opens in new tab)Source 2 for The Fairways Drouin (opens in new tab)
8 projects tracked around Neerim South (Vic.), in the source's significance order. Stages and reference links are as published by the source.
On the market now
Data to 17 Jul 2026$515,000–$540,000
House · 2 bed · 369m² land
Listed 15 June 2026
$615,000
Land · 0 bed · 872m² land
Listed 19 May 2025
$1,250,000–$1,350,000
Rural Property · 4 bed · 153,781m² land
Listed 15 July 2026
$293,000
Land · 0 bed · 1,000m² land
Listed 11 Mar 2025
$550,000–$600,000
Land · 0 bed · 9,653m² land
Listed 28 June 2025
Price not recorded
Land · 0 bed · 4,000m² land
Listed 9 Jan 2025
$330,000
Land For Sale · 0 bed · 1,219m² land
Listed 7 Mar 2024
$1,100,000–$1,200,000
Other For Sale · 1 bed
Listed 26 Apr 2024
$1,100,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 67,380m² land
Listed 19 Dec 2024
$695,000
House For Sale · 4 bed
Listed 12 May 2025
$220,000
Land For Sale · 0 bed · 1,388m² land
Listed 6 Aug 2025
$220,000
Land For Sale · 0 bed · 1,388m² land
Listed 6 Aug 2025
Price not recorded
House For Sale · 4 bed · 20,234m² land
Listed 23 Sept 2025
$540,000–$560,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 639m² land
Listed 11 Nov 2025
$1,100,000–$1,210,000
Rural Property For Sale · 3 bed · 89,436m² land
Listed 5 Jan 2026
$880,000–$930,000
House For Sale · 4 bed · 715m² land
Listed 2 Feb 2026
$615,000
House For Sale · 3 bed · 334m² land
Listed 15 May 2026
$1,450,000
House For Sale · 5 bed · 11,736m² land
Listed 29 May 2026
$1,350,000
House For Sale · 4 bed · 6,132m² land
Listed 11 June 2026
$105,000–$1,155,000
Rural Property For Sale · 3 bed · 10,077m² land
Listed 2 July 2026
$1,100,000–$1,150,000
House For Sale · 4 bed · 4,000m² land
Listed 15 July 2026
$1,190,000–$1,260,000
House For Sale · 4 bed · 1,415m² land
Listed 26 Aug 2026
From indexed listing events. Districts records what the listing publishes — asks and attributes are the agent's, not a valuation.
Properties
Data to 17 Jul 2026Source: Districts property records · 19 in 2026 · 187 recorded sales in total
Other indexed properties in Neerim South with no sale record in Districts yet.
Nearby
Data to 17 Jul 2026| Suburb | Distance | People | Median | Growth | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neerim South | — | 1,643 | — | — | — |
| Warragul | 15.4 km | 23,605 | — | — | — |
| Drouin | 15.5 km | 18,768 | — | — | — |
| Longwarry | 19.6 km | 3,112 | — | — | — |
| Bunyip | 22.5 km | 3,336 | — | — | — |
| Yarragon | 22.8 km | 2,062 | — | — | — |
| Garfield | 26.0 km | 2,423 | — | — | — |
| Trafalgar (Vic.) | 27.2 km | 4,869 | — | — | — |
| Moe | 31.8 km | 9,926 | — | — | — |
| Newborough | 34.3 km | 7,270 | — | — | — |
| Gembrook | 34.9 km | 2,623 | — | — | — |
| Warburton (Vic.) | 37.7 km | 2,055 | — | — | — |
| Yallourn North | 38.7 km | 1,671 | — | — | — |
| Yarra Junction | 39.5 km | 3,016 | — | — | — |
| Millgrove | 40.0 km | 1,698 | — | — | — |
| Nyora (Vic.) | 41.4 km | 1,637 | — | — | — |
| Cockatoo (Vic.) | 41.7 km | 4,595 | — | — | — |
| Launching Place | 42.8 km | 2,512 | — | — | — |
| Pakenham | 42.9 km | 59,614 | — | — | — |
| Lang Lang | 44.1 km | 2,653 | — | — | — |
Market columns show — where a nearby suburb has not been ingested yet.
Strong outright home ownership
Below-average unemployment rate
High proportion of married families
Detached housing led
Above-average children per family
Notable proportion 85 and over
One of the nation's highest rates of population growth since the 2016 Census
Industry weighted employment projections in the top 10% of the nation
Population Growth
7.4
Density
2.1
Development Activity
4.4
Employment Drivers
6.7
Infrastructure Drivers
8.8
Education
4.2
Amenities
4.3
Transport & Access
Demographics
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Population growth drivers in Neerim South are strong compared to national averages based on Districts' ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Detail
Evaluating demographics from ABS updates for the region alongside fresh address data validated by Districts since the Census shows the suburb of Neerim South has a population of about 1,643 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 44 people (2.8%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 1,599 people. The estimate is derived from the resident population of 1,643 calculated by Districts using the latest June 2025 ERP release by the ABS and 12 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. This population level means a density of 25 persons per square kilometer, which ensures a spacious living environment. Over the past decade, the suburb of Neerim South has shown steady development with a 2.4% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the wider SA4 region. Population expansion was driven mostly by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 59.0% of the population growth, although overseas migration and natural growth also registered positive outcomes.
Employment
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Districts analysis places Neerim South well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators
Detail
Neerim South possesses a skilled workforce, with the construction sector showing especially strong representation, an unemployment rate of only 2.7%, and an estimated 3.6% growth in employment over the past year based on Districts statistical area aggregations. As of March 2026798 residents are employed, which places the unemployment rate 1.0% below the Regional Vic. rate of 3.7%, while workforce participation aligns closely with the Regional Vic. average of 61.1%. Census records show a moderate 20.3% of residents worked from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be kept in mind.
The main employment industries for local residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. The area exhibits a high concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance has a smaller presence, accounting for of employment compared to regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as shown by the comparison of Census working population to resident population.
Income
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by Districts
Detail
The latest postcode-level ATO data from Districts for financial year 2023 indicates that incomes in Neerim South are below the national average, with a median of $45,101 and an average of $58,881. This is lower than the Regional Vic. median income of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $49,440 (median) and $64,545 (average) as of March 2026. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Neerim South all rank in the 24th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows 27.6% of the population (453 individuals) falling into the $800 - 1,499 bracket, contrasting with the wider region where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is dominant at . Although housing costs are low with of income retained, overall disposable income sits at the th percentile nationally, and the SEIFA income decile for the area is the th decile.
Housing stock
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Neerim South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Detail
The dwelling mix in Neerim South at the time of the latest Census consisted of 96.1% houses and 3.9% other dwellings (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative housing types), compared to Regional Vic.'s breakdown of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. The rate of outright home ownership in Neerim South was significantly higher than in Regional Vic. at 48.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (39.7%) or renting (12.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,549 was higher than the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, while the median weekly rent was $260 compared to the Regional Vic. average of $285. On a national level, Neerim South's mortgage repayments are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are considerably below the national figure of $375.
Households
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Neerim South has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size
Detail
Family households represent the vast majority of households at 75.4%, which is made up of 30.6% couples with children, 35.7% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.6%, consisting of lone person households at 23.6% and group households at 1.9% of the total. The median household size of 2.5 people is slightly larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Household Types (Census)
ABS / Districts
Education
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Neerim South shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist
Detail
The area experiences educational challenges, with tertiary qualification rates (18.9%) falling significantly below the VIC average of 33.4%. This represents both a hurdle and an opening for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.7%, followed by graduate diplomas (3.3%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.9%). Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 45.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, which include advanced diplomas (14.0%) and certificates (31.5%).
Participation in education is high, with 29.0% of local residents enrolled in study. This includes in primary school, in secondary school, and enrolled in tertiary education.
Amenities
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Amenity provision was found to be below the typical area assessed nationally by Districts, based on counts and proximity analysis
Supermarket
10km · score 40
Child Care
4.0km · score 44
GP
7.3km · score 44
Government Services
34km · score 60
Post Office
0km · score 0
Getting around
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
No public transport data available for this catchment area.
Transport Servicing
GTFS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Stops | 0 | 171,981 | 151 |
| Routes | 0 | 12,966 | 23 |
| Weekly Trips | 0 | 1,140,068 | 2,077 |
| Avg Dist. Between Stops (m) | 0 | 235 | 217 |
| Avg Dist. to Local Pop. (m) | 0 | 7,586 | 1,677 |
| Population per Stop | 0 | 161 | 422 |
| Population per Trip | 0 | 24.3 | 30.7 |
| Population per Route | 0 | 2,136 | 2,768 |
| Public Transport Access Ranking | 20 | 100 | 25 |
| Vehicles per Dwelling | 1.9 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| Work from Home | 20.3% | 23.9% | 17.7% |
| Single Mode Commute | 78.4% | 73.8% | 81.2% |
| Two Mode | 1.3% | 1.9% | 1.0% |
| Three+ Mode | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| –Car | 91.9% | 84.1% | 93.3% |
| –Train | 3.1% | 4.9% | 1.6% |
| –Bus | 0.0% | 3.6% | 0.6% |
| –Walk | 5.0% | 3.7% | 3.2% |
| –Cycle | 0.0% | 1.0% | 0.2% |
| –Ferry | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| –Tram/Light Rail | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| –Other | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0.5% |
Healthcare
Data to 17 Jul 2026Data to 2024Districts view
Health performance in Neerim South is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts
Detail
Neerim South faces notable health concerns based on Districts' evaluation of mortality rates and chronic disease prevalence, with common health conditions present across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage levels resting at a relatively low rate of approximately 50% of the population (~824 people). The national average is 55.7%.
The most common medical conditions recorded are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 12.0% and 9.1% of residents, respectively, while 60.4% reported having no chronic medical conditions compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. The working-age population faces health challenges with elevated chronic illness rates. Residents aged 65 and over make up of the population ( people), which is higher than the recorded in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings aligning closely with the general population.
Ancestry & language
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Neerim South is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside Districts' national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Detail
Neerim South displays lower levels of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 88.4% of the population, 88.7% of residents born in Australia, and 97.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 45.5% of the population. The most visible relative overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which accounts for 1.1% of the population compared to 1.0% across Regional Vic.
Looking at ancestral backgrounds (parents' country of birth), the three most common ancestries in Neerim South are English at 32.7%, Australian at 31.5%, and Irish at 10.1%. There are also notable differences in other groups: Dutch ancestry is overrepresented at of the population (compared to regionally), Scottish is at (compared to ), and Welsh is at (compared to ).
Age structure
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Neerim South hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Detail
At 47 years, the median age in Neerim South is significantly higher than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and well above the national average of 38 years. The demographic profile shows that the 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented (15.3%), whereas the 45 - 54 bracket is smaller (9.3%) than in Regional Vic. This concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is well above the national level of 9.4%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 8.2% to 9.9% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group has risen from 9.8% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 55 to group decreased from to , and the to group fell from to . By Neerim South is projected to see notable changes in its age structure. The to age group is expected to lead the demographic shift, growing by ( people) to reach from . Meanwhile, the to and to groups are projected to experience declines in population.
Child care
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Neerim South was found to possess well below average preschool provision for children aged 3-5, with ample out of school hours care also available for school age children.
Detail
Neerim South currently has an estimated 85 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 46 children aged 0-2 and 31 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 2% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 18% by 2041 (to approximately 100 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 147. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 8.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.
2.0
Income
2.0
Age
8.5
Household Composition
5.3
Housing
8.3
Cultural Diversity
1.1
Health
3.0
Housing Cost
3.2
Rate Sensitivity
0.0
Districts implements ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 district published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline. For SA2 areas where this data is unavailable, projections are sourced from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections, adjusting them using a 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. Looking at future demographic trends, a population increase just under the median of national regional areas is anticipated for the suburb of Neerim South, with the area projected to grow by 79 persons to 2041 based on these aggregated SA2-level figures, indicating a total growth of 4.8% over the 16 years.
Annual Population Growth Rates (CAGR) by Period
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest Population Est. | 1,643 | 1,643,738 | 27,798,796 |
| Growth Since Census | 2.8% | 4.3% | 9.3% |
| Population 2021 Census | 1,599 | 1,576,613 | 25,422,788 |
| Natural Increase | 14.0% | 15.0% | 20.0% |
| Overseas Migration | 26.0% | 47.0% | 80.0% |
| Interstate Migration | 59.0% | 38.0% | 0.0% |
| Population Forecast Growth (2041) | 4.8% | 8.2% | 19.8% |
| Persons per Square Kilometer | 25 | 7 | 3 |
According to Districts analysis of SALM and ABS data aggregated from broader statistical regions, over the 12 months to March 2026, employment grew by 3.6% while the labour force expanded by 3.1%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. This stands in contrast to Regional Vic., where employment declined by 0.1%, the labour force contracted by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer additional perspective on future local demand. These five and ten-year projections have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local employment mix suggests Neerim South's employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.5% over ten years (note that this is a simple weighted extrapolation for illustration and does not incorporate local population projections).
Employment Change (Persons)
DEWR / ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employment | 798 | 14,651,372 | 31,538 |
| –Construction | 12.5% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
| –Health Care & Social Assistance | 12.2% | 15.2% | 15.3% |
| –Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing | 10.5% | 2.4% | 8.2% |
| Labour Force | 820 | 15,298,546 | 32,428 |
| Participation Rate | 59.6% | 67.2% | 63.4% |
| Working from Home | 20.3% | 23.9% | 17.7% |
| Unemployment | 2.7% | 4.2% | 2.7% |
| 1Yr Emp. Growth | 3.6% | 1.5% | 3.7% |
| 5Yr Emp. Growth Forecast | 5.9% | 6.5% | 6.1% |
| Employment Drivers Ranking | 67 | 100 | 72 |
Latest Annual Income Estimate
ATO / ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Income Est. | 49,440 | 62,634 | 57,001 |
| Average Annual Income Est. | 64,545 | 80,499 | 69,615 |
| ATO Median Taxable Income | 45,101 | 57,137 | 51,999 |
| ATO Average Taxable Income | 58,881 | 73,435 | 63,506 |
| Median Household Income | 1,359 | 1,746 | 1,497 |
| –$0 to 399 | 46 (7.9%) | 638,312 (6.3%) | 1,477 (6.3%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 116 (20.0%) | 1,671,771 (16.5%) | 4,642 (19.8%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 161 (27.7%) | 2,158,104 (21.3%) | 5,626 (24.0%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 157 (27.0%) | 3,201,695 (31.6%) | 7,712 (32.9%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,999 | 45 (7.7%) | 1,114,514 (11.0%) | 2,110 (9.0%) |
| –$4,000+ | 56 (9.6%) | 1,357,681 (13.4%) | 1,875 (8.0%) |
| Median Family Income | 1,568 | 2,120 | 1,876 |
| –$0 to 399 | 27 (6.2%) | 236,192 (3.3%) | 510 (3.0%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 61 (13.9%) | 758,676 (10.6%) | 2,144 (12.6%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 130 (29.7%) | 1,474,408 (20.6%) | 4,083 (24.0%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 143 (32.6%) | 2,562,321 (35.8%) | 6,669 (39.2%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,999 | 38 (8.7%) | 973,396 (13.6%) | 1,990 (11.7%) |
| –$4,000+ | 39 (8.9%) | 1,145,171 (16.0%) | 1,599 (9.4%) |
| Median Personal Income | 678 | 805 | 726 |
| –$0 to 399 | 485 (29.5%) | 7,303,780 (26.3%) | 16,933 (26.9%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 456 (27.8%) | 6,526,191 (23.5%) | 17,249 (27.4%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 434 (26.4%) | 7,137,153 (25.7%) | 16,806 (26.7%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 217 (13.2%) | 5,359,808 (19.3%) | 10,046 (15.9%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,499 | 15 (0.9%) | 527,649 (1.9%) | 758 (1.2%) |
| –$3,500+ | 36 (2.2%) | 944,215 (3.4%) | 1,264 (2.0%) |
| –Low Income (<$800/wk) | 27.9% | 22.8% | 26.1% |
| –High Income (>$3,000/wk) | 17.4% | 24.4% | 17.0% |
| Largest Income Group | $800 - 1,499 | $1,500 - 2,999 | $1,500 - 2,999 |
| Household Disposable Income | 5,137 | 6,376 | 5,580 |
| SEIFA Score | 4.5 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
Neerim South at a glance
Source: ABS 2021 Census
Rents today
$409/wk
DFFH median rent
Period ending Sep 2025
+6.5%
DFFH rent movement, 1 yr
Rents are rising
The DFFH median weekly rent rose 6.5% year on year to $409/wk (Period ending Sep 2025).
The 2021 Census recorded a median rent of $260/wk — an older point-in-time figure, kept separate from current medians.
RTBA rental bond lodgements are not in this extract. Rents above are report medians, not bond data.
Housing Tenure (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Dwellings (Census) | 564 | 9,275,218 | 21,473 |
| –Owned Outright | 48.2% | 32.1% | 40.6% |
| –Owned with Mortgage | 39.7% | 36.2% | 40.0% |
| –Rented | 12.2% | 31.7% | 19.3% |
| –Detached Houses | 96.1% | 72.5% | 91.6% |
| –Semi-Detached | 1.8% | 12.6% | 4.2% |
| –Apartments | 2.1% | 14.3% | 2.8% |
| –Other Dwellings | 0.0% | 0.6% | 1.4% |
| –Median Monthly Mortgage | 1,549 | 1,863 | 1,600 |
| –Median Weekly Rent | 260 | 375 | 320 |
| –$0-149/wk | 11.8% | 7.3% | 7.8% |
| –$150-349/wk | 57.4% | 33.4% | 52.5% |
| –$350-649/wk | 26.5% | 50.9% | 38.9% |
| –$650-949/wk | 0.0% | 6.6% | 0.3% |
| –>$950/wk | 4.4% | 1.8% | 0.4% |
| –Aggregate Housing Cost | 752 | 1,189 | 907 |
| –Mortgage / Income | 26.3% | 24.6% | 24.7% |
| –Rent / Income | 19.1% | 21.5% | 21.4% |
| –Persons per Bedroom | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Household Est. | 581 | 10,142,077 | 23,442 |
| Median Household Size | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Total Households (Census) | 565 | 9,275,217 | 21,479 |
| –Lone Person Households | 23.6% | 25.6% | 25.5% |
| –Group Households | 1.9% | 3.9% | 2.0% |
| –Other Households | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| –Family Households | 75.4% | 70.5% | 72.5% |
| –Couple with Children | 30.6% | 31.4% | 29.7% |
| –Couple No Children | 35.7% | 26.8% | 31.2% |
| –One Parent Family | 8.1% | 11.1% | 10.7% |
| –Avg Children per Family | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Currently Married | 53.7% | 46.5% | 49.3% |
| Never Married | 29.7% | 36.5% | 32.1% |
Qualification Attainment by Type - Residents Aged 15+ (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| University Qualifications | 18.9% | 30.4% | 19.7% |
| –Bachelor Degree | 12.7% | 20.0% | 13.2% |
| –Postgraduate Degree | 2.9% | 7.6% | 3.5% |
| –Advanced Diploma | 14.0% | 10.8% | 11.3% |
| –Certificate | 31.5% | 22.0% | 29.7% |
| No Tertiary Qualifications | 35.6% | 36.8% | 39.4% |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 11,054 | 42 |
| Total School Attendance | 336 | 4,176,099 | 11,994 |
| ICSEA Score | 959 | 1,001 | 996 |
| Education Drivers Ranking | 42 | 100 | 48 |
Schools detail
| # | School name | Type | Places | ICSEA | Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neerim District Secondary College | Secondary | 193 | 950 | 0.22 |
| 2 | Neerim South Primary School | Primary | 143 | 968 | 0.43 |
Showing 1 to 2 of 2 results
Parcel Locker
0km · score 0
Dentist
15km · score 24
Hospital
35km · score 23
Shopping Centre
33km · score 42
Banks
10km · score 48
Pharmacy
10km · score 38
Fitness Centre
16km · score 46
Schools
2.7km · score 59
Private Health Insurance Coverage
ATO / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Health Cover Rate | 50.2% | 55.7% | 50.5% |
| Need for Assistance | 5.8% | 5.8% | 6.5% |
| Zero L/T Health Conditions | 60.4% | 69.8% | 63.7% |
| One Long Term Condition | 26.4% | 20.5% | 23.7% |
| Two Long Term Conditions | 8.1% | 6.4% | 8.1% |
| 3+ Long Term Conditions | 5.1% | 3.3% | 4.5% |
| –Arthritis | 12.0% | 7.7% | 9.8% |
| –Asthma | 7.3% | 7.4% | 8.4% |
| –Cancer | 3.9% | 2.6% | 3.1% |
| –Dementia / Alzheimers | 0.5% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
| –Diabetes | 4.6% | 4.3% | 4.5% |
| –Heart Disease | 5.5% | 3.6% | 4.3% |
| –Kidney Disease | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| –Lung Condition | 2.2% | 1.6% | 2.2% |
| –Mental Health Issue | 9.1% | 8.0% | 9.7% |
| –Stroke | 1.1% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| –Other Condition | 8.1% | 7.3% | 7.9% |
Place of Birth (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born Overseas | 11.3% | 29.3% | 12.8% |
| Born in Australia | 88.7% | 70.7% | 87.2% |
| Australian Citizens | 88.4% | 83.8% | 90.1% |
| Speak English Only | 97.5% | 76.4% | 94.8% |
| Speak Other Language | 2.5% | 23.6% | 5.2% |
| Indigenous Population | 0.9% | 2.2% | 0.9% |
| Largest Ethnic Group | English | English | English |
| Main Religion | Christianity | Christianity | Christianity |
| –Buddhism | 1.1% | 2.6% | 0.9% |
| –Christianity | 45.5% | 47.5% | 45.3% |
| –Hinduism | 0.0% | 2.9% | 0.4% |
| –Islam | 0.0% | 3.5% | 0.4% |
| –Judaism | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.1% |
| –Other | 0.5% | 1.4% | 0.6% |
| –No Religion | 52.9% | 41.6% | 52.4% |
Age Distribution
ABS / Geoscience Australia / State Govts / Districts
| Metrici | Neerim South | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Age | 47 | 38 | 41 |
| Largest Age Group | 65 to 74 | 25 to 34 | 25 to 34 |
| Children (0-14) | 17.1% | 17.5% | 18.6% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 54.8% | 64.7% | 60.3% |
| Seniors (65+) | 29.0% | 17.8% | 21.1% |
| Age Distribution Variance | 11.0% | 16.0% | 12.0% |
| Dependency Ratio | 84.0% | 55.0% | 66.0% |
| Fastest Growing Age Group | 85+ | 85+ | 85+ |
Neerim South contains 1 preschool/kindergarten facility (26 places) and 1 OSHC facility (45 places), while overall provision relative to the local child population appears limited compared to national benchmarks, and is below the Regional Vic. average. With no LDC services observed in the area, only preschool, the ratio of children per place for the under 5 age group is 3.0 - placing the area among the bottom 30% nationally for supply per child. To meet the Regional Vic. average 30 new places would be required (LDC+PSK to service the under 5 age group). Meanwhile, with projected population growth of 4.8% between now and 2041, and 17.6% in the under 5 age group in particular, not considering current depressed supply, 7 new places will be needed to maintain today's ratios. As well as this projected growth, other factors worth noting are lower female labour force participation of 50.5%, as well as lower than average income performance.
In assessing child care markets local school supply is a particularly important factor, given school-run convenience, and enrolment vs child care place analysis can provide useful insight into capacity both for parents seeking child care options and child care operators assessing opportunities in an area. The catchment sees a level of school enrolment relative to population of 20.5 per 100 residents with 336 enrolments across primary and secondary institutions. This notably elevated rate of school supply suggests many students travel to the area from beyond the immediate surrounds, typically amplifying local childcare demand given school-run proximity. Additionally, the level of school places per child care place (LDC+PSK) is moderate. Rather unsurprisingly, out of school hours child care - serving school age children - was found to be much more abundant than other service types in the area. Proximity analysis saw distances of local residents to their nearest child care centre being longer than typical nationally. Another finding worth noting is the low level of commercial activity in the area and assessment of local working populations which suggest many of the local population commute elsewhere for work with nearby services potentially taking some pressure off local child care centres.
4 school catchments intersect Neerim South (note; school catchment data provided for public schools only), in which a combined 315 children aged under 5 reside, served by 52 LDC and preschool places. The overall demand-to-supply ratio across these catchments is 6.1 children per place, with significant variance in this ratio.
Children per LDC Place by Geographic Level
ACECQA / ABS / GNAF / Geoscience Australia / State Govts / Districts