Sale (Vic.)

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Following an examination of ABS population statistics for the surrounding region alongside address registers verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Sale has an estimated residency of 14,325 people in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 29 residents (0.2%) since the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 14,296 people. This shift is calculated from a resident base of 14,271, projected by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP data release combined with 257 newly verified addresses since the Census. Such a population size represents a density of 327 persons per square kilometer, which offers ample personal space and options for future residential growth. The post-census expansion of 0.2% in the suburb of Sale is 2.2 percentage points behind the broader SA3 region (2.4%), indicating solid local growth trends. The primary driver of this population growth was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 96.0% of the net gains in recent times.

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The suburb of Sale has a skilled labor force with strong representation in key service industries, registering an unemployment rate of 5.4% and an estimated annual job growth of 4.3%, according to aggregated statistical data from Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 6,750, while the unemployment rate was 1.7% higher than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%. The workforce participation rate remains close to the Regional Vic. level of 61.1%. According to Census responses, a minor proportion of 10.5% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by public health restrictions during the pandemic.

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According to the latest ATO postcode statistics compiled by Districts for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Sale recorded a median income of $49,056 and an average income of $63,836. These figures sit below national benchmarks and compare 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 financial year 2023, projected figures for March 2026 stand at roughly $53,775 for the median and $69,977 for the average. Census records show that personal, household, and family incomes in the suburb of Sale are modest, placing between the 22nd and 28th percentiles. The largest income bracket contains 28.5% of residents (4,082 people) who earn between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the wider region where of the population falls into this range. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at , which ranks in the th percentile nationally, while the local SEIFA income index places in the th decile.

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At the time of the last Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Sale consisted of 84.8% standalone houses and 15.2% alternative housing types, such as townhouses, apartments, or other dwellings, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings in Regional Vic.. The rate of home ownership was 36.4%, trailing the Regional Vic. average, with the remaining properties divided between those with a mortgage (29.9%) and rented homes (33.7%). Median monthly mortgage costs in the area were $1,300, which is below the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, while weekly rent was $280 compared to $285 regionally. By comparison, mortgage payments in the suburb of Sale are notably lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and median rents are well below the national figure of $375.

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Families represent the majority of households at 63.8%, consisting of couples with children at 23.4%, couples without children at 27.2%, and single-parent households at 12.2%. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.2%, with single-person households representing 33.4% and group households accounting for 2.8% of the total. The median household occupancy is 2.3 individuals, which is slightly smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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Educational attainment levels present challenges, as the proportion of residents holding a university qualification (20.9%) is below the state average of 33.4%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 38.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding a trade credential, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificate-level qualifications at 26.8%.

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Public transport networks in the suburb of Sale include 69 active stops, which feature train services. These facilities are served by 13 distinct routes, which combine to support 460 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is rated as favorable, with residents generally living within 217 meters of a transit point. As a residential community, the majority of working residents travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary commute method at 90%, and 6% of people walking to work. The average number of motor vehicles is 1.2 per household, which is below the regional standard. A minor segment of 10.5% of the population worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect public health measures related to the pandemic.

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Public health records indicate notable issues in the suburb of Sale, according to Districts indicators tracking mortality and the occurrence of chronic illnesses across both older and younger age groups. Furthermore, the rate of residents holding private health insurance is slightly below the SA2 average, covering approximately 52% of the population, which corresponds to roughly 7,461 people.

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The suburb of Sale exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 89.3% of the population, 86.4% born within Australia, and 93.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 47.2% of the community. The most distinct regional variance is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 0.7% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional Vic..

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The median age in the suburb of Sale is 42 years, which is close to the Regional Vic. average of 43 years and older than the national median of 38 years. Demographic data indicates that young adults aged 25 to 34 are well represented at 14.4% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort is relatively small at 10.5% compared to Regional Vic.. Since 2021, the cohort aged 25 to 34 expanded from 12.6% to 14.4% of the population, whereas the cohort aged 45 to 54 contracted from 12.2% to 10.5%. Population forecasts through to 2041 indicate demographic shifts, with the 25 to 34 age bracket projected to grow the fastest, increasing by (adding residents to reach ), while the cohort aged to is expected to contract by four individuals.

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Sale currently has an estimated 931 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 535 children aged 0-2 and 356 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 10% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 31% by 2041 (to approximately 1,224 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,312. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.