Waurn Ponds (Vic.)

Detail

According to ABS population updates for the wider region and new address datasets verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Waurn Ponds has an estimated population of 4,749 in May 2026. This indicates a decline of 207 residents (4.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, when the population was recorded at 4,956 people. The reduction is calculated from the local population of 4,743, estimated by Districts using the June 2025 ABS ERP release and subsequent address validations. This population size represents a density of 272 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per resident and capacity for prospective expansion. Growth in the suburb of Waurn Ponds was chiefly supported by arrivals from other states, who made up about 64.0% of all population increases recently, even though all indicators including overseas arrivals and natural increase were positive.

Detail

The suburb of Waurn Ponds possesses a highly educated workforce, a strong representation of essential services industries, and an unemployment rate of 5.9%, compiled from aggregated statistical area statistics. In March 2026, 2,524 local residents were employed, while the jobless rate was 2.2% higher than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, and labor force participation stood well above normal levels at 67.6% compared to 61.1% in Regional Vic.. According to Census figures, a moderate 19.3% of workers performed their roles from home, although Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be taken into account.

Detail

According to the latest postcode ATO statistics released for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Waurn Ponds have a median income of $43,276 and an average of $54,084. These figures sit below national benchmarks, and compare with a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728 in Regional Vic.. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $47,439 for the median and $59,287 for the average as of March 2026. Census findings show household incomes are exceptionally high at the 82nd percentile ($2,286 weekly), whereas individual incomes are lower at the 18th percentile. Income distribution analysis indicates the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket accounts for 34.2% of the local population (1,624 individuals), which is close to the wider region where this segment comprises . High earners are also prominent, with making more than weekly, pointing to strong purchasing power. After paying for housing, residents keep of their earnings, and the area ranks in the th decile on the SEIFA index.

Detail

Residential architecture in the suburb of Waurn Ponds at the last Census was dominated by separate houses at 97.6%, with other structures like semi-detached homes, apartments, or alternative dwellings making up 2.4%, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings in Regional Vic.. Meanwhile, home ownership rates in the suburb of Waurn Ponds trailed the regional benchmark, sitting at 34.9%, with the remaining properties held under mortgages (44.0%) or rented (21.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment was significantly higher than the Regional Vic. average at $1,755, while the median weekly rent stood at $430, compared to $1,430 and $285 respectively in Regional Vic.. On a national scale, mortgage costs in the suburb of Waurn Ponds are below the Australian average of $1,863, whereas rental costs are notably higher than the national median of $375.

Detail

Families make up 81.2% of all households in the suburb of Waurn Ponds, consisting of couples with children at 46.1%, couples without children at 25.3%, and single parents at 9.1%. The remaining 18.8% consists of non-family households, with lone person households representing 14.5% and group households making up 4.6%. The median household size of 3.0 individuals exceeds the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Detail

The educational profile of the suburb of Waurn Ponds is highly distinctive within the region, with university degree holders comprising 28.9% of residents aged 15+, which is higher than the Rest of Vic. average of 21.7%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Technical qualifications are also prevalent, with 31.0% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (20.3%).

Detail

Public transport services in the suburb of Waurn Ponds include 16 active stops. These stops are served by 19 distinct routes, which accommodate 3,084 passenger journeys every week. Accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 250 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb of Waurn Ponds is predominantly residential, leading most residents to travel outside the area for work, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 91%. Households own an average of 2.0 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. Approximately 19.3% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Detail

The suburb of Waurn Ponds shows positive health trends, according to Districts' evaluation of mortality rates and chronic illness rates, with low levels of common conditions among both young and elderly groups. Private health insurance coverage is low, held by approximately 48% of the population (~2,293 people). This compares to 50.5% in Regional Vic. and a national average of 55.7%.

Detail

The suburb of Waurn Ponds shows similar levels of cultural diversity to the wider region, with citizens making up 86.6% of the population, 81.3% born in Australia, and 86.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 45.8% of residents. The most notable difference is in Hinduism, which represents 3.4% of the population in the suburb of Waurn Ponds compared to 0.7% across Regional Vic..

Detail

With a median age of 26 years, the suburb of Waurn Ponds has a younger demographic than Regional Vic., where the median is 43, and sits below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Regional Vic., the suburb of Waurn Ponds has a higher percentage of residents aged 15 - 24 (28.7%) but fewer aged 65 - 74 (4.8%). The 15 - 24 cohort is also well above the national share of 12.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket has risen from 12.1% to 15.7%, and the 35 to 44 cohort has grown from 10.5% to 12.4%. Meanwhile, the to group fell from to , and the to group decreased from to . Projections suggest the age structure in the suburb of Waurn Ponds will change significantly by with the to age group expected to show the highest growth of , adding residents to total .

Detail

Waurn Ponds currently has an estimated 218 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 194 children aged 0-2 and 129 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 13% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 66% by 2041 (to approximately 361 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 452. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.6 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.