VIC 3500 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Mildura

At $426,800, Mildura's median house price sits well below the Melbourne metropolitan median, making it one of regional Victoria's more affordable cities with 34,565 residents. The 89% price growth since 2013 (CAGR 4.7%) rivals many inner suburbs in dollar terms, yet entry costs remain a fraction compared to metro Victoria. Crime rates at 195 incidents per 1,000 residents are elevated relative to regional VIC averages, and household incomes fall in the 31st percentile nationally, reflecting a labour market skewed toward health, agriculture, and services rather than high-wage professional sectors.

Mildura urban fabric map

Population

34,565

Median Age

39.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,295/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

15

Median House

$427K

Apr-Jun 2024

78.04 km²· 442.9 people/km²· Family income $1,635/wk

The median house price of $426,800 (as of Apr-Jun 2024) is 8.2% below the January 2024 peak of $465,000, giving buyers a modest pullback opportunity. Mortgage repayments average $1,300 per month, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.2% sits below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership remains serviceable compared to metro alternatives. Detached houses dominate at 81% of stock, and 24% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, above the national share for regional cities of similar size. For families seeking space, Mildura delivers more floor area per dollar than coastal or peri-urban Victorian markets.

For Buyers

The median house price of $426,800 (as of Apr-Jun 2024) is 8.2% below the January 2024 peak of $465,000, giving buyers a modest pullback opportunity. Mortgage repayments average $1,300 per month, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.2% sits below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership remains serviceable compared to metro alternatives. Detached houses dominate at 81% of stock, and 24% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, above the national share for regional cities of similar size. For families seeking space, Mildura delivers more floor area per dollar than coastal or peri-urban Victorian markets.

For Investors

Mildura's rental yield potential is supported by a renter share of 38.5%, above the national average, with median weekly rent at $280. Vacancy sits at 8.7%, which is elevated and warrants caution: high vacancy signals either seasonal worker transience or oversupply in certain price bands. Overseas migration nets approximately 103 arrivals per year, partially offsetting 108 annual internal departures. With 18 planning applications lodged in the past 12 months, development activity is modest. Rent rose 50% in the decade to 2021, significantly above the national average increase, but the high vacancy rate means yield realisation depends heavily on asset selection and manager quality.

Development Activity

Total DAs

77

Last 12 Months

15

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-40.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
21
Other
19

Schools in Mildura iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Trinity Lutheran College

ICSEA 1077 Combined Independent

Prep-10 · 505 students

Sacred Heart School

ICSEA 1055 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 323 students

St Joseph's College Mildura

ICSEA 1022 Secondary Catholic

7-12 · 860 students

St Paul's Primary School

ICSEA 1006 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 314 students

Mildura Senior College

ICSEA 977 Secondary Government

Prep-12 · 1027 students

Demographics

Mildura skews Anglo-Celtic: English (35%), Scottish (9%), and Irish (8%) backgrounds account for the majority, above the national share of these groups. The overseas-born rate of 18.6% is 3 percentage points below the national average, reflecting distance from gateway cities. University attainment at 22.4% is 7.7 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with a workforce centred on healthcare, agriculture, and trades. The aging trajectory is notable: the senior share rose 3.1 percentage points over the decade even as median age of 39 stays near the national figure.

Age Distribution

0-14
18.1%
15-24
11.7%
25-44
26.5%
45-64
23.9%
65+
19.8%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
3.8%
2 bed
18.9%
3 bed
53.0%
4+ bed
24.3%

Dwelling Structure

81.0%

Houses

10.9%

Townhouse

7.1%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 31.4% Mortgage 30.1% Rent 38.5%

Prices grew 89% from $225,500 in 2013 to $426,800 in mid-2024, a 4.7% annual CAGR over 14 years that outpaces inflation but trails Sydney or Melbourne metro. Outright ownership at 31.4% is relatively high compared to younger, mortgage-heavy suburbs, suggesting a more established population base. Renters make up 38.5% of households, above the national rate, while the rent-to-income ratio of 21.6% falls below the 30% stress threshold. The 3-bedroom house is the dominant dwelling type at 53% of stock, with 4-bedroom homes at 24% providing family-scale options at prices far below metro equivalents. Apartments represent only 7.1% of the market.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,300

Rent / wk

$280

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$681

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

8.7%

Unoccupied

1,262

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.6%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

23.2%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
430
Italian
241
Punjabi
172
Greek
85
Malayalam
80
Canton
77

Ancestry

English
12,262
Other
3,877
Scottish
2,969
Irish
2,901
Ancestry NS
2,757
Italian
2,356

Household Composition

29.2%

Couples, no children

25,064

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare dominates employment at 23.8% (2,138 workers), far above metro norms, driven by Mildura's regional hospital catchment. Combined with Education (12.4%) and Public Admin (7.7%), public-sector roles anchor roughly 44% of jobs. SEIFA education-opportunity decile 3 and disadvantage decile 4 place Mildura in the lower third nationally, and unemployment at 6.4% exceeds the Victorian state average by approximately 2 percentage points. Labourers are the second-largest occupation group at 2,247 workers, reflecting the weight of agriculture and construction alongside services.

Unemployment

1.1%

Labour Force

2,055

Unemployed

22

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
2
Disadvantage
2
Economic resources
2
Education & occupation
2

Full-time

64.0%

Part-time

29.6%

Participation

51.7%

Employed

13,704

Occupations

Professionals 2,724
Labourers 2,247
Community/Personal 1,953
Managers 1,707
Clerical/Admin 1,543
Sales 1,445
Machinery/Drivers 942

Top Industries

Healthcare 23.8%
Education 12.4%
Public Admin 7.7%
Retail 7.3%
Construction 7.3%

University

22.4%

Postgraduate

4.3%

Born Overseas

18.6%

Dwellings

13,281

Transport to Work

Car dependency at 84.9% of commuters is far above the national average of around 60%, reflecting Mildura's isolation 550 km from Melbourne with negligible public transit. Schools span a broad quality range: Trinity Lutheran College (ICSEA 1,077, independent) sits 200 ICSEA points above Mildura Primary School (ICSEA 797), so school-zone choice matters more here than in more uniform metro catchments. Crime at 195 incidents per 1,000 residents is elevated, with property offences (3,297) making up 49% of total incidents, and buyers should weigh suburb-level crime data against the 31st-percentile household income context.

Drive

84.9%

Public Transport

0.5%

Walk / Cycle

4.5%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.43%/yr

(+239 people/yr)

Established

Population grew 22% over the decade to 2021 and is forecast to reach around 18,500 by 2031 at the medium scenario, adding roughly 239 residents per year. Overseas migration (net +103 annually) now drives growth, offsetting 108 internal departures per year, so Mildura retains population through international arrivals rather than domestic appeal. Real income grew 19.7% over the decade and affordability held stable (mortgage-to-income 42-43%), giving a gentrification activity score of 55, though speculative price pressure remains limited compared to Melbourne fringe suburbs.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+103

Net Internal / yr

-108

7

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +22% since 2011, Net internal outflow -108/yr

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

6,736

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

194.9

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
3,297
Justice procedures offences
1,465
Crimes against the person
1,111
Drug offences
485

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Mildura compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 0%
Household Income
Bottom 31%
Rent Level
Top 46%
Apartments
Top 37%
Renters
Top 17%
Uni Educated
Bottom 45%
Public Transport
Bottom 4%
Born Overseas
Top 34%
Density
Top 20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mildura a good suburb to live in?

Mildura suits buyers who prioritise affordability and space over metro convenience. The median house price of $426,800 is well below Melbourne equivalents, housing stress metrics sit under the 30% threshold, and the city has 9 schools. However, crime at 195 incidents per 1,000 is above regional averages, and public transport is negligible, making car ownership essential for all households.

What is the median house price in Mildura?

The median house price was $426,800 in the April-June 2024 quarter, down 8.2% from the January 2024 peak of $465,000. Long-term appreciation has been strong at 89% since 2013 (4.7% CAGR over 14 years). Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, with the mortgage-to-income ratio at 23.2%.

What schools are in Mildura?

Mildura has 9 schools. The largest is Mildura Senior College (government secondary, 1,027 students, ICSEA 977) and St Joseph's College (Catholic secondary, 860 students, ICSEA 1,022). For primary education, Mildura West Primary (government, ICSEA 975) and Sacred Heart School (Catholic, ICSEA 1,055) are popular options. Trinity Lutheran College (ICSEA 1,077) serves the independent sector from prep to Year 12.

Is Mildura safe?

Mildura's crime rate of 195 incidents per 1,000 residents is elevated compared to most regional Victorian cities. Property and deception offences account for 3,297 incidents (49% of total), followed by justice procedure offences at 1,465. Buyers should weigh this against the affordability advantage; lower-crime pockets exist within the 78 sq km suburb boundary.

Is Mildura good for property investment?

Mildura offers a high renter share of 38.5% and median rent of $280 per week, supporting yield. Rent grew 50% over the decade to 2021, well above inflation. The main risk is an 8.7% vacancy rate, which is elevated, meaning investors should target properties that appeal to the dominant healthcare and education workforce rather than seasonal worker accommodation.

How is Mildura's population changing?

Mildura grew 22% over the decade to 2021 and is projected to reach around 18,500 by 2031 under the medium forecast. Annual net overseas migration of 103 persons now drives growth, offsetting 108 internal departures per year. The population is aging, with the senior share rising 3.1 percentage points over the decade, which will sustain demand for healthcare and aged-care services.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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