Traralgon
Latrobe Valley's largest town and Gippsland's regional services centre, Traralgon (population 26,907) sits at the front line of Victoria's energy transition. Loy Yang A and B plus Yallourn power stations anchor a Utilities sector that still employs 7.2% of the workforce, well above the national share, but Healthcare has overtaken them at 24.0% as hospital and aged-care roles absorb workers ahead of scheduled coal closures by 2035. Median house prices reached $540,000 in early 2024 before sliding 10.2% to $485,000, which is roughly a third of metro Melbourne medians. SEIFA deciles sit at 2-3 across all four indexes, ranking Traralgon below state averages for advantage and education, while the crime rate of 134.1 per 1,000 residents runs higher than most regional VIC peers like Warrnambool.
Population
26,907
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,484/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
54
Median House
$485K
Apr-Jun 2024
Buyers get serious house for the money in Traralgon: the median sits at $485,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 10.2% from the $540,000 peak in early 2024, which is roughly 35% below regional VIC sister Warrnambool and far below metro Melbourne medians near $900,000. The dwelling stock is 85.6% separate houses, well above the national separate-house share, and 81.5% have three bedrooms or more (50.3% three-bedroom, 31.2% four-plus). Mortgage stress is not flagged: the typical mortgage repayment of $1,300/month consumes only 20.2% of household income, lower than the 25-30% stress threshold and well below Melbourne mortgage-belt suburbs. The catch is downside risk because the price slide of 10.2% from peak is steeper than the broader VIC regional pullback, partly reflecting energy-transition uncertainty around Loy Yang and Yallourn closures.
For Buyers
Buyers get serious house for the money in Traralgon: the median sits at $485,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 10.2% from the $540,000 peak in early 2024, which is roughly 35% below regional VIC sister Warrnambool and far below metro Melbourne medians near $900,000. The dwelling stock is 85.6% separate houses, well above the national separate-house share, and 81.5% have three bedrooms or more (50.3% three-bedroom, 31.2% four-plus). Mortgage stress is not flagged: the typical mortgage repayment of $1,300/month consumes only 20.2% of household income, lower than the 25-30% stress threshold and well below Melbourne mortgage-belt suburbs. The catch is downside risk because the price slide of 10.2% from peak is steeper than the broader VIC regional pullback, partly reflecting energy-transition uncertainty around Loy Yang and Yallourn closures.
For Investors
Yields on paper look healthy because $275/week rent on a $485,000 median implies roughly 2.9% gross yield, modestly above metro Melbourne's sub-2.5% norm. The renting share is 26.8%, lower than metro averages near 30-35%, signalling a smaller tenant pool dominated by hospital, public-sector and TAFE workers rather than students. Vacancy at 8.0% is significantly higher than the typical regional VIC band of 1-3%, which compresses pricing power and explains why rent-to-income still sits at a comfortable 18.5%. Development pipeline is modest at 39 lodgements in the last 12 months, mostly subdivision and minor works under Clause 32.03-3 and 37.08-5, suggesting limited speculative supply pressure but also limited capital growth from densification. Forecast net overseas migration of +96/year offsets internal losses of -53/year, leaving thin demand tailwinds compared to higher-migration metro corridors.
Development Activity
Total DAs
86
Last 12 Months
54
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+184.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Traralgon iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Michael's School
Prep-6 · 456 students
St Gabriel's School
Prep-6 · 499 students
Lavalla Catholic College
7-12 · 1358 students
Grey Street Primary School (Traralgon)
Prep-6 · 535 students
Traralgon (Kosciuszko Street) Primary School
Prep-6 · 318 students
Demographics
Traralgon skews Anglo-regional and slightly younger than the national profile: median age 39 sits 1.0 year below the national median, while only 13.8% were born overseas, which is 7.8 percentage points below the national share and far lower than metro Melbourne suburbs running 35-50%. Ancestry is dominated by English (10,820), Scottish (3,099) and Irish (2,744), with the largest non-English language being Italian at just 83 speakers, reflecting the Latrobe Valley's mid-20th-century European post-war settlement now largely assimilated. University attainment of 24.0% sits 6.1 percentage points below the national average, consistent with a town whose economy historically rewarded trades and operations roles in the power generation industry. Christianity remains the largest faith at 11,199 adherents, well above other religions combined, while volunteering at 14.4% runs higher than typical metro rates around 10-12%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.6%
Houses
4.7%
Townhouse
9.2%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing market here looks more like 2018 metro Melbourne than 2024: median $485,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, down 10.2% from the $540,000 peak in Jan-Mar 2024, but still up 80.3% from the 2013 floor of $269,000 for a CAGR of 4.3% across 14 years, which is below the long-run VIC capital growth average closer to 6-7%. Stock skews owner-occupied: 35.2% own outright and 38.0% have a mortgage, leaving 26.8% renting, which is lower than the renting share in metro Melbourne. Separate detached houses make up 85.6% of dwellings and apartments only 9.2%, well below metro densities. The price-to-household-income ratio works out near 6.3x ($485,000 against $77,168 annualised), which is materially lower than Melbourne's 9-10x and explains why mortgage-to-income sits at just 20.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress line.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$275
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$767
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
930
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.3%
Couples, no children
20,052
Total families
Economy & Employment
Traralgon's economic base is unusually concentrated for a regional town. Healthcare leads at 24.0% (1,947 workers), reflecting Latrobe Regional Hospital's role as east Gippsland's tertiary centre, while Utilities still employs 583 workers (7.2%), several times higher than the national average around 1.5%, anchored by Loy Yang A, Loy Yang B and the nearby Yallourn power station. Public Admin (10.4%) and Education (10.3%) round out the regional-services profile. Unemployment runs 5.4%, slightly above the national rate, while participation is modest at 55.5%. Professionals (2,524) form the largest occupation, but Labourers (1,270) still rank fourth, signalling the operations-heavy DNA. SEIFA scores tell the constraint story: IRSAD decile 3, IEO decile 2 and IRSD decile 3, all ranking below VIC averages and well below metro Melbourne's typical 7-9 deciles.
Unemployment
5.6%
Labour Force
6,324
Unemployed
356
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.8%
Part-time
31.8%
Participation
55.5%
Employed
11,511
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.0%
Postgraduate
5.2%
Born Overseas
13.8%
Dwellings
10,614
Transport to Work
Schools span eight campuses with a wide ICSEA spread: top of the cohort is St Michael's Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1058) and Lavalla Catholic College (ICSEA 1028, 1,358 enrolments), while Traralgon (Liddiard Road) Primary sits at 886, a gap of 172 points that is wider than typical metro Melbourne suburb spreads of 80-120 points and signals significant socio-educational stratification. Transport is overwhelmingly car-based at 89.4% car-driver mode share against just 0.9% public transport, much higher car-dependence than metro Melbourne suburbs near 65-70%. The flagged concern is safety: the crime rate of 134.1 per 1,000 residents runs above most regional VIC peers like Mildura and Shepparton, with property and deception offences (1,783) and justice procedures offences (766) leading the count. SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 and IEO decile 2 both rank below state averages, reflecting the town's working-class economic base.
Drive
89.4%
Public Transport
0.9%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.13%/yr
(+194 people/yr)
EstablishedForecast trajectory is steady but unspectacular: the medium-trend population path runs from 17,646 in 2026 to 18,615 by 2031, an annual growth rate of 1.13% (roughly 194 persons/year), which is below the national pace near 1.5% and well below high-growth corridors like Officer or Cranbourne East at 4-6%. Migration drivers split sharply: net overseas migration of +96/year is the primary engine, while internal flows show a net loss of -53/year, suggesting Traralgon attracts overseas-skilled workers (often healthcare) but struggles to retain Australian-born residents who drift to Melbourne or Geelong. Aging trajectory is confirmed: senior share is up 6.2 percentage points since 2011 while working-age share fell 2.6 points. The gentrification score of 5/100 (stage: Not gentrifying) sits well below typical inner-Melbourne scores of 60-80, though population is up 16.0% since 2011 and real income grew 11.0% over the decade.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+96
Net Internal / yr
-53
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +16% since 2011
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
3,608
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
134.1
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Traralgon compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Traralgon a good suburb to live in?
It depends on what you weigh. Affordability is strong: median house $485,000 is roughly 35% below regional sister Warrnambool, while mortgage-to-income at 20.2% sits well under the 30% stress line. Trade-offs are crime at 134.1 per 1,000 (above most regional VIC peers), SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 (below state average) and energy-transition risk as Loy Yang and Yallourn close by 2035. Best fit for healthcare and public-sector workers (24.0% and 10.4% of jobs).
What is the median house price in Traralgon?
The median house price in Traralgon is $485,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 10.2% from the $540,000 peak in Jan-Mar 2024 but still up 80.3% from the 2013 floor of $269,000, a 14-year CAGR of 4.3%. That sits well below metro Melbourne medians near $900,000 and roughly 35% below Warrnambool. Rent runs $275/week, implying a gross yield around 2.9%, modestly above metro Melbourne's sub-2.5% norm.
What schools are in Traralgon?
Traralgon has eight schools: top performer is St Michael's Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1058, 456 students), followed by St Gabriel's Catholic Primary (1038, 499) and Lavalla Catholic College (1028, 1,358 enrolments). Government secondary option is Traralgon College (ICSEA 937, 880 students). The lowest-ICSEA campus is Liddiard Road Primary at 886, a 172-point spread that is wider than the typical metro suburb range of 80-120 points.
Is Traralgon safe?
Crime sits above the regional VIC average. Total recorded offences run 3,608 per year, a rate of 134.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than most regional VIC peers like Mildura, Shepparton and Warrnambool. The largest category is property and deception offences (1,783), followed by justice procedures (766) and crimes against the person (614). Drug offences add 246. The volume reflects Traralgon's role as Gippsland's regional services hub rather than a single high-risk pocket.
Is Traralgon good for property investment?
Mixed signals. Gross yield of 2.9% on $275/week rent against the $485,000 median beats metro Melbourne's sub-2.5%, but vacancy at 8.0% is significantly higher than the typical regional VIC band of 1-3%, compressing pricing power. Renting share is only 26.8% (smaller tenant pool than metro 30-35%), and prices fell 10.2% from peak. Forecast growth runs 1.13%/year, below the national pace, and Loy Yang/Yallourn closures by 2035 add downside risk.
How is Traralgon's population changing?
Traralgon is growing slowly and aging. Forecast trend is +1.13%/year (about 194 persons/year), taking population from 17,646 in 2026 to 18,615 by 2031, below the national pace near 1.5%. The driver split is unusual: net overseas migration of +96/year is the primary engine, while internal flows show a net loss of -53/year. Senior share is up 6.2 percentage points since 2011 while working-age share fell 2.6 points, confirming an aging trajectory.
What industries drive Traralgon's economy?
Healthcare leads at 24.0% (1,947 workers), well above the national share around 13%, anchored by Latrobe Regional Hospital. Utilities still employs 7.2% (583 workers), several times above the national 1.5%, reflecting Loy Yang A, Loy Yang B and Yallourn power stations. Public Admin (10.4%), Education (10.3%) and Construction (10.2%) round out a regional-services and energy economy. Closure of brown-coal generation by 2035 will reshape this mix significantly.
What is the development activity in Traralgon?
Traralgon recorded 39 development applications over the last 12 months, a modest pipeline that signals limited speculative supply pressure compared to metro growth corridors that often log 200-500 lodgements/year. The mix skews toward subdivision and minor works under Clause 32.03-3 and Clause 37.08-5 of the Latrobe Planning Scheme rather than large multi-dwelling builds. With population growing only 1.13%/year and 85.6% of stock already separate houses, intensification pressure remains low.
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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