Yea
With a median age of 56, Yea sits 16 years above the national figure, making it one of Victoria's most distinctively aged regional communities. The town's 1,789 residents spread across 177 square kilometres at a density of just 10.1 people per km2, reflecting its rural service-town character. Household income falls in the 14.9th percentile nationally, yet median house prices held at $550,000 as of mid-2024 because 54% of residents own their homes outright, well above typical ownership rates. The workforce leans on healthcare at 17.3% of jobs and construction at 14.9%, both above the state average for towns this size.
Population
1,789
Median Age
56.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,046/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$550K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price reached $550,000 in April to June 2024, up from $507,500 in late 2023, though still 10.9% below the 2022 peak of $617,500. Over the longer arc, prices rose 111.5% from $260,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% across 14 years. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 97.1%, with apartments at just 0.7%, so buyers face very little mixed-tenure competition. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.9% with four-plus at 26.2%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.1% edges above the stress threshold, because household incomes rank in the bottom 14.9th percentile nationally. The high 54% outright-ownership rate signals that many homes are held by long-term residents who bought at lower prices.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $550,000 in April to June 2024, up from $507,500 in late 2023, though still 10.9% below the 2022 peak of $617,500. Over the longer arc, prices rose 111.5% from $260,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% across 14 years. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 97.1%, with apartments at just 0.7%, so buyers face very little mixed-tenure competition. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.9% with four-plus at 26.2%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.1% edges above the stress threshold, because household incomes rank in the bottom 14.9th percentile nationally. The high 54% outright-ownership rate signals that many homes are held by long-term residents who bought at lower prices.
For Investors
The rental market in Yea is thin but steady: the weekly rent of $300 sits at a modest level for regional Victoria, and the renter share of 17.6% is below average compared to most suburban markets. The vacancy rate of 12.3% is notably high, which signals oversupply relative to rental demand and would compress yields for new investors. Against the $550,000 median, $300 per week gives an approximate gross yield of 2.8%, low for a regional market. Net internal migration averages 55 people per year, providing consistent population support, and the medium forecast projects the broader area growing from 4,368 to around 4,670 by 2031. Development activity has been limited to 2 applications in the past 12 months, suggesting the local supply pipeline is constrained. The 50% rent growth over the recorded period indicates rents have moved faster than many comparable towns.
Development Activity
Total DAs
16
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-60.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Yea iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Yea Primary School
Prep-6 · 128 students
Yea High School
7-12 · 283 students
Sacred Heart School
1-6 · 36 students
Demographics
The median age of 56 is 16 years above the national median, the defining characteristic of the population. The aging trajectory is entrenched: the senior share rose 7.1 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 5.4 points, and the young adult share dropped 2.4 points. Only 11.3% of residents were born overseas, which is 10.3 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly locally-born population. Ancestry is heavily Anglo-Celtic: English (835 residents), Scottish (252) and Irish (251) account for the top three groups. University qualifications reach 18.6%, which is 11.5 points below the national figure, consistent with a blue-collar and trades-oriented workforce. Average household size is 2.1, slightly below national, with 39.5% of families being couples without children, a figure driven by the older age profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.1%
Houses
0.9%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Yea skews heavily toward outright ownership: 54.0% of households own their home free of debt, compared to the national average of around 31%, because the resident base is dominated by older, long-settled households. Mortgage holders make up 28.3% and renters 17.6%, the lowest renter share of the three tenures. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 97.1%, with virtually no apartments (0.7%) or semi-detached dwellings (0.9%), which is consistent with a rural service town rather than a regional city. Median prices climbed from $260,000 in 2013 to $550,000 in mid-2024, a 111.5% increase over 14 years. The 2022 peak of $617,500 remains 10.9% above the current median, suggesting prices pulled back from the pandemic-driven surge. Mortgage stress flags as true at 31.1% of income, a tension between low incomes at the 14.9th percentile nationally and property values that reflect broader regional demand.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,408
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$580
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.3%
Unoccupied
108
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.1% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.5%
Couples, no children
1,228
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 17.3% of workers (79 people), followed by construction at 14.9% (68), education at 13.4% (61) and public administration at 9.4% (43). Agriculture at 7.2% (33 workers) reflects the pastoral hinterland despite its relatively small employment share in the town itself. By occupation, professionals (114) and managers (99) lead the skilled tiers, but community and personal service workers (91) and labourers (77) account for a large share, consistent with healthcare and trades industries. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is above typical metropolitan levels, and the participation rate of 44.0% is low because 686 residents are not in the labour force, a direct consequence of the aging demographic where many are retired. Household income sits in the 14.9th percentile nationally, well below the state average. The IRSAD decile of 4 indicates below-average socioeconomic advantage compared to other suburbs nationally.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
2,162
Unemployed
112
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.3%
Part-time
37.0%
Participation
44.0%
Employed
641
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.6%
Postgraduate
3.2%
Born Overseas
11.3%
Dwellings
766
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high, with 88.5% of residents driving to work, above the national average, which reflects the town's rural layout and limited public transport infrastructure. Walking and cycling account for 7.5% of trips, reasonable for a small regional town. Safety data shows 130 recorded crimes, giving a rate of 72.7 per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences being the largest category at 78 incidents. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Yea below the national median for socioeconomic advantage. Volunteering is strong at 24.3% of residents, above the national average, which is consistent with the older and more settled population contributing community time. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families access educational facilities in the broader Yea and Murrindindi district. About 7.3% of residents (121 people) need daily assistance, which is above average nationally and reflects the significantly older age profile.
Drive
88.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
7.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.3%/yr
(+57 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at 1.3% annually (57 people per year), moderate by regional standards and supported by both internal and overseas migration. Net internal migration averages 55 people per year and overseas migration adds 10, giving a balanced driver mix rather than reliance on a single source. The broader Yea area grew 27% since 2011, and the gentrification score of 31 signals early-stage change, with the share of new arrivals accelerating from 5% to 21% of the population. The medium forecast projects the area expanding from 4,368 residents in 2025 to around 4,670 by 2031. Real income growth of 16.8% over the decade has kept pace with inflation but not closed the income gap relative to the state median. The resident turnover rate of 18.5% indicates that most existing residents, 81.5%, are staying rather than leaving, providing a stable community base even as new arrivals accumulate.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+10
Net Internal / yr
+55
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +27% since 2011, Net internal migration +55/yr, Accelerating: 5% → 21%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
130
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
72.7
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 Yea compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yea a good suburb to live in?
Yea suits people seeking an affordable rural lifestyle. The median house price of $550,000 is accessible by regional standards, 54% of residents own their homes outright and the volunteering rate of 24.3% indicates strong community participation. The main trade-offs are low household income at the 14.9th percentile nationally, high car dependency at 88.5% and a vacancy rate of 12.3% that reflects limited rental demand.
What is the median house price in Yea?
The median house price in Yea is $550,000, recorded in April to June 2024. That is 10.9% below the 2022 peak of $617,500 but 111.5% above the $260,000 figure from 2013. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,408.
What schools are in Yea?
No schools are recorded inside the Yea suburb boundary in this dataset. Families access schools in the broader Yea township and Murrindindi shire. University qualifications among residents stand at 18.6%, which is 11.5 percentage points below the national average, consistent with a workforce concentrated in trades, healthcare and community services.
Is Yea safe?
Yea recorded 130 crimes in the most recent period, giving a rate of 72.7 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences account for 78 of those incidents, the largest single category. The IRSD disadvantage decile of 5 places Yea at the national median, neither among the most disadvantaged nor the most advantaged suburbs in Victoria.
Is Yea good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Rent of $300 per week against a $550,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.8%, and the 12.3% vacancy rate signals more rental supply than demand. On the positive side, net internal migration adds 55 people per year, prices grew at a 5.5% compound annual rate over 14 years, and rent growth of 50% over the recorded period has outpaced many comparable regional towns.
How is Yea's population changing?
The population grows at 1.3% annually, adding around 57 people per year. The broader Yea area had 4,368 residents in 2025 and medium forecasts project growth to roughly 4,670 by 2031. The population grew 27% since 2011 and early gentrification signals have emerged, with new arrivals accelerating from 5% to 21% of the population over the decade.
What industries employ people in Yea?
Healthcare is the largest industry at 17.3% of workers (79 people), followed by construction at 14.9% (68), education at 13.4% (61) and public administration at 9.4% (43). Agriculture employs 7.2% (33 workers), reflecting the pastoral and farming character of the surrounding Murrindindi shire. The unemployment rate is 5.7%, above typical metropolitan levels.
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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