Horsham · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A slight population dip of 0.6% since 2021 marks a slow period for Horsham, which otherwise holds a steady economic position. Most residents have a fair level of advantage and job skills, with an overall advantage score of 959 that sits just below the national average.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Horsham — higher than 57% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area is slightly better off than about 60% of similar places, with a score of 6 for overall advantage. This is supported by a similar rating for education and job skills, which also ranks higher than about 60% of other areas.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
959
Higher than 55% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Population growth has been well below the Victorian average of 8.0%, falling by 0.6% since the last census. This decline is much lower than what has been seen in most other similar areas.
20,252
Higher than 58% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
-0.6%
Lower than 89% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 2,152 businesses operating in the area, a count that is larger than about 60% of similar places. Recent activity remains steady with 68 new dwellings approved.
2,152
Higher than 59% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
68
Higher than 54% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Horsham [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA23190/horsham/topic/economy-advantage
