West Wimmera · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
More than 66% of similar areas have a lower overall advantage score than West Wimmera. The region is relatively well-off, scoring 7 out of 10 for overall advantage, though its total population has shrunk recently.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is West Wimmera — higher than 64% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area scores strongly for education and job skills at 8 out of 10, which is higher than about 80% of similar areas. This supports a general advantage score of 7, which is larger than about 70% of areas at this level.
7
Higher than 64% 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.
7
Higher than 64% 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.
8
Higher than 71% 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.
971
Higher than 64% 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.
A population of 3,915 has fallen by 1.6% since 2021. This decline is among the lowest for similar areas and sits well below the Victorian growth rate of 8.0%.
3,915
Lower than 71% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
-1.6%
Lower than 93% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 817 businesses in the region, which is fewer than about 61% of similar areas. Building activity is also low, with only 5 new dwellings approved.
817
Lower than 61% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
5
Lower than 80% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in West Wimmera [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA26890/west-wimmera/topic/economy-advantage
