Economy, jobs and prices in Bendigo, Australia: official figures
The median total income of residents of the City of Greater Bendigo who had income was $55,007 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 5th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Greater Bendigo local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the median wage in Bendigo?
The median employee income in the City of Greater Bendigo was $57,909 for the year 2022-23, 6th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Bendigo?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Greater Bendigo was $931 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), the lowest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Bendigo?
The unemployment rate in the City of Greater Bendigo was 4.2% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), 5th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Bendigo?
59.5% of residents of the City of Greater Bendigo aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 6th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Bendigo?
Of the 56,299 employed residents of the City of Greater Bendigo at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were health care and social assistance (19.1%; 14.5% nationally), retail trade (9.8%) and construction (9.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Bendigo?
9,171 businesses were registered in the City of Greater Bendigo at 30 June 2025, which is 72 for every 1,000 residents (2nd lowest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 60% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Bendigo in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Greater Bendigo in 2024-25 covered 900 new dwellings (7.1 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $725 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Bendigo?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Greater Bendigo in 2023-24 was $550,000, joint 2nd lowest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $419,250.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Bendigo?
0.9% of occupied homes in the City of Greater Bendigo were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 26.9% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Bendigo do not own a car?
5.0% of households in the City of Greater Bendigo had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 4th lowest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Bendigo in 2024?
1,541 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Greater Bendigo in 2024, 12.3 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Bendigo compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Bendigo ranks 27 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Albury-Wodonga | 4.6% |
| 25 | Sunshine Coast | 4.4% |
| 26 | Geelong | 4.4% |
| 27 | Bendigo | 4.2% |
| 28 | Darwin | 4.1% |
| 29 | Greater Darwin | 4.0% |
| 30 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 3.8% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Bendigo ranks 22 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Toowoomba | $55,551 |
| 20 | Cairns | $55,547 |
| 21 | Central Coast | $55,035 |
| 22 | Bendigo | $55,007 |
| 23 | Gold Coast | $53,824 |
| 24 | Sunshine Coast | $52,638 |
| 25 | Melbourne | $48,184 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Bendigo ranks 25 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Greater Darwin | 79 |
| 21 | Canberra | 76 |
| 22 | Greater Hobart | 76 |
| 23 | Central Coast | 76 |
| 24 | Wollongong | 73 |
| 25 | Bendigo | 72 |
| 26 | Townsville | 64 |
More on Bendigo: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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