This summary analyses data for the period 2001 to 2016, as the short to medium term is most appropriate for planning purposes. Please note that this data is available for all years between 2001 and 2021.

Southern Grampians Shire is located along the Great South Coast in Victoria’s South-West, with the largest centre at Hamilton, about 270 kilometres from Melbourne. In 2001, the total population of the Shire was estimated at 17,133. It is expected to increase to 18,395 by 2016, at an average annual growth rate of 0.47%. This is based on an increase of more than 958 households during the period, with the average number of persons per household falling from 2.41 to 2.27.

Hamilton is expected to grow significantly over the period, most notably in the Hamilton (East) small area. Minor declines are expected in the Coleraine - Rural West and Rural North areas. The forecast population growth rates are lower than household growth as a result of the decreasing number of people per household. This is a pattern that is likely to affect all areas of the Shire during this period.