New population growth figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Golden Plains Shire is still one of the fastest growing areas in regional Victoria.
Between 2017 and 2018 Golden Plains Shire grew by 2.4% or 552 people, taking the Shire’s population to 23,120 people. This growth retains Golden Plains as the fifth fastest growing regional LGA in Victoria (by percentage growth rate).
The report separates the Golden Plains Shire into several geographic locations each known as a Statistical Area Level 2. Data showed that the Statistical Area Level 2 of Bannockburn and surrounds, grew by 3.6% to bring the population to 7,117 people. Bannockburn and surrounds is now the ninth fastest growing regional Statistical Area Level 2 (by percentage growth), behind other fast growing areas such as Grovedale in Geelong, Alfredton in Ballarat, Torquay and Lara.
Growth was also recorded outside of Bannockburn, with the Statistical Area Level 2 locations of Golden Plains – South and Golden Plains – North growing by 2.4% and 2.3%, taking their respective populations to 7,240 and 4,742 people. The Statistical Area Level 2 of Smythes Creek also grew by 0.7% to bring the population to 4,021 people.