Migration Trends

Since 2004, the Economic Development Unit has analysed migration trends amongst new residents to Ballarat; in order to identify where people are moving from; which areas of Ballarat they are moving to; and the primary reasons for choosing Ballarat.

The analysis shows new residents to Ballarat predominantly originate from metropolitan Melbourne (32%) and regional Victoria (33%); while significant numbers move here from interstate (20%) and overseas (15%).

Of the former metropolitan residents who relocated to Ballarat in 2005, the majority originated from the eastern, south-eastern and bay-side suburbs of Melbourne. Former regional Victorian households mostly relocated from Western Victoria and areas close to Ballarat; while some new residents moved from other regional centres such as Geelong and Bendigo.

New residents from interstate were predominantly from New South Wales, followed by Queensland and South Australia; while new residents to Ballarat from overseas mostly immigrated from China, India and the United Kingdom.

While people are moving to all areas of Ballarat, the most popular suburban areas to relocate to are Central Ballarat, Wendouree and Sebastopol.

Lifestyle, employment opportunities and job offers are the main motives for new residents choosing Ballarat.