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 reidents who relocated to Ballarat in 2005, the majority originated from the eastern, south-eastern and bayside 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 centers such as Geelong and Bendigo.
New iresidents from interstate were predominantly from New South Wales, followed by Queensland and South Australia; while new residents to Ballarat from oversaes mostly immigrated from China, India and the United Kingdom.
While people are moving to all areas of Ballarat, the most popular suburban areas torelocate to are Central Ballarat, Wendouree and Sebastopol.
The main reasons given for choosing Ballarat, are lifestyle, employment opportunities or as the direct result of a job offer.