A Snapshot of Hindmarsh Shire
Hindmarsh Shire Council is located in the Wimmera region in Western Victoria, covering an area of 7,527 km2. We are bound by two National Parks, the Little Desert in the South and Wyperfeld in the North.
Hindmarsh Shire is based in or around the Shire’s four main towns of:
- Dimboola
- Jeparit
- Nhill
- Rainbow

We are a closely linked community of approximately 5,698 people (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census), with a median age of 50 years.
Hindmarsh Shire is rich in natural beauty like the Wimmera River and Lake Hindmarsh, Pink Lake and Lake Albacutya.
The economy is largely dependent on agriculture (primary and secondary), health services, manufacturing and retail. The median average weekly household income is $1,159 with the median monthly mortgage repayments being $750 and median rent $180 per week.
50.1% of the population are male and 49.9% are female. 82.6% of people were born in Australia, with English the only language spoken in 86.0% of homes. 1.6% of Hindmarsh’s population are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, with the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk Nations being the recognised Traditional Owners of Country in the Wimmera region.
83.5% of people were born in Australia, with English the only language spoken in 88.0% of homes. Our most significant group of migrants are Karen refugees from Burma (Myanmar), with approximately 213 people speaking Karen language at home.
