Apollo Bay (Vic.)

Population growth drivers in Apollo Bay are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Apollo Bay's population is estimated at around 1,761 as of Feb 2026. This reflects a decrease of 29 people (1.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,790 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,729 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 60 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 20 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Apollo Bay has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 88.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to grow by 69 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 5.7% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Apollo Bay recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Apollo Bay has seen around 17 dwelling approvals per year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Approximately 89 homes were approved between FY-21 and FY-25, with an additional 10 approved in FY-26.

On average, 0.9 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five financial years. This suggests that new construction is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing buyers with more options and potentially driving population growth beyond current expectations. The average expected construction cost of new homes in Apollo Bay is $773,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Apollo Bay has 102.0% more building activity per person.

Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character and appealing to those seeking family homes with space. This trend differs from current patterns (84.0% at Census), suggesting robust demand for detached housing. Apollo Bay has around 85 people per dwelling approval, further emphasizing its low-density characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by approximately 101 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth beyond current forecasts.

Apollo Bay has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

No infrastructure changes significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch identified zero projects impacting this region. Notable initiatives include Telstra InfraCo Intercity Fibre Network, Additional VLocity Trains, Victorian Renewable Energy Zones, and Regional Housing Fund (Victoria).

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Employment conditions in Apollo Bay demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Apollo Bay has a skilled workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. The unemployment rate is 1.3%, as aggregated by AreaSearch from statistical area data. As of September 2025877 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 2.4% below Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is somewhat lower at 59.4%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, 19.9% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Key industries include accommodation & food, construction, and retail trade. Apollo Bay shows strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share 3.6 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance has limited presence at 9.7%, compared to 16.8% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force decreased by 2.9% and employment declined by 3.1%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment contract by 0.7%, labour force fall by 0.6%, and marginal unemployment increase. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Apollo Bay's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Apollo Bay had a median income among taxpayers of $42,094 and an average income of $55,108 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than national averages for Rest of Vic., which were $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth suggest median income will be approximately $45,567 and average income $59,654 in Apollo Bay. Census data from 2021 shows personal income ranked at the 27th percentile ($695 weekly) and household income at the 9th percentile in Apollo Bay. The income distribution shows that 30.2% of residents (531 people) fall into the $800 - 1,499 bracket, contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is dominant at 30.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Apollo Bay, with only 84.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 11th percentile.

Apollo Bay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Apollo Bay, as per the latest Census evaluation, 83.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 16.0% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Non-Metro Vic., where 90.1% of dwellings are houses and 9.9% are other dwellings. Home ownership in Apollo Bay stands at 47.2%, with mortgaged properties at 23.8% and rented dwellings at 29.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Apollo Bay is $1,700, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Weekly rent figures differ as well, with Apollo Bay recording a median of $300 compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Apollo Bay's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Apollo Bay features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 58.3% of all households, consisting of 17.7% couples with children, 31.3% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.7%, with lone person households at 38.2% and group households comprising 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Apollo Bay exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 26.8% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA3 area average of 17.2% and the SA4 regional average of 19.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 37.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 12.9% while certificates make up 24.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Apollo Bay has five operational public transport stops. These are served by two separate routes, offering a total of 46 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Apollo Bay is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 586 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outside the area; car use dominates at 73%, while walking accounts for 21% and cycling for 3%. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 19.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages six trips per day, resulting in approximately nine weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Apollo Bay is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Apollo Bay shows better-than-average health outcomes according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age groups have low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is found to be very low at approximately 49% of the total population, around 857 people, compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 9.2%) and mental health issues (7.4%). A majority, 68.3%, report being completely free from medical ailments, higher than the Rest of Vic.'s 63.4%. Health outcomes among working-age residents are broadly typical. Apollo Bay has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.0% (528 people) compared to Rest of Vic.'s 23.9%. Seniors' health outcomes rank nationally higher than the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Apollo Bay records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Apollo Bay's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region's average, with 81.7% citizens, 80.4% born in Australia, and 89.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 35.8%. Apollo Bay has a higher proportion of Jews, 0.3%, compared to the Rest of Vic's 0.1%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (29.6%), Australian (23.9%), and Irish (13.1%). Notably, Dutch (2.0%) and French (0.8%) are overrepresented, while Hungarian is slightly higher at 0.4% compared to regional averages of 1.7%, 0.3%, and 0.2% respectively.

Apollo Bay ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Apollo Bay's median age is 51 years, significantly higher than the Rest of Vic. average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Apollo Bay at 17.7%, while the 15-24 year-olds are under-represented at 6.9%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 9.9% to 11.2%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 8.0% to 9.2%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 17.3% to 15.2%, and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 9.5% to 7.8%. By 2041, Apollo Bay is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 25 to 34 group will grow by 28% (55 people), reaching 253 from 197. Population declines are projected for the 75 to 84 and 5 to 14 cohorts.