Apollo Bay (Vic.)

Population growth drivers in Apollo Bay are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of Apollo Bay (Vic.) is around 1,827, reflecting a growth of 37 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 2.1% rise from the previous population count of 1,790. The change was inferred by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 59 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 21 persons per square kilometer for Apollo Bay (Vic.). Between the 2021 Census and May 2026, Apollo Bay's population growth exceeded that of its SA3 area (-1.6%) and SA4 region, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 88% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch's projections for Apollo Bay (Vic.) are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest a lower quartile growth nationally for regional areas, with Apollo Bay (Vic.) expected to grow by 59 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 3.2% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Apollo Bay according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Apollo Bay experienced approximately 18 dwelling approvals per year based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY21 and FY25, around 91 homes were approved, with an additional 13 approved in FY26.

The population has declined recently, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. Developers target the premium segment, with new homes valued at approximately $773,000 on average. Apollo Bay has 105.0% more building activity per person compared to the Rest of Vic., offering buyers greater choice. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, maintaining Apollo Bay's traditional low-density character and appealing to those seeking family homes.

With around 83 people per dwelling approval, Apollo Bay exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. By 2041, AreaSearch estimates Apollo Bay will grow by approximately 59 residents. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Apollo Bay has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 0 relevant projects. Notable initiatives are Telstra InfraCo Intercity Fibre Network, Additional VLocity Trains, Victorian Renewable Energy Zones, and Regional Housing Fund.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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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 tourism and hospitality sectors prominent. Its unemployment rate is 1.4%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data (December 2025). There are 870 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.3% below Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation in Apollo Bay lags at 54.5%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. According to Census responses, 19.9% of residents work from home. Key industries are accommodation & food (3.6 times the regional level), construction, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance has limited presence at 9.7%, compared to 16.8% regionally.

Employment opportunities appear limited locally; over a year, labour force decreased by 6.0% and employment by 6.1%, raising unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.6%, labour force fell by 0.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts (May-25) project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Apollo Bay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Apollo Bay's median income among taxpayers was $42,094 in financial year 2023. The suburb's average income stood at $55,108 during the same period. In comparison, Regional Vic.'s median and average incomes were $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated median and average incomes for Apollo Bay as of March 2026 would be approximately $46,143 and $60,409 respectively. According to Census 2021 income data, personal income ranks at the 27th percentile ($695 weekly), while household income sits at the 9th percentile. Income distribution shows that 30.2% of residents (551 people) fall within the $800 - 1,499 bracket, contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Apollo Bay, with only 84.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile.

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

As of the latest Census, Apollo Bay's dwelling structure consisted of 83.9% houses and 16.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Apollo Bay stood at 47.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.8% and rented dwellings at 29.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,700, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Apollo Bay was $300, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Apollo Bay's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were 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 comprise 58.3% of all households, including 17.7% couples with children, 31.3% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 41.7%, with lone person households at 38.2% and group households making up 3.3%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Regional 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 rate of 19.0%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, 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 at 25.8%, including 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 active public transport stops. These are served by two different routes, offering a total of 46 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents living an average of 586 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outside Apollo Bay, primarily by car (73%), with walking at 21% and cycling at 3%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.1, below the regional average. In 2021 Census data, 19.9% of residents worked from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages six trips per day across all routes, 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 superior health outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups exhibit low incidence of common health issues.

Private health insurance coverage is notably lower at approximately 49% (~889 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.2%) and mental health concerns (7.4%). A significant majority, 68.3%, report being free from medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Health outcomes for working-age residents are generally unremarkable. Apollo Bay has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 32.7% (597 people), compared to the regional Victorian average of 23.9%. Notably, health outcomes among seniors rank even better than those of the general population nationally.

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 regional average, with 81.7% citizens, 80.4% born in Australia, and 89.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion at 35.8%. While Judaism represents only 0.3%, it is higher than the regional average of 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 compared to regional averages of 1.7% and 0.3%, respectively. Hungarian representation is also higher at 0.4%.

Apollo Bay ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Apollo Bay is 52 years, significantly higher than Regional Victoria's average of 43 and also notably above the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is over-represented in Apollo Bay at 18.6%, compared to Regional Victoria's average, while those aged 15-24 are under-represented at 7.2%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 8.0% to 10.6%, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 17.3% to 15.2%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 9.5% to 8.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 cohort at 23%, adding 43 residents to reach 232. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 15-24 age cohorts.