Bell Park

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

Bell Park's population is estimated at approximately 5,455 as of May 2026. This figure reflects a decrease of 147 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,602. The current population estimate of 5,430 comes from AreaSearch's analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, adjusted for 63 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,990 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting them employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb of Bell Park is forecasted to have a population increase of 1,171 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 21.0% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Bell Park, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Bell Park averaged approximately 16 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years ending June 2021. This totals an estimated 84 homes. In the current financial year FY-26 (July 2021 to June 2022), 3 approvals have been recorded as of now. The population has declined in recent years, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a well-balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $548,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $23.9 million, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Bell Park shows substantially reduced construction levels (71.0% below regional average per person), which generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. This activity is also under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development consists of 33.0% detached houses and 67.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 81.0% houses), which could suggest diminishing developable land availability or respond to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The location has approximately 281 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Bell Park is projected to gain 1,146 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Bell Park has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Nine projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Key projects include the Wathaurong Dreaming Project - Morgan Street Redevelopment, Northern Geelong Industrial Precinct, 340-344 Melbourne Road Retail Redevelopment, and Geelong Hydrogen Hub.

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

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Employment drivers in Bell Park are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Bell Park has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 6.7%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data as of December 2025. There are 2,603 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 3.0% higher than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is similar to Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. Census responses show that 14.5% of residents work from home, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. There's a notable concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 0.9% of Bell Park's workforce compared to 7.5% in Regional Vic.. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparing working population and resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.3%, while employment declined by 1.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Vic. recorded an employment decline of 0.6% and a labour force decline of 0.7%, with unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Bell Park's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not consider localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Bell Park's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $48,568. The average income stood at $59,475 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Regional Vic., which were $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Based on a 9.62% increase according to the Wage Price Index from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $53,240 (median) and $65,196 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Bell Park all fall between the 15th and 17th percentiles nationally. In Bell Park, 29.2% of the population earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region where 30.3% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Bell Park, with only 83.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 15th percentile.

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

Bell Park's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 81.0% houses and 19.0% other dwellings. Compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bell Park was 42.2%, similar to Regional Vic.'s level. Mortgaged dwellings were 25.7% and rented ones 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Bell Park was $340, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Bell Park's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,500 versus Australia's average of $1,863. Rents in Bell Park were also lower than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 61.2% of all households, including 23.4% couples with children, 24.4% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.8%, with lone person households at 35.0% and group households making up 3.6%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Bell Park fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 19.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (24.6%). Educational participation is high at 25.3%, with 8.1% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.1% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bell Park has 26 active public transport stops. These are served by three routes offering a total of 658 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is good, with residents typically living 248 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards, predominantly by car (92%). Average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.1, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 14.5% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions.

On average, there are 94 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 25 weekly trips per stop.

Bell Park's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Bell Park's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen across both young and old age cohorts at a standard level.

Approximately 50% of Bell Park's total population (~2,748 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (9.3%) and arthritis (8.9%), with 65.8% of residents reporting no medical ailments, slightly higher than Regional Vic.'s 63.4%. Health outcomes among working-age residents are typical. Bell Park has 22.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,200 people), lower than Regional Vic.'s 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors in Bell Park rank higher than the national average for both general population and seniors specifically.

Bell Park was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bell Park has a significant level of cultural diversity, with 34.6% of its population born overseas and 37.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Bell Park, accounting for 61.3% of the population, which is higher compared to the regional average of 47.3%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Bell Park are Australian (19.2%), English (18.9%), and Other (13.2%).

Notably, these figures are lower than the regional averages for Australians (29.6%) and English (30.7%), but substantially higher for those of Other ancestry (4.7%). Additionally, certain ethnic groups are overrepresented in Bell Park compared to regional averages: Croatian at 11.5% versus 0.4%, Polish at 1.9% versus 0.5%, and Serbian at 1.7% versus 0.2%.

Bell Park's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Bell Park is 40 years, which is slightly below Regional Victoria's average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 17.7% of Bell Park's population, a notable over-representation compared to the Regional Vic. average. Conversely, those aged 5-14 make up only 9.0%, an under-representation. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25-34 age group has grown from 15.5% to 17.7%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 11.8% to 13.4%. The 5-14 age group has declined from 10.5% to 9.0%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 11.7% to 10.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Bell Park. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to expand by 454 people (47%), from 965 to 1,420. Meanwhile, the 75-84 cohort is projected to decline by 23 people.