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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated since the Census, Bell Park's estimated population as of Nov 2025 is around 5,558 people. This reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census figure of 5,602 people, a change inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 5,458 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and an additional 63 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2,028 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth for Bell Park during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area.

For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Bell Park is projected to expand by 1,204 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 21.8% in total over the 17 years.

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, Bell Park averaged approximately 17 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending June 2021. This totals an estimated 85 homes. As of February 2026, two approvals have been recorded. The population has declined in recent years, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a 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. In the current financial year ending June 2026, commercial approvals amount to $23.9 million, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Bell Park shows substantially reduced construction, with 71.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years. Nationally, Bell Park's level is lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists of 33.0% detached houses and 67.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 81.0% houses).

This skew towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. It may also indicate diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Bell Park has approximately 271 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Future projections show Bell Park adding 1,213 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate as of March 2023). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are Wathaurong Dreaming Project - North Geelong Hub Redevelopment, Northern Geelong Industrial Precinct, 340-344 Melbourne Road Retail Redevelopment, and Geelong Hydrogen Hub. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

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

Bell Park's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.3% as of AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 2,667 residents were employed at an unemployment rate of 2.5% higher than Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Workforce participation was similar to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Dominant employment sectors included health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Transport, postal & warehousing had notable concentration with levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 0.9% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.6%, employment declined by 0.7%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage points. Rest of Vic. recorded similar declines with marginal unemployment increase. State-level data to 25-Nov showed VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with state unemployment rate at 4.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bell Park's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Bell Park had a lower than average income level nationally in financial year 2023 according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The median income among taxpayers was $48,568 and the average income stood at $59,475. These figures compared to Rest of Vic.'s median of $50,954 and average of $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $52,575 (median) and $64,382 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data showed household, family and personal incomes in Bell Park all fell between the 15th and 17th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicated that 29.2% of the population (1,622 individuals) had incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, similar to the surrounding region where 30.3% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 83.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 15th percentile nationally.

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

In Bell Park, as per the latest Census evaluation, 81.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 19.0% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. In contrast, Non-Metro Vic. had 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bell Park stood at 42.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.7% and rented ones at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,712. The median weekly rent in Bell Park was $340, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $335. Nationally, Bell Park's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less 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 account for 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 constitute the remaining 38.8%, with lone person households at 35.0% and group households comprising 3.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of 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 stands at 19.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 14.0% of residents holding one, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15 and above, with 34.4% holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.8%) and certificates (24.6%). Educational participation is high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 8.1% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 4.0% in 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, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three different routes that together facilitate 658 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents living an average of 248 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there are approximately 94 trips per day, which translates to about 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Bell Park is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Bell Park faces significant health challenges with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2800 people), compared to 53.3% across Rest of Vic., and 55.7% nationally. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (9.3%) and arthritis (8.9%), while 65.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 65.9% in Rest of Vic..

The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.7% (1206 people), compared to 16.8% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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 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, making up 61.3% of people, compared to 47.4% across the rest of Victoria. The top three ancestry groups in Bell Park are Australian (19.2%), English (18.9%), and Other (13.2%).

Notably, Croatian ancestry is overrepresented at 11.5%, compared to the regional average of 1.5%. Similarly, Polish ancestry is at 1.9% (vs 0.8%) and Serbian ancestry at 1.7% (vs 0.5%), both higher than their respective regional averages.

Bell Park's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Bell Park is 40 years, which is slightly lower than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but higher than Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 age group is notably over-represented in Bell Park at 18.1%, compared to the Rest of Vic. average, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 9.2%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25-34 age group has grown from 15.5% to 18.1%, and the 35-44 cohort has increased from 11.8% to 12.9%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has declined from 11.7% to 10.1%, and the 5-14 group has dropped from 10.5% to 9.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Bell Park. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 549 people (55%), from 1,005 to 1,555, while the 75-84 cohort is projected to decline by 36 people.