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 was estimated at 5,442 as of November 2025, a decrease of 160 people from the 2021 Census figure of 5,602. This reduction is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 5,393 residents, based on ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and additional validated addresses since the Census date. The population density was 1,986 persons per square kilometer, above national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration primarily drove recent population growth in the suburb. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, it employs 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. By 2041, Bell Park is projected to grow by 1,204 persons, reflecting a total gain of 24.4% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Bell Park is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Bell Park averaged approximately 15 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending June 2021, totalling an estimated 75 homes. As of April 2026, there has been 1 approval recorded in this financial year. The population decline in recent years has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with diverse buyer choices. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $548,000, slightly above the regional average.

Commercial development activity in Bell Park for the current financial year amounts to $11.4 million. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Bell Park has significantly reduced construction levels, with 75.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. The area's development activity is also under the national average, indicating its established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development consists of 38.0% detached houses and 62.0% attached dwellings, a notable shift from existing housing patterns which are currently 81.0% houses. This change suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Bell Park has approximately 695 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the location is forecasted to gain 1,329 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Ten projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly. These include Northern Geelong Industrial Precinct, Wathaurong Dreaming Project - North Geelong Hub Redevelopment, 340-344 Melbourne Road Retail Redevelopment, and Geelong Hydrogen Hub. The following list details those projected to have the most relevance.

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 has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 6.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.5%.

As of June 2025, 2731 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.4%, above Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Vic.'s at 57.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area has a specialization in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.9% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%.

Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 2.5%, and labour force increased by 2.4%, reducing unemployment by 0.1 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., where employment contracted by 0.9%, labour force fell by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with differing growth rates 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.

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

AreaSearch's analysis of postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Bell Park had a median taxpayer income of $48,568 and an average income of $59,475. These figures are below the national averages of $51,374 (median) and $63,093 (average). In comparison, Rest of Vic had median and average incomes of $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. Using a 12.16% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes for Bell Park are approximately $54,474 (median) and $66,707 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Bell Park fall between the 15th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 29.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 - $2,999 annually (1,589 individuals), aligning with regional trends where 30.3% fall into this category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Bell Park, 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 data, 81.0% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 19.0% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s figures of 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bell Park stood at 42.2%, with mortgaged properties at 25.7% and rented dwellings at 32.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,712. 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, and 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 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 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 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%, comprising 8.1% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 4.0% in tertiary education.

Bell Park has five schools with a combined enrollment of 1,885 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 969). The educational mix includes three primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school. The area functions as an education hub with 34.6 school places per 100 residents, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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 operating. These are mixed-use bus stops serviced by three routes. The total weekly passenger trips provided is 1,050.

Residential accessibility to these stops is rated good, with residents typically located 248 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 150 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 40 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 prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2,742 people), compared to 52.7% across Rest of Vic..

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 9.3% and 8.9% of residents respectively, while 65.8% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.9% across Rest of Vic.. The area has 21.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,175 people), which is higher than the 16.8% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Bell Park is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bell Park has a high 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, comprising 61.3% of the population, compared to 47.4% across the Rest of Vic.. 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%, Polish at 1.9%, and Serbian at 1.7%.

Bell Park hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Bell Park is 40 years, which is slightly below Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. Compared to Rest of Vic., the 25-34 age group is notably higher at 18.1% locally, while the 65-74 cohort is lower at 10.0%. 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 decreased from 11.7% to 10.0%, and the 5-14 group has dropped from 10.5% to 9.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Bell Park. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 567 people (58%), from 985 to 1,553, while the 75-84 cohort is projected to decline by 26 people.