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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Cape Woolamai has an estimated 2,228 residents, down from 2,301 at the 2021 Census — a change of 73 people, or 3.2%. That puts 364 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Following an examination of ABS population updates across the wider region, alongside recent addresses verified by AreaSearch subsequent to the Census, the suburb of Cape Woolamai has an estimated population of approximately 2,228 as of May 2026. This represents a reduction of 73 people (3.2%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 2,301 people. This shift is deduced from a resident population of 2,212, which AreaSearch calculated after assessing the latest ABS ERP data release (June 2025) along with 14 validated new addresses registered since the Census date. This population size results in a density of 364 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room per resident and capacity for prospective development.
Throughout the previous decade, the suburb of Cape Woolamai has shown stable expansion trends with a 2.7% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the SA3 area. The population expansion was mostly fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 80.0% of the total population increases in recent times. Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied by AreaSearch to individual SA2 zones. For SA2 territories lacking this information, AreaSearch relies on the 2023 Regional/LGA projections from the VIC State Government, adjusting them through weighted aggregation of population growth from the LGA to the SA2 scale. Age cohort growth rates derived from these aggregations are applied to all regions for the period from 2032 to 2041. In light of these anticipated demographic developments, the suburb of Cape Woolamai is forecast to experience outstanding expansion, ranking in the top 10 percent of all non-metropolitan areas in the nation. It is anticipated to grow by 1,150 persons by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, representing a total rise of 50.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
78 new dwellings have been approved in Cape Woolamai over the past five years, an average of 15 a year. That is 6.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 1, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of ABS building approval statistics distributed from regional data, the area registers approximately 15 residential building permits each year, which accumulates to about 78 homes over the previous 5 financial years. During FY-26 to date, 1 approvals have been documented. Since there has been an average of just 0.6 new residents annually for each built home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), the housing supply successfully matches or exceeds demand, enhancing options for purchasers and allowing for population growth beyond estimates. Meanwhile, new dwellings are built with an average expected construction cost of $588,000, indicating that builders are focusing on the upscale market with high-quality homes.
Additionally, commercial approvals worth $4.5 million have been logged in the current financial year, highlighting the residential focus of the locality. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the locality registers roughly two-thirds the rate of new home approvals per resident and stands in the 21st percentile of evaluated areas nationwide, which restricts selection for purchasers and bolsters demand for established houses. Newly approved construction consists of 75.0% separate houses and 25.0% semi-detached or high-density dwellings, preserving the local low-density style centered around spacious family properties. The calculation of 741 people per approved building permit emphasizes the low-key, quiet pace of local property development. Long-term forecasts indicate the area will gain 1,134 residents by 2041, according to the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. If current building rates do not accelerate, residential supply may fail to keep pace with population expansion, which could heighten competition among buyers and drive up property prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Cape Woolamai
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Cape Woolamai, worth an estimated $36 million. A further 54 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $12.4 billion. 18 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and environmental & disaster management. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure updates, planning schemes, and capital works are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 5 projects that are expected to influence the locality. Important initiatives include Waters Edge San Remo, San Remo Structure Plan, Edgewater Estate, and San Remo Foreshore Upgrade (Community Proposed), with the following details covering the most significant developments.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
San Remo Structure Plan
The San Remo Structure Plan is a 20-year strategic framework (to 2041) guiding the growth of San Remo as a designated District Town. Adopted in June 2025, the plan manages a significant 'growth front' extending east toward Punch Bowl Road, identifying locations for expanded residential development, a new commercial area, and vital infrastructure. Key features include a proposed east-west connector road extending Shetland Heights Road and the protection of the natural environment and coastal character during this urban expansion.
Waters Edge San Remo
Four storey mixed-use complex with ground floor retail facing Marine Parade and an arcade link to the rear supermarket carpark, above which are 22 apartments with large balconies oriented to Western Port Bay. Planning permit granted via VCAT.
Edgewater Estate
A residential development by Bennett Williams offering land and house & land packages with water views over Western Port Bay. The estate comprises 68 new homes on a 5.73-hectare site. Land is titled and ready to build on, with house and land packages also available.
San Remo Foreshore Upgrade (Community Proposed)
Proposed upgrades to the San Remo foreshore by the San Remo Community Association. Plans include a concrete all-abilities walking track from the Post Office to Lions Park, safer accessible footpaths, improved signage and amenities, and new facilities such as a toilet block, saltwater pool, skate park, and recreation centre.
San Remo/Phillip Island Bridge Maintenance and Water Infrastructure Upgrade
Ongoing inspections and sensor installation for the San Remo/Phillip Island Bridge to assess its structural condition and inform future maintenance. This includes a $5.9 million project by Westernport Water to refurbish drinking water and wastewater pipelines connected to the underside of the bridge, completed by February 2025.
Bass Coast College - San Remo Campus
A junior secondary campus for Bass Coast College catering to years 7-9. The facility features a welcome and wellbeing centre, specialist STEM areas, and a community health building with performing arts and physical education spaces. As of 2026, the campus has grown to accommodate approximately 468 students, continuing to serve the rapidly growing Bass Coast Shire with modern, flexible learning environments.
Cowes to Ventnor Shared Path
A $980,000 shared path project connecting the townships of Cowes and Ventnor. Funded by federal government through active transport infrastructure program. The path will enhance cycling and walking connectivity for residents and visitors between the two Bass Coast communities.
Phillip Island Recreation Reserve Master Plan
A long-term strategic master plan for 32 hectares of public open space, now progressing as the Phillip Island Sporting Precinct. The plan includes the development of two football and cricket ovals, four netball courts, a fenced off-leash dog park, and walking tracks. It also incorporates a future aquatic centre, though delivery of the aquatic component has been staged as a secondary phase following the redevelopment of the Wonthaggi facility.
1,181 residents of Cape Woolamai are employed, from a labour force of 1,198. Unemployment sits at 1.4%, with participation at 66.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,738, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is highly skilled, particularly in the building sector, with a low jobless rate of 1.4% and an estimated 1.5% job growth over the preceding year, as compiled by AreaSearch from regional statistics. As of March 2026, 1,181 inhabitants are employed, the unemployment rate is 2.3% lower than the 3.7% recorded in Regional Vic., and the participation rate is notably high at 66.5% compared to 61.1% in Regional Vic.. According to Census data, a moderate portion of the workforce, 23.6%, worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.
The main industries employing local residents are construction, education & training, along with health care & social assistance. The workforce is highly concentrated in construction, representing 1.7 times the proportion found regionally. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 10.6% of employment, which is lower than the 16.8% rate in Regional Vic.. A comparison between the Census working population and the resident population suggests that local job opportunities within the immediate area remain relatively sparse. Analysis of SALM and ABS data compiled by AreaSearch shows that in the year ending March 2026, total employment rose by 1.5% and the labor force grew by 1.1%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. This differs from Regional Vic., which saw employment shrink by 0.1%, the labor force drop by 0.3%, and unemployment decrease by 0.2 percentage points. National forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context regarding future demand. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although country-wide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary across different industries. Mapping these sector-specific forecasts onto the local industry mix indicates that employment for residents could expand by 6.3% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted extrapolation and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Cape Woolamai is $1,471 a week (about $76,000 a year), with median personal income at $732 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,439 a year against an average of $65,064. The average runs 40% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxpayer records from the ATO for financial year 2023, compiled by AreaSearch at the postcode level, indicate a median income of $46,439 and an average of $65,064. These figures sit below national benchmarks and contrast with the median of $50,954 and average of $62,728 recorded in Regional Vic.. Adjusted for the 9.62% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $50,906 (median) and $71,323 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes are moderate, placing between the 34th and 34th percentiles.
The largest income group comprises 31.6% of residents (704 people) who earn between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the wider region where 30.3% fall into this range. Once housing costs are met, 85.6% of household income is available for other discretionary spending, and the local SEIFA income rank stands in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Cape Woolamai had 818 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 88% detached houses and 1% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $340 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,500 a month. Rent absorbs 23.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, residential properties consist of 88.2% standalone houses and 11.7% alternative housing styles (including townhouses, flats, and other configurations), whereas Regional Vic. has 90.1% houses and 9.9% other structures. Home ownership rates stand at 38.5%, slightly below the level in Regional Vic., with the remaining properties either under a mortgage (40.4%) or occupied by tenants (21.1%). The median mortgage payment of $1,500 per month is higher than the Regional Vic. median of $1,430, and the median weekly rent is $340 compared to $285 in Regional Vic..
On a national scale, mortgage commitments are well below the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Cape Woolamai counted 818 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 30% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 70.8% of local households, consisting of 30.1% couples with children, 30.2% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent households. The remaining 29.2% are non-family households, including single-person households at 26.4% and group shared homes at 2.8%. The average household occupancy is 2.4 people, matching the average for Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
28.9% of adults in Cape Woolamai hold a university qualification, including 19.7% with a bachelor degree and 5.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 100% of areas nationally. A further 29.4% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Level of education among residents aged 15+ is notably high, with 28.9% holding a tertiary degree compared to 18.1% in the SA4 region and 20.7% in the SA3 area. This profile supports engagement in professional and skilled sectors. Undergraduate degrees are held by 19.7% of residents, postgraduate degrees by 5.3%, and graduate diplomas by 3.9%. Vocational training is also well represented, as 41.6% of residents aged 15+ possess technical qualifications, comprising advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (29.4%). A significant share of the population is engaged in study, with 33.3% of residents attending an educational institution.
This group includes 12.2% in primary school, 9.3% in high school, and 4.4% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Cape Woolamai means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The suburb has 6 active public transport stops, which are serviced by 2 separate transit routes providing a total of 30 weekly services. Access to transit is favorable, with an average distance of 374 meters to the closest stop. Due to the area's residential nature, the majority of working residents commute outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary choice at 94%. Households own an average of 1.5 motor vehicles. In addition, 23.6% of employed residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic measures.
Transit timetables provide an average of 4 services daily across all routes, which translates to roughly 5 departures per week from each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.3% of residents in Cape Woolamai report no long-term health condition. 3.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
The area shows positive health indicators in AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses, with a low incidence of common conditions among older and vulnerable groups. Private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the typical SA2 average, with approximately 53% of residents (~1,171 people) covered, compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic.. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent health issues, affecting 8.6% and 8.5% of the population, respectively. However, 68.3% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, which is higher than the 63.4% average for Regional Vic..
Health statistics for working-age individuals are generally average. Residents aged 65 and older represent 18.1% of the population (403 people), below the 23.9% average in Regional Vic., though this demographic profile ranks lower nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cape Woolamai is largely Australian-born, at 85.0% of residents, with 5.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.8%) and Australian (29.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity, with 85.2% holding citizenship, 85.0% born in Australia, and 94.5% speaking only English in their households. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 34.2% of the community. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented at 0.4% of the population, compared to 0.1% in Regional Vic.. Regarding ancestral backgrounds, the three most common origins are English at 30.8%, Australian at 29.5%, and Irish at 9.0%. Other distinct demographic differences include Dutch heritage, which is overrepresented at 2.5% of the population (compared to 1.7% regionally), Scottish at 9.0% (compared to 8.8%), and New Zealand at 0.9% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Cape Woolamai is 43. 21.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 43 is identical to the Regional Vic. median of 43 and higher than the national median of 38. The age distribution shows a high proportion of people aged 45 - 54 (14.7%), whereas the 75 - 84 bracket is smaller (5.5%) than in Regional Vic.. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 4.3% to 5.5%, and the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 10.1% to 11.2%. At the same time, the 55 to 64 cohort decreased from 15.2% to 13.5%.
Looking forward to 2041, forecasts suggest notable changes in the age structure, with the 45 to 54 group leading the shift by growing 62% (204 people) to reach 532 from 327.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Cape Woolamai
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 14 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,301 at the 2021 Census → 2,228 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL20475). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.