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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 2,243 residents, down from 2,301 at the 2021 Census — a change of 58 people, or 2.5%. That puts 367 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Cape Woolamai has an estimated population of around 2,243, according to AreaSearch analysis of wider ABS regional updates alongside newly validated post-Census addresses. Compared to the 2021 Census tally of 2,301 people, this represents a reduction of 58 people (2.5%). AreaSearch derived this shift after reviewing the ABS June 2025 ERP figures, establishing a resident population of 2,214, plus 10 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. With a density of 366 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space and room for prospective expansion.
Across the previous decade, the suburb of Cape Woolamai expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%, outperforming the broader SA3 area, with interstate migration accounting for approximately 80.0% of recent population gains. For demographic forecasting, AreaSearch uses SA2-level ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 referencing a 2022 baseline, while incorporating 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA projections through weighted LGA-to-SA2 aggregation where SA2 coverage is absent. Cohort-specific growth rates from these models are similarly projected across all regions from 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the suburb of Cape Woolamai is forecast to experience remarkable expansion, ranking within the top 10 percent of non-capital locations. Over the 16 years leading to 2041, aggregated SA2 projections indicate an addition of 1,142 persons, marking an overall rise of 49.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
56 new dwellings have been approved in Cape Woolamai over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 3.6 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
ABS building approval statistics analyzed by AreaSearch show that Cape Woolamai registered an annual average of around 11 residential approvals, accumulating an estimated 56 homes across the previous 5 financial years, with 1 approvals lodged to date in FY-25. Equilibrium between supply and demand has fostered steady conditions, underpinned by an average influx of 1.1 new residents per year per completed home across the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, though this metric shifted to -11 people per dwelling across the last 2 financial years to reflect even more balanced supply.
Builders remain focused on the high-end residential market, with new dwellings carrying an average construction cost of $666,000. On the commercial front, approvals total $4.5 million during this financial year, reflecting a modest commercial pipeline. Development intensity in Cape Woolamai is substantially subdued compared to Rest of Vic., trailing the per-capita regional benchmark by 62.0%. A restricted pipeline of new builds generally bolsters pricing power and buyer interest for established stock. Residential construction is overwhelmingly oriented toward separate homes, with 88.0% detached houses and 12.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining a low-density character that appeals to buyers seeking space. Furthermore, an estimated ratio of 2222 people per building approval highlights the quiet pace of local construction. According to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch, Cape Woolamai is projected to add 1,113 residents by 2041. If residential building continues at its current rate, housing additions may fall behind demographic growth, potentially heightening competition among purchasers and sustaining upward pressure on property values.
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 $75 million. A further 54 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $8.96 billion. 18 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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 performance is heavily shaped by major planning works, civil projects, and infrastructure investments. AreaSearch has pinpointed 5 significant initiatives poised to affect the locality. Notable developments encompass Waters Edge San Remo, San Remo Structure Plan, Edgewater Estate, and San Remo Foreshore Upgrade (Community Proposed), with primary details outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Edgewater Estate
Edgewater Estate is a residential coastal subdivision developed by Bennett Williams across a 5.73-hectare site overlooking Western Port Bay. The boutique project delivers 68 residential lots along with curated house and land packages. Civil works and titles are established, with home construction progressing across the masterplan.
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.
San Remo Foreshore Upgrade
Proposed community-led upgrade along the San Remo foreshore reserve spearheaded by the San Remo Community Association. The proposal advocates for a continuous all-abilities concrete pathway connecting the Marine Parade shopping precinct with Lions Park, accompanied by accessible public amenities, improved wayfinding signage, coastal open-space activation, and recreational infrastructure.
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.
1,179 residents of Cape Woolamai are employed, from a labour force of 1,196. Unemployment sits at 1.4%, with participation at 66.0%. 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 1,755, 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
Aggregated statistical data from AreaSearch highlights a proficient local workforce in Cape Woolamai, characterized by strong presence in construction, a minimal jobless rate of 1.4%, and an estimated annual job growth rate of 1.5%. By March 2026, the employed population stood at 1,179 residents, with unemployment sitting 2.3% lower than the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., alongside an active participation rate of 66.0% (versus 61.1% in Regional Vic.). In addition, Census data showed 23.6% of workers operating from home, a figure potentially influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. The primary sectors employing local residents are construction, education & training, along with health care & social assistance.
Construction represents a distinct regional specialty, engaging workers at 1.7 times the broader regional rate. In contrast, health care & social assistance accounts for 10.6% of the workforce, well under the regional benchmark of 16.8%. Discrepancies between the Census-recorded daytime working population and resident workforce suggest that internal job opportunities within the locality remain limited. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM regional series indicates that over the 12-month period, Cape Woolamai recorded a 1.5% gain in total employment and a 1.1% expansion in the labour pool, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% contraction in employment and a 0.3% drop in labour force, with its jobless rate narrowing by 0.2 percentage points. Looking ahead, Jobs and Skills Australia national projections from Mar-26 provide context for future local labor needs over five- and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, though industry trajectories vary; aligning these trends with Cape Woolamai's sector distribution suggests local employment gains of 6.3% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (illustrative weighted extrapolation excluding localized demographic modeling).
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
According to AreaSearch postcode ATO figures for financial year 2023, individual earnings in the suburb of Cape Woolamai trail nationwide benchmarks, recording a median of $46,439 and an average of $65,064, compared to Regional Vic. medians of $50,954 and averages of $62,728. Factoring in 9.62% Wage Price Index movement since financial year 2023 brings estimated values to approximately $50,906 for median earnings and $71,323 for average earnings by March 2026. During the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household earnings clustered between the 34th and 34th percentiles. The primary earnings cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 band, encompassing 31.6% of residents (708 people), aligning closely with the regional share of 30.3%.
Furthermore, 85.6% of household income is retained following housing costs, positioning the suburb in the 5th decile on the SEIFA income scale.
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
Census records show that the residential fabric of Cape Woolamai is made up of 88.2% houses and 11.7% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached, and alternative dwelling types), whereas Regional Vic. recorded 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 38.5%, marginally trailing Regional Vic., while 40.4% of households held a mortgage and 21.1% were renting. Typical monthly mortgage payments sat at $1,500 and median weekly rents reached $340, higher than Regional Vic. benchmarks of $1,430 and $285. On a broader scale, local mortgage servicing costs remain well below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents sit beneath the national mark 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
The vast majority of living arrangements consist of family households at 70.8%, which include 30.1% couples with children, 30.2% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. The remaining 29.2% are non-family residences, consisting of 26.4% lone person households and 2.8% group households. Across all residences, the median household size of 2.4 people aligns precisely with the Regional Vic. norm.
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
Tertiary qualifications among Cape Woolamai residents aged 15+ reach 28.9%, comfortably exceeding both the SA4 rate of 18.1% and the SA3 average of 20.7%, equipping the local community for professional and knowledge-intensive sectors. Within higher education, Bachelor degrees account for 19.7%, postgraduate qualifications represent 5.3%, and graduate diplomas comprise 3.9%. Vocational and technical training is likewise widespread, with 41.6% of people aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, including 12.2% with advanced diplomas and 29.4% holding certificates. Formal study engagement is substantial across the area, with 33.3% of the population actively pursuing education.
This cohort comprises 12.2% attending primary education, 9.3% undertaking secondary education, and 4.4% enrolled in tertiary 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
Transit analysis for Cape Woolamai identifies 6 functioning public transport stops across 2 separate routes, delivering a combined 34 passenger services weekly. Proximity to transit is favorable, with locals generally residing 374 meters from their closest boarding point. Given the largely residential setting, commuting is predominantly outbound, with private vehicles serving as the primary transport mode for 94% of trips, alongside an average fleet of 1.5 vehicles per household. Additionally, 23.6% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, subject to potential COVID-19 influences. Timetables provide an average of 4 daily services across the entire network, translating to roughly 5 departures per stop each week.
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
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates indicate favourable health metrics for Cape Woolamai, characterized by subdued condition rates among general and vulnerable senior demographics. Furthermore, private health insurance coverage is held by approximately 53% of the population (~1,179 people), slightly outperforming both the typical SA2 level and the 50.5% recorded across Regional Vic.. Among recorded health conditions, arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent, affecting 8.6 and 8.5% of residents, whereas 68.3% of the local population reported no diagnosed long-term medical issues, exceeding the 63.4% figure for Regional Vic..
Health indicators for working-age locals remain largely unremarkable. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 19.6% of residents (439 people), below the Regional Vic. level of 24.0%, while also trailing national distributions relative to the wider population.
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
Cultural diversity metrics place Cape Woolamai below typical benchmarks, as 85.2% of residents hold Australian citizenship, 85.0% were born in Australia, and 94.5% speak exclusively English in domestic settings. Christianity stands as the predominant religious affiliation, claimed by 34.2% of the populace. Notably, Judaism demonstrates a distinct local concentration at 0.4% of the community, relative to 0.1% across Regional Vic.. Evaluating ancestral backgrounds based on parental country of birth, the primary lineages in Cape Woolamai are English at 30.8%, Australian at 29.5%, and Irish at 9.0%. Other backgrounds show varying levels of concentration compared to broader benchmarks: Dutch heritage is notably pronounced at 2.5% (against 1.7% regionally), Scottish accounts for 9.0% (versus 8.8%), and New Zealand heritage represents 0.9% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Cape Woolamai is 43. 20.6% 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 demographic age distribution in Cape Woolamai tracks closely alongside Regional Vic., showing a maximum variance of 4.4 percentage points. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 43, matching the 2021 Census figure as well as the Regional Vic. median of 43 at that time, compared against Australia's national Census median of 38. Following the Census, senior and retiree groups (65+) expanded from 17.0% to an estimated 19.6% of the population. Within these cohorts, the 55 to 64 demographic declined from 15.2% to an estimated 13.1%, whereas the 65 to 74 bracket rose from 11.9% to 13.4%, illustrating an established aging community.
By 2041, young to middle-aged residents aged 25 - 44 are projected to drive growth with an increase of 334 (66%) to reach 843.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 last month 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,301 at the 2021 Census → 2,243 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 Aug 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.