Cape Woolamai

Cape Woolamai lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Cape Woolamai's population is estimated at around 2,691 as of Feb 2026, reflecting an increase of 390 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,301. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 2,458 in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density is 439 persons per square kilometer. Cape Woolamai's population grew by 16.9% between the 2021 Census and Feb 2026, exceeding Rest of Vic's growth rate of 8.1%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 adjusted to SA2 levels for areas not covered by ABS data. Projected demographic shifts indicate exceptional growth for Cape Woolamai between 2026 and 2041, with an expected increase of 1,346 persons reflecting a total increase of 38.6%.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally, is predicted over the period with the area expected to increase by 1,346 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting reflecting an increase of 38.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Cape Woolamai among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates Cape Woolamai has experienced approximately 25 dwellings receiving development approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 128 homes. In FY-26 so far, two approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 2.3 people moved to the area per new home constructed, suggesting solid demand supporting property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $588,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This financial year has seen $4.5 million in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Vic., Cape Woolamai maintains similar construction rates per person, preserving market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. This is notably higher than national averages, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. Recent construction comprises 62% detached houses and 38% medium and high-density housing, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges from spacious family homes to more affordable compact options.

This shows a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 88% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Cape Woolamai has around 86 people per dwelling approval, indicating characteristics of a growth area. Looking ahead, AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects Cape Woolamai to grow by 1,038 residents through to 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Cape Woolamai has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Five projects identified by AreaSearch may impact the area: Waters Edge San Remo, Edgewater Estate, San Remo Structure Plan, San Remo Foreshore Upgrade (Community Proposed).

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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Cape Woolamai performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Cape Woolamai has a skilled workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. The unemployment rate was 1.7% as of September 2025, lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.6%.

There were 1,306 residents employed while workforce participation stood at 66.0%, slightly higher than Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, 23.6% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in construction, education & training, and health care & social assistance sectors. Construction employment levels are particularly high at 1.7 times the regional average.

In contrast, health care & social assistance employs only 10.6% of local workers compared to Rest of Vic.'s 16.8%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 4.6% while labour force increased by 4.2%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced employment and labour force declines of 0.7% and 0.6% respectively. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cape Woolamai's employment mix indicates local employment could increase by 6.3% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that Cape Woolamai's median income among taxpayers is $46,439. The average income in this suburb is $65,064. Both figures are below the national average. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s median income is $50,954 with an average of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated current incomes for Cape Woolamai would be approximately $50,270 (median) and $70,432 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Cape Woolamai rank modestly, between the 34th and 34th percentiles. The earnings profile indicates that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 31.6% of residents (850 people). This pattern is similar to the region where 30.3% occupy this income range. After housing expenses, 85.6% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Cape Woolamai is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Cape Woolamai, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 11.7% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. In contrast, Non-Metro Vic. had 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cape Woolamai stood at 38.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.4% and rented ones at 21.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Cape Woolamai was $340, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Cape Woolamai's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,500 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $340 compared to the national figure of $375.

Cape Woolamai has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 70.8% of all households, including 30.1% composed of couples with children, 30.2% consisting of couples without children, and 9.4% being single parent families. The remaining 29.2% are non-family households, comprising 26.4% lone person households and 2.8% group households. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Vic.

Cape Woolamai demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Cape Woolamai, the proportion of residents aged 15 and above with university qualifications is significantly higher than broader regional benchmarks. Specifically, 28.9% of its residents hold such qualifications compared to 18.1% in the SA4 region and 20.7% in the SA3 area. This educational advantage suggests strong potential for knowledge-based opportunities within the area. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 19.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications. This includes advanced diplomas held by 12.2% of residents and certificates by 29.4%. Educational participation is notably high in Cape Woolamai, with 33.3% of its residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.2% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 4.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cape Woolamai has six operational public transport stops. These are served by two distinct routes, offering a total of thirty weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is considered good, with residents residing on average 374 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most Cape Woolamai residents commute outward, with cars being the primary mode of transport at 94%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 23.6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Overall service frequency averages four trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly five weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Cape Woolamai is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population across older, at risk cohorts

Cape Woolamai shows better-than-average health outcomes, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions among its general population is low, particularly among older, at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 53% (~1,414 people) have private health cover, slightly higher than the average SA2 area's rate of 50.5% across Rest of Vic.. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.6% and 8.5% of residents respectively, while 68.3% report having no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among working-age residents are generally typical. Cape Woolamai has 17.7% (476 people) of its population aged 65 and over, lower than the 23.9% in Rest of Vic., but still ranks lower nationally compared to the broader population.

Cape Woolamai ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cape Woolamai, surveyed in June 2016, had a population with 85.2% citizens, 85.0% born in Australia, and 94.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 34.2%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

Top ancestry groups were English (30.8%), Australian (29.5%), and Irish (9.0%). Notable divergences included Dutch at 2.5% (vs regional 1.7%), Scottish at 9.0% (vs 8.8%), and New Zealand at 0.9% (vs 0.4%).

Cape Woolamai hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Cape Woolamai's median age is 42 years, similar to Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and older than Australia's 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 45-54 are prominent at 14.5%, while the 75-84 group is smaller at 4.9% compared to Rest of Vic. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 13.5% to 14.5%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 15.2% to 13.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Cape Woolamai, with the strongest growth projected in the 25-34 cohort at 70%, adding 201 residents to reach 489.