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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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Clifton Springs has an estimated 7,538 residents, down from 7,646 at the 2021 Census — a change of 108 people, or 1.4%. The population has thinned by an average 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 96% of areas nationally. That puts 1,094 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 Clifton Springs has an estimated resident count of around 7,538, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS population updates with post-Census address validations. This figure represents a contraction of 108 people (1.4%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 7,646 people. The current level builds upon an ABS ERP estimate of 7,503 from June 2025 alongside 98 validated new addresses logged after the Census. The suburb of Clifton Springs registers a density of 1,094 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks across AreaSearch assessed localities.
Net interstate migration served as the primary growth contributor, accounting for roughly 74.0% of recent population additions, with natural increase and overseas arrivals also recording positive contributions. Projections for the suburb of Clifton Springs incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, supplemented where necessary by 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections converted to SA2 boundaries via weighted population growth aggregation. Age-specific growth distributions derived from these aggregations are projected across all territories for 2032 to 2041. Over the coming years, demographic forecasts position the area in the upper quartile of Australian non-metropolitan regions, anticipating an influx of 2,930 persons by 2041 through aggregated SA2 projections, representing a 38.4% expansion across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
186 new dwellings have been approved in Clifton Springs over the past five years, an average of 37 a year. That is 4.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 33 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 4, 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
AreaSearch evaluations of ABS building permit statistics indicate that Clifton Springs averages approximately 37 new dwelling approvals annually, totaling an estimated 186 residential approvals across the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 4 recorded to date in FY-25. Amid recent population contraction, residential supply additions appear sufficient to meet local buyer demand, with approved projects carrying an average expected construction cost of $490,000—moderately higher than regional norms—pointing toward higher-grade builds. Additionally, commercial development shows strong momentum following $30.2 million in commercial approvals recorded during the current financial year.
Residential construction volume in Clifton Springs remains subdued compared to Rest of Vic., trailing the per-capita regional benchmark by 70.0%. This restrained building pipeline helps underpin demand and price resilience across established housing stock. Standalone dwellings dominate recent approvals at 97.0%, while medium and high-density formats comprise 3.0%, reinforcing the locality's low-density suburban fabric and appeal to family buyers prioritizing space. A ratio of approximately 1506 people per approval underscores the mature nature of the community. Long-term projections indicate Clifton Springs will add 2,895 residents by 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. Should existing building volumes persist, future dwelling delivery could lag behind population expansion, intensifying market competition and placing upward pressure on property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Clifton Springs
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Clifton Springs, worth an estimated $51 million. A further 76 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.57 billion. 22 are already under construction and 23 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 capital spending, strategic planning, and civil works exert a critical influence on suburban performance. AreaSearch tracks 10 major infrastructure initiatives with potential local impacts, most notably the Belgrove Estate, Duke 3222, Bellarine Views Estate, and the Drysdale Bypass Road Project.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Belgrove Estate
A masterplanned community by SOHO Living offering 41 fixed-price, full turn-key homes with coastal-inspired designs on the Bellarine Peninsula. Features architecturally designed homes from $599,950 with premium inclusions, located near beaches, schools, shops, and Geelong CBD. The development includes a display suite at the project site and is currently in construction with titles registered.
Bellarine Views Estate
A boutique land estate offering 26 residential lots in the heart of Clifton Springs on the Bellarine Peninsula, providing coastal living with modern conveniences.
Clifton Springs Beach Renourishment
Design and construction of a rock armoured groyne, beach renourishment, and integration of a storm water outfall to protect and enhance the coastal area.
MacKillop Senior Centre
A state-of-the-art senior learning centre at Saint Ignatius College featuring 16 classrooms, a 330-seat lecture theatre, dedicated maker spaces, break-out areas, learning decks, and integrated technology. The $24 million facility opened in March 2024, serving Years 10-12 students on a spacious 12.4-hectare campus. The centre incorporates light-filled stairwells, timber finishings, study nooks, collaboration spaces and Christian symbolism including a prominent cross on its central tower, emphasizing the Ignatian tradition of faith-based education.
Duke 3222
A boutique development of 6 architecturally designed townhouses with generous proportions, modern high-quality finishes, large windows, and yard spaces. Located 200m from Drysdale town centre and adjacent to the Drysdale Recreation Reserve, these homes offer a strong connection to the outdoors with functional layouts and premium features. Coming soon to the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.
Jetty North Bellarine Estate
A seaside estate of 80 lots on an elevated parcel of beachside land in Curlewis, Bellarine Peninsula, offering tranquil coastal living with views of the surrounding water and Melbourne CBD lights, 20 minutes from Geelong. Surrounded by education, relaxation, shopping, and recreation opportunities.
Clifton Springs Boat Harbour Upgrade
The upgrade includes the completion of a new overflow car-trailer park with 30 additional paved parking spaces for boat trailers, formalizing an existing informal overflow area. This enhances facilities for recreational boating, yachting, fishing, and diving. Dredging is part of ongoing maintenance, supported by a grant.
Bay Shore Avenue and Jetty Road Intersection Upgrade
The project involved constructing a roundabout and raised pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Bay Shore Avenue and Jetty Road to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The speed limit was adjusted to 50 km/h to enhance safety.
3,409 residents of Clifton Springs are employed, from a labour force of 3,552. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, with participation at 55.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,859, 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
Workforce analysis from AreaSearch statistical area data shows Clifton Springs possesses a capable labor base with solid representation across essential services, alongside a 4.1% unemployment rate. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,409, with local unemployment standing 0.4% higher than the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%, while labor force participation remained comparatively subdued at 55.4% versus 61.1% across Regional Vic.. Census returns recorded 18.0% of local workers operating from home, an outcome subject to prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at the time. The primary employment sectors among local workers are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
Construction represents a distinct area of local workforce specialization, employing 1.3 times the proportion observed regionally. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.7% of resident employment, well below the 7.5% regional standard. A comparison between the resident labor pool and the Census workplace count indicates that the locality functions largely as a dormitory suburb with constrained local job availability. According to AreaSearch evaluations of broader SALM and ABS figures, the 12 months leading to March 2026 saw the local labor pool contract by 3.8% alongside a 3.0% decline in employment, which reduced the local unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Regional Vic. saw employment dip by 0.1%, the workforce diminish by 0.3%, and unemployment ease by 0.2 percentage points. Broader hiring prospects are outlined in Jobs and Skills Australia national forecasts from Mar-26 across five and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across industries. Applying these sector trajectories to the Clifton Springs worker profile yields an estimated local employment increase of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, representing a baseline industry weighting that excludes localized population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Clifton Springs is $1,348 a week (about $70,000 a year), with median personal income at $683 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,759 a year against an average of $61,709. 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
Taxation records from the ATO for financial year 2023, compiled by AreaSearch, show taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Clifton Springs sit below nationwide benchmarks. Median taxable earnings reached $47,759 while the mean was $61,709, compared against Regional Vic. figures of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Applying a Wage Price Index uplift of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of approximately $52,353 (median) and $67,645 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places personal, family, and household earnings within the 23rd to 25th percentiles across Australia.
The largest earning segment comprises 31.2% of residents (2,351 people) earning $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the 30.3% share observed across the surrounding area. Net income remaining post-housing costs stands at 85.4%, ranking at the 26th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Clifton Springs had 3,177 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 44% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 26.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census findings show that residential stock across Clifton Springs is overwhelmingly made up of separate houses at 98.0%, with semi-detached, units, and other formats accounting for 2.0%, compared with Regional Vic. distributions of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Outright home ownership reached 43.8%, exceeding the Regional Vic. standard, while mortgaged properties accounted for 38.0% and rental accommodation comprised 18.2%. Monthly mortgage payments stood at a median of $1,517 and weekly rents were $350, above the Regional Vic. equivalents of $1,430 and $285. In a national context, monthly mortgage obligations in Clifton Springs remain below the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and weekly rents sit under the nationwide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Clifton Springs counted 3,177 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 34% couples without children. 27% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 71.1%, broken down into couples without children at 34.4%, couples with children at 24.8%, and single parent households at 11.0%. Non-family setups make up the remaining 28.9%, consisting of single-person dwellings at 26.9% and group arrangements at 2.0%. The local median of 2.3 people per household is slightly smaller than the 2.4 average recorded across Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.0% of adults in Clifton Springs hold a university qualification, including 12.6% with a bachelor degree and 3.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.5% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 475 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,003 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment presents a key development area locally, with university degree holders making up 19.0% of residents, trailing the wider VIC level of 33.4%. Higher education qualifications are led by bachelor degrees at 12.6%, alongside postgraduate degrees at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.0%. Meanwhile, vocational qualifications form a strong foundation, as 41.5% of individuals aged 15+ hold technical credentials, split between certificate programs (29.5%) and advanced diplomas (12.0%). A significant 23.6% segment of the community is enrolled in structured study. This total includes 8.0% attending primary school, 6.5% enrolled in secondary education, and 3.3% undertaking tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Clifton Springs reaches 35 stops on 8 routes, timetabled for about 1,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 250 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The public transit network in Clifton Springs comprises 35 stops across 8 transit routes, delivering a collective 1,466 passenger journeys each week. Transit proximity is solid, with households situated an average of 251 meters from the nearest stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, outward travel is common, with private cars serving as the primary transport mode at 94% and vehicle ownership averaging 1.5 per household. In addition, 18.0% of local workers worked from home during the 2021 Census, a figure potentially shaped by pandemic conditions. Transit services maintain an average delivery of 209 trips per day across all available routes, translating to roughly 41 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
59.9% of residents in Clifton Springs report no long-term health condition. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 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 chronic illness rates and mortality indicate overall health metrics in Clifton Springs track below typical averages, with elevated prevalence of common conditions across younger and older demographics alike, while private health insurance coverage is limited to roughly 51% of residents (~3,863 people). Arthritis and mental health concerns rank as the most widespread diagnosed conditions locally, affecting 11.3 and 9.6% of the population respectively, while 59.9% of residents reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 63.4% throughout Regional Vic.. Chronic ailments are particularly elevated among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 28.6% of the locality (2,155 people), surpassing the 24.0% regional proportion, with older residents demonstrating above-average health outcomes that exceed the suburb's overall national health standing.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Clifton Springs is largely Australian-born, at 83.5% of residents, with 4.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.9%) and Australian (27.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural background metrics place Clifton Springs below national diversity averages, with 83.5% of residents born domestically, 91.9% holding Australian citizenship, and 95.3% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity is the dominant faith, adhered to by 47.6% of residents in Clifton Springs, comparable to the 47.3% proportion across Regional Vic.. Looking at parental heritage, the most common ancestries in Clifton Springs are English at 32.9%, Australian at 27.4%, and Irish at 10.0%. Specific demographic divergences are also apparent, with Scottish lineage recording 9.5% in Clifton Springs (compared to 8.8% regionally), Dutch heritage at 1.8% (versus 1.7%), and Maltese representation at 1.1% (against 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Clifton Springs is 48, older than 88% of areas nationally. 17.8% 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 profile of Clifton Springs leans older than Regional Vic. benchmarks. Residents aged 65+ make up 28.6% of the population as at August 2026 versus 24.0% regionally, while youth cohorts aged 0 - 24 represent 24.5% compared to 28.5% across the wider region. The local median age is estimated at 48, unchanged from the 2021 Census, which sits 5 years above the Regional Vic. Census benchmark of 43 and well above the nationwide Census median of 38. Since the Census, the proportion of seniors aged 65+ has increased from 26.6% to an estimated 28.6%.
Between now and 2041, the largest numerical gain is anticipated across the 25 - 44 age group, projected to rise by 925 residents (61%) to reach 2,448.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Clifton Springs
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 | Oct 2025 about a year ago all 7 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 Oct 2025. | ||
| 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 — 98 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (7,646 at the 2021 Census → 7,538 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 (SAL20575). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.