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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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Colac has an estimated 9,141 residents, down from 9,243 at the 2021 Census — a change of 102 people, or 1.1%. 288 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 243 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 Colac has an estimated count of approximately 9,141 residents, derived from AreaSearch assessments combining regional ABS updates with post-Census address validations. This represents a contraction of 102 people (1.1%) relative to the 9,243 people documented in the 2021 Census. Underlying this shift is an estimated resident population of 9,137 established from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, supplemented by 288 validated new addresses confirmed after the Census benchmark. With a density of 242 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous personal space alongside capacity for future expansion.
Although the suburb of Colac recorded a 1.1% decline post-2021 census, it outperformed the broader SA3 area's contraction of -1.5%. Inward overseas migration served as the primary and virtually exclusive catalyst for local demographic additions in recent times. Demographic modeling applies ABS/Geoscience Australia 2024 releases using 2022 baseline figures across standard SA2 boundaries, while uncovered districts leverage 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA datasets converted via weighted population growth aggregations. Cohort-specific growth profiles from these models are incorporated across all territories spanning 2032 to 2041. Future demographic projections suggest the suburb of Colac will expand at a pace slightly beneath the national non-metropolitan median, adding 626 persons through to 2041 via aggregated SA2 metrics, representing an overall increase of 6.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
317 new dwellings have been approved in Colac over the past five years, an average of 63 a year. That places the area in the 57th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 7 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 71 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 83% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 118, running ahead of 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
Analysis of ABS building approvals mapped by AreaSearch indicates that Colac averages approximately 63 approved dwellings annually, totaling roughly 317 residences across the prior 5 financial years (from FY-21 through FY-25), with 118 sanctioned during FY-25 to date. Against a backdrop of recent population contraction, this influx of building approvals has sustained market supply relative to local requirements, providing ample purchasing options alongside an average expected construction cost of $401,000 per dwelling. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $20.0 million within the current financial year, signaling steady non-residential development activity.
Per capita building approvals in Colac surpass the Rest of Vic. benchmark by 53.0%, ensuring strong availability for prospective purchasers. Residential approvals consist of 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% attached dwellings, preserving the community's traditional low-density urban fabric and providing spacious family properties. With approximately 105 people per dwelling approval, the local planning landscape remains firmly oriented toward low-density living. Demographic modeling indicates an increase of 622 residents for Colac through to 2041 based on recent AreaSearch quarterly updates. Given current construction volumes, residential additions appear well positioned to satisfy demand, fostering supportive conditions for buyers while opening avenues for growth beyond projected levels.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Colac
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 Colac, worth an estimated $223 million. A further 28 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.11 billion. 10 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and education & training. 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
Infrastructure upgrades, regional developments, and strategic initiatives play a defining role in shaping local performance, with AreaSearch identifying 7 key projects expected to influence the community. Notable undertakings comprise Lake Colac School, Colac West Primary School Upgrade, Clearwater Colac, and Pound Road, Colac, with primary initiatives detailed in the subsequent summary.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Lake Colac School - Hydrotherapy Pool and Upgrade & Modernisation
Lake Colac School (formerly Colac Specialist School) has undergone a rebuild on part of the former Colac High School site on Murray Street, modernising the heritage building to house a library, art room, music room, woodwork room, food technology facility, staff areas and an Early Education Program facility, plus new classroom and administration buildings, a car park, bus loop and play areas. This upgrade and modernisation was completed in Q2 2024. A separate hydrotherapy pool project, funded through the Hydrotherapy Pools at Specialist Schools Fund, began in Q1 2024 and is forecast to finish in Q3 2026.
Clearwater Colac
Clearwater is a premium masterplanned land estate located on the shores of Lake Colac. The community features 500 residential lots ranging in size from 301m2 to 1600m2, with future onsite amenities including a childcare facility, parklands, playgrounds, and active open spaces.
Colac West Primary School Upgrade and Modernisation
Upgrade and modernisation of Colac West Primary School, including a new main building on the eastern side of the school grounds to provide contemporary classrooms, upgraded technology, a new canteen, a centrally located first aid room, temperature-controlled learning areas, hearing loop technology and improved disability access. Once the new building is complete, the original main wing will be demolished and replaced with landscaped grounds that reflect the school's heritage. Total project funding of $10.2 million was confirmed in the 2025-26 State Budget, including earlier planning funding from the 2023-24 Budget.
Pound Road, Colac
Homes Victoria is delivering 50 new homes on 1.8 hectares of vacant State Government land at Pound Road, Colac, funded through the Victorian Government's Regional Housing Fund (part of the Big Housing Build) with enabling works support from the Australian Government's Housing Support Program. The mix of 30 social and 20 affordable rental homes will be located close to the town centre, public transport, retail, educational and community facilities. Homes include a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom single-storey dwellings, designed to be modern, accessible and energy efficient.Planning approvals were received in March and April 2026. Site preparation works are due to begin May 2026, with construction of homes commencing in 2027. Colac Otway Shire Council reaffirmed its opposition to the concentrated development at its December 2025 meeting, citing neighbourhood character concerns.
Colac Plaza
Completed retail shopping centre featuring Coles, Liquorland, Kaisercraft and 10 other specialty stores, bordering Barongarook creek trail with sensitive architectural and landscaping solutions.
Lakeside Colac
A boutique community of 55 lots, Lakeside Colac offers an opportunity to build your dream home next to the picturesque Lake Colac. Nestled in a premium pocket of Colac, it provides future residents with peace of mind and security in an established area, with easy access to walking tracks, local amenities, schools, and transport links.
Olive Court Estate
A residential land development offering 26 premium blocks ranging from 391 sqm to 812 sqm in a peaceful court near Colac's CBD, medical precinct, schools, and amenities. Fully titled with utilities connected, ready for immediate building.
Harris Road Residential Development
A 3.65-hectare zoned residential development opportunity within the approved Irrewillipe Road Framework Plan, zoned General Residential Zone. The site has potential for approximately 40 residential lots (STCA) and is currently for sale.
4,110 residents of Colac are employed, from a labour force of 4,203. Unemployment sits at 2.2%, with participation at 54.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 7,652, about 84% 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 workforce profile in Colac demonstrates an even distribution between professional and vocational roles, underpinned by substantial industrial and manufacturing sectors and an unemployment rate of only 2.2% per aggregated statistical metrics. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,110, with local unemployment sitting 1.5% beneath the 3.7% recorded for Regional Vic., despite local participation levels of 54.4% trailing the 61.1% regional benchmark. According to Census findings, 6.3% of workers operated from home, though period-specific pandemic containment measures should be noted. Major employment sectors for local residents include manufacturing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.
Local employment is highly specialized in manufacturing, capturing an industry share 2.9 times greater than regional figures. Conversely, education & training accounts for 5.9% of jobs, falling short of the 9.1% seen across the wider region. Comparisons between Census resident counts and workplace counts indicate limited internal job capacity within the immediate district. SALM and ABS datasets synthesized across wider boundaries show that over the twelve months leading to March 2026, the local workforce contracted by 6.4% while overall employment declined by 6.0%, yielding a 0.4 percentage points drop in unemployment. In comparison, Regional Vic. saw employment shrink by 0.1%, the workforce reduce by 0.3%, and unemployment decrease by 0.2 percentage points. Five- and ten-year national outlooks published by Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide further context when aligned with local industry representation. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to rise by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with distinct variance by sector. Factoring these industry trends into the local employment distribution points to potential gains of 5.1% across five years and 11.9% over ten years, representing a baseline weighted projection that excludes localized population adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Colac is $1,108 a week (about $58,000 a year), with median personal income at $661 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,533 a year against an average of $53,150. 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
Based on ATO postcode data compiled for financial year 2023, median taxpayer earnings stand at $46,533 with an average of $53,150. These figures trail broader national standards as well as Regional Vic.'s median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index appreciation of 9.62% following financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 reach approximately $51,009 for the median and $58,263 on average. In the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household income distributions placed within the 7th to 21st percentiles across the country. The most common weekly earning bracket is $800 - 1,499, accounting for 27.8% of residents (2,541 people), whereas the wider region peaks in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 30.3%.
Residual income following housing obligations sits at 85.4%, aligning with the 10th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Colac had 3,874 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 86% detached houses and 0% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,213 a month. Rent absorbs 23.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential stock at the latest Census comprised 86.2% separate houses alongside 13.8% other dwelling types such as apartments and semi-detached units, compared to Regional Vic.'s composition of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other structures. Fully owned homes matched the regional level at 39.8%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 28.9% and rental accommodation comprised 31.3%. Median mortgage payments stood at $1,213 monthly, well below the Regional Vic. mark of $1,430, while weekly median rents were $260 compared to $285 regionally. Across the country, local monthly mortgage obligations sit substantially beneath the Australian median of $1,863, with rental costs similarly lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Colac counted 3,874 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 39% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the majority of dwellings at 56.8%, encompassing 24.4% couples without children, 19.2% couples with children, and 11.7% single parent arrangements. The remaining 43.2% consists of non-family living situations, including 38.7% single-person residences and 4.4% shared group arrangements. The typical household size sits at 2.2 people, tracking below the regional norm of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.8% of adults in Colac hold a university qualification, including 9.5% with a bachelor degree and 2.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 86% of areas nationally. A further 28.3% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 1,960 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 960 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
Attainment levels highlight lower rates of tertiary education, with 12.8% of people holding university credentials compared against the statewide average of 33.4%, offering clear scope for educational advancement programs. Bachelor degrees form the primary higher education credential at 9.5%, with postgraduate qualifications at 2.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Conversely, vocational and practical qualifications are well represented, as 36.8% of individuals aged 15+ hold certificates (28.3%) or advanced diplomas (8.5%). Formal study engages 24.4% of local residents. Within this cohort, 9.5% attend primary schooling, 6.8% are enrolled in secondary education, and 1.8% undertake tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Colac reaches 56 stops on 7 routes, timetabled for about 320 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.2 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
Local transit infrastructure features 56 operational stops incorporating train services, spread across 7 dedicated lines that deliver 320 weekly services. Network coverage is accessible, placing residents an average of 202 meters from their nearest transit node. Given the residential orientation, outbound commuting is prevalent, with private vehicles serving 91% of trips and walking capturing 6%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per home, below regional figures, while working from home accounted for 6.3% of residents during the 2021 Census amidst prevailing pandemic circumstances. Transit schedules deliver an average of 45 trips per day across the collective network, corresponding to roughly 5 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.8% of residents in Colac report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 79% of areas nationally. 10.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics compiled by AreaSearch indicate notable challenges across mortality and condition frequency across both younger and older cohorts, alongside a subdued private insurance rate covering approximately 48% of the populace (~4,381 people). This level trails the 50.5% observed across Regional Vic. and the Australian standard of 55.7%. Prevalent medical diagnoses include arthritis at 10.8% and mental health conditions at 9.3%, whereas 61.8% of the community reported having no long-term illnesses, compared to 63.4% regionally. Working-age cohorts display elevated instances of chronic conditions. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 27.0% of the community (2,468 people), exceeding the 24.0% regional proportion, with senior health indicators generally tracking in step with wider population ranks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Colac is largely Australian-born, at 88.4% of residents, with 8.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.7%) and English (31.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Demographic diversity remains modest, with 87.3% of the community holding Australian citizenship, 88.4% born domestically, and 91.6% using only English at home. Christianity constitutes the predominant religious affiliation, encompassing 48.3% of residents compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic.. The leading ancestral backgrounds reported by residents are Australian (31.7%), English (31.0%), and Irish (10.6%). Notable representation is also seen among Scottish ancestry at 9.3% (exceeding the regional share of 8.8%), Samoan at 0.2% (compared to 0.1% regionally), and Korean at 0.2% (compared to no recorded proportion across the region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Colac is 44, older than 76% of areas nationally. 23.9% 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 age distribution closely mirrors Regional Vic. benchmarks, showing a maximum divergence of only 3.0 percentage points. AreaSearch estimates a median age of 44 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census and one year older than the regional median of 43 from that Census, while the national figure was 38. Looking ahead to 2041, individuals aged 25 - 44 are projected to drive the bulk of demographic growth, expanding by 430 residents (19%) to 2,642, whereas senior and retirement demographics are forecasted to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Colac
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 | Sep 2026 last 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 3 months 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 Jul 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 — 288 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (9,243 at the 2021 Census → 9,141 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 (SAL20607). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.