Cowes

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

As of Nov 2025, Cowes's population is estimated at around 7,493, reflecting an increase of 900 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 13.7% rise from the previous population of 6,593. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 6,807 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and an additional 626 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 359 persons per square kilometer. Cowes's growth exceeded non-metro areas (6.0%) and its SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader. 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. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb of Cowes is predicted to grow by 3,768 persons, reflecting a total gain of 43.4% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Cowes among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Cowes had approximately 123 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 616 homes. As of FY-26, 13 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year were associated with each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand until recently, when it moderated to 1 resident per dwelling over the past two years. New properties are approved at an average construction cost of $588,000, higher than regional levels. In FY-26, $18.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial activity.

Compared to Rest of Vic., Cowes records 65.0% more development activity per person, reflecting strong developer confidence. New developments consist of 55.0% detached dwellings and 45.0% attached dwellings, offering choices across price ranges. This differs from the current housing mix of 84.0% houses, indicating a shift towards more affordable options. With around 60 people per dwelling approval, Cowes is considered a growth area. Population forecasts estimate an increase of 3,248 residents by 2041, aligning with present construction rates and fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Population forecasts indicate Cowes will gain 3,248 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Present construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Cowes has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Ten projects identified by AreaSearch may significantly affect the local area's performance. These projects potentially influence the region due to their nature as infrastructure changes or planning initiatives. Key projects include Samuel Property Warley Avenue Apartments, Lifestyle Communities Phillip Island, Isle of Wight Hotel Redevelopment, and Phillip Island Recreation Reserve Master Plan. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 4.0%, Cowes has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Cowes has a skilled workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.0%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, 2,723 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% higher than Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Workforce participation in Cowes lags at 43.8%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Accommodation & food has notably high concentration, with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 2.0% of Cowes's workforce compared to Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.9%, alongside a 1.4% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points. Rest of Vic. recorded similar trends with a 0.9% employment decline and a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Cowes's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Cowes had a median taxpayer income of $37,177 and an average income of $52,087. Nationally, the median was $48,741 and the average was $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 are approximately $41,698 (median) and $58,421 (average). The 2021 Census indicates Cowes household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally. In Cowes, 29.9% of locals (2,240 people) earn between $400 - $799, contrasting with the surrounding region where 30.3% earn between $1,500 - $2,999. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Cowes, with only 83.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

Cowes is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Cowes' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.7% houses and 16.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cowes was 49.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.4% and rented ones at 27.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,550, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,450. Median weekly rent in Cowes was $331, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $295. Nationally, Cowes' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,550 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Cowes features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 62.9% of all households, including 17.6% couples with children, 35.0% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 37.1%, with lone person households at 34.8% and group households making up 2.4%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

Educational attainment in Cowes aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area has university qualification rates of 19.1%, significantly lower than the Victorian average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 14.1% and certificates at 27.8%. Currently, 24.3% of the population is engaged in formal education, including 9.6% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary levels.

Educational institutions include Cowes Primary School and Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, serving a total of 654 students. These schools cater to typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1022) and offer balanced educational opportunities, focusing exclusively on primary education. Secondary options are available in nearby areas. The area has 8.7 school places per 100 residents, lower than the regional average of 12.9, indicating some students may attend schools outside the area.

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

Cowes has 24 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes that together facilitate 228 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as moderate, with residents living an average of 407 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 32 trips per day across all routes, which translates to about nine weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cowes is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Cowes faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low, at approximately 48% (around 3,559 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.3%) and mental health issues (9.6%). About 58.3% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Vic's 61.6%. Cowes has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 36.2% (around 2,712 people), compared to Rest of Vic's 28.6%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are generally good, performing better than the general population in many metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Cowes records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cowes' cultural diversity aligns with its wider region's average. 87.1% of Cowes residents are citizens, 78.6% were born in Australia, and 91.5% speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 46.2%.

Judaism is slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to the region's 0.1%. Top ancestry groups include English (33.1%), Australian (27.1%), and Scottish (9.2%). Dutch (1.8%) Maltese (0.8%), and Welsh (0.6%) are notably overrepresented in Cowes compared to regional averages of 2.5%, 0.4%, and 0.5% respectively.

Cowes ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Cowes has a median age of 55 years, which is higher than the Rest of Vic average of 43 and the national norm of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 20.6% of the population, compared to just 9.4% nationally. Meanwhile, the 15-24 age group is smaller at 7.4%, compared to the Rest of Vic's average. Between 2021 and present day, the 15-24 age group has grown from 6.4% to 7.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 11.1% to 9.8%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 15.7% to 14.5%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show that the 25-34 age cohort is expected to rise significantly, with an increase of 484 people (84%), from 576 to 1,061.