Curlewis (Vic.)

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Curlewis (Vic.) had an estimated population of around 3,946 as of May 2026. This figure reflects a decrease of 229 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,175 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,939, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and address validation since the Census date. The population density ratio was 194 persons per square kilometer as of May 2026. Over the past decade, Curlewis demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 74.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting them employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase is forecast for Curlewis. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 1,418 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 35.8% in total over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Curlewis is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Curlewis has seen minimal residential development activity with fewer than one dwelling approval annually over the past five years. This low level of development is typical in rural areas where housing needs are modest, and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that with such low approval numbers, yearly growth figures can fluctuate significantly based on individual projects.

Curlewis has shown significantly less construction activity than the rest of Victoria. The development pattern here is also well below national averages.

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

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 23 such projects that are expected to influence the area. Notable projects include Belgrove Estate, Bellarine Highway Safety Improvements, Duke 3222, and Drysdale Sporting Precinct Stage 2. The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

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The employment landscape in Curlewis presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.7%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Curlewis has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, there are 1912 employed residents, aligning with Regional Vic.'s 3.7% unemployment rate and exceeding its 61.0% workforce participation rate at 66.2%.

Census responses indicate that 19.1% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. The area's employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade, with a notable specialization in retail trade (130% of regional level). Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 1.1%, compared to Regional Vic.'s 7.5%. Local job opportunities appear limited based on resident vs working population counts.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.2% and employment by 3.7%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point unemployment rate reduction. This compares to Regional Vic., where employment fell by 0.6%, labour force contracted by 0.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Curlewis, with national employment projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Curlewis' employment mix indicates local employment should increase by similar rates over the respective periods.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows median income in Curlewis suburb was $59,297 and average income stood at $76,617. This contrasts with Regional Vic.'s figures of a median income of $50,954 and an average income of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from financial year ending June 2023 to March 2026, estimated current incomes would be approximately $65,001 (median) and $83,988 (average). Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Curlewis cluster around the 56th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 39.2% of locals (1,546 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, aligning with metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.3%. High housing costs consume 16.5% of income, leaving disposable income at the 55th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Curlewis had 98.9% houses and 1.1% other dwellings in its dwelling structure as of the latest Census, compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Curlewis was at 26.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.5% and rented ones at 30.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,777, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $405, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Curlewis's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Curlewis features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 81.8% of all households, including 34.6% couples with children, 32.1% couples without children, and 14.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.2%, with lone person households at 15.3% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Curlewis exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 23.0%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (29.0%). Educational participation is high at 30.1%, with 11.6% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Curlewis has 13 operational public transport stops serviced by 8 routes, offering 735 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good access to transport, with an average distance of 350 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, primarily using cars (95%). On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 19.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 105 trips per day, equating to approximately 56 weekly trips per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 105 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 56 weekly trips per individual stop.

Curlewis's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Curlewis's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen at a standard level across both young and old age cohorts in Curlewis.

Private health cover is found to be high at approximately 57% of the total population (~2,251 people), compared to 50.5% across Regional Victoria. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (10.4%) and asthma (9.3%), with 67.7% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Regional Victoria. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. Curlewis has 13.0% of residents aged 65 and over (512 people), lower than the 23.9% in Regional Victoria. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than those for the general population.

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

Curlewis, as per the findings, exhibited below-average cultural diversity with 85.1% of its population born in Australia, 91.6% being citizens, and 93.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was found to be the predominant religion, comprising 43.1% of Curlewis' population. However, Hinduism showed an overrepresentation with 0.7%, compared to the regional average of 0.7%.

The top three ancestry groups in Curlewis were English (30.0%), Australian (27.9%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, Polish (1.0% vs regional 0.5%), Dutch (1.8% vs regional 1.7%), and Maltese (1.4% vs regional 0.5%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Curlewis.

Curlewis hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Curlewis has a median age of 34, which is lower than the Regional Vic. figure of 43 and Australia's average of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented in Curlewis at 16.2%, compared to the Regional Vic. average. Meanwhile, the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 8.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 15.1% to 16.6% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 10.7% to 9.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Curlewis's age profile. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow significantly, expanding by 360 people (56%) from 639 to 1,000.