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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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Curlewis (Vic.) has an estimated 3,939 residents, down from 4,175 at the 2021 Census — a change of 236 people, or 5.7%. That puts 195 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
According to AreaSearch assessments of ABS updates across the surrounding region and post-Census validated new addresses, the population of the suburb of Curlewis (Vic.) is estimated at around 3,939 as of Aug 2026. This marks a reduction of 236 people (5.7%) from the 4,175 people recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment stems from an estimated resident population of 3,926, calculated by AreaSearch using address validation following the Census and the ABS ERP figures released in June 2025. With a population density of 194 persons per square kilometer, the locality provides ample personal space alongside scope for future expansion.
Over the previous decade, the suburb of Curlewis (Vic.) maintained strong expansion, achieving a 11.3% compound annual growth rate that exceeded the wider SA3 area. Interstate migration served as the primary growth driver, generating roughly 74.0% of recent population additions, with natural growth and overseas migration also making positive contributions. For each SA2 boundary, AreaSearch integrates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with 2022 serving as the baseline year. For SA2 territories not covered by this dataset, AreaSearch incorporates the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections issued in 2023, utilizing a weighted aggregation framework to translate growth from LGA to SA2 levels. These aggregated age-specific growth trajectories are likewise applied across all territories from 2032 to 2041. Over the coming years, forward-looking demographic projections indicate that the suburb of Curlewis (Vic.) is poised for remarkable expansion within the top 10 percent of national regional areas. Based on aggregated SA2 projections, the area is anticipated to add 1,611 persons by 2041, representing an overall expansion of 40.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building and planning activity in Curlewis is very subdued, averaging less than 1 approvals per year and recording minimal approvals over five years. Such low development volumes align with the rural character of the district, where construction activity answers localized housing requirements rather than broad market demand. Given this minimal volume, individual development undertakings can heavily alter annual growth statistics and comparative metrics. Construction and development activity in Curlewis is considerably lower than in Rest of Vic.. In addition, local building activity tracks below national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Curlewis (Vic.)
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 14 current infrastructure and development projects inside Curlewis (Vic.), worth an estimated $572 million. A further 57 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.29 billion. 17 are already under construction and 22 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
Infrastructure upgrades, planning programs, and major development works exert a major influence on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects expected to impact the local community, with notable undertakings including Belgrove Estate, Bellarine Highway Safety Improvements, Duke 3222, and Drysdale Sporting Precinct Stage 2, with key developments detailed below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Drysdale Sporting Precinct Stage 2
Stage 2 of the Drysdale Sporting Precinct is under construction following a December 2025 sod turning. The approximately AUD 14.5 million project includes a new multi-use pavilion with female-friendly change facilities, a soccer pitch with LED lighting, additional recreation infrastructure, landscaping, paths, parking and supporting community facilities as part of the long-term master plan for the regional sporting precinct.
Sanctuary Springs Estate, Leopold
Boutique residential estate in Leopold delivering approximately 536 lots with waterways, wetlands, parks and a display village. Current stages are sold out, with the next land release anticipated in 2026. The estate is developed by Granite Projects with project sales and marketing by RPM Group.
Bellarine Highway Safety Improvements
The Bellarine Highway Safety Improvements project is part of a road maintenance blitz across Victoria and is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments to make the corridor safer through Moolap and Wallington. The project involves installing safety barriers, removing specific right-turn movements, and building U-turn facilities to reduce the risk of collisions and improve intersection safety. A separate project to improve the intersection at Bellarine Highway and Moolap Station Road is also underway.The works are expected to take approximately six months to complete, weather permitting.
McDermott Rd, Curlewis
Stockland Halcyon is progressing a masterplanned community on a 26.12 hectare site at 32-70 McDermott Road, Curlewis, on the Bellarine Peninsula. The proposal comprises approximately 325 land lease homes for over-55s buyers and around 100 general residential lots, with a clubhouse and recreational facilities. The site forms part of the Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage 2, which was rezoned from Farming Zone and Rural Living Zone to General Residential Zone under Planning Scheme Amendment C387ggee.The amendment was approved by the Victorian Minister for Planning and gazetted on 30 June 2025, following a supportive independent panel report. A Development Plan and subsequent planning permits are still required before construction can commence.
Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage 2
Rezoning of approximately 150 hectares of land in the Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage 2 to facilitate around 2,000 new dwellings. The project includes traditional residential lots, townhouses, retirement and aged living, public open space, waterways, trails, local parks, development contributions infrastructure and an extension of the foreshore reserve. The planning scheme amendment was approved by the Minister for Planning and gazetted on 30 June 2025, enabling future staged subdivision and development.
Curlewis Masterplanned Community
A masterplanned community located in Curlewis, Victoria, forming part of the 150-hectare Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage 2. The development will feature a natural waterway, a 1-hectare park with a playground, and connections to local parks, wetlands, wineries, and the Bellarine Rail Trail. It offers a diverse mix of lots designed for 'all-electric' living. Being developed by a consortium comprising APD Projects, Stockland, and SOHO Living, the recently rezoned project is expected to deliver approximately 2,000 new homes over the next 10 to 20 years, alongside local parks, waterway reserves, and an extension of the foreshore reserve.
Coriyule Estate
A residential estate at the entrance to the Jetty Rd Growth Precinct.
Jetty Road Child & Community Hub
A proposed child and community centre to meet the needs of the growing population in the Jetty Road Growth Area.
1,917 residents of Curlewis (Vic.) are employed, from a labour force of 1,990. Unemployment sits at 3.7%, with participation at 66.2%. 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 3,216, about 82% 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
Curlewis features a qualified workforce with robust participation in essential services and an unemployment rate of just 3.7%, based on statistical area aggregations by AreaSearch. As of March 2026, 1,917 residents are employed, with the local unemployment rate matching the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., while labour force participation is elevated at 66.2% compared to 61.1% in Regional Vic.. Census returns indicate that 19.1% of employed locals worked from home, though potential effects from Covid-19 lockdown restrictions should be taken into account. Local workers are primarily employed across health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
The workforce shows a notable concentration in retail trade, where employment stands at 1.3 times the regional average. By contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 1.1% of working residents, sitting below the 7.5% share across Regional Vic.. A comparison between the resident population and the Census working population points to limited job openings situated directly within the area. According to AreaSearch evaluation of broader ABS and SALM data, the year to March 2026 saw the local labour force shrink by 4.2% and employment fall by 3.5%, resulting in a 0.7 percentage points decrease in the unemployment rate. Across Regional Vic., employment dropped by 0.1%, the labour force contracted by 0.3%, and unemployment decreased by 0.2 percentage points. Future workplace demand in Curlewis can be evaluated against Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections from Mar-26 across five and ten-year horizons. Across Australia, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though outcomes differ across industries. Applying these sectoral projections to the Curlewis employment profile suggests local job growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, noting that this is an illustrative weighting extrapolation that does not incorporate localized population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Curlewis (Vic.) is $1,830 a week (about $95,000 a year), with median personal income at $848 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $59,297 a year against an average of $76,617. 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
Taxpayer income in the suburb of Curlewis ranks very high nationally based on financial year 2023 ATO figures aggregated by AreaSearch. Among local taxpayers, the median income is $59,297 and the average income is $76,617, compared with Regional Vic.'s corresponding figures of $50,954 and $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, income levels are estimated at $65,001 (median) and $83,988 (average) as of March 2026. Based on Census 2021 data, personal, family, and household incomes in Curlewis sit near the 56th percentile nationally. In terms of earnings distribution, 39.2% of residents (1,544 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, in line with 30.3% recorded across the wider metropolitan region.
Housing costs account for 16.5% of income, while strong wage levels place disposable income at the 55th percentile and the SEIFA income measure in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Curlewis (Vic.) had 1,475 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 44% are owned with a mortgage, 30% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $405 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,777 a month. Rent absorbs 22.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the housing landscape in Curlewis was composed of 98.9% houses and 1.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasted with 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings in Regional Vic.. Outright home ownership in Curlewis lagged Regional Vic. at 26.1%, with the balance of properties being mortgaged (43.5%) or rented (30.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area stood at $1,777, well above the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, while median weekly rent was $405 compared to $285 for Regional Vic.. Across Australia, Curlewis mortgage payments sit below the national average of $1,863, whereas rental costs exceed the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Curlewis (Vic.) counted 1,475 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 35% are couples with children, against 32% couples without children. 15% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households make up 81.8% of all living arrangements, consisting of couples with children (34.6%), couples without children (32.1%), and single parent families (14.1%). Non-family households account for the remaining 18.2%, comprising lone person households at 15.3% and group households at 2.8%. The median household size of 2.7 people is higher than the 2.4 average across Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.0% of adults in Curlewis (Vic.) hold a university qualification, including 15.7% with a bachelor degree and 3.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.0% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 3,006 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,044 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
Educational attainment presents specific challenges in the area, as university qualification rates of 23.0% sit well below the VIC benchmark of 33.4%, highlighting opportunities for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees form the largest share of higher education credentials at 15.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational education is strongly represented, with 42.6% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (29.0%). Participation in formal learning is elevated, with 30.1% of residents currently studying. This cohort comprises 11.6% attending primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 3.5% engaged in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Curlewis (Vic.) reaches 13 stops on 8 routes, timetabled for about 1,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 350 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 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
Public transport services in Curlewis operate through 13 active transport stops across 8 separate routes, generating 1,549 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is considered good, with residents situated an average of 350 meters from their closest stop. As a largely residential community, commuting is predominantly outbound, with private vehicles accounting for 95% of journeys. Households maintain an average of 1.6 vehicles per dwelling. In addition, 19.1% of working residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 circumstances. Transport schedules provide an average of 221 trips per day across the network, representing roughly 119 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
67.7% of residents in Curlewis (Vic.) report no long-term health condition. 4.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 57.1% 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
Health indicators in Curlewis align closely with national averages, with AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illnesses and mortality rates showing standard levels of common health conditions across older and younger demographics. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is very high at approximately 57% (~2,247 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic.. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most widespread medical issues in the district, diagnosed in 10.4 and 9.3% of residents respectively, while 67.7% reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.. The prevalence of chronic ailments is higher than average among working-age individuals.
Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 14.5% of the population (571 people), below the 24.0% share in Regional Vic., and health measures for local older residents rank above average and exceed the broader population nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Curlewis (Vic.) is largely Australian-born, at 85.1% of residents, with 6.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.0%) and Australian (27.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Curlewis sits below average, with 85.1% of residents born in Australia, 91.6% holding citizenship, and 93.1% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 43.1% of residents. Hinduism shows the most notable representation among other faiths, comprising 0.7% of the community, matching the 0.7% proportion in Regional Vic.. Evaluating ancestry based on parental birthplace, the three most common backgrounds in Curlewis are English (30.0%), Australian (27.9%), and Scottish (8.5%). Certain other ancestries show noticeable variation compared to the wider region, including Polish at 1.0% (vs 0.5% regionally), Dutch at 1.8% (vs 1.7%), and Maltese at 1.4% (vs 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Curlewis (Vic.) is 34, younger than 82% of areas nationally. 26.0% 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 the suburb of Curlewis (Vic.) centers around families. Estimates updated to August 2026 indicate that young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) account for 31.3% of residents versus 23.1% across Regional Vic., while seniors and retirees (65+) make up just 14.5% compared to 24.0% regionally. AreaSearch assesses the median age at 34 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure and 9 years below the Regional Vic. median of 43 from that Census. Since the Census, the proportion of residents aged 45 - 64 has reduced from 21.4% to an estimated 19.8%.
By 2041, young to middle aged adults are projected to account for the bulk of growth, increasing by 686 residents (56%) to reach 1,919.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Curlewis (Vic.)
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 | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 14 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 Aug 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,175 at the 2021 Census → 3,939 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 (SAL20697). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.