East Geelong

East Geelong has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

East Geelong's population is estimated at around 3,987 as of Feb 2026. This reflects a decrease of 25 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,012. The current estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of ABS ERP data from June 2024, showing a resident population of 3,984. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.0% of overall population gains recently. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are used with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Population growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb of East Geelong is forecasted to increase by 1,105 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 27.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in East Geelong, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates East Geelong averaged approximately 6 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 34 homes. As of FY26, 0 approvals have been recorded. This averages to about 1.9 people moving to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, suggesting balanced supply and demand dynamics. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $533,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $28.9 million in commercial approvals, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Rest of Vic., East Geelong shows significantly reduced construction levels, 84.0% below the regional average per person, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This level is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent development has solely comprised attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers, marking a shift from the area's predominantly house-based housing stock (currently 85.0%). East Geelong has around 628 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. By 2041, AreaSearch estimates East Geelong will grow by 1,102 residents. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Looking ahead, East Geelong is expected to grow by 1,102 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

East Geelong has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include Barwon Women's and Children's Hospital, Geelong Marine Research Institute, Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Precinct, and Malop Street Green Spine. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

While East Geelong retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.9%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

East Geelong has a well-educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.9% as of December 2025, which is 0.2% higher than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was 71.5%, exceeding Regional Vic.'s 61.5%.

According to Census responses, 26.7% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance is particularly strong with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.7% compared to Regional Vic.'s 7.5%.

The area functions as an employment hub with 1.1 workers per resident, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.7%, while employment fell by 0.5%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to East Geelong's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

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 2023 shows East Geelong's median income among taxpayers is $59,938, with an average of $85,026. This ranks high in Australia compared to Regional Vic.'s median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 are approximately $64,883 (median) and $92,041 (average). The 2021 Census records East Geelong's personal income at the 72nd percentile ($943 weekly), with household income at the 52nd percentile. The earnings profile indicates that 29.6% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually (1,180 individuals). After housing expenses, 85.5% of income remains for other costs. East Geelong's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

East Geelong's dwelling structures, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in East Geelong stood at 33.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.3% and rented ones at 31.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,827, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in East Geelong was $350, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, East Geelong's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

East Geelong features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 63.2% of all households, including 25.9% couples with children, 27.1% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.8%, with lone person households at 30.9% and group households comprising 5.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

East Geelong performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

East Geelong's educational attainment exceeds broader benchmarks significantly. As of 2016, 39.3% of its residents aged 15+ held university qualifications, compared to 21.7% in the rest of Victoria and 27.3% in the SA3 area. This high level positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees were most prevalent at 26.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.0%) and graduate diplomas (5.2%). Vocational credentials were also prominent, with 30.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas accounted for 12.5% and certificates for 17.9%.

Educational participation was notably high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This included 7.8% in primary education, 6.5% in tertiary education, and 5.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

East Geelong has 35 active public transport stops serving 22 routes, offering 2,035 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent accessibility, with an average distance of 142 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily, predominantly by car (83%), followed by walking (7%) and cycling (3%). The area has a lower vehicle ownership rate of 1.2 per dwelling compared to the regional average. A significant portion of residents work from home, at 26.7% according to the 2021 Census, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Public transport services run an average of 290 trips daily across all routes, equating to around 58 weekly trips per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 290 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 58 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in East Geelong is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

East Geelong shows better-than-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups have low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at around 60% of the total population (2,406 people), compared to 50.5% across Regional Vic.. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 10.2 and 9.0% of residents respectively. 67.7% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic.. Health outcomes among the working-age population are generally typical. The area has 15.7% of residents aged 65 and over (625 people), lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly matching those of the general population.

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

East Geelong showed lower cultural diversity, with 85.4% born in Australia, 91.0% being citizens, and 90.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 46.4%. Judaism's representation was similar to regional levels at 0.1%.

Top ancestry groups were English (28.6%), Australian (25.0%), and Irish (13.2%). Notable differences existed for Scottish (10.3% vs 8.8%), Dutch (1.7% vs 1.7%), and Croatian (0.8% vs 0.4%) groups.

East Geelong's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in East Geelong was 39 years as of the 2021 Census, which is significantly lower than Regional Victoria's average of 43 years but essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional Victoria, East Geelong had a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 years (18.8%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 years (4.7%). Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses, the median age in East Geelong decreased by 1.4 years from 40 to 39 years, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. Key changes during this period include an increase in the proportion of residents aged 25-34 years from 14.9% to 18.8%, and an increase in the proportion of residents aged 35-44 years from 12.3% to 13.4%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 55-64 years decreased from 14.4% to 12.4%, and the proportion of residents aged 45-54 years dropped from 14.3% to 12.8%. Demographic modeling suggests that East Geelong's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to increase markedly by 418 people (56%) from 749 to 1,168 residents. The 55-64 age group is expected to grow more modestly, adding only 6 residents over this period.