Foster

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

As of November 2025, Foster's population is estimated at approximately 2,032 people, indicating a decrease of 12 individuals since the 2021 Census. This reduction represents a 0.6% change from the previous population count of 2,044. AreaSearch validated this estimate following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 37 new addresses since the Census date. The current population density in Foster is around 17.8 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration has been a primary driver for population growth, contributing approximately 52% of overall gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch employs 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 uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting them through weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, Foster's population is expected to decline by 265 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts such as the 25 to 34 age group are projected to grow, with an increase of 45 individuals anticipated over this period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Foster according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Foster has recorded approximately 15 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY2021 and FY2025, around 77 homes were approved, with an additional three approved so far in FY2026. On average, about 1.8 new residents arrive per new home built over these five years, suggesting a balanced supply and demand, stable market conditions, and moderate construction values at approximately $606,000 per property, which is moderately above regional levels.

This year, Foster has registered around $2.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating its predominantly residential character. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Foster records about 66% of building activity per person, placing it among the 43rd percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, maintaining Foster's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes.

The estimated population count of 379 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet and low-activity development environment. With projected population stability or decline, Foster is expected to experience reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Foster has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Marinus Link, Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) Facility, Star of the South Offshore Wind Farm, and Regional Housing Fund Gippsland. The following list outlines those projects likely to be most relevant.

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The labour market performance in Foster lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Foster has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 4.5%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of June 2025, Foster had 809 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%, which is 0.7% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Foster was at 42.6%, significantly lower than Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade. Foster showed strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level. Public administration & safety was under-represented at 3.3%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 6.5%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Foster's labour force decreased by 2.0% while employment declined by 2.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.9%, labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 projected national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Foster's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not account for localized population projections.

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

Foster's median taxpayer income was $36,904 and average income was $49,199 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of Vic.'s median income being $48,741 and average income $60,693. By September 2025, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $41,392 and average income $55,182, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data shows Foster's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 2nd and 8th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 31.0% of residents earn $400 - $799 weekly (629 residents), differing from surrounding regions where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 30.3%. Lower income households are prevalent, with 41.6% earning below $800 weekly, suggesting affordability pressures for many residents. Despite modest housing costs and 88.6% of income retained, total disposable income ranks at just the 6th percentile nationally.

Foster is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Foster, as per the latest Census data, 88.3% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 11.8% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. In contrast, Non-Metro Vic. had 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Foster stood at 59.4%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 19.7% and rented dwellings making up 20.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,348, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,450. The median weekly rent in Foster was $240, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $295. Nationally, Foster's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,348 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 57.3% of all households, including 15.3% couples with children, 34.5% couples without children, and 7.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 42.7%, with lone person households at 40.6% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 21.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.2%) and certificates (26.0%). A total of 23.7% of the population is actively pursuing education, with 8.6% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.

The area has two schools: Foster Primary School and Foster Secondary College, serving a combined 427 students. These schools offer balanced educational opportunities, typical of Australian schools (ICSEA: 1000). The area functions as an education hub with 21.0 school places per 100 residents, higher than the regional average of 12.9, attracting students from nearby communities.

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

The analysis indicates one active public transport stop in Foster, offering a mix of bus services. This stop is served by three routes, collectively facilitating 68 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically residing 625 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages nine trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 68 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Foster faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 46% (942 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (15.6%) and asthma (8.7%). Conversely, 52.1% report no medical ailments, lower than Rest of Vic's 61.6%. Foster has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 39.9% (810 people), compared to Rest of Vic's 28.6%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Foster's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 87.5% of its population being citizens and 85.1% born in Australia. The majority, 94.9%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 43.4% of Foster's population.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented in Foster at 0.3%, compared to 0.1% across Rest of Vic. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.5%), Australian (30.5%), and Irish (10.4%). Other ethnic groups also showed variations: Scottish was slightly overrepresented at 9.7% in Foster versus 9.3% regionally, Dutch was underrepresented at 1.9% compared to 2.5%, and Russian was also underrepresented at 0.4% versus 0.1%.

Foster ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Foster's median age is 58, notably higher than Rest of Vic.'s figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group comprises 14.7% of Foster's population, exceeding the Rest of Vic.'s percentage and the national figure of 6.0%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort makes up only 6.6% of Foster's population. Between 2021 and the present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 7.3% to 8.7%, while the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 13.4% to 14.7%. During this period, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 17.1% to 14.8%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 19.9% to 18.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Foster's age profile, with the 25-34 group expected to grow by 30%, reaching 174 people from its current total of 134. Meanwhile, the 45-54 and 35-44 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.