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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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Highton has an estimated 22,662 residents, up from 20,736 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,926 people, or 9.3%. Growth has averaged 1.9% a year over five years. 267 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 52.0% of that increase. That puts 1,990 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 evaluations combining ABS demographic revisions across the wider territory with verified post-Census address additions, the suburb of Highton records an estimated population of approximately 22,662 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,926 people (9.3%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 20,736 people. The estimate is established from a resident base of 22,636 identified through AreaSearch review of the ABS June 2025 ERP release alongside 267 validated new addresses identified since the Census. Consequently, population density stands at 1,989 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the nationwide average benchmarked by AreaSearch.
With an increase of 9.3% since the 2021 census, the suburb of Highton outpaced both the Rest of Vic. benchmark of 4.4% and the broader SA3 area, establishing itself as a regional growth frontrunner. Net overseas migration served as the principal demographic catalyst, delivering roughly 52.0% of recent population gains, while natural increase and interstate arrivals also delivered positive contributions. SA2 demographic modelling incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, supplemented where necessary by 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA releases via population growth weighted aggregation down to SA2 divisions. These age-cohort growth rates are extended across all territories for the years 2032 to 2041. Long-term demographic forecasts position the suburb of Highton within the top quartile among regional Australian territories, with aggregated SA2 figures projecting an addition of 6,289 persons up to 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 27.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
731 new dwellings have been approved in Highton over the past five years, an average of 146 a year. That places the area in the 80th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 105 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 73% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 87, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
ABS building approval statistics analyzed by AreaSearch at the statistical area level indicate that approximately 146 residential approvals have been granted annually in Highton, accumulating to an estimated 731 homes across the prior 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 87 approvals have been logged. Over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, the influx averaged 3.8 people per year for every home constructed, highlighting an undersupply that intensifies purchaser competition and puts upward pressure on values. The mean expected construction cost per dwelling stands at $871,000, demonstrating that builders are primarily targeting the upper-tier residential market.
Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $116.3 million during this financial year, reflecting substantial private sector capital commitment. On a per-person basis, new residential approvals in Highton occur at roughly half the rate observed across Rest of Vic., placing the locality in the 50th percentile nationally. Recent building approvals comprise 73.0% detached dwellings alongside 27.0% attached dwellings, reinforcing the low-density neighborhood structure focused on family housing. Recording approximately 296 people per approval, the local property sector displays the hallmarks of a transitioning market. Projections indicate that Highton will absorb an additional 6,263 residents through to 2041, measured against the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should dwelling construction persist at current volumes, residential capacity may trail population expansion, potentially compounding market competition and driving further capital appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Highton
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Highton, worth an estimated $66 million. A further 74 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $10.4 billion. 17 are already under construction and 30 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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, major development undertakings, and strategic planning frameworks play a central role in shaping local growth. AreaSearch has tracked 29 key initiatives influencing the surrounding district. Significant undertakings include the Wandana Estate, Highton Urban Design Framework, 22-24 Barrabool Road Development, and the Epworth Geelong Innovation and Education Precinct.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Highton Urban Design Framework
Comprehensive village improvement framework for Highton Village, including enhanced streetscapes in Bellevue Arcade and Village Walk, building height guidelines up to 4 storeys, improved parking and traffic management, and greater pedestrianisation. The implementation amendment (C457ggee) was adopted by the Council in August 2025.
34 Barrabool Road Apartments
Development of a three-storey residential apartment building comprising 10 multi-bedroom apartments, basement car parking, and integrated landscaping. Located approximately 100 metres from Highton Village shopping strip within the City of Greater Geelong.
22-24 Barrabool Road Development
Proposed multi-residential apartment development situated across 22-24 Barrabool Road in the Highton Village activity precinct. The scheme comprises residential apartments with associated basement carparking and ground-level landscaping. Planning assessment and permit documentation are administered by the City of Greater Geelong.
Lume Belmont
Lume is a 126.5 million AUD master-planned residential community being delivered across the former CSIRO research site in Belmont. The development comprises over 220 homes featuring architecturally designed townhouses, vacant land lots, and future medium-density residences integrated with green open space. Civil works and infrastructure construction are actively transforming the 6.4-hectare infill parcel.
Morven Townhomes
A boutique residential development featuring 19 architecturally designed townhouses and units with 3-5 bedroom layouts. Set within thoughtfully landscaped grounds with native planting influenced by the surrounding rolling hills and coastline. The development represents quality infill housing in established Highton with modern finishes and spacious living areas.
Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus Expansion
Ongoing multi-stage transformation of Deakin University's Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus under the Climate Ready Campus masterplan. Key completed components include the Geelong Future Economy Precinct (GFEP) - Victoria's epicentre of advanced manufacturing, energy and sustainability research - the 7.5MW renewable energy microgrid (operational since 2021), 320-bed student accommodation (completed April 2021), and the REACH health hub. Active works include road network upgrades, integrated water management and wetland conversion, and Building KA infill (completed 2025). The GFEP hosts 18 joint ventures with a market value of approximately $1 billion and the REACH Trailblazer program ($380 million total value) focused on clean energy and recycling commercialisation.
Coles Belmont Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the existing Coles supermarket into a larger approximately 3,400 sqm contemporary supermarket with a new Liquorland, basement car parking for about 160 vehicles, upgraded public realm works, improved pedestrian access, bus stop improvements and landscaping. Construction commenced following permit approval and subsequent permit amendments, with the existing store closing in June 2026 and reopening expected in late 2027.
Barwon Business Park
Barwon Business Park comprises a modern commercial office precinct featuring three multi-level buildings designed by Mark J Gratwick Architects. The development includes 20 strata commercial office tenancies, integrated parking, and dedicated cafe and food amenities overlooking the Barwon River corridor.
12,501 residents of Highton are employed, from a labour force of 12,737. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 68.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 17,223, about 76% 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
Workforce analysis by AreaSearch reveals an accomplished resident talent pool concentrated in critical services, maintaining a low unemployment rate of 1.9% alongside annual job stability. As of March 2026, employed residents number 12,501, with the local jobless rate tracking 1.8% beneath the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%, and local participation measuring an elevated 68.8% versus 61.1% across Regional Vic.. Census returns indicate that 26.5% of working residents operated from home, though prevailing Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be taken into account. Health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade constitute the primary employment sectors for local workers.
The area displays a distinct concentration in education & training, capturing a workforce proportion 1.5 times the wider regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.7% of resident employment, compared to 7.5% regionally. Comparing resident workers against local workplace positions identified at the Census suggests that the community functions primarily as a dormitory residential suburb with fewer internal employment hubs. Examination of SALM and ABS statistical area records demonstrates that over the 12-month period, the local labor pool shrank by 0.6% while total employment fell by 0.2%, reducing the overall unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. Across Regional Vic., employment dropped by 0.1%, the labor force declined by 0.3%, and unemployment diminished by 0.2 percentage points. Forward-looking occupational outlooks published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide context for future local labor requirements. Across Australia, workforce numbers are anticipated to climb by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variances across industry categories. Weighting these projections against the local industry baseline suggests employment among residents could rise by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years (representing a baseline extrapolation for modeling purposes without adjustments for local population changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Highton is $2,054 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $889 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,843 a year against an average of $69,979. 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
ATO postcode taxation statistics for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that personal earnings in Highton track moderately ahead of nationwide norms, recording a median income of $53,843 and a mean of $69,979, compared to the Regional Vic. median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in 9.62% Wage Price Index movement since financial year 2023, modeled earnings stand at approximately $59,023 (median) and $76,711 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, aggregate household, family, and individual income metrics sit around the 67th percentile across Australia.
Weekly earnings between $1,500 - 2,999 account for 30.6% of local earners (6,934 individuals), consistent with the 30.3% regional benchmark. Furthermore, 31.7% of households generate top-tier weekly earnings above $3,000, underpinning strong consumer liquidity. Households preserve 87.5% of income after servicing accommodation costs, placing the area in the 8th decile on the SEIFA economic index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Highton had 7,458 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 0% apartments. 39% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $360 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 17.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census housing metrics show that standalone houses represent 87.4% of the local dwelling stock, with attached, multi-unit, and other formats comprising 12.6%, whereas Regional Vic. records 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stands at 39.3%, aligning with the regional standard, while mortgaged properties represent 38.9% and private rentals account for 21.7%. Typical monthly mortgage payments reach $2,000 and weekly rent medians track at $360, compared to $1,430 and $285 across Regional Vic.. In a nationwide context, mortgage outlays exceed the Australian standard of $1,863, whereas rental rates sit below the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Highton counted 7,458 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,151 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 36% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 23% 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
Families constitute 73.2% of all domestic arrangements, consisting of 36.3% couples with children, 28.3% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family living situations represent the remaining 26.8%, broken down into 23.2% single-person residences and 3.7% shared group households. Average household occupancy sits at 2.6 people, exceeding the Regional Vic. norm of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
39.4% of adults in Highton hold a university qualification, including 25.9% with a bachelor degree and 9.2% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 18.1% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 3,545 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,105 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
Tertiary attainment in Highton substantially outpaces regional standards, as 39.4% of persons aged 15+ hold higher education degrees, versus 21.7% in Rest of Vic. and 27.3% across the SA3 area. Within this cohort, bachelor degrees account for 25.9%, postgraduate awards comprise 9.2%, and graduate diplomas represent 4.3%. Practical trade qualifications are also widespread, with 30.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including 12.6% with advanced diplomas and 18.1% holding certificate accreditations. Academic engagement is elevated across the population, with 32.2% of residents undertaking formal study. By level of schooling, primary students represent 10.3%, secondary attendees make up 8.3%, and tertiary scholars account for 7.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Highton reaches 74 stops on 17 routes, timetabled for about 5,100 services a week. The typical home sits about 260 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
Local transit networks feature 74 operating passenger stops serviced across 17 distinct routes, generating 5,079 weekly passenger trips. Public transit access is favorable, with average walking distances to the nearest stop measuring 255 meters. Due to the area's residential profile, outbound travel prevails, with private vehicles accounting for 93% of journeys to work. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling. Remote working was recorded by 26.5% of workers during the 2021 Census, subject to prevailing COVID-19 settings. Transit service schedules average 725 trips per day across the network, providing approximately 68 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.5% of residents in Highton report no long-term health condition. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic morbidity reveal positive general health across both younger and older resident segments, alongside high private health insurance uptake at approximately 54% of the population (~12,348 people), compared to 50.5% throughout Regional Vic.. Asthma and mental health disorders represent the most frequently reported conditions, diagnosed in 8.3 and 7.9% of the population, while 70.5% reported no long-term illnesses, exceeding the 63.4% proportion recorded across Regional Vic.. Community members aged under 65 exhibit favorable overall wellness metrics. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 18.2% of residents (4,124 people), below the 24.0% regional share, and demonstrate strong clinical outcomes consistent with broader benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Highton is largely Australian-born, at 79.9% of residents, with 13.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (28.0%) and Australian (25.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics show above-average diversity across Highton, where 20.1% of residents were born abroad and 13.5% communicate in a non-English language at home. Christianity forms the primary religious denomination, accounting for 49.9% of the local population. Meanwhile, Judaism shows a notable local presence at 0.1% of residents, identical to the 0.1% share recorded across Regional Vic.. The primary heritage backgrounds identified across the community are English at 28.0%, Australian at 25.0%, and Irish at 10.0%. Other distinct ancestral representations include Scottish at 9.4% (compared to 8.8% regionally), Croatian at 0.9% (versus 0.4%), and Dutch at 1.7% (matching 1.7% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Highton is 38. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 28.0% 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 age distribution in Highton features a smaller senior population relative to the regional standard. Updated August 2026 figures show that children and young adults (0 - 24) comprise 33.6% of the population, compared to 28.5% across Regional Vic., whereas individuals aged 65+ account for 18.2% versus 24.0% regionally. The estimated median age sits at 38, down from 39 at the 2021 Census and remaining 5 years younger than the Regional Vic. median of 43 from that same Census. The 45 - 64 age bracket has decreased from 24.3% at the Census to an estimated 22.2%.
Demographic modelling to 2041 projects the strongest expansion among young to middle aged adults (25 - 44), which is forecast to increase by 3,231 residents (54%) to reach 9,214.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Highton
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 | Sep 2026 last month all 7 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 Sep 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 — 267 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (20,736 at the 2021 Census → 22,662 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 (SAL21187). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.