Koo Wee Rup

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

The population of the Koo Wee Rup statistical area (Lv2) is estimated at around 4,209 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 162 people since the Census in 2021, which reported a population of 4,047. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 4,184 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 69 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 71 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, the Koo Wee Rup (SA2) has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%, outpacing its SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 76.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with an expected increase of 3,015 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 86.7% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Koo Wee Rup among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Koo Wee Rup averaging around 27 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 136 homes were approved, with 9 so far in FY-26. Each year, an average of 9.7 new residents is associated with every home built during these years.

This demand significantly exceeds supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average value for new dwellings developed is $369,000. In FY-26, $4,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating a predominantly residential focus.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Koo Wee Rup has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person. Nationally, it ranks among the 83rd percentile of assessed areas. Development activity has picked up recently. All new construction consists of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 125 people per dwelling approval, Koo Wee Rup exhibits characteristics of a low density area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Koo Wee Rup is projected to add approximately 3,651 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Koo Wee Rup has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project expected to influence the region: Costco Pakenham Warehouse. Other notable projects include Clyde Rail Extension, City of Casey Capital Works Program 2025/26, and South East Melbourne Recycled Water Supply Infrastructure Upgrades. The following list highlights those most pertinent.

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

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AreaSearch analysis places Koo Wee Rup well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Koo Wee Rup's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent with an unemployment rate of 3.2% and estimated employment growth of 5.2% over the past year (AreaSearch data).

As of September 2025, 2,602 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Melbourne at 66.1%. Key employment sectors include construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing. Construction is particularly strong, with a share of employment 1.9 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical jobs are under-represented at 3.4% compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 5.2%, while labour force grew by 5.3%, causing unemployment to rise slightly (AreaSearch analysis). In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.0% and unemployment rise by 0.3%. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows Victorian employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, outpacing the national average growth of 0.14%. National employment forecasts (May-25) suggest a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Koo Wee Rup's employment mix, local jobs are expected to grow by 5.9% in five years and 12.4% in ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Koo Wee Rup had a lower than average income level nationally in financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $51,407 and the average income was $59,640. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. By September 2025, current estimates project the median income in Koo Wee Rup to be approximately $55,648 and the average income to be around $64,560, accounting for an 8.25% increase since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Koo Wee Rup cluster around the 51st percentile nationally. The income distribution shows that 40.7% of residents (1,713 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, mirroring the broader area where 32.8% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 53rd percentile.

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

Koo Wee Rup's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 91.1% houses and 8.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Koo Wee Rup stood at 27.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (53.9%) or rented (18.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,811, below Melbourne metro's average of $1,866. Median weekly rent in Koo Wee Rup was $320, compared to Melbourne metro's $361. Nationally, Koo Wee Rup's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Koo Wee Rup has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 76.0% of all households, including 36.6% couples with children, 25.8% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 24.0%, with lone person households at 22.2% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.8.

Educational outcomes in Koo Wee Rup fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 9.9%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (34.1%). Educational participation is high, with 29.5% currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.6% in primary, 7.8% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis shows two operational public transport stops in Koo Wee Rup, served by a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by four individual routes, offering a total of 289 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these stops is rated as limited, with residents generally located 640 meters away from the nearest stop.

The service frequency averages 41 trips per day across all routes, equating to around 144 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Koo Wee Rup is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Koo Wee Rup faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but more so among older cohorts. Private health cover is relatively low, at approximately 50% of the total population (~2,123 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.3 and 8.9% of residents respectively. However, 65.4% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 70.3% across Greater Melbourne. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 15.6% (656 people), compared to 13.7% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Koo Wee Rup is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Koo Wee Rup, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 87.9% born in Australia, 91.0% being citizens, and 94.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated at 42.6%. Notably, the 'Other' religion category was underrepresented at 0.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 3.2%.

Ancestry-wise, Australians topped at 33.0%, higher than the regional average of 26.7%. English followed at 31.7% and Irish at 7.4%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Dutch were slightly overrepresented at 2.7% (regional average 2.6%), Italians at 4.5% (3.0%), and Sri Lankans underrepresented at 0.4% (1.1%).

Koo Wee Rup hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Koo Wee Rup has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Koo Wee Rup has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (16.2%) but fewer individuals aged 45-54 (9.3%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35-44 has increased from 12.5% to 14.9%, while those aged 75-84 have risen from 4.8% to 5.9%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has decreased from 11.6% to 9.3%, and those aged 15-24 have fallen from 11.8% to 10.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Koo Wee Rup, with the strongest projected growth in the 35-44 age group, expected to increase by 86% to reach 1,169 residents.