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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Koo Wee Rup is around 4,321, reflecting a 6.8% increase since the 2021 Census figure of 4,047 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, which estimated a resident population of 4,296 for Koo Wee Rup and surrounding areas. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 73 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2025, Koo Wee Rup has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%, outpacing its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed around 76.0% of overall population gains during this period. AreaSearch's projections for the suburb, based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 and using 2022 as the base year, predict exceptional growth over the next decade.

By 2032 to 2041, Koo Wee Rup is projected to grow by an additional 3,051 persons, reflecting an increase of 82.7% in total population over these 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Koo Wee Rup among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Koo Wee Rup averaged approximately 23 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an estimated 117 homes were approved, with a further 5 approved in FY-26 so far. This results in around 11.3 new residents per year for every home built over the past five financial years.

Demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average development value of new dwellings is $369,000, which is below regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, there have been $81,000 in commercial approvals, indicating the area's residential nature.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Koo Wee Rup has roughly two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 62nd percentile nationally when assessed areas are considered. New development consists predominantly of standalone homes (94.0%) with a smaller proportion of townhouses or apartments (6.0%), maintaining the area's low-density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. The population density is approximately 237 people per dwelling approval, suggesting potential for growth. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Koo Wee Rup is projected to grow by 3,575 residents by 2041. If current construction levels continue, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Koo Wee Rup has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting 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.

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 has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, notably in the construction sector. Its unemployment rate was 3.3% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.3%. As of June 2025, 2,554 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 1.3% below Greater Melbourne's. The dominant 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%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 4.3% while labour force rose by 4.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.2 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 3.5%, labour force expanded by 4.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Koo Wee Rup. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Koo Wee Rup's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.4% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Koo Wee Rup's median income among taxpayers was $51,407 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $59,640 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Greater Melbourne, which had a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761. By September 2025, estimates suggest Koo Wee Rup's median income will be approximately $57,658 and the average income around $66,892, based on a 12.16% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Koo Wee Rup cluster around the 51st percentile nationally. The majority of residents, 40.7%, or 1,758 people, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income bracket. Housing costs consume 16.0% of income in Koo Wee Rup, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 53rd percentile nationally.

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

Koo Wee Rup's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 91.1% houses and 8.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Koo Wee Rup was 27.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 53.9% and rented ones at 18.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,811, lower than Melbourne metro's $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 at $1,811 against the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $320 compared to 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, consisting of 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% of the total. 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 has university qualification rates at 9.9%, substantially lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 7.1%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.7%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.1%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 43.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (34.1%).

Educational participation is high at 29.5%, including 12.6% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education. Koo Wee Rup's 3 schools have a combined enrollment of 1,475 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 982) offering balanced educational opportunities. The area has 2 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups, functioning as an education hub with 34.1 school places per 100 residents - significantly above the regional average of 16.4, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis indicates two operational public transport stops in Koo Wee Rup, both offering bus services. These stops are served by eight distinct routes, facilitating a total of 417 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is assessed as limited, with residents generally situated 640 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 59 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 208 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.

Approximately half of its total population (~2,180 people) has private health cover. The most common medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 10.3% and 8.9% of residents respectively. Conversely, 65.4% of residents report having no medical ailments compared to 70.3% in Greater Melbourne. Koo Wee Rup has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (15.6%, or 674 people) than Greater Melbourne (13.7%). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to the specific challenges they face.

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, as per the census data from June 2016, showed a lower than average cultural diversity. The population was predominantly born in Australia, with 87.9%, and held citizenship at 91.0%. English was the language spoken at home by 94.6% of residents.

Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 42.6% of people. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprised only 0.7% of Koo Wee Rup's population, compared to Greater Melbourne's 3.2%. In terms of ancestry, Australian heritage was most prevalent at 33.0%, higher than the regional average of 26.7%. English ancestry followed at 31.7%, and Irish at 7.4%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Dutch were slightly overrepresented at 2.7% compared to the region's 2.6%, Italian at 4.5% versus 3.0%, and Sri Lankan at 0.4% against Greater Melbourne's 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 residents aged 45-54 (9.2%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the age group 35-44 has grown from 12.5% to 14.9%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 4.8% to 5.9%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 11.6% to 9.2%, and the 15-24 age group dropped from 11.8% to 10.7%. Population forecasts for Koo Wee Rup in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 35-44 age cohort, expected to grow by 82% and add 528 residents to reach a total of 1,172.