Lakes Entrance

Population growth drivers in Lakes Entrance are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of the suburb of Lakes Entrance was around 5,420 as of May 2026. This reflected an increase of 275 people from the 2021 Census figure of 5,145, a growth rate of 5.3%. AreaSearch estimated the resident population at 5,372 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2025 and validated an additional 205 new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 183 persons per square kilometer. Lakes Entrance's growth exceeded that of its SA3 area (2.3%) and the Rest of Vic., making it a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 used VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting with weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb of Lakes Entrance is forecasted to increase by 1,843 persons, reflecting a total increase of 33.1% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Lakes Entrance recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Lakes Entrance averaged approximately 27 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 138 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. The average number of new residents per year per dwelling constructed was 1.1 between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this has decreased to 0.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating more balanced supply conditions.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $463,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This year, there have been $2.5 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating Lakes Entrance's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Vic., Lakes Entrance shows approximately 63% of construction activity per person and places among the 66th percentile nationally when measured against other areas assessed.

Recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (82.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. The location has approximately 210 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lakes Entrance is expected to grow by 1,795 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Lakes Entrance has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified seven projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones are Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (LENGA), Lakes Entrance Foreshore Park Development, Krauatungalung Walk Stage 1, Lakes Entrance - Marine Parade Upgrade, and Lakes Entrance Slipway Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Lakes Entrance shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Lakes Entrance has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. The unemployment rate was 6.0% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 7.0%. As of December 2025, 1,935 residents are employed, but the unemployment rate is higher at 2.3% compared to Regional Vic.'s 3.7%.

Workforce participation is lower at 44.4%, versus Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. Only 10.9% of residents work from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Accommodation & food has a strong presence, with an employment share 2.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is lower at 4.9%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 7.0% and labour force by 6.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Vic., where employment contracted by 0.6%, labour force fell by 0.7%, and unemployment fell by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Lakes Entrance's employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that in Lakes Entrance, median income is $35,521 and average income is $45,806. This contrasts with Regional Vic.'s median income of $50,954 and average income of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth from July 2023 to March 2026 (an estimated increase of 9.62%), current estimates for Lakes Entrance would be approximately $38,938 (median) and $50,213 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Lakes Entrance fall between the 0th and 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 35.5% of locals (1,924 people) earn between $400 and $799 per week, differing from the surrounding region where 30.3% earn between $1,500 and $2,999. This indicates a higher proportion of lower-income residents in Lakes Entrance, with 46.7% earning less than $800 per week. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains, but this ranks at only the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Lakes Entrance, as per the latest Census, consisted of 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Lakes Entrance was 51.2%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged at 20.0% or rented at 28.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,227, significantly lower than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Lakes Entrance was recorded at $252, substantially below Regional Vic.'s $285 and the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 59.0% of all households, including 15.8% couples with children, 31.5% couples without children, and 11.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 41.0%, with lone person households at 38.1% and group households comprising 2.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Lakes Entrance faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.5%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.6% in primary, 7.1% in secondary, and 1.3% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 1.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Lakes Entrance has 47 active public transport stops served by 7 routes offering 146 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good accessibility, with an average distance of 204 meters to the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, with outward commuting being common. Car use dominates at 92%, while walking accounts for 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 10.9% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 20 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Lakes Entrance is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Lakes Entrance faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (~2,442 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic.

and 55.7% nationally. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (13.1%) and mental health issues (9.5%), with 55.0% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Lakes Entrance has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 36.9%, compared to 23.9% in Regional Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly in line with national rankings.

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

Lakes Entrance, as per the census conducted on 28 June 2016, showed lower than average cultural diversity. The population breakdown was: 85.7% citizens, 85.0% born in Australia, and 94.3% speaking English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, accounting for 47.9%.

Judaism's representation stood at 0.1%, similar to Regional Vic's 0.1%. Top ancestry groups were English (31.4%), Australian (31.0%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, Dutch (1.9% vs regional 1.7%), Maltese (0.7% vs 0.5%), and Russian (0.3% vs 0.1%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Lakes Entrance.

Lakes Entrance ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Lakes Entrance is 54 years, significantly higher than Regional Vic.'s average of 43 and the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented at 19.0% locally compared to Regional Vic.'s average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.8%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.6% to 13.7%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 9.5% to 10.7%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 20.5% to 19.0%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 15.0% to 13.6%. By 2041, Lakes Entrance is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 age cohort projected to expand considerably by 288 people (68%), from 422 to 711.