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, as of Nov 2025, Lakes Entrance's estimated population is around 5,422. This reflects a 5.4% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 5,145 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 5,155 in Jun 2024 and 143 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 183 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Lakes Entrance has shown resilient growth with a 1.4% compound annual growth rate, driven primarily by interstate migration contributing approximately 78.0% of overall population gains. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in Jun 2024 with 2022 as the base year.

For areas not covered, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are used with adjustments made employing a method of 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. Future trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Lakes Entrance expected to increase by 1,895 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 31.3% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Lakes Entrance when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Lakes Entrance averaged approximately 27 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 136 homes. As of FY-26, 8 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 2.4 new residents was associated with each dwelling, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value of new homes was $463,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $2.5 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating Lakes Entrance's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Vic., Lakes Entrance shows approximately 63% of the construction activity per person and places among the 65th percentile of areas assessed nationally. 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.

Notably, 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 217 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lakes Entrance is expected to grow by 1,699 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 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. Seven projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to affect this region. Major initiatives include Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, Lakes Entrance Foreshore Park Development, Krauatungalung Walk Stage 1, Lakes Entrance - Marine Parade Upgrade, and Lakes Entrance Slipway Redevelopment. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Lakes Entrance has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs well represented. Essential services sectors are prominent.

The unemployment rate in Lakes Entrance is 6.2%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.5% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of September 2025, 1860 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 2.4% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is significantly lower at 37.8%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries of employment among residents include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade.

The area specializes in accommodation & food with an employment share 2.4 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 4.9% versus the regional average of 7.5%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.5% and labour force by 4.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment contraction of 0.7%, labour force fall of 0.6%, and marginal unemployment rise. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lakes Entrance's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

AreaSearch's latest data for postcode level ATO incomes in financial year 2023 shows that Lakes Entrance has median and average incomes below the national average. The median income is $35,521, while the average is $45,806. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., which has a median income of $50,954 and an average of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $38,451 (median) and $49,585 (average). Census data reveals that Lakes Entrance's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 0th and 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 35.5% of locals (1,924 people) earn between $400 - $799 per week, differing from the surrounding region where 30.3% earn between $1,500 - $2,999. This indicates that 46.7% of Lakes Entrance residents have constrained household budgets due to incomes below $800/week after housing costs, ranking at only the 3rd percentile nationally.

Lakes Entrance is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Lakes Entrance's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.9% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lakes Entrance was 51.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.0% and rented ones at 28.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,227, below Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300. Median weekly rent in Lakes Entrance was $252, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $268. Nationally, Lakes Entrance's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below 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 Rest of Vic. average of 2.2.

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.

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, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 7 different routes that together offer 146 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living within 204 meters of the nearest stop.

On average, there are 20 trips per day across all routes, which equals approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Lakes Entrance faces significant health challenges, with a variety of conditions affecting both younger and older residents. The private health cover rate is notably low at approximately 45%, covering around 2,443 people, compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.1% of residents) and mental health issues (9.5%). Conversely, 55.0% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of Vic's 60.1%. Lakes Entrance has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 35.3% or 1,913 people, compared to Rest of Vic's 30.5%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Lakes Entrance are generally better than those of the general population.

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 had low cultural diversity, with 85.7% citizens, 85.0% born in Australia, and 94.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 47.9%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0.1% regionally.

The top three ancestral groups were English (31.4%), Australian (31.0%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, Dutch (1.9%) Maltese (0.7%), and Russian (0.3%) were overrepresented in Lakes Entrance compared to regional averages of 1.9%, 0.4%, and 0.1% respectively.

Lakes Entrance ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Lakes Entrance is 54 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and also considerably older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic. average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 18.4% locally, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.1%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.6% to 13.0%, 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 18.4%. 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 304 people (69%) from 439 to 744.