Lakes Entrance

Population growth drivers in Lakes Entrance are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Lakes Entrance is around 5,231 people. This figure reflects an increase of 86 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,145 people in the suburb. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 5,088 based on their examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), along with an additional 143 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 177 persons per square kilometer for Lakes Entrance. Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2025, Lakes Entrance has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the suburb.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting them 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 based on these aggregations. Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the top quartile of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with Lakes Entrance expected to increase by 1,861 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of 35.5% over the 17-year period from 2024 to 2041.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Lakes Entrance averaged around 27 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 136 homes from FY-21 to FY-25. So far in FY-26, six approvals have been recorded. Each dwelling has attracted an average of 2.4 new residents per year during this period, reflecting robust demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $463,000. In the current financial year, Lakes Entrance has registered $1.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Rest of Vic., Lakes Entrance shows approximately 63% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 74th percentile nationally based on recent building activity data.

Recent development 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 171 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lakes Entrance is expected to grow by 1,856 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 in the future.

Lakes Entrance has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified seven projects likely influencing this region. Notable projects 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 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, prominent essential services sectors, and an unemployment rate of 6.4% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of June 2025, 1,811 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.6% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Lakes Entrance lags at 37.8%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries for employment among residents include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area has a strong specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share 2.4 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 4.9% versus the regional average of 7.5%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited, as indicated by Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Lakes Entrance's labour force decreased by 0.9%, employment declined by 1.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. recorded an employment decline of 0.9%, labour force decline of 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in Sep-22, project national employment growth of 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, assuming no changes in population projections.

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 2022 shows that income in Lakes Entrance is below the national average. The median income is $35,521 while the average income stands at $45,806. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s figures where the median income is $48,741 and the average income is $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Lakes Entrance would be approximately $39,840 (median) and $51,376 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals that household, family and personal incomes in Lakes Entrance all fall between the 0th and 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that the predominant cohort spans 35.5% of locals (1,857 people) in the $400 - $799 income category, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 30.3%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (46.7% under $800/week) suggests constrained household budgets across much of Lakes Entrance. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains, though this ranks 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, consisted of 82.4% houses and 17.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Vic. had 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, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300. The median weekly rent figure in Lakes Entrance was $252, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $268. Nationally, Lakes Entrance's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,227 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 account for 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 constitute the remaining 41.0%, with lone person households at 38.1% and group households making up 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 skills are prevalent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials such as advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high at 25.4%, including primary education (10.6%), secondary education (7.1%), and tertiary education (1.3%).

As of a certain date, the three schools in Lakes Entrance have a combined enrollment of 655 students. The area's educational conditions are varied, with an ICSEA score of 948. Education provision is balanced, with two primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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 12 different routes that combined offer 257 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of the transport system is rated as good, with residents located an average of 204 meters from their nearest stop.

On average, there are 36 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately five weekly trips per 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 various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low, at approximately 45% (~2,357 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.1%) and mental health issues (9.5%). Conversely, 55.0% report having 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 35.2% (1,841 people), compared to Rest of Vic's 30.5%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors perform better than the general population in terms of health metrics.

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 Tuesday 9 June 2009, showed a cultural diversity below average. The population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 85.7% holding citizenship, and 85.0% having been born in Australia. English was spoken at home by 94.3% of the population.

Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 47.9% of people in Lakes Entrance. While Judaism was present at a similar rate to the rest of Victoria, it was notable that Dutch ancestry was overrepresented at 1.9%, compared to 1.9% regionally, Maltese at 0.7% (vs 0.4%), and Russian at 0.3% (vs 0.1%). The top three represented groups in terms of ancestry were English at 31.4%, Australian at 31.0%, and Scottish at 8.5%.

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 older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 18.4% in Lakes Entrance, while those aged 15-24 are under-represented at 7.8%. The concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.6% to 12.9%, 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 to 34 age group projected to expand considerably by 317 people (75%), from 423 to 741.