Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Manifold Heights has an estimated 2,628 residents, down from 2,681 at the 2021 Census — a change of 53 people, or 2.0%. The population has thinned by an average 0.5% a year over five years, slower than 97% of areas nationally. That puts 2,796 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS population revisions with post-Census address validations, the suburb of Manifold Heights records an estimated population of approximately 2,628 as of Aug 2026. This indicates a contraction of 53 people (2.0%) compared to the 2,681 people tallied in the 2021 Census. Such figures are derived from an estimated resident base of 2,627 via the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025), alongside 4 validated new addresses added post-Census. At this count, population density stands at 2,795 persons per square kilometer, positioning the community in the top quartile of areas assessed nationwide by AreaSearch.
Inbound international migration served as the primary growth contributor, accounting for roughly 52.0% of total recent population additions. Population modeling by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on 2022 benchmarks. Where SA2 coverage is absent, 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA releases are utilized via a weighted aggregation methodology from LGA to SA2 geographies, applying age-cohort growth trajectories across all locations for 2032 to 2041. Projecting forward, substantial demographic expansion is anticipated, ranking in the highest quartile among Australian non-metropolitan territories; aggregated SA2 figures indicate the suburb of Manifold Heights will add 616 persons by 2041, representing a 23.4% rise over the 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
70 new dwellings have been approved in Manifold Heights over the past five years, an average of 14 a year. That is 5.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Few approvals have been recorded in the most recent months, well below the longer-run average; the latest ABS periods are still being reported. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
ABS residential building approvals examined by AreaSearch across statistical boundaries indicate that Manifold Heights averages roughly 14 residential approvals per year, totaling an estimated 70 approved homes throughout the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with no dwellings approved to date in FY-25. Given the recent population pullback, construction volumes have been comparatively sufficient for prospective purchasers. Meanwhile, commercial planning approvals have reached $2.6 million during this financial year, reflecting a modest commercial development footprint. Per capita residential construction in Manifold Heights is approximately half that of Rest of Vic., ranking the locality in the 4th percentile across the country; this constrained pipeline restricts options for purchasers and underpins buyer interest in established properties.
Detached houses accounted for 79.0% of recent construction while townhouses or apartments made up 21.0%, maintaining the suburban character and appealing to buyers seeking standalone homes. Projections indicate that Manifold Heights will expand by 615 residents by 2041 relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should dwelling construction proceed at current rates, residential completions could lag population intake, which may intensify purchaser competition and bolster property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Manifold Heights
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 73 current infrastructure and development projects close to Manifold Heights, worth an estimated $9.34 billion. 10 are already under construction and 23 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and business parks & technology hubs. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Major infrastructure developments, planning schemes, and capital projects exert a decisive impact on local performance. AreaSearch has identified 2 key initiatives expected to influence the district, with principal projects including Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas, Barwon Health North, Marshall Street Social Housing Renewal, and Latrobe Boulevard Riverside Development.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas
The largest greenfield urban growth project in regional Victoria, spanning approximately 5,500 hectares across the Northern and Western Geelong corridors[cite: 1]. The framework plan accommodates approximately 110,000 residents across 40,000 dwellings across multiple Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs)[cite: 1]. Amendment C450ggee for the Creamery Road PSP completed public exhibition in early 2026, advancing through planning scheme amendment processes[cite: 1].
Cunningham Place
A 250 million dollar 17-storey mixed-use precinct on a full city block in central Geelong, designed by WMK Architecture for Amber Property Group in partnership with Grace Church (the long-time landowner). The scheme covers around 4,700 square metres bordered by Corio, Gheringhap and Clare streets and Transit Place, and includes 71 luxury apartments, a 168-room international hotel, a 5,000 square metre conference facility with a 650-seat auditorium, a supermarket, medical centre, childcare, co-working spaces, retail tenancies, a private resident cinema and a landscaped Sky Garden.Capped at 60 metres under the Central Geelong Framework Plan, the project sits one block from the Geelong waterfront. The previous building on the site was demolished in 2024 and the site has remained largely cleared since, with apartment sales continuing off the plan via McGrath Geelong. Originally targeted for completion ahead of the (since cancelled) 2026 Commonwealth Games, completion has slipped and is now expected later this decade.
Barwon Women's and Children's Hospital
The over $500 million Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital is a landmark health project expanding maternity, neonatal, and paediatric care within the University Hospital Geelong precinct. Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) with builder Built, the multi-storey project provides new birthing suites, paediatric multi-day and same-day inpatient beds, a Special Care Nursery, and specialized outpatient clinics. Following enabling demolition of Myers House, major construction is advancing toward completion in 2029.
Barwon Business Park
Barwon Business Park comprises a modern commercial office precinct featuring three multi-level buildings designed by Mark J Gratwick Architects. The development includes 20 strata commercial office tenancies, integrated parking, and dedicated cafe and food amenities overlooking the Barwon River corridor.
Latrobe Boulevard Riverside Development
A luxury riverside residential development on the Barwon River featuring 57 apartments and 17 townhouses, with amenities including a lap pool, gym, and public cafe, offering direct river views and access.
Market Street Laneway Breakthrough
An urban renewal project creating a new open-to-sky north-south pedestrian laneway breakthrough connecting Market Street to Union Street in central Geelong (via demolition at 184-186 Ryrie Street). Inspired by Melbourne's iconic laneways, the project enhances connectivity, urban quality, and opportunities for events and commercial activation as part of the broader Geelong Laneways Action Plan. Construction commenced early 2025 with expected completion in 2026.
Geelong Community Safety Center
A proposed integrated community safety center intended to house police, emergency services, and community support programs to enhance public safety and community engagement in the Geelong region. Note: this specific project could not be independently verified against Victoria Police, Department of Justice and Community Safety, or City of Greater Geelong sources as of this update; details below reflect the source record only.
Geelong Smart City Initiative
The Geelong Smart City Initiative connects technology, data, and innovation to create a more liveable and sustainable Greater Geelong. It features open data via the Geelong Data Exchange and the 3D Digital Twin Victoria platform for enhanced urban planning and development.
1,389 residents of Manifold Heights are employed, from a labour force of 1,440. Unemployment sits at 3.5%, with participation at 69.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,017, about 77% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Aggregated statistical area metrics from AreaSearch show that Manifold Heights possesses a highly qualified workforce, prominent representation across essential services, and an unemployment rate of merely 3.5%. As of March 2026, employed residents stand at 1,389, while local joblessness is 0.1% below the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., alongside an elevated labour participation rate of 69.5% versus 61.1% in Regional Vic.. Census data also showed 26.1% of working residents based at home, though pandemic containment measures should be taken into account. Local workers are primarily engaged in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.
Concentration in education & training is particularly pronounced, registering 1.4 times the regional proportion. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.7% of local employment compared to 7.5% across the wider region. Given the contrast between resident workers and local jobs recorded in the Census, the predominantly residential neighborhood offers limited on-site employment. Analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, indicates that over the 12 months to March 2026, labour force levels decreased by 2.8% while employment declined by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional Vic., where employment contracted by 0.1%, the labour force fell by 0.3%, and unemployment fell 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Manifold Heights. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Manifold Heights's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Manifold Heights is $1,820 a week (about $95,000 a year), with median personal income at $984 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,222 a year against an average of $77,805. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's latest postcode-level ATO dataset for financial year 2023, median taxable earnings in the suburb of Manifold Heights stand at $61,222, alongside an average of $77,805. These figures place the suburb well above national benchmarks and exceed Regional Vic.'s median of $50,954 and average of $62,728. Factoring in 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, indexed figures reach roughly $67,112 (median) and $85,290 (average) as of March 2026. Census findings place personal income at the 77th percentile ($984 weekly) and household earnings at the 54th percentile.
The single largest income bracket consists of 28.8% of individuals earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (756 residents), closely tracking the 30.3% observed regionally. After meeting housing commitments, households retain 85.7% of their income, positioning the community in the 7th SEIFA income decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Manifold Heights had 1,069 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 74% detached houses and 12% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 32% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $310 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,990 a month. Rent absorbs 17.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census assessments show that the dwelling stock in Manifold Heights consists of 74.4% separate houses and 25.6% alternative configurations including semi-detached dwellings and apartments, whereas Regional Vic. records 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwelling types. Full home ownership stands at 33.0%, trailing the wider region, while mortgaged properties account for 34.8% and private rentals make up 32.3%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,990 sits well above the Regional Vic. benchmark of $1,430 and the national figure of $1,863. Conversely, the median weekly rent of $310 is higher than Regional Vic.'s $285 but markedly below the Australian benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Manifold Heights counted 1,069 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 33% are couples with children, against 24% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of local households at 66.1%, broken down into couples with children (33.0%), couples without children (24.0%), and single parent arrangements (8.5%). Non-family households represent the remaining 33.9%, predominantly single-person dwellings at 31.2% alongside group living arrangements at 2.8%. The median household size of 2.4 persons is identical to the Regional Vic. average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
39.1% of adults in Manifold Heights hold a university qualification, including 26.0% with a bachelor degree and 8.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 84% of areas nationally. A further 18.6% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 457 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,070 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment across Manifold Heights comfortably exceeds broader benchmarks, with 39.1% of individuals aged 15+ possessing higher education qualifications, compared to 21.7% in Rest of Vic. and 27.3% across the SA3 area. This well-educated profile positions the workforce favorably for professional and knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent 26.0%, postgraduate degrees account for 8.5%, and graduate diplomas stand at 4.6%. Vocational qualifications are likewise prominent, held by 30.7% of residents aged 15+, comprising certificates (18.6%) and advanced diplomas (12.1%). Formal learning engagement is substantial, with 30.2% of the local population actively attending educational institutions.
This cohort comprises 10.7% in primary schools, 8.5% in secondary education, and 5.1% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Manifold Heights reaches 17 stops on 3 routes, timetabled for about 2,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The public transit network in the suburb of Manifold Heights features 17 operating stops across 3 distinct routes, delivering 2,946 passenger trips each week. Transit proximity is high, with the typical resident situated 155 meters from the nearest stop. Reflecting the area's residential profile, outbound travel is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 90% of commuting trips and walking making up 5%. Household car ownership stands at 1.3 vehicles on average, below the wider region, while 26.1% worked from home at the 2021 Census amidst pandemic-era conditions. Transit services maintain an average daily frequency of 420 trips across the complete network, providing approximately 173 weekly departures for each designated stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.2% of residents in Manifold Heights report no long-term health condition. 4.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 57.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Public health metrics for Manifold Heights demonstrate favorable conditions, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and medical diagnoses aligning with nationwide standards. General rates of widespread conditions remain modest, though higher incidence is noted among older cohorts, while private health insurance adoption is notably elevated at roughly 58% of the community (~1,512 people) compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic.. Asthma (8.3%) and mental health conditions (8.2%) represent the most prevalent health concerns among residents, while 71.2% report no chronic ailments, outpacing the 63.4% recorded across Regional Vic.. Health outcomes among residents aged under 65 are particularly positive.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 15.6% of the population (409 people), below the 24.0% regional proportion, though this demographic registers slightly lower health rankings nationally than younger locals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Manifold Heights is largely Australian-born, at 86.4% of residents, with 10.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.4%) and Australian (24.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Demographic measures indicate moderate cultural homogeneity in Manifold Heights, where 86.4% of residents were born in Australia, 90.5% hold Australian citizenship, and 89.8% speak only English in domestic settings. Christianity is the predominant faith, practiced by 53.2% of the population. In relative terms, Judaism exhibits the highest local overrepresentation, comprising 0.2% of locals compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic.. Regarding ancestral background, English ancestry is most common at 27.4%, followed by Australian at 24.8% and Irish at 12.0%. Several other lineages show higher concentrations than the surrounding area, with Dutch ancestry accounting for 2.3% (against 1.7% regionally), Croatian representing 1.4% (versus 0.4%), and Macedonian standing at 1.1% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Manifold Heights is 39. 22.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The suburb of Manifold Heights functions as a distinct family-oriented community. Updated figures to August 2026 show that 29.1% of locals are aged 25 - 44, compared to 23.1% in Regional Vic., while seniors aged 65+ represent 15.6% versus 24.0% across the region. The median age remains unchanged from the 2021 Census at an estimated 39 as at August 2026, which is 4 years younger than the regional median of 43 at that Census. Since the Census, the share of residents aged 45 - 64 has declined from 26.3% to an estimated 24.5%.
By 2041, the 25 - 44 demographic is projected to drive overall gains, increasing by 312 residents (41%) to a total of 1,077.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Manifold Heights
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,681 at the 2021 Census → 2,628 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL21593). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.