Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove 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 Feb 2026, the population of Ocean Grove is estimated at around 21,162. This reflects an increase of 3,448 people from the 2021 Census figure of 17,714. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of resident population at 18,327 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 503 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,143 persons per square kilometer. Ocean Grove's growth rate of 19.5% since the 2021 census exceeds both the Rest of Vic. (8.1%) and the national average. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Ocean Grove is predicted to experience exceptional growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of non-metropolitan areas nationally. By 2041, the suburb's population is expected to increase by 9,481 persons, reflecting a total increase of 33.3% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Ocean Grove among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Ocean Grove shows approximately 239 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 1,196 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 59 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25 is 1.8 people. This suggests a balanced supply and demand in the area, maintaining stable market conditions.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $653,000, indicating that developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In this financial year, commercial approvals valued at $1.6 million have been registered, reflecting the residential nature of the area. Compared to Rest of Vic., Ocean Grove records about three-quarters the building activity per person and places among the 82nd percentile nationally, demonstrating strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists of 76.0% detached houses and 24.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the suburban nature of the area while also providing more diverse housing options to meet changing lifestyles. This represents a notable shift from the existing housing stock, which is currently 94.0% houses.

Ocean Grove reflects a developing area, with around 125 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate that Ocean Grove will gain approximately 7,046 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Ocean Grove has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Kingston Ocean Grove Estate, Ti-Tree Village Redevelopment, 61 Powell Street Townhouses, and 57-59 The Parade Apartments. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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.

Employment conditions in Ocean Grove demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Ocean Grove has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 1.8% as of September 2025, lower than Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Workforce participation was 66.2%, close to the regional average of 61.4%.

Home workership stood at 28.4%, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, education & training employment is high at 1.4 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing is low at 0.7%. Local employment opportunities may be limited as indicated by resident-to-working population ratio.

Over a year ending September 2025, Ocean Grove's labour force decreased by 0.3% and employment by 0.5%, raising unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years for Ocean Grove, based on industry-specific projections applied to its current employment mix.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Ocean Grove suburb had median income among taxpayers at $53,217 with average level standing at $71,739. This is higher than national average and compares to levels of $50,954 and $62,728 across Rest of Vic. respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $57,607 (median) and $77,657 (average) as of September 2025. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data for 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Ocean Grove cluster around the 57th percentile nationally. Distribution data shows 31.1% of population (6,581 individuals) fall within $1,500 - $2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen at regional levels where 30.3% similarly occupy this range. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains for other expenses. Ocean Grove's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

In Ocean Grove, as per the latest Census, 93.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 6.5% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ocean Grove stood at 42.3%, similar to Non-Metro Vic., with mortgaged dwellings at 38.5% and rented ones at 19.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Ocean Grove was $420, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Ocean Grove's mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

Ocean Grove has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 74.7% of all households, including 32.5% couples with children, 32.7% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 25.3%, with lone person households at 23.1% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Ocean Grove shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Ocean Grove is notable, with 34.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications as of the latest data point. This compares to 21.7% in the broader Rest of Vic area and 28.6% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 22.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.6%) and graduate diplomas (5.2%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 35.8% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (14.0%) and certificates (21.8%). Educational participation is high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.3% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ocean Grove has 56 active public transport stops. These are served by 7 routes offering a total of 716 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good, with residents located an average of 369 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transport, used by 94% of residents. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 28.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 102 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ocean Grove's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Ocean Grove. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were found to be low across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 55% of the total population (around 11,675 people), compared to 50.5% across the rest of Victoria. The most common medical conditions in the area were asthma and mental health issues, impacting 8.8% and 8.7% of residents respectively. 67.2% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across the rest of Victoria. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 22.4% of residents aged 65 and over (4,740 people), which is lower than the 23.9% in the rest of Victoria. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Ocean Grove is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Ocean Grove's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.1% of its population born in Australia, 93.0% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Ocean Grove, comprising 46.7% of people. Judaism's representation was notably overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to 0.1% across Rest of Vic..

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.1%), Australian (29.6%), and Irish (12.0%). Some ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Scottish was overrepresented at 9.4% (vs regional 8.8%), Dutch at 1.9% (vs 1.7%), and Welsh at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).

Ocean Grove hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Ocean Grove has a median age of 43, which is equal to the Rest of Vic. figure and well above the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that individuals aged 35-44 are particularly prominent, making up 14.8% of the population, while those aged 25-34 comprise a smaller proportion at 9.2%, compared to Rest of Vic.. Between the 2021 Census and present day, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.0% to 10.6%, while the 35-44 cohort has risen from 13.6% to 14.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 13.2% to 11.6%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 14.4% to 13.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Ocean Grove's age structure, with the 45-54 group expected to grow by 48%, reaching a total of 3,965 people from its current figure of 2,687.