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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
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Orbost has an estimated 2,176 residents, down from 2,264 at the 2021 Census — a change of 88 people, or 3.9%. The population has thinned by an average 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. Density is about 10 people per 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's evaluation of broader ABS demographic releases alongside 14 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census date, the suburb of Orbost has an estimated population of roughly 2,176 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census count of 2,264 people, this indicates a reduction of 88 people (3.9%). This estimate builds upon the ABS June 2025 ERP release showing a resident population of 2,172. The local density sits at 10.4 persons per square kilometer, ensuring spacious living conditions. Inbound interstate migration served as the principal demographic driver, accounting for roughly 62.0% of recent population additions.
Demographic modeling by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on 2022, supplemented where needed by 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA projections converted via weighted aggregation to SA2 boundaries, with age-specific rates applied for 2032 to 2041. Over the 16 years running to 2041, the suburb of Orbost is projected to experience strong non-metropolitan growth placing it in the top quartile outside capital cities, adding 475 persons for an overall expansion of 21.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
57 new dwellings have been approved in Orbost over the past five years, an average of 11 a year. That is 1.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 3, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS building approvals shows approximately 11 residential dwellings approved per year in the locality, totaling 57 homes across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 3 approved during FY-25 to date. Against recent population contractions, this construction pace has supplied adequate choice for purchasers, with new builds averaging an estimated construction cost of $504,000—above regional benchmarks and indicative of high-grade construction. Commercial development approvals reached $4.6 million during the current financial year, underscoring the predominantly domestic residential character of the area. Per capita residential construction in the area trails the Rest of Vic.
benchmark by 78.0%, a subdued rate that also falls short of national levels and points to potential planning constraints while underpinning demand and pricing for established homes. Current approvals comprise 75.0% standalone houses alongside 25.0% townhouses or apartments. While maintaining low-density living geared toward buyers seeking space, this intake shifts away from the prevailing stock of 94.0% houses, reflecting land availability constraints alongside evolving housing preferences and affordability considerations. A metric of 1086 people per approved dwelling highlights the quiet development setting. With forward estimates indicating an influx of 471 residents by 2041 based on the latest quarterly calculations, the prevailing pace of residential construction could face difficulties keeping step with demographic growth, which may heighten buyer competition and reinforce upward pressure on dwelling prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Orbost
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 39 current infrastructure and development projects close to Orbost, worth an estimated $1.53 billion. 16 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and sports & recreation. 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
Infrastructure initiatives, planning schemes, and major developments represent key drivers of regional performance, though AreaSearch has identified no major projects anticipated to directly affect the locality. Broader regional initiatives include the Seadragon Offshore Wind Farm, Additional VLocity Trains, the Telstra InfraCo Intercity Fibre Network, and Victorian Renewable Energy Zones.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (LENGA)
The Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (LENGA) is a 244 hectare residential growth precinct in the hills north of Lakes Entrance, planned to deliver around 1,545 new dwellings and accommodate over 9,000 future residents. The area is implemented through Development Plan Overlay 8 (DPO8) in the East Gippsland Planning Scheme, with multiple staged subdivisions progressively rolling out across land bounded by Myers Street, Blairs Road, Ostlers Road and Thorpes Lane. Approved development plans cover Palmers Road, Blairs Road and the Country Club Drive precinct, with active estates including Wel.Co's Mirradale (around 165 lots over 35.4 hectares at 112 Ostlers Road), Lakes Heights Estate at 52 Country Club Drive (59 lots, permit approved) and the neighbouring Lakes View Estate.The masterplan includes a neighbourhood activity centre of around 3.5 hectares, integrated wetlands for water-sensitive urban design, a multipurpose community facility, emergency services land and a connected shared pathway network, with native vegetation precinct planning to protect high quality habitat zones.
Lakes Entrance - Marine Parade Upgrade
A 1km road and footpath upgrade project extending from the roundabout at Marine Parade and Princes Highway to Barkes Avenue intersection. The project includes widening the road for 50 on-road parallel parking bays, 1.8m-wide accessible footpaths along the residential side, raised pedestrian crossings for traffic calming, intersection reconstruction at Barkes Avenue and Marine Parade, and upgraded drainage infrastructure to reduce localized flooding. Construction commenced June 24, 2024 by Cranes Asphalting and Bitumen Sealing P/L.
Lakes Entrance Foreshore Park Development, Krauatungalung Walk Stage 1
Major foreshore revitalization featuring Krauatungalung Walk Stage 1 with an all-abilities boardwalk, Indigenous garden celebrating the five Gunaikurnai clans, sculptural seating featuring Borun the pelican and Tuk the musk duck, Lakes Foreshore Park with inclusive playground incorporating water-play and nature-play elements, accessible pathways, landscaping, and the Lakes Entrance Water Sports Pavilion. The project honors Gunaikurnai cultural heritage while providing enhanced recreation and accessibility for the community.
Lakes Entrance Slipway Redevelopment
Transformation of a 5,400 square metre former slipway site operating from 1948-2005 into a vibrant public waterfront precinct featuring tiered timber decking, two restored historic winch sheds converted into art galleries, food and beverage outlets, outdoor markets, community event spaces, public amenities, and accessible ramps. Managed by the Slipway Collective, this multi-use destination celebrates local maritime heritage while fostering arts, culture, and hospitality to enhance tourism and community wellbeing.
Paynesville Slip Road Maritime Precinct Upgrade
A comprehensive upgrade of the Paynesville maritime precinct involving the replacement of aging seawalls and the construction of new jetties to provide approximately 40 new berths. The project includes a significant expansion of the boat ramp to be longer and deeper, enhanced car and boat trailer parking, and the creation of new boardwalks and pedestrian pathways. Integrated landscaping and drainage improvements are also being implemented to support regional tourism and the local marine industry.
Shearwater Residential Development (59-Lot Stage)
Proposal by Resi Ventures for the first stage of the Shearwater development, which involves a 59-lot residential subdivision on 10.702 hectares. The project includes roads, paths, landscaping, a public reserve, drainage, stormwater treatment, and habitat creation for environmental protection. It is a Controlled Action under the EPBC Act due to potential impacts on Latham Snipe and the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site. The wider Shearwater project is ultimately planned for 485 lots.
Gippsland Lakes Shared Community Hub
Redevelopment of the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club into a multi-purpose community hub. The facility will serve as a home for water sports and community groups, featuring boat storage, meeting rooms, social spaces, a public deck, and a function hall. As of January 2026, the project is in the final design refinement phase with the Project Reference Group before moving to tender.
Palm Lake Resort Paynesville
Luxury over-50s resort-style community featuring 195 designer homes, a world-class Latitude Country Club with extensive amenities including Milon Gymnasium, pools, cinema, and bowling green in a lakeside setting. The resort is currently under construction, with an estimated completion date of 2027.
792 residents of Orbost are employed, from a labour force of 851. Unemployment sits at 7.1%, with participation at 45.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,809, about 83% 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
The local labor market maintains a diverse mix of blue and white collar roles alongside robust essential services representation, registering an unemployment rate of 7.1% alongside 3.4% annual employment growth. Figures for March 2026 indicate 792 employed residents, though the local jobless rate sits 3.4% higher than the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., and the participation rate of 45.5% trails the regional figure of 61.1%. Remote work was recorded by 12.1% of residents at the Census, a figure subject to pandemic-era conditions. Resident employment centers primarily around health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing demonstrates significant local specialization at 1.7 times the regional concentration. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 2.1% of local workers versus 4.7% throughout Regional Vic.. Comparisons between resident numbers and Census workplace counts indicate a constrained local job base. Over the year leading to March 2026, statistical analysis shows local employment increasing by 3.4% against a 1.7% expansion in the labor force, reducing the unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points. Across Regional Vic., employment contracted by 0.1%, the workforce shrank by 0.3%, and unemployment declined by 0.2 percentage points. Applying national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia (dated Mar-26)—which project economy-wide employment increases of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years—to the local industry profile yields estimated job gains of 6.1% over five years and 13.2% over ten years via simple weighting extrapolation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Orbost is $785 a week (about $41,000 a year), with median personal income at $489 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $38,195 a year against an average of $45,924. 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
Taxation statistics for financial year 2023 indicate a median taxpayer income of $38,195 and an average of $45,924, trailing the national benchmark as well as the Regional Vic. medians and averages of $50,954 and $62,728. Factoring in 9.62% Wage Price Index growth through March 2026 brings modeled estimates to $41,869 for median earnings and $50,342 for the average. In the 2021 Census, local personal, family, and household earnings placed in the 0th to 2nd percentiles across Australia. Weekly earnings between $400 - 799 form the largest bracket at 38.7% (842 residents), differing from the regional concentration of 30.3% in the $1,500 - 2,999 band.
Weekly household incomes fall below $800 for 51.6% of households. After retaining 88.9% of earnings post-housing costs, overall disposable income sits at the 3rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Orbost had 964 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 2% apartments. 22% are owned with a mortgage, 23% rented and 55% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $190 a week and the median mortgage repayment $867 a month. Rent absorbs 24.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential stock at the most recent Census consisted of 93.6% detached houses and 6.4% medium or higher density formats, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Fully owned properties accounted for 55.2% of tenure, outpacing regional rates, while mortgaged and rented homes represented 22.3% and 22.5% respectively. Median monthly mortgage obligations stood at $867 and median weekly rent was $190, substantially below the Regional Vic. benchmarks of $1,430 and $285, as well as the national averages of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Orbost counted 964 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 28% couples without children. 41% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 56.5% of local households, encompassing couples without children (27.6%), couples with children (17.5%), and single parent families (10.3%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 43.5%, comprising single-person households at 40.8% and group households at 2.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, compared to 2.4 across Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.1% of adults in Orbost hold a university qualification, including 9.5% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 83% of areas nationally. A further 30.2% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 391 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 940 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
Tertiary qualification levels show 13.1% of residents holding higher education degrees, below the VIC benchmark of 33.4%. Attainment includes bachelor degrees at 9.5%, graduate diplomas at 1.9%, and postgraduate qualifications at 1.7%. Vocational qualifications are prominent, with 39.8% of the population aged 15+ holding technical credentials, comprising advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 30.2%. Formal study participation encompasses 27.9% of the population, with primary school students making up 11.4%, secondary school attendees accounting for 8.1%, and tertiary students representing 1.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Orbost means driving: households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local transit infrastructure features 1 passenger stop connected to 3 distinct routes providing 61 scheduled services weekly, with an average distance of 864 meters to the boarding point. Private vehicles serve as the main commuting method for 89% of workers, while 9% walk, and vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per household. Census records show 12.1% working from home, influenced by 2021 pandemic settings. Service intervals across the network deliver an average of 8 daily journeys, providing roughly 61 weekly departures per designated stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
56.6% of residents in Orbost report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 86% of areas nationally. 9.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community health measures highlight elevated rates of chronic illness across various age groups, while private health insurance uptake stands at approximately 45% of residents (~981 people). This coverage rate falls below the Regional Vic. level of 50.5% and the national figure of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments, affecting 12.9% and 8.7% of the population respectively, while 56.6% reported no long-term conditions compared to 63.4% regionally. Working-age residents experience elevated chronic condition rates, and senior residents aged 65 and over represent 35.4% of the community (770 people), exceeding the regional proportion of 24.0% and showing heightened national risk rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Orbost is largely Australian-born, at 89.9% of residents, with 3.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.1%) and Australian (31.9%). 4.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural metrics show 87.4% Australian citizenship, 89.9% born in Australia, and 96.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity forms the largest religious affiliation at 42.1%, while no residents recorded an affiliation with Judaism, compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic.. English (33.1%), Australian (31.9%), and Scottish (8.2%) constitute the leading reported parental ancestries. Other backgrounds include Australian Aboriginal representation at 4.9% (compared to 1.4% regionally), Italian at 2.9% (matching the 2.9% regional rate), and Dutch at 1.5% (against 1.7% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Orbost is 53, older than 95% of areas nationally. 16.9% 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 local age distribution reflects a mature demographic profile, with retirees and elderly cohorts aged 65+ making up 35.4% of residents as of August 2026, compared to 24.0% across Regional Vic., while adults aged 25 - 44 account for 16.4% versus 23.1% regionally. As at August 2026, the estimated median age remains at 53, unchanged from the 2021 Census where it stood above the Regional Vic. median of 43 and the national median of 38. Since that Census, the 65+ cohort grew from 31.9% to an estimated 35.4%, driven by the 65 to 74 bracket expanding from 16.3% to 17.7% while the 55 to 64 group declined from 16.6% to an estimated 14.5%.
Looking ahead to 2041, senior cohorts are projected to add 186 residents (24%) to total 956, while the fastest proportional expansion is anticipated among 25 to 44 year olds, growing 40% to 500.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Orbost
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 — 14 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,264 at the 2021 Census → 2,176 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 (SAL22014). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.