Queenscliff (Vic.)

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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, as of November 2025, Queenscliff's estimated population is around 1,920. This reflects a growth of 404 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,516. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of 1,665 residents in June 2024, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 18 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 574 persons per square kilometer. Queenscliff's growth rate of 26.6% since the 2021 census exceeded both the non-metro area (7.9%) and national average, marking it as a significant growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 86.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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 VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted 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. By 2041, the Queenscliff (Vic.) statistical area is forecasted to increase by 539 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 12.4% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Queenscliff among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Queenscliff has experienced around 31 dwellings receiving development approval each year. An estimated 155 homes were approved over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with a further 9 approved so far in FY26. On average, approximately two people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five years, reflecting robust demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $906,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen $11.1 million in commercial approvals, suggesting steady commercial investment activity. Comparatively, Queenscliff shows moderately higher new home approvals than the rest of Victoria, with 24.0% more approvals per person over the five-year period ending FY25. This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand, although building activity has slowed in recent years.

The location's developer confidence is notably stronger than the national average. Recent construction comprises 93.0% detached houses and 7.0% medium to high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The location has approximately 103 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections show Queenscliff adding 238 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Queenscliff Harbour Redevelopment, Hesse Street South Redevelopment, Queenscliffe Hub, and Queenscliff Feeder Main Replacement and Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Queenscliff demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Queenscliff has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation, an unemployment rate of 2.0% as of September 2025, and stable employment over the past year based on AreaSearch data aggregation. The unemployment rate is 1.8% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%, but workforce participation lags at 47.8%.

Dominant sectors include professional & technical (strongly specialized with a share 2.9 times regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 1.8% compared to the regional 7.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as Census working population vs resident population indicates. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force increased by 0.3%, employment declined by 0.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points in Queenscliff.

By comparison, Rest of Vic. saw employment decline of 0.7% and unemployment rise marginally. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Queenscliff's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Queenscliff suburb has a high national income level based on latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Its median taxpayer income is $45,426 and average income is $75,126, compared to Rest of Vic.'s $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. By September 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $49,174 (median) and $81,324 (average), accounting for an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly in Queenscliff, between the 34th and 48th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 27.6% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually. Housing costs are manageable with 88.6% retained, but disposable income is below average at the 39th percentile. Queenscliff's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Queenscliff's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.1% houses and 8.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s figures of 93.0% houses and 7.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Queenscliff stood at 62.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.8% and rented ones at 15.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,232, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,950. The median weekly rent in Queenscliff was $369, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $402. Nationally, Queenscliff's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Queenscliff features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.0% of all households, including 19.1% couples with children, 41.3% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.0%, with lone person households at 30.6% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Queenscliff is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 42.5% possess university qualifications, compared to 21.7% in the rest of Victoria and 28.6% in the SA4 region. This educational advantage is reflected in various credentials: Bachelor degrees are held by 25.7%, postgraduate qualifications by 10.2%, and graduate diplomas by 6.6%. Vocational skills are also prevalent, with 30.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding such credentials, including advanced diplomas (13.9%) and certificates (16.7%). School and university attendance comprises 19.3% of the community, with 6.4% in primary education, 5.8% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

School and university attendance encompasses 19.3% of the community. This includes 6.4% in primary education, 5.8% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Queenscliff has 16 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three different routes that together facilitate 336 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest transport stop is 198 meters, indicating excellent accessibility.

On average, there are 48 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 21 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Queenscliff is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Queenscliff faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is high, at approximately 56% (around 1,084 people). The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (affecting 11.7%) and mental health problems (7.5%). A total of 61.3% report no medical ailments, compared to 66.8% in the rest of Victoria. Queenscliff has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 45.1% (865 people), compared to 24.2% in the rest of Victoria. Health outcomes among seniors are notably better than those of the general population.

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

Queenscliff, as per the census conducted on 27 June 2016, had a population with 86.8% born in Australia, 92.4% being citizens, and 95.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 53.0% of Queenscliff's population. While Judaism comprised only 0.2%, it was higher than the Rest of Vic's average of 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (34.3%), Australian (25.9%), and Irish (12.9%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 12.1% compared to the regional average of 9.7%, French at 0.7% versus 0.5%, and Sri Lankan at 0.3% against 0.1%.

Queenscliff ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Queenscliff has a median age of 62 years, which is significantly higher than Victoria's average of 43 and Australia's national average of 38. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Queenscliff has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (26.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (5.3%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is notably higher than the national average of 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, Queenscliff's population has seen changes in its age distribution since the previous census. The 15-24 age group has increased from 6.4% to 7.9%, while the 35-44 cohort has risen from 6.8% to 8.1%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has decreased from 19.4% to 17.0%, and the 45-54 age group has fallen from 9.9% to 8.6%. By 2041, Queenscliff's age composition is projected to shift significantly. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to expand by 44 people (43%), growing from 101 to 146. Meanwhile, the number of residents aged 65-74 is projected to decrease by 9.