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
Rye has an estimated 9,748 residents, up from 9,438 at the 2021 Census — a change of 310 people, or 3.3%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. That puts 547 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's evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside 14 validated new addresses added post-Census, the suburb of Rye has reached an estimated population of 9,748 as of Aug 2026. This figure marks an addition of 310 people (3.3%) over the 9,438 people recorded during the 2021 Census, building on an ERP level of 9,747 established from the June 2025 ABS release. With a density of 547 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains open surroundings with capacity for upcoming residential expansion. Expanding faster than the wider SA3 area (2.0%), the suburb of Rye's 3.3% gain makes it a regional standout, with net gains stemming almost exclusively from overseas migration in recent times.
Projections generated by AreaSearch incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia models pegged to 2022, supplemented by 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA figures weighted from LGA to SA2 tiers wherever direct coverage is missing. Projected cohort trends spanning 2032 to 2041 are similarly derived from these aggregations. Based on aggregated SA2 modeling, the suburb of Rye is anticipated to outpace the national median, expanding by 1,657 persons by 2041 to deliver an overall increase of 17.0% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
465 new dwellings have been approved in Rye over the past five years, an average of 93 a year. That places the area in the 64th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 10 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 105 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 95% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 59, 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
ABS residential building consent figures compiled by AreaSearch show Rye averaging approximately 93 new dwellings authorized annually, reaching 465 homes over the last 5 financial years, including 59 approvals logged in FY-25 so far. Because the period between FY-21 and FY-25 registered just 0.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed, building activity is running parallel to or ahead of population requirements, giving purchasers abundant choice and paving the way for potential population upside. Developers are also targeting upscale projects, with dwellings averaging $1,560,000 in expected construction cost, alongside $20.0 million approved for commercial projects in the current financial year to support balanced growth.
Per-capita residential approvals in Rye exceed Greater Melbourne by 122.0%, presenting purchasers with broad choice even as construction momentum has moderated lately. Such elevated activity stands well above national benchmarks, demonstrating substantial development confidence. Detached family residences dominate construction at 95.0%, while medium and high-density housing accounts for 5.0%, preserving the traditional spacious neighborhood landscape with around 159 people per dwelling approval. Latest quarterly projections from AreaSearch indicate Rye will take on 1,656 residents by 2041. Given existing construction volumes, future housing supply appears well placed to meet incoming residential needs, ensuring favorable market conditions for purchasers and underpinning potential demographic expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Rye
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Rye, worth an estimated $37 million. A further 49 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.51 billion. 15 are already under construction and 18 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and ports, marinas, fisheries & aquaculture. 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 upgrades, planning programs, and major civil works exert a meaningful effect on neighborhood evolution. AreaSearch has pinpointed 4 significant local developments, highlighted by the 6 Napier Street Hotel Development, 2135 Point Nepean Road, Rye, the Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment, and the Rye Pier Reconstruction.
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
6 Napier Street Hotel Development
DA approved development for a residential boutique hotel comprising a five-storey building with basement parking, ground floor restaurant, and onsite parking. Positioned on a 1,029sqm corner site close to the waterfront in Rye's commercial precinct.
Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment
The Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment is part of the Rye Township Plan Stage 1, Part B. The project creates a strong central axis to the pier, acting as the main gateway to the foreshore. Works include a refurbished central walkway, new plaza spaces, pedestrian crossings on Point Nepean Road, connecting pathways, and landscaping. The project enhances public open space by replacing the eastern pier carpark and improves connectivity and accessibility for the community.
2135 Point Nepean Road, Rye
A three-storey, mixed-use building comprising 20 architecturally designed apartments (9 x 2-bedroom and 11 x 3-bedroom) above a ground-floor retail and car park area. The Cera Stribley Architects-designed development features a curved facade, high-end finishes, residents' lounge, beach showers, 'beach box' storage, and a rooftop with a pool, deck, and barbecue facilities, with coastal views.
Rye Pier Reconstruction
Two-stage reconstruction of Rye Pier delivering a wider timber deck, updated L-shaped head with accessible low landings, solar lighting, seating, interpretative signage trail and improved all-abilities access. Stage 1 rebuilt the pier approach in 2022; Stage 2 rebuilt and upgraded the outer pier and head in 2023-2024. The pier reopened to the community and final works were completed in June 2024.
Rosedale Residential Development
A luxury private estate featuring 40 single-level townhouses (2-3 bedrooms) designed for downsizers and young families on the Mornington Peninsula. Located in its own boutique community within Rosebud, offering quality low-maintenance homes near beaches, golf courses, vineyards and Peninsula amenities.
Dromana Pier Redevelopment
Complete rebuild of the historic Dromana Pier by Parks Victoria with Victorian Government funding. The project replaces the old, deteriorated 1950s concrete structure with a completely new 180-metre structure featuring solid timber decking, enhanced accessibility, tiered seating, a lower landing for boat access, and safety railings.
Shaping Greater Dromana Plan
Strategic framework adopted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council in September 2024 providing a long-term vision for the Greater Dromana area. The plan coordinates Council-led initiatives across five key themes: environmental protection and climate resilience, sustainable transport and movement networks, community infrastructure and open space, local economic development, and affordable and diverse housing. It also informs concurrent management plans for the Dromana-Arthurs Seat escarpment and Parkdale/Hillview Community Reserve.
Dromana Hub Shopping Centre Refurbishment & Expansion
Redevelopment of the Dromana Hub, the retail and commercial heart of Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula. The project covers two anchor sites around the existing supermarket: a Northern beachfront corner site focused on retail and food and beverage with a strong pedestrian link to the foreshore, and a Southern site behind the supermarket proposed as a new medical centre. Designed by Finnis Architects, the two buildings share a red Corten batten facade language intended to lift the architectural quality of the precinct's carpark and perimeter sites.
4,645 residents of Rye are employed, from a labour force of 4,836. Unemployment sits at 3.9%, with participation at 56.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 7,992, about 82% 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 labour pool exhibits notable expertise in building and trades, accompanied by a low unemployment rate of 3.9% and an estimated 1.4% annual employment rise according to aggregated statistical metrics. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,645, keeping unemployment 0.8% under the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 4.8%, while the local participation rate of 56.2% trailed the metropolitan mark of 70.1%. Working from home was cited by 26.3% of respondents at the Census, a metric influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment fields for local residents consist of construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
Construction concentration is remarkably high, representing an employment share 1.9 times the broader region, whereas finance & insurance represents only 2.1% of jobs locally against 4.9% regionally. Comparisons between resident workers and local operational roles highlight that this predominantly residential district supplies relatively limited on-site employment. Analysis of SALM and ABS datasets indicates that across the year leading to March 2026, Rye experienced a 1.4% rise in employment alongside a 1.0% workforce expansion, lowering the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. By contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment climb 2.1% and the labour pool expand 2.3%, pushing unemployment up by 0.2 percentage points. Five- and ten-year national outlooks published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 forecast country-wide employment growth of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively. Weighting these sector projections against Rye's specific industry composition indicates local employment expansions of 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, providing an illustrative snapshot independent of local demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Rye is $1,334 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $702 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $42,732 a year against an average of $73,538. The average runs 72% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
Aggregated ATO figures for financial year 2023 place taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Rye above the Australian benchmark, recording a median income of $42,732 and an average of $73,538, compared to Greater Melbourne results of $57,688 and $75,164. Incorporating Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% since financial year 2023 lifts estimated earnings to $46,843 (median) and $80,612 (average) by March 2026. Across Census metrics, personal, family, and household earnings sit between the 22nd and 28th percentiles. A cohort of 2,661 individuals (27.3% of the community) earns in the $1,500 - 2,999 band, aligning with the broader region where 32.8% fall in this bracket.
Affordability pressures remain high, with 84.3% of income remaining, placing the area at the 23rd percentile, while the SEIFA income measure stands in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Rye had 3,724 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 0% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 47% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $372 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,800 a month. Rent absorbs 27.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 31.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census records show Rye's housing landscape consisting of 94.8% standalone houses and 5.3% semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and alternative structures, differing markedly from the Melbourne metro split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Outright ownership reached 47.4%, significantly outpacing the metropolitan rate, while remaining homes were 30.8% mortgaged and 21.8% rented. Monthly mortgage commitments stood at a median of $1,800 and weekly rents at $372, coming in beneath metropolitan counterparts of $2,000 and $390 as well as national benchmarks of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Rye counted 3,724 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 79% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 66.9% of households in the area, divided into 33.5% couples without children, 22.6% couples with children, and 10.0% single parent families. The remaining 33.1% are non-family arrangements, encompassing 30.2% lone person households and 2.8% group living arrangements. Household occupancy averages 2.2 people, lower than the Greater Melbourne standard of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.2% of adults in Rye hold a university qualification, including 16.8% with a bachelor degree and 4.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 26.9% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 411 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,023 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 present an opportunity for educational development in the district, as the 24.2% holding university degrees sits noticeably below the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees represent 16.8% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.0%. Meanwhile, vocational training remains strong, with 40.6% of residents aged 15+ possessing trade credentials, comprising 26.9% in certificates and 13.7% in advanced diplomas. A substantial 25.8% of the local population is actively engaged in studies. Primary education accounts for 9.8% of residents, while 7.2% attend secondary institutions and 3.2% are enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Rye reaches 67 stops on 3 routes, timetabled for about 1,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 440 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 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
Rye's public transit network features 67 bus stops spanning 3 dedicated bus routes that deliver 1,003 passenger trips each week. With the typical resident located 439 meters from transit access, connectivity is moderate, though private vehicles remain the dominant commuting mode at 94% for outward travel. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.5 per dwelling, exceeding regional levels, while 26.3% of the workforce operated from home during the 2021 Census. Transit schedules across the entire network provide an average of 143 daily journeys, representing roughly 14 weekly services for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.9% of residents in Rye report no long-term health condition. 6.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.4 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 Rye align well with Australian norms, displaying low rates of common health ailments across all age demographics and an exceptionally strong private health insurance uptake of roughly 56% across the community (~5,446 people). Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the leading reported diagnoses locally, affecting 10.9% and 8.8% of residents, while 62.9% reported no long-term medical conditions compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Chronic condition rates among working-age individuals are slightly elevated. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 32.0% of the population (3,119 people), outstripping the Greater Melbourne proportion of 15.1%, with older residents maintaining above-average health results relative to national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Rye is largely Australian-born, at 83.3% of residents, with 8.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.8%) and Australian (26.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural homogeneity is prominent in Rye, where 87.6% hold citizenship, 83.3% were born within Australia, and 91.6% speak exclusively English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious affiliation at 46.1%, while Judaism accounts for 0.2% of local residents compared to 1.0% in Greater Melbourne. Ancestry details indicate that English heritage leads at 31.8%, substantially exceeding the regional level of 20.1%, followed by Australian background at 26.8% versus 18.4% regionally, and Irish heritage at 10.3%. Other identified ancestral backgrounds include Italian at 4.8% (against 5.2% across the wider region), Greek at 2.2% (against 2.7%), and French at 0.6% (against 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Rye is 51, older than 93% of areas nationally. 18.4% 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
Demographic records show Rye has an older age profile compared to regional standards. AreaSearch's August 2026 modeling shows 32.0% of the community within the 65+ cohort compared to 15.1% across Greater Melbourne, while residents aged 25 - 44 represent 20.0% against 32.1% regionally. The median age remains steady at 51 as of August 2026, unchanged from the 2021 Census and exceeding both the Greater Melbourne mark of 37 and the Australian median of 38. The proportion of senior cohorts has expanded from 29.2% at the Census to 32.0%, with forecasts to 2041 anticipating this bracket to increase by 1,813 (58%) to reach 4,932, alongside contractions in child, young adult, and middle-aged brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Rye
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 4 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 (9,438 at the 2021 Census → 9,748 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 (SAL22220). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.