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
Wandana Heights has an estimated 2,154 residents, down from 2,195 at the 2021 Census — a change of 41 people, or 1.9%. That puts 829 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
As of Aug 2026, the population of the suburb of Wandana Heights is calculated to be approximately 2,154, drawing on AreaSearch analysis of ABS updates alongside post-Census address validations. This indicates a contraction of 41 people (1.9%) from the 2,195 residents recorded at the 2021 Census. AreaSearch established this figure by evaluating the ABS ERP data from June 2025 (indicating a resident base of 2,150) alongside 5 validated new addresses added following the Census. The suburb's density sits at 828 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with typical benchmarks recorded across AreaSearch assessment locations.
Inbound overseas migration was the leading contributor to recent expansion, representing roughly 52.0% of overall population additions, though natural growth and interstate migration also registered positive gains. SA2 projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (using 2022 as their starting point) form the primary baseline for AreaSearch, with gaps filled using Victorian State Government Regional/LGA projections from 2023 adapted via weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 geographies. Age-specific growth rates derived from these models are similarly applied across all locations for the 2032 to 2041 timeframe. Anticipated demographic trajectories place the suburb of Wandana Heights in the top quartile of regional areas nationwide for population expansion; aggregated SA2 models indicate the community will expand by 624 persons to 2041, representing total growth of 28.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in Wandana Heights are exceptionally subdued, averaging 1 new dwelling approved per year and totalling 6 dwellings across the entire five-year span. Such modest construction volumes underscore the area's rural character, wherein building activity is primarily stimulated by individual local requirements rather than broader market dynamics. Given these minimal approval counts, yearly trends and comparisons can shift sharply due to single projects. Residential development volumes in Wandana Heights trail well behind Rest of Vic. and also fall below national benchmarks. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of standalone homes, reinforcing the rural character and low-density footprint of the locality.
An estimated ratio of 4334 people for every approved dwelling underlines the area's quiet development profile. Based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, Wandana Heights is anticipated to grow by 620 residents by 2041. Should current construction volumes persist, housing supply could fall short of resident growth, which may heighten buyer competition and place upward pressure on values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wandana Heights
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 87 current infrastructure and development projects close to Wandana Heights, worth an estimated $21.2 billion. 20 are already under construction and 33 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Capital investments, planning initiatives, and major transport developments represent key drivers of regional trajectory. AreaSearch has identified 2 specific projects expected to influence the local area. Notable projects include the Highton Urban Design Framework, Scenic Road Walking & Cycling Path, Levande Highton Retirement Village, and Waurn Ponds Sporting Complex, with further details on the most critical initiatives outlined below.
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
Highton Urban Design Framework
Comprehensive village improvement framework for Highton Village, including enhanced streetscapes in Bellevue Arcade and Village Walk, building height guidelines up to 4 storeys, improved parking and traffic management, and greater pedestrianisation. The implementation amendment (C457ggee) was adopted by the Council in August 2025.
Lume Belmont
Lume is a 126.5 million AUD master-planned residential community being delivered across the former CSIRO research site in Belmont. The development comprises over 220 homes featuring architecturally designed townhouses, vacant land lots, and future medium-density residences integrated with green open space. Civil works and infrastructure construction are actively transforming the 6.4-hectare infill parcel.
Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus Expansion
Ongoing multi-stage transformation of Deakin University's Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus under the Climate Ready Campus masterplan. Key completed components include the Geelong Future Economy Precinct (GFEP) - Victoria's epicentre of advanced manufacturing, energy and sustainability research - the 7.5MW renewable energy microgrid (operational since 2021), 320-bed student accommodation (completed April 2021), and the REACH health hub. Active works include road network upgrades, integrated water management and wetland conversion, and Building KA infill (completed 2025). The GFEP hosts 18 joint ventures with a market value of approximately $1 billion and the REACH Trailblazer program ($380 million total value) focused on clean energy and recycling commercialisation.
Grovedale Village
Mixed-use neighbourhood retail centre under construction at the corner of Colac Road and Rossack Drive. The development comprises convenience retail, drive-through food outlets, a fuel station, coffee outlet, Club Lime gymnasium and a 120-place childcare centre. Initial retail tenancies commenced construction in 2024, with remaining components continuing to open in stages.
Epworth Geelong Innovation and Education Precinct
A 600 million dollar staged health, innovation and education precinct spanning 4.2 hectares adjacent to the Epworth Geelong private hospital in Waurn Ponds. The 10-plus year masterplan delivers expanded medical capacity, research facilities, and health education in collaboration with Deakin University, alongside recent hospital expansions including new operating theatres and inpatient beds.
34 Barrabool Road Apartments
Development of a three-storey residential apartment building comprising 10 multi-bedroom apartments, basement car parking, and integrated landscaping. Located approximately 100 metres from Highton Village shopping strip within the City of Greater Geelong.
Waurn Ponds Sporting Complex
Construction is underway on a new regional indoor sport and recreation hub for the growing Geelong region. The Development Victoria project, delivered on behalf of Sport and Recreation Victoria with the City of Greater Geelong and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, will include six indoor multi-sport courts, a regional-level gymnastics facility, dance studio and hall, change rooms, community and social spaces, kiosk and lounge areas, more than 300 car spaces with EV charging, bicycle parking and inclusive amenities including a Changing Places facility, sensory room and multi-faith room.The design targets a 5 Star Green Star rating with an all-electric building, solar PV, passive design and Wadawurrung-led cultural expression. Construction began in October 2025 and completion is expected in early 2027.
Levande Highton Retirement Village
A $70 million retirement village being developed by Levande on a 4.71-hectare former caravan park site opposite Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre in Highton, Geelong. The project delivers 125 architecturally designed single-storey villas across two and three bedroom layouts, with single and double garage options. A central two-storey clubhouse with wellness facilities, heated pool, gym, cinema and library anchors the community. Construction commenced in March 2026 via a sod-turning ceremony, with builder Winslow Constructors and architect ClarkeHopkinsClarke leading delivery across four stages.First residents are expected to move in by early 2027.
1,222 residents of Wandana Heights are employed, from a labour force of 1,239. Unemployment sits at 1.5%, with participation at 69.9%. 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 1,671, about 78% 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
Wandana Heights features a highly qualified labor force, robust participation in essential services, and an unemployment rate of only 1.5% according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. By March 2026, 1,222 local residents were actively employed, the unemployment rate sat 2.2% below the 3.7% recorded in Regional Vic., and labor force participation stood at an elevated 69.9% (exceeding the 61.1% seen in Regional Vic.). Census findings also showed that 27.9% of workers operated from home, though this figure was influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. Local workforce participation is primarily concentrated across health care & social assistance, retail trade, as well as education & training.
Professional & technical services represent a key area of local specialization, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.3% of employment relative to 7.5% across the wider region. As reflected by the disparity between resident workers and local employment figures from the Census, the suburb remains largely residential with constrained job opportunities internally. According to AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM statistical data, the local workforce contracted by 3.0% and total employment dropped by 2.6% over the 12 months leading to March 2026, lowering the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Across Regional Vic., employment decreased by 0.1%, the labor pool shrank by 0.3%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. Longer-term labor demand outlooks can be derived from national industry forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. Mapping these nationwide projections—which estimate employment expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years—against Wandana Heights's industry composition indicates potential local employment gains of 6.9% across five years and 14.1% across ten years (representing an unadjusted weighted projection for illustration rather than localized demographic modeling).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wandana Heights is $2,549 a week (about $133,000 a year), with median personal income at $954 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $57,748 a year against an average of $75,058. 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 statistics for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch show that personal earnings in Wandana Heights substantially exceed the national benchmark. Median taxpayer earnings stand at $57,748 and average earnings reach $75,058, outperforming Regional Vic. figures of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Incorporating a 9.62% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023 brings estimated March 2026 figures to approximately $63,303 for the median and $82,279 for the average. Census records position household earnings in the 91st percentile nationwide ($2,549 weekly). About 30.6% of local earners (659 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, closely matching the 30.3% recorded in the wider region.
Furthermore, 40.0% of earners make upwards of $3,000 weekly, driving local demand for high-end retail and personal services. Household income retained following housing payments sits at 90.1%, and the suburb places in the 9th decile on the SEIFA income scale.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wandana Heights had 747 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 0% apartments. 45% are owned with a mortgage, 11% rented and 44% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $410 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 16.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the latest Census, standalone houses represented 96.8% of all residences in Wandana Heights, while semi-detached homes, units, and other dwellings accounted for 3.2%, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other property types across Regional Vic.. The outright homeownership rate stood at 44.1%, surpassing Regional Vic., with 45.0% of homes carrying a mortgage and 10.9% being rented. Median monthly home loan repayments were $2,000 (exceeding Regional Vic.'s $1,430 and the national benchmark of $1,863), while median weekly rent was $410 (above the Regional Vic. figure of $285 and the Australian average of $375).
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wandana Heights counted 747 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 46% are couples with children, more than in 90% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 13% 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 constitute the vast majority of local households at 86.1%, consisting of couples with children (46.0%), couples without children (32.7%), and single-parent households (5.9%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 13.9%, including single-person households at 12.8% and group living at 1.6%. The typical household size is 2.9 people, outpacing the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
38.9% of adults in Wandana Heights hold a university qualification, including 26.7% with a bachelor degree and 7.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 16.6% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment among Wandana Heights residents is well above regional figures, with 38.9% of individuals aged 15+ holding a higher education qualification compared to 21.7% in Rest of Vic. and 27.3% across the SA3 area. Tertiary credentials are led by bachelor degrees at 26.7%, postgraduate awards at 7.7%, and graduate diplomas at 4.5%. Vocational qualifications are held by 29.0% of residents aged 15+, consisting of certificates (16.6%) and advanced diplomas (12.4%). Student participation in formal study is elevated, with 30.8% of the local population actively enrolled. This cohort comprises 9.4% attending primary school, 9.4% in secondary education, and 6.7% undertaking tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Wandana Heights means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 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
The public transit network includes 2 operational stops in Wandana Heights, connected by 1 transit route that delivers 556 weekly trips. Accessibility remains moderate, with residents located an average of 486 meters from their closest transit facility. Due to the area's residential makeup, outbound travel is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 96% of journeys. Vehicle ownership stands at 2.0 cars per dwelling, higher than the regional average, while 27.9% of residents worked from home at the 2021 Census (under potential COVID-19 influences). Transit service across all routes averages 79 daily trips, which translates to roughly 278 scheduled departures per week for each transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.8% of residents in Wandana Heights report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 84% of areas nationally. 3.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality metrics show positive health indicators throughout Wandana Heights, marked by minimal occurrences of prevalent medical conditions across all age cohorts. Additionally, private health insurance coverage is extensive, held by roughly 56% of the population (~1,216 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic.. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, affecting 8.0% and 7.3% of the community respectively, while 72.8% of residents reported no chronic health issues (compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.). Residents under 65 exhibit strong health metrics.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 16.0% of the population (344 people), below the Regional Vic. proportion of 24.0%, and maintain health outcomes that track closely with national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Wandana Heights is largely Australian-born, at 82.8% of residents, with 8.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.3%) and Australian (24.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures in Wandana Heights track below broader benchmarks, with Australian-born residents accounting for 82.8% of the populace, Australian citizens representing 92.8%, and 91.1% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, comprising 54.9% of residents compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic.. Looking at parental country of birth, the primary ancestries in Wandana Heights are English (30.3%), Australian (24.7%), and Scottish (10.2%). Several other backgrounds exhibit higher local representation than seen across the surrounding region, including Croatian at 1.2% (against 0.4% regionally), Dutch at 1.9% (against 1.7%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (against 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wandana Heights is 40. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 28.2% 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
Wandana Heights features a significant concentration of young people alongside mature adult parents. Updates to August 2026 indicate that children and youth (0 - 24) comprise 34.3% of the population, exceeding the 28.5% observed in Regional Vic., while seniors and retirees (65+) represent 16.0%, compared to 24.0% regionally. The median age is estimated at 40 as at August 2026, down from 41 at the 2021 Census and 3 years younger than the Regional Vic. level of 43 recorded at the 2021 Census. The most noticeable shift since the Census occurred among mature adults and early retirees (45 - 64), whose share fell from 29.2% to an estimated 26.8%.
Projections indicate that adults aged 25 - 44 will drive future growth to 2041, increasing by 284 residents (57%) to total 779.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wandana 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 — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,195 at the 2021 Census → 2,154 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 (SAL22669). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.