Waurn Ponds

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Waurn Ponds is around 4,942, a decrease of 14 people from the 2021 Census figure of 4,956. This change reflects an inferred resident population of 4,918 as of June 2024, based on ABS ERP data and address validation since the Census date. The population density is approximately 283 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Waurn Ponds has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%, driven primarily by interstate migration contributing about 64.0% of overall population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 for areas not covered by the former data. Projected demographic shifts indicate exceptional growth for Waurn Ponds, placing it in the top 10 percent of regional areas nationally.

By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase by 2,765 persons, reflecting a total increase of 67.8% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Waurn Ponds is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Development activity data is being compiled for this area.

Waurn Ponds shows significantly less construction activity than the Rest of Vic. Development levels are likewise under national averages.

Waurn Ponds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Waurn Ponds Sporting Complex, Grovedale Village, Levande Highton Retirement Village, and Armstrong Mount Duneed Estate. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Waurn Ponds recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Waurn Ponds has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.5%.

As of June 2025, there are 2,951 residents employed, and the unemployment rate is 1.5% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. The workforce participation rate is 69.2%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Employment specialization in accommodation & food is particularly high, with a share of 1.7 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.2% of Waurn Ponds's workforce compared to 7.5% in Rest of Vic.. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.9, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending Sep-22, employment increased by 0.5%, while the labour force grew by 1.6%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.9 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Vic. saw employment decline by 0.9% and labour force decline by 0.4%, with a smaller increase in unemployment rate of 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Waurn Ponds's employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Waurn Ponds' median income among taxpayers is $43,293, with an average of $54,098. This is lower than national averages. Rest of Vic.'s median is $48,741 and average is $60,693. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $48,557 (median) and $60,676 (average), based on a 12.16% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. According to 2021 Census figures, household incomes rank at the 82nd percentile ($2,286 weekly), while personal income ranks at the 18th percentile. The earnings profile shows 34.2% of residents earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,690 residents). A significant 33.9% earn above $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 88.2% of income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Waurn Ponds' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.6% houses and 2.4% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Waurn Ponds stood at 34.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.0% and rented ones at 21.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,755, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,712. Median weekly rent in Waurn Ponds was $430, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $335. Nationally, Waurn Ponds' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher at $430 versus the national figure of $375.

Waurn Ponds features high concentrations of family households and group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 81.2% of all households, including 46.1% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 18.8%, with lone person households at 14.5% and group households making up 4.6%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational achievement in Waurn Ponds places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with 28.9% of residents aged 15+ having university qualifications, exceeding the Rest of Vic. average of 21.7%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 31.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 20.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 45.2% currently enrolled in formal education, including 23.0% in tertiary, 9.0% in primary, and 8.1% in secondary education. Christian College Geelong - Senior School – Waurn Ponds provides local educational services within Waurn Ponds, but has an enrollment of 0 students as of the given date. All schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. No schools are located within Waurn Ponds, requiring residents to travel to neighboring areas for educational services. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus data.

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

Transport analysis shows 16 active stops operating in Waurn Ponds, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 8 distinct routes, offering a total of 861 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 250 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 123 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 53 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Waurn Ponds. Both young and old age cohorts saw low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was found to be very low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 2,386 people).

This compares to 52.7% across Rest of Vic.. The national average is 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area were asthma and mental health issues, impacting 8.9 and 8.6% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 73.4% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 65.9% across Rest of Vic.. The area has 8.1% of residents aged 65 and over (around 400 people), which is lower than the 16.8% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Waurn Ponds records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Waurn Ponds' cultural diversity is roughly equivalent to the wider region's average, with 86.6% of its population being citizens, 81.3% born in Australia, and 86.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Waurn Ponds, accounting for 45.8% of people. Notably, Hinduism is overrepresented in Waurn Ponds compared to the rest of Victoria, comprising 3.4% versus 1.7%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (28.0%), Australian (27.9%), and Scottish (8.5%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Dutch at 2.5% in Waurn Ponds compared to 2.0% regionally, Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.3%, and Sri Lankan at 0.4% compared to 0.2%.

Waurn Ponds hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Waurn Ponds has a median age of 27, which is younger than the Rest of Vic.'s figure of 43 and Australia's figure of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Waurn Ponds has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 (27.9%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.1%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national figure of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 12.1% to 15.1%, while the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 10.5% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 15 to 24 age group has declined from 29.4% to 27.9%, and the 55 to 64 age group has dropped from 8.5% to 7.3%. Population forecasts for Waurn Ponds indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041, with the strongest projected growth in the 25 to 34 age cohort (111%), adding 829 residents to reach a total of 1,576.