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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Colac has an estimated 12,561 residents, down from 12,756 at the 2021 Census — a change of 195 people, or 1.5%. 367 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 230 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 research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count for Colac stands at approximately 12,561 in May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 12,756 residents, this represents a drop of 195 individuals (1.5%). The calculation is based on the ABS estimated resident population of 12,561 for June 2025 alongside 367 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level yields a density of 229 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and room for potential expansion. Although Colac registered a 1.5% decrease since the 2021 census, this trajectory was more favorable than the broader SA3 region (-1.6%).
The area's population gains were almost exclusively supported by overseas migration, which served as the primary growth contributor during recent times. Projections sourced from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, projections are derived from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA releases, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method to scale growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates segmented by age brackets from these aggregations are further applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic trends point to a population growth rate slightly below the median for non-metropolitan locations, with expectations of an increase of 853 persons by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP data, indicating a total growth of 6.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
339 new dwellings have been approved in Colac over the past five years, an average of 67 a year. That is 5.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 48 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 83% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 128, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Over the past 5 financial years, Colac has registered an average of approximately 67 new dwelling approvals annually, resulting in 339 total homes. In the current FY-26 period, 118 approvals have been logged. As population numbers contracted recently, the supply of housing has successfully aligned with demand, fostering a balanced market environment with ample options for buyers, while new residences show an average construction value of $286,000. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $22.3 million have been documented this financial year, pointing to steady commercial building activities. Per capita development volumes in Colac match regional averages across Rest of Vic., reinforcing stability in the property market, even though building volumes have softened lately.
Current building trends show that standalone homes account for 83.0% of projects, while medium and high-density formats comprise 17.0%, preserving the historically low-density profile of the community with a focus on spacious family accommodation. A ratio of roughly 276 people per approval underlines the low-density status of Colac. Long-term forecasts indicate that Colac will gain 850 residents by 2041, utilizing the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. Looking at historic construction patterns, future housing completions are set to comfortably absorb demand, creating favorable buying opportunities and potentially supporting higher population increases than currently forecasted.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Colac
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside Colac, worth an estimated $223 million. A further 107 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $18.5 billion. 34 are already under construction and 42 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and council planning schemes are critical drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 8 projects that are expected to influence this locality. Some of the most significant projects include Lake Colac School, Colac West Primary School Upgrade, Clearwater Colac, and Pound Road, Colac, with the details of the most relevant projects listed 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
Lake Colac School - Hydrotherapy Pool and Upgrade & Modernisation
Lake Colac School (formerly Colac Specialist School) has undergone a rebuild on part of the former Colac High School site on Murray Street, modernising the heritage building to house a library, art room, music room, woodwork room, food technology facility, staff areas and an Early Education Program facility, plus new classroom and administration buildings, a car park, bus loop and play areas. This upgrade and modernisation was completed in Q2 2024. A separate hydrotherapy pool project, funded through the Hydrotherapy Pools at Specialist Schools Fund, began in Q1 2024 and is forecast to finish in Q3 2026.
Clearwater Colac
Clearwater is a premium masterplanned land estate located on the shores of Lake Colac. The community features 500 residential lots ranging in size from 301m2 to 1600m2, with future onsite amenities including a childcare facility, parklands, playgrounds, and active open spaces.
Colac West Primary School Upgrade and Modernisation
Upgrade and modernisation of Colac West Primary School, including a new main building on the eastern side of the school grounds to provide contemporary classrooms, upgraded technology, a new canteen, a centrally located first aid room, temperature-controlled learning areas, hearing loop technology and improved disability access. Once the new building is complete, the original main wing will be demolished and replaced with landscaped grounds that reflect the school's heritage. Total project funding of $10.2 million was confirmed in the 2025-26 State Budget, including earlier planning funding from the 2023-24 Budget.
Pound Road, Colac
Homes Victoria is delivering 50 new homes on 1.8 hectares of vacant State Government land at Pound Road, Colac, funded through the Victorian Government's Regional Housing Fund (part of the Big Housing Build) with enabling works support from the Australian Government's Housing Support Program. The mix of 30 social and 20 affordable rental homes will be located close to the town centre, public transport, retail, educational and community facilities. Homes include a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom single-storey dwellings, designed to be modern, accessible and energy efficient.Planning approvals were received in March and April 2026. Site preparation works are due to begin May 2026, with construction of homes commencing in 2027. Colac Otway Shire Council reaffirmed its opposition to the concentrated development at its December 2025 meeting, citing neighbourhood character concerns.
Colac Plaza
Completed retail shopping centre featuring Coles, Liquorland, Kaisercraft and 10 other specialty stores, bordering Barongarook creek trail with sensitive architectural and landscaping solutions.
Harris Road Residential Development
A 3.65-hectare zoned residential development opportunity within the approved Irrewillipe Road Framework Plan, zoned General Residential Zone. The site has potential for approximately 40 residential lots (STCA) and is currently for sale.
Lakeside Colac
A boutique community of 55 lots, Lakeside Colac offers an opportunity to build your dream home next to the picturesque Lake Colac. Nestled in a premium pocket of Colac, it provides future residents with peace of mind and security in an established area, with easy access to walking tracks, local amenities, schools, and transport links.
Olive Court Estate
A residential land development offering 26 premium blocks ranging from 391 sqm to 812 sqm in a peaceful court near Colac's CBD, medical precinct, schools, and amenities. Fully titled with utilities connected, ready for immediate building.
5,869 residents of Colac are employed, from a labour force of 5,989. Unemployment sits at 2.0%, with participation at 57.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 workforce is evenly distributed between professional and industrial roles, with manufacturing and industrial sectors playing a key role, and the job seeker rate sits at only 2.0%. Data from March 2026 indicates that 5,869 local citizens are employed, with the unemployment rate sitting 1.7% below the Regional Vic. benchmark of 3.7%, while the participation rate is relatively low at 57.4% versus the Regional Vic. average of 61.1%. According to self-reported Census statistics, a small proportion of residents (7.0%) worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The major employment sectors for local workers are manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The region exhibits a strong concentration in manufacturing, where the employment proportion is 2.7 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, public administration & safety has a minor presence at 4.2% compared to 6.5% across the region. Although local employment is available, the ratio of Census working population to local jobs suggests that a substantial number of workers travel outside the area to reach their jobs. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the local workforce shrank by 6.4% and total employment fell by 6.1% during the year leading to March 2026, causing the unemployment rate to drop by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% employment contraction, a 0.3% workforce reduction, and a 0.2 percentage point decline in unemployment. Additional guidance on future employment trends in Colac can be found in the national forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. While nationwide employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rate of change varies widely by sector. Combining these sector-level forecasts with the employment composition of Colac suggests local jobs could grow by 5.2% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted projection for illustration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Colac is $1,250 a week (about $65,000 a year), with median personal income at $701 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $50,693 a year against an average of $60,055. 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
According to the latest postcode data from the ATO for financial year 2023, personal earnings in the Colac SA2 are below national benchmarks, with the median recorded at $50,693 and the average at $60,055. This compares to Regional Vic. where the median is $50,954 and the average is $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated earnings as of March 2026 would be around $55,570 (median) and $65,832 (average). Census returns show that household, family, and individual incomes in Colac all position between the 17th and 28th percentiles nationwide.
Looking at brackets, 29.9% of residents (3,755 people) earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is similar to the metropolitan average of 30.3%. Although living expenses are low, leaving residents with 86.7% of their income, total disposable income ranks at only the 20th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Colac had 5,127 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 88% detached houses and 0% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 20.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential property types in Colac at the time of the latest Census consisted of 88.2% houses and 11.8% other options such as townhouses, units, and alternative dwellings, compared to Regional Vic.'s profile of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in Colac matched Regional Vic. at 41.1%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 32.3% and rented properties made up 26.6%. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area stood at $1,300, which was lower than the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, while the median weekly rent was $260 compared to the Regional Vic.
median of $285. In comparison to nationwide figures, Colac mortgage commitments are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent levels are well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Colac counted 5,127 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 24% are couples with children, fewer than in 75% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 61.8%, which includes 23.6% couples with children, 26.4% couples without children, and 10.5% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.2%, with sole occupants making up 34.3% and group housing accounting for 3.9%. The median number of occupants per household is 2.3, slightly below the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.6% of adults in Colac hold a university qualification, including 9.9% with a bachelor degree and 2.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 81% of areas nationally. A further 28.1% hold a vocational qualification. 11 schools serve the area, with 2,611 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 971 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
Educational benchmarks reveal some difficulties in the area, with the university completion rate (13.6%) sitting significantly lower than the VIC average of 33.4%. This situation presents opportunities for focused education policies. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are most common at 9.9%, followed by postgraduate studies (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational qualifications are very common, with 37.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (28.1%). A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 25.3% of residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This figure is made up of 9.7% in primary schools, 7.7% in secondary schools, and 1.9% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Colac reaches 74 stops on 7 routes, timetabled for about 310 services a week. The typical home sits about 220 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.3 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
Analysis of the local network reveals 74 public transport stops in Colac, which include train connections. These stops are served by 7 separate routes that run a combined total of 310 passenger services every week. Accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 221 meters away from their nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, and the majority of workers travel outside the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 92%, and 6% of people walking to work. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.3 cars per home, which is below the regional average.
A relatively small proportion of workers (7.0%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect the pandemic conditions at that time. Across all transit lines, services run at an average of 44 times per day, which equates to roughly 4 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.4% of residents in Colac report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 75% of areas nationally. 8.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Colac faces notable health issues, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and the occurrence of long-term medical conditions across different age brackets, and the level of private health insurance coverage is low at roughly 49% of the population (~6,142 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the community, affecting 10.2% and 8.8% of individuals respectively, while 63.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, matching the 63.4% average across Regional Vic.. The prevalence of chronic illnesses among working-age citizens is above the average.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 23.7% of the local population (2,975 people), and health outcomes for this cohort are generally comparable to national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Colac is largely Australian-born, at 89.5% of residents, with 7.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.9%) and English (30.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Colac is lower than average, with citizens representing 88.9% of the population, 89.5% of residents born in Australia, and 92.3% of households speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 50.1% of the local population, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic.. Regarding family heritage, the three most common backgrounds reported in Colac are Australian (31.9%), English (30.9%), and Irish (11.3%). There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with Scottish heritage overrepresented at 9.4% (compared to 8.8% regionally), Samoan ancestry at 0.2% (compared to 0.1%), and Dutch ancestry at 1.3% (compared to 1.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Colac is 42. 24.5% 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 median age in Colac is 42 years, which is close to the Regional Vic. average of 43 years but much older than the national median of 38 years. Looking at age distribution, the 25 to 34 age bracket is relatively large (13.3%), whereas the 65 to 74 group is smaller (11.3%) than the Regional Vic. average. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 11.0% to 11.9%, while the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 11.7% to 10.9%. Future projections for 2041 point to significant changes, with the 25 to 34 age bracket projected to grow the fastest by 21%, adding 350 residents to reach 2,017, while declines are projected for the 75 to 84 and 55 to 64 age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Colac
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 8 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 Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 367 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (12,756 at the 2021 Census → 12,561 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 May 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 (217031472). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.