Foster

Foster has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Foster's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 10,194. This figure represents an increase of 748 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,446. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: Foster had 9,612 residents in June 2024 and gained 174 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 6.8 persons per square kilometer. Foster's population growth rate of 7.9% since the census is close to the national average of 9.7%, indicating strong fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 51.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Foster's population is projected to decline by 1,223 persons overall, but the 25 to 34 age group is expected to grow by 250 people.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Foster when compared nationally

Foster has seen approximately 83 dwellings approved for development each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 415 homes were approved, with an additional 28 approved so far in FY26. On average, these developments have resulted in 1.2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the same period.

This suggests a balance between supply and demand, contributing to stable market conditions. The average construction cost of new properties is $322,000. In terms of commercial development, Foster has registered $11.0 million in approvals this financial year, indicating balanced activity in this sector.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, Foster records roughly three-quarters the building activity per person, while nationally, it ranks among the 70th percentile of areas assessed for development activity. New developments primarily consist of detached dwellings at 96.0%, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 4.0%. This maintains the area's low-density nature and attracts space-seeking buyers. Foster has approximately 193 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. However, with population growth expected to remain stable or decline, there may be reduced pressure on housing in the future, potentially presenting opportunities for buyers.

Foster has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified six projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Parr Street Leongatha Rezoning and Subdivision, Great Southern Rail Trail Leongatha Precinct Development, Leongatha Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and Wyndham Garden Inverloch. The following list outlines those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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The employment environment in Foster shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Foster's skilled workforce has diverse sector representation with an unemployment rate of 3.0% as of the past year. Employment growth was estimated at 4.3%. As of September 2025, 4,489 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.8% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Foster is at 56.1%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, 25.7% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. Foster shows strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 2.9 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance has limited presence at 12.8% compared to the regional 16.8%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 4.3% while labour force grew by 3.9%, reducing unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic. saw employment contract by 0.7%, labour force fall by 0.6%, and marginal unemployment rise. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Foster's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 5.7% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The median taxpayer income in Foster SA2 was $42,044 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The average income was $54,581 during this period. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of Vic.'s median income being $50,954 and average income being $62,728 in the same year. By September 2025, current estimates project the median income to be approximately $45,513 and the average income to be around $59,084, based on an 8.25% growth since financial year 2023. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Foster fall between the 7th and 14th percentiles nationally. The largest income segment comprises 27.5% of residents earning $800 - $1,499 weekly, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 88.8% income retention, total disposable income ranks at just the 12th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Foster, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 95.7% houses and 4.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s dwelling structure was 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Foster was 56.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.9% and rented dwellings at 15.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Foster was $1,300, below Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure in Foster was $250, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Foster's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 63.9% of all households, including 19.9% couples with children, 36.1% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.1%, with lone person households at 34.2% and group households comprising 1.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Foster shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 22.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (27.6%). A substantial 24.3% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 10.0% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.3% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Foster has ten active public transport stops. These are served by one route collectively offering forty weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited with residents typically 7923 meters from the nearest stop. Foster is predominantly residential and most commuters travel outward; cars dominate at 88%, with 9% walking. Average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.6. According to the 2021 Census, 25.7% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages five trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately four weekly trips per stop.

Foster's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Foster's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were found to be fairly standard across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover was found to be very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~4,770 people), compared to 50.5% in Rest of Vic., and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were arthritis (11.8%) and mental health issues (8.0%). 61.3% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Rest of Vic.. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 31.8% of residents aged 65 and over (3,242 people), higher than the 23.5% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Foster's population shows low cultural diversity, with 88.4% being citizens and 85.9% born in Australia. English is spoken exclusively at home by 95.9%. Christianity is the dominant religion at 40.5%.

Judaism, however, has a slightly higher representation in Foster at 0.1%, compared to 0.1% regionally. The top three ancestral groups are English (32.1%), Australian (30.5%), and Irish (10.1%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences: Dutch residents make up 3.1% in Foster versus 1.7% regionally, Scottish residents are at 9.7% versus 8.8%, and German residents stand at 3.3% versus 3.5%.

Foster ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Foster has a median age of 53, which is considerably higher than Rest of Vic.'s figure of 43, substantially exceeding the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of Vic., Foster has a higher concentration of residents aged 65-74 (18.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.8%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 9.2% to 10.7%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 7.9% to 9.1%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 17.6% to 15.9%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 19.4% to 18.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Foster's age structure. The 25 to 34 group is expected to grow by 19%, reaching 947 people from the current figure of 797. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.