Foster
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Foster's population is around 9741 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 295 people (3.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9446 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9649 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 165 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 6.5 persons per square kilometer. Foster's growth rate of 3.1% since census positions it within 2.4 percentage points of the non-metro area (5.5%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 51.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, Over this period, projections indicate a decline in overall population, with the area's population expected to shrink by 1223 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 25 to 34 age group, which is projected to grow by 250 people.

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

Foster has received approximately 83 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, showing 415 dwellings approved from FY21 to FY25, with 8 already approved in FY26. On average, each dwelling constructed over the past five years (FY21-FY25) has attracted 1.2 new residents annually, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics. The average construction cost of new properties is $606,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments.

Commercial approvals this financial year total $11.0 million, signifying steady commercial investment activity in Foster. Compared to Rest of Vic., Foster records around three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 70th percentile nationally when assessed areas are considered. New development comprises 96.0% detached dwellings and 4.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with its emphasis on detached housing.

Foster has approximately 193 people per dwelling approval, further indicating a low-density market. With population stability or decline expected, Foster may experience reduced housing pressure, potentially creating buying opportunities.

Foster has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

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

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

While Foster retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.2%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Foster has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 3.2% as of June 2025. There are 4,341 residents employed, with the unemployment rate being 0.6% lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is at 50.7%, significantly lower than Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. 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, while health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 12.8% compared to the regional 16.8%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population.

Between June 2024 and May 2025, Foster's labour force decreased by 0.8%, with employment declining by 1.2% leading to a rise in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. Meanwhile, Rest of Vic.'s employment contracted by 0.9%, labour force fell by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, and employment growth outpaced the national average of 0.26%. 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 growth of approximately 5.7%% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

Foster has a median taxpayer income of $40,360 and an average of $53,806 according to AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages, contrasting with Rest of Vic.'s median income of $48,741 and average income of $60,693. By March 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth since FY2022, estimated incomes would be approximately $44,440 (median) and $59,246 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Foster's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 8th and 14th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 27.5% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly (2,678 residents), differing from regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest with 88.8% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 13th percentile nationally, and Foster'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, consisted of 95.7% houses and 4.3% other dwellings such as semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Foster stood at 56.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (28.9%) or rented (15.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,450 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Foster was $250, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $295 and 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 36.1%, with lone person households at 34.2% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Vic average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Foster fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 22.8%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common 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 total of 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.

Foster has a network of seven schools educating approximately 854 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 985) and balanced educational opportunities. The area has six primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents are 8.8, below the regional average of 13.0, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Transport analysis in Foster shows ten active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus stops. These are serviced by three routes that together offer 68 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is limited, with residents typically located 7923 meters from the nearest stop.

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

Health performance in Foster is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant challenges for Foster, with common health conditions prevalent among both younger and older age groups. Approximately 47% (~4578 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (11.8%) and mental health issues (8%). Around 61.3% report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of Vic's 61.6%. Foster has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 31.8% (~3098 people), compared to the state average of 28.6%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Foster are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Foster's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.4% of its population being citizens and 85.9% born in Australia. English was the language spoken exclusively at home by 95.9% of residents. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 40.5% of Foster's population.

While Judaism made up only 0.1% of Foster's population, it was similarly represented compared to the rest of Victoria. The top three ancestry groups in Foster were English at 32.1%, Australian at 30.5%, and Irish at 10.1%. Notably, Dutch ancestry was overrepresented at 3.1% compared to the regional average of 2.5%. Similarly, Scottish ancestry was slightly higher at 9.7% versus 9.3% regionally, and German ancestry stood at 3.3%, marginally above the regional average of 3.0%.

Foster ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Foster's median age is 53, which is higher than Rest of Vic.'s figure of 43 and substantially exceeds 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%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group 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%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Foster's age structure, with the 25 to 34 group expected to grow by 24% (185 people), reaching 947 from 761. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.