Geelong

Population growth drivers in Geelong are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Geelong's population was approximately 13,872 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 368 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,504. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,719 in June 2025 and the addition of 112 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,082 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Geelong's growth rate of 2.7% since the census is within 1.6 percentage points of the Rest of Vic's growth rate of 4.3%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area. AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilized VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends forecast a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's regional areas, with Geelong expected to grow by 3,711 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall gain of 25.6% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Geelong among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Geelong has seen approximately 120 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 600 homes. As of FY-26, 11 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.5 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY-21 and FY-25. This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially driving population growth beyond current expectations.

The average value of new properties being constructed is $426,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment by developers. In this financial year alone, $721.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Geelong has 16.0% less new development per person but ranks among the 91st percentile nationally for development activity. Recent periods have seen an increase in this activity. The majority of new developments consist of attached dwellings (87.0%), marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns which are currently 67.0% houses.

This trend may be due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Geelong has around 99 people per dwelling approval, indicating characteristics of a low density area. Future projections estimate Geelong will add approximately 3,558 residents by 2041. Construction is maintaining pace with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as population increases.

Geelong has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 46 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Barwon Women's and Children's Hospital, Geelong Regional Sports Precinct, The Mill Newtown, and Cunningham Place. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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.

Employment performance in Geelong has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Geelong has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate is 5.1%. By this date, 7801 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.4% higher than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation stands at 68.4%, surpassing Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. According to Census responses, 23.7% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance (1.3 times the regional average), retail trade, and construction. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 0.7% versus the regional average of 7.5%.

The area hosts more jobs than residents, with a ratio of 2.7 workers per resident, acting as an employment hub attracting workers from nearby regions. Between December 2024 and November 2025, labour force decreased by 0.8%, employment fell by 0.5%, leading to a 0.3 percentage point drop in unemployment. In comparison, Regional Vic.'s employment fell by 0.6%, labour force contracted by 0.7%, and unemployment dropped by 0.1 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Geelong's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Geelong SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $56,389 for financial year 2023. The average level stood at $78,321 during this period. This is above the national average and compares to levels of $50,954 and $62,728 across Regional Vic., respectively. By March 2026, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $61,814 and an average of $85,855 based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 57th percentile ($843 weekly), while household income sits at the 37th percentile. Income analysis reveals that 29.5% of the population (4,092 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 30.3% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 39th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Geelong displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Geelong, as per the latest Census, consisted of 67.1% houses and 32.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Geelong stood at 31.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.3% and rented ones at 41.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,703, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Geelong was $340, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Geelong's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 56.1% of all households, including 20.0% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 43.9%, consisting of 37.2% lone person households and 6.7% group households. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Geelong exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Geelong's educational attainment is notably high, with 37.0% of residents aged 15+ having university qualifications, compared to the broader Victorian average of 21.7%. In terms of specific degrees, bachelor degrees are most common at 23.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 31.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (19.9%). Educational participation in the area is high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising tertiary education (10.0%), primary education (7.1%), and secondary education (5.1%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in tertiary education, 7.1% in primary education, and 5.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

The transport analysis indicates that Geelong has 124 active transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops offer a mix of train services and are served by 48 individual routes. Collectively, these routes facilitate 10,057 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 178 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 78%, while walking and cycling account for 12% and 2% respectively.

On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 23.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 1,436 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 81 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map illustrates the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Geelong faces significant health challenges, as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is high, at approximately 58% of the total population (~8,045 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 10.6% and 8.6% of residents respectively. However, 66.3% reported no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 17.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,451 people), lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings higher than those of the general population.

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

Geelong's cultural diversity aligns with its wider region, as 85.6% are citizens, 81.0% were born in Australia, and 87.3% speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by Judaism which is slightly overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to Regional Vic's 0.1%. The top ancestry groups in Geelong are English (27.7%), Australian (24.5%), and Irish (11.4%).

Notably, Dutch (1.8% vs regional 1.7%), Croatian (0.9% vs 0.4%), and Scottish (9.0% vs 8.8%) groups are overrepresented in Geelong compared to the region.

Geelong's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Geelong was 39 years as of 2021, which is significantly lower than Regional Victoria's average of 43 but closely aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional Vic., Geelong had a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (20.8%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.2%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds was notably higher than the national average of 14.6%. According to the 2021 Census, Geelong's median age decreased by 1.2 years from 40 to 39, indicating a shift towards a younger demographic. Key population changes showed that the 25-34 age group grew from 17.6% to 20.8%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 12.2% to 14.0%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.2% to 10.6%, and the 55-64 group fell from 13.7% to 12.2%. Demographic projections suggest that by 2041, Geelong's age profile will experience significant changes. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase markedly, with an additional 1,493 people (a 52% rise) from 2,885 to 4,379. Meanwhile, the number of residents aged 55-64 is expected to decrease by 25.