Chart Color Schemes
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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Population
Glenelg is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
Glenelg's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 8,956 by November 2025. This figure shows an increase of 36 people, representing a 0.4% rise since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,920. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,866 in June 2024 and the addition of 77 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 1.5 persons per square kilometer. Glenelg's growth rate since the Census places it within 0.6 percentage points of the SA3 area (1.0%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver for population growth 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Future population projections indicate a median increase just below Australia's non-metropolitan average. Glenelg is expected to gain 482 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of approximately 4.0% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Glenelg, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally
Glenelg has received approximately 26 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 130 homes. As of FY-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $306,000.
In FY-26, there have been $9.2 million in commercial approvals, reflecting Glenelg's primarily residential nature. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Glenelg shows 15.0% lower construction activity per person and ranks among the 36th percentile nationally, indicating more limited buyer choices and supporting demand for existing homes. This lower-than-average national activity suggests possible planning constraints in the area. All new construction has been standalone homes, maintaining Glenelg's traditional low density character focused on family homes.
The estimated population per dwelling approval is 468 people. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Glenelg's population is forecasted to grow by 358 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Glenelg has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects that may affect the region. Notable ones include Kentbruck Green Power Hub, Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Infrastructure, Tyrendarra Town Area Restructure Plan, and Settlers Rd, Tyrendarra - Roads to Recovery Project. The following list details those most relevant.
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
Cape Winds Offshore Windfarm
Proposed offshore wind project located in Discovery Bay between Portland and Nelson, Victoria. The concept targets up to 2,000 MW with fixed-bottom turbines, subsea export cables, and an onshore substation connection into the NEM. The project was referred for environmental assessment in August 2021 under Victoria's EES and the Commonwealth EPBC Act. As of 2025 no feasibility licence has been granted and approvals are not in place.
Kentbruck Green Power Hub
Proposed 600 MW onshore wind farm of up to 105 turbines near Nelson/Portland in south-west Victoria, with an underground 275 kV transmission line to Heywood Terminal Station, on-site substations and potential co-located battery storage. The project completed EES exhibition (Jan-Mar 2025); public hearings concluded 24 Jul 2025 and the IAC report is pending Ministerial decision. Ownership of the Victorian portfolio including Kentbruck transferred from Neoen to HMC Capital in Dec 2024.
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Infrastructure
Tourism and cultural infrastructure delivered across five sites in the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape — Tyrendarra Recreation Reserve, Tyrendarra IPA, Kurtonitj IPA, Tae Rak (Lake Condah) and Budj Bim National Park — including the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, visitor facilities, boardwalks, shelters, jetty and lookout. Works support sustainable access, protection of World Heritage values and guided cultural tourism led by Gunditjmara Traditional Owners.
Portland North Employment Precinct
The Portland North Employment Precinct is a 10-hectare development aimed at boosting the local economy through job creation and business attraction. Bunnings Warehouse, the anchor tenant, opened in June 2025, creating over 50 ongoing jobs and supporting 50 during construction. Funded by $2.5 million from the Victorian Government, the precinct positions Portland as a key economic centre in south west Victoria.
Portland Energy Park
A 1,000MW / 2,500MWh battery energy storage park comprising four grid-scale co-located battery assets to capture excess renewable energy, enhance grid stability, and support Victoria's transition to net-zero emissions by avoiding approximately 66,900 tonnes of CO2 annually and powering 182,000 homes daily.
Portland Renewable Fuels Project
A world-scale renewable methanol development in Portland, Victoria, converting residual forestry biomass and renewable electricity into green methanol using a 200-megawatt electrolyser, producing 300,000 tonnes annually and avoiding 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Housing Manufacturing Hub
A $2.35 million manufacturing hub at Portland Airport developed by FormFlow to produce up to 200 relocatable modular houses per year, addressing housing shortages in Victoria's Great South Coast region. The project aims to create 50 direct and 150 indirect jobs but was paused in October 2023 due to industry pressures, with the lease remaining active as of 2025.
Portland Foreshore Multipurpose Facility
Refurbishment of the Portland Yacht Club and Portland Sport Fishing Club buildings on the Portland Foreshore to provide all-abilities access, meet building codes, comply with regulations, extend building life, and reduce maintenance costs.
Employment
AreaSearch assessment positions Glenelg ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance
Glenelg has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar employment, diverse sector representation, and an unemployment rate of 2.3% as of September 2025. There are 4,285 residents employed, with the area's unemployment rate being 1.4 percentage points lower than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%.
Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Vic., at 57.4%. Key industries for Glenelg residents include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area has a notable concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with employment levels at 3.5 times the regional average. Conversely, education & training shows lower representation at 5.5% compared to the regional average of 9.1%.
Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.2%, and employment decreased by 3.4% in Glenelg, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from November 25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glenelg's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.3% over five years and 11.8% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch
Glenelg SA2's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $46,673. The average income stood at $58,305 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s median and average incomes were $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest Glenelg's median income will be approximately $52,348 and average income $65,395, accounting for a 12.16% growth since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Glenelg fall between the 15th and 19th percentiles nationally. The largest income segment comprises 28.0% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly, with 2,507 residents in this bracket. Housing costs are modest, with 91.8% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at the 24th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Glenelg is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Glenelg's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 96.9% houses and 3.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Vic. had 93.1% houses and 6.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glenelg was 55.8%, with the remaining dwellings being mortgaged (31.4%) or rented (12.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,073, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,083 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Glenelg was $180, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $220 and substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Glenelg features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size
Family households constitute 66.7% of all households, including 23.3% couples with children, 35.2% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.3%, with lone person households at 30.9% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Vic.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Glenelg faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 13.9%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 9.7% and certificates for 31.4%. A total of 24.8% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 9.3% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education.
A substantial 24.8% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.3% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is very low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Glenelg has 18 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by nine different routes that together offer 61 weekly passenger trips. Residents have limited access to these services, with an average distance of 4054 meters to the nearest stop.
On average, there are eight trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately three weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Glenelg is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Health data indicates significant challenges for Glenelg, with common health conditions being prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 49% (~4,379 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is relatively low compared to the national average of 55.3%.
The most frequent medical conditions in the area are arthritis (12.0%) and mental health issues (8.1%). Conversely, 63.3% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of Vic's figure of 62.4%. Glenelg has a larger proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 27.8% (2,489 people), compared to the Rest of Vic's 26.3%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Glenelg are above average and better than those seen in the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The latest Census data sees Glenelg placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Glenelg's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 89.8% of its population being citizens, 91.3% born in Australia, and 97.6% speaking English only at home. The predominant religion in Glenelg is Christianity, comprising 48.5% of the population, compared to 50.5% across Rest of Vic. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Australian (33.3%), English (32.9%), and Scottish (9.7%).
Notably, Maltese are overrepresented at 0.6% in Glenelg compared to 0.4% regionally, Dutch at 1.5% vs 1.4%, and Irish at 9.3% vs 8.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Glenelg ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide
Glenelg's median age is 50, which exceeds Rest of Vic.'s figure of 43 and is also above the national average of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 16.2% of Glenelg's population, higher than Rest of Vic.'s percentage, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 8.6%, lower than Rest of Vic.'s figure. This 65-74 concentration is notably above the national average of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group grew from 8.6% to 9.9%, and the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 9.6% to 10.8%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort decreased from 17.7% to 16.1%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.3% to 11.8%. Demographic modeling indicates Glenelg's age profile will significantly evolve by 2041, with the 25-34 cohort projected to grow by 204 people (27%), from 765 to 970. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 15-24 cohorts.