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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Glenelg (Vic.) has an estimated 8,777 residents, down from 8,920 at the 2021 Census — a change of 143 people, or 1.6%. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Glenelg stands at approximately 8,777 in May 2026. This represents a contraction of 143 individuals (1.6%) from the 8,920 residents counted in the 2021 Census. The decline is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 8,775 alongside 92 validated new addresses identified since the Census. This population size results in a density of 1.4 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density living. The -1.6% drop in Glenelg closely matches the regional trend, sitting within 0.6 percentage points of the SA3 area rate (-1.0%).
Growth in the region has been almost entirely dependent on overseas migration to offset losses. AreaSearch incorporates projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia published in 2024, utilising 2022 as the base year. For locations lacking this data, projections from the VIC State Government's 2023 Regional/LGA release are adapted via a weighted aggregation of population changes from the LGA to the SA2 level. The age structure growth trends from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the period 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate future growth will be slightly below the median for regional Australia, with the local population expected to rise by 459 individuals by 2041 compared to the most recent annual ERP, representing a 5.2% cumulative increase over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
130 new dwellings have been approved in Glenelg (Vic.) over the past five years, an average of 26 a year. That is 2.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 9, well below 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
Approximately 26 residential building approvals have been granted annually in Glenelg, amounting to 130 homes over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 9 approvals have been logged. With the local population contracting, supply has likely met local demand, offering options for purchasers, with new builds averaging an estimated construction cost of $306,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $9.2 million have been registered during this financial year, reflecting a quiet commercial sector. Glenelg registers 15.0% less building activity per capita than the Rest of Vic., placing it in the 36th percentile of all analyzed locations across the country, which restricts supply and directs demand toward existing properties.
This is also lower than the national benchmark, suggesting a mature market or local development constraints. Additionally, recent approvals consist entirely of detached houses, preserving the low-density profile of the area and catering to families seeking space. The ratio of 466 people per single dwelling approval highlights the low level of construction activity. Looking forward, the population of Glenelg is projected to grow by 455 residents by 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction volumes should easily absorb this growth, maintaining balanced conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Glenelg (Vic.)
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 12 current infrastructure and development projects inside Glenelg (Vic.), worth an estimated $7.21 billion. A further 84 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $16.4 billion. 27 are already under construction and 36 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, communities, precincts & urban renewal and residential development. 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
Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning policies play a major role in regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 17 projects expected to influence the local area. Notable projects include the Kentbruck Green Power Hub, Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Infrastructure, Tyrendarra Town Area Restructure Plan, and the Settlers Rd, Tyrendarra - Roads to Recovery Project, with details of the most significant works listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Kentbruck Green Power Hub
A 600 MW onshore wind farm featuring 105 turbines located near Nelson and Portland. The project includes a 26.6 km underground 275 kV transmission line to the Heywood Terminal Station and co-located battery storage. It received Victorian Government environmental approval in January 2026 following a rigorous Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, with construction expected to create 350 jobs.
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.
Tyrendarra Town Area Restructure Plan
A restructure plan to address lots with inadequate road access in the Tyrendarra town area through re-subdivision and consolidation.
Settlers Rd, Tyrendarra - Roads to Recovery Project
Road upgrade project on Settlers Rd in Tyrendarra funded under the Roads to Recovery Program.
Princes Highway West - Bridge Upgrade Fitzroy River, Tyrendarra
This project upgraded the bridge over the Fitzroy River on the Princes Highway West at Tyrendarra to improve safety and efficiency for all road users, including high-productivity freight vehicles.
Princes Highway West - Overtaking Lane at Tyrendarra (Westbound)
This project constructed a westbound overtaking lane on the Princes Highway West at Tyrendarra to improve safety and traffic flow.
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.
Cape Winds Offshore Windfarm
The Cape Winds Offshore Windfarm is a proposed large-scale renewable energy project located in Discovery Bay, between Portland and Nelson in south-west Victoria. Developed under a 50:50 joint venture between Skyborn Renewables and Australis Energy through VIC Offshore Windfarm Pty Ltd, the project targeted a total capacity of 2,000 MW using fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines approximately 5.5 km offshore, with subsea export cables and an onshore substation connecting to the National Electricity Market. A 400 MW state waters component was proposed for initial development, with a planned expansion into Commonwealth waters pending declaration of the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone.The project underwent early-stage environmental scoping under a bilateral Environment Effects Statement and EPBC Act referral process. However, as of early 2025, both phases of the project are recorded as cancelled by multiple tracking authorities, with the project website no longer active.
4,171 residents of Glenelg (Vic.) are employed, from a labour force of 4,250. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 56.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 8,037, about 92% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. 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 workforce in Glenelg displays an even distribution of blue and white collar positions across multiple sectors, with an unemployment rate of 1.9%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,171, representing an unemployment rate 1.8% below the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%. Participation in the labor force is slightly low at 56.9% compared to 61.1% in Regional Vic. Census data indicated that 18.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions. The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
The agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector is heavily concentrated here, employing workers at 3.5 times the regional rate. In contrast, education & training employs just 5.5% of the workforce compared to the regional average of 9.1%. A comparison of the Census working population against resident workers suggests that local employment options within the area are limited. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, the local labor force contracted by 6.5% while the number of employed residents fell by 6.3%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. Across Regional Vic., employment declined by 0.1%, the labor force shrank by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide an outlook on future employment trends. These five and ten-year national projections have been applied to the local industry mix to model potential local growth. While national employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry structure suggests employment in Glenelg could grow by 5.3% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, representing a simple weighting extrapolation that does not adjust for local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Glenelg (Vic.) is $1,234 a week (about $64,000 a year), with median personal income at $652 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,476 a year against an average of $57,149. 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
Taxpayer income in the Glenelg SA2 is below the national average based on AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year. The median income for local taxpayers was $46,476 while the average was $57,149, compared to Regional Vic. medians of $50,954 and averages of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures would be approximately $50,947 for the median and $62,647 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and individual incomes in Glenelg between the 15th and 19th percentiles nationwide.
The largest bracket is the 28.0% of households earning $1,500 - 2,999 per week (2,457 residents), which is similar to the regional share of 30.3%. Although housing costs are low, allowing residents to retain 91.8% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 24th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Glenelg (Vic.) had 3,596 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 1% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 56% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $180 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,073 a month. Rent absorbs 14.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Glenelg at the time of the last Census consisted of 96.9% detached houses and 3.1% alternative dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings in Regional Vic. Outright home ownership in Glenelg was high at 55.8%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (31.4%) or rented (12.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,073 was lower than the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, and the median weekly rent was $180 compared to the regional figure of $285. Nationally, these figures are well below the Australian mortgage average of $1,863 and the median rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Glenelg (Vic.) counted 3,596 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 76% of areas nationally, against 35% couples without children. 31% 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 66.7% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 23.3%, couples without children at 35.2%, and single parent households at 7.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 33.3%, with single person households representing 30.9% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size is 2.2 persons, which is smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.9% of adults in Glenelg (Vic.) hold a university qualification, including 9.6% with a bachelor degree and 2.1% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 79% of areas nationally. A further 31.4% hold a vocational qualification. 9 schools serve the area, with 572 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 961 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
The region records lower rates of higher education, with 13.9% of residents holding a university degree compared to the VIC average of 33.4%. This presents a clear opportunity for targeted educational development. Among graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.6%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.2% and postgraduate degrees at 2.1%. Vocational education is prominent, with 41.1% of the population aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificate qualifications (31.4%). A total of 24.8% of local residents are enrolled in formal study. This comprises 9.3% in primary schooling, 8.1% in secondary schooling, and 1.9% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Glenelg (Vic.) means driving: households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of transit options shows 14 active public transport stops in Glenelg. These locations are served by 3 routes, providing a total of 42 passenger trips per week. Transport access is limited, with residents living an average of 4054 meters from the nearest stop. Because it is a residential area, commuting is common, with 91% of workers traveling by car and 7% walking. Car ownership stands at 1.9 vehicles per household, which is above the regional average. In the 2021 Census, 18.3% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Service frequency across the routes averages 6 trips per day, which translates to roughly 3 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.3% of residents in Glenelg (Vic.) report no long-term health condition. 7.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes in Glenelg present challenges based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic illness rates, with health conditions distributed across both young and old cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 48% of the population (~4,177 people) covered, compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic. and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues in the area, affecting 12.0 and 8.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 63.3% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, close to the Regional Vic. figure of 63.4%.
The working-age population shows high rates of chronic health issues. Residents aged 65 and over make up 28.9% of the population (2,537 people), higher than the Regional Vic. figure of 23.9%. However, health metrics among the senior population rank higher than those of the general population nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Glenelg (Vic.) is largely Australian-born, at 91.3% of residents, with 2.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.3%) and English (32.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Glenelg is below average, with citizenship at 89.8%, Australian-born residents at 91.3%, and monolingual English speakers at 97.6% of the population. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 48.5% of the population, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic. The primary ancestral origins reported in Glenelg are Australian at 33.3%, English at 32.9%, and Scottish at 9.7%. Some differences exist compared to regional figures: Maltese ancestry represents 0.6% of the population (compared to 0.5% regionally), Dutch accounts for 1.5% (compared to 1.7%), and Irish stands at 9.3% (compared to 9.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Glenelg (Vic.) is 50, older than 92% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 18.2% 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 of 50 in Glenelg is older than the Regional Vic. median of 43 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 16.8% of the population compared to Regional Vic., while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 8.3%. The concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 8.6% to 9.8%, and the 75 to 84 bracket rose from 8.2% to 9.4%.
Conversely, the 45 to 54 group declined from 13.3% to 11.5% and the 55 to 64 group fell from 17.7% to 15.9%. Projections indicate that the age profile will change by 2041, with the 75 to 84 age group expected to grow by 206 people (25%) from 824 to 1,031, while the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Glenelg (Vic.)
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 | May 2026 3 months ago all 12 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 May 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 — 92 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (8,920 at the 2021 Census → 8,777 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 (217011420). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.