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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Highton has an estimated 25,823 residents, up from 24,034 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,789 people, or 7.4%. Growth has averaged 1.6% a year over five years. 263 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 68.8% of that increase. That puts 636 residents on each square kilometre. 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 demographic assessments by AreaSearch, the resident population of Highton stands at approximately 25,823 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,789 people (7.4%) following the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 24,034 people. Such growth is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 25,794 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 263 validated new addresses registered post-Census. With a resultant density of 636 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers generous living space and capacity for prospective development. Outpacing the Rest of Vic. benchmark of 4.4%, Highton's 7.4% rise since the 2021 census positions it as an outperforming growth hub.
While positive contributions came from natural increase and interstate movements, population growth was predominantly steered by overseas migration, generating roughly 68.8% of recent population additions. Population modelling by AreaSearch incorporates the ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections published in 2024 (using 2022 as the base year). Where SA2 coverage is absent, figures from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections are applied via weighted aggregation from LGA down to SA2 divisions, with age-group expansion rates from these series applied across all localities for 2032 to 2041. Forward projections place the area in the highest quartile among regional Australian territories, anticipating an addition of 7,141 persons up to 2041 under latest annual ERP metrics, equating to an overall 27.5% increase across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
529 new dwellings have been approved in Highton over the past five years, an average of 105 a year. That places the area in the 75th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 106 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 74% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential planning permissions in Highton run at approximately 105 dwellings annually, totaling 529 homes approved during the last 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Net demographic inflow has averaged 3.7 people per year for every completed dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), indicating that housing additions trail inbound migration and intensifying competitive market pressures. Concurrently, mean construction values of $664,000 per dwelling point to developer focus on higher-tier, premium housing. Commercial construction is likewise robust, underpinned by $120.4 million in commercial approvals registered this financial year.
Per-capita planning activity in Highton is comparatively subdued, sitting 56.0% below regional average per person relative to Rest of Vic., which serves to bolster valuation levels across existing housing stock. Recent building approvals comprise 74.0% standalone homes alongside 26.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving a low-density suburban profile centered around spacious family living. This marks a meaningful adjustment from the prevailing stock composition of 89.0% houses, reflecting tighter land availability along with evolving lifestyle and price preferences. A ratio of 348 people in the area per dwelling approval underscores the restrained, orderly development landscape. Projections indicate that Highton will absorb an additional 7,112 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly calculation from AreaSearch. If building activity continues at its present pace, structural supply constraints relative to population gains could further heighten property competition and support residential valuations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Highton
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 Highton, worth an estimated $1.28 billion. A further 133 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $32.2 billion. 36 are already under construction and 48 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Community performance is closely linked to capital investments, major works, and municipal planning strategies. A collection of 38 projects identified by AreaSearch holds relevance for the district, highlighted by initiatives including Highton Urban Design Framework, 22-24 Barrabool Road Development, Wandana Estate, and Morven Townhomes.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus Expansion
Ongoing multi-stage transformation of Deakin University's Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus under the Climate Ready Campus masterplan. Key completed components include the Geelong Future Economy Precinct (GFEP) - Victoria's epicentre of advanced manufacturing, energy and sustainability research - the 7.5MW renewable energy microgrid (operational since 2021), 320-bed student accommodation (completed April 2021), and the REACH health hub. Active works include road network upgrades, integrated water management and wetland conversion, and Building KA infill (completed 2025). The GFEP hosts 18 joint ventures with a market value of approximately $1 billion and the REACH Trailblazer program ($380 million total value) focused on clean energy and recycling commercialisation.
Epworth Geelong Innovation and Education Precinct
A 600 million dollar staged health, innovation and education precinct spanning 4.2 hectares adjacent to the Epworth Geelong private hospital in Waurn Ponds. The 10-plus year masterplan delivers expanded medical capacity, research facilities, and health education in collaboration with Deakin University, alongside recent hospital expansions including new operating theatres and inpatient beds.
Highton Urban Design Framework
Comprehensive village improvement framework for Highton Village, including enhanced streetscapes in Bellevue Arcade and Village Walk, building height guidelines up to 4 storeys, improved parking and traffic management, and greater pedestrianisation. The implementation amendment (C457ggee) was adopted by the Council in August 2025.
Levande Highton Retirement Village
A $70 million retirement village being developed by Levande on a 4.71-hectare former caravan park site opposite Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre in Highton, Geelong. The project delivers 125 architecturally designed single-storey villas across two and three bedroom layouts, with single and double garage options. A central two-storey clubhouse with wellness facilities, heated pool, gym, cinema and library anchors the community. Construction commenced in March 2026 via a sod-turning ceremony, with builder Winslow Constructors and architect ClarkeHopkinsClarke leading delivery across four stages.First residents are expected to move in by early 2027.
22-24 Barrabool Road Development
Proposed apartment development on Barrabool Road in Highton village area. Details under development with planning applications in progress.
Morven Townhomes
A boutique residential development featuring 19 architecturally designed townhouses and units with 3-5 bedroom layouts. Set within thoughtfully landscaped grounds with native planting influenced by the surrounding rolling hills and coastline. The development represents quality infill housing in established Highton with modern finishes and spacious living areas.
34 Barrabool Road Apartments
Three-storey apartment building with 10 apartments featuring 2 and 3-bedroom units, basement carpark and communal outdoor area. Located 100m north of Highton Village shops.
Highton Green
61 dwellings development at 148-170 Pigdons Road featuring 2-bedroom townhouses with basement parking. Completed in 2023, located within walking distance of Deakin University and Epworth Hospital. Project marketing by Ferris Gold.
14,227 residents of Highton are employed, from a labour force of 14,536. Unemployment sits at 2.1%, with participation at 68.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 22,372, about 87% 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
Highton features a highly qualified labor force anchored by essential services, registering an unemployment rate of 2.1% and sustained job stability over the past twelve months. As of March 2026, employed residents count 14,227, with local joblessness sitting 1.6% below the 3.7% recorded across Regional Vic., while participation reaches an elevated 68.6% compared to 61.1% in Regional Vic.. Census returns indicate that 26.3% of workers operated from home, though period Covid-19 restrictions formed relevant context. The primary employment sectors for local residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, along with retail trade.
Specialisation is especially marked in education & training, where local representation is 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.8% of the local workforce, contrasting with 7.5% in Regional Vic.. Comparing Census working-population tallies against resident worker figures points to relatively few workplace roles situated directly within the suburb itself. AreaSearch evaluation of ABS and SALM series indicates that over the twelve months to March 2026, local workforce numbers contracted by 0.9% alongside a 0.5% employment decline, yielding a 0.4 percentage points drop in unemployment. In comparison, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% employment decrease, a 0.3% workforce contraction, and a 0.2 percentage points reduction in unemployment. Broader trend insights can be drawn from the Mar-26 national forecasts by Jobs and Skills Australia. Across national five-year and ten-year horizons, job creation is projected at 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, though sectoral variations remain pronounced. Applying these broader industry rates across Highton's workplace composition indicates potential employment growth of 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years (representing an unadjusted weighted baseline for illustrative purposes without local population modelling).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Highton is $2,111 a week (about $110,000 a year), with median personal income at $859 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,610 a year against an average of $68,773. 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
Postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates a median taxpayer income of $54,610 alongside a mean of $68,773 in the Highton SA2, placing local earnings modestly above the nationwide midpoint and ahead of Regional Vic. figures of $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average). Adjusting for a 9.62% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of $59,863 (median) and $75,389 (average) as of March 2026. Across 2021 Census measures, personal, family, and household incomes sit around the 66th percentile across the country. Earnings of $1,500 - 2,999 form the primary bracket at 30.7% of residents (7,927 people), aligning with the 30.3% observed regionally.
Substantial financial capacity is highlighted by 32.8% above $3,000/week, while retained income after housing costs stands at 87.8%, placing the suburb within the 8th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Highton had 8,342 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 0% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $365 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 17.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential stock composition recorded at the most recent Census comprised 88.6% houses and 11.3% other dwellings (incorporating attached homes, apartments, and alternative structures), relative to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Full home ownership mirrored the wider regional level at 40.0%, with remaining tenures split between mortgaged properties (39.7%) and rental accommodation (20.3%). Typical monthly mortgage obligations stood at $2,000, notably higher than the $1,430 regional median and the $1,863 Australian average. Meanwhile, weekly rents recorded a median of $365, exceeding the Regional Vic. baseline of $285 while remaining below the $375 national benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Highton counted 8,342 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,963 today, averaging 2.7 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 22% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise the clear majority of local living arrangements at 74.5% of all households, consisting of 37.4% couples with children, 28.7% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family residences constitute the remaining 25.5%, divided between single-occupant households (22.0%) and group shared homes (3.5%). The typical household size of 2.7 people exceeds the 2.4 regional benchmark across Regional Vic..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
38.5% of adults in Highton hold a university qualification, including 25.5% with a bachelor degree and 8.8% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 91% of areas nationally. A further 17.7% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 3,752 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,098 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
Educational attainment in Highton substantially exceeds regional benchmarks, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees compared to 21.7% in Rest of Vic. and 27.3% in SA3 area, positioning the local workforce favorably for knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor qualifications represent 25.5%, supported by 8.8% with postgraduate qualifications and 4.2% holding graduate diplomas. Vocational credentials are also well distributed, with 29.9% of residents aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications across advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (17.7%). Community participation in study is strong, with 33.9% of the population actively enrolled in an educational course.
This cohort encompasses 10.2% in tertiary education, 9.9% in primary education, and 8.2% attending secondary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Highton reaches 79 stops on 17 routes, timetabled for about 8,300 services a week. The typical home sits about 290 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure across Highton encompasses 79 active transport stops operating across 17 distinct routes, generating a combined 8,279 weekly passenger trips. Network proximity is strong, with typical walking distances of 285 meters to the closest stop. Given the suburb's residential role, outward commuting is standard, with private motor vehicles accounting for 93% of journeys. Households maintain an above-average vehicle rate of 1.7 per dwelling, while 26.3% of workers engaged in remote work at the 2021 Census under prevailing pandemic conditions. Transit services deliver an average of 1,182 trips per day over the broader network, representing roughly 104 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.9% of residents in Highton report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 85% of areas nationally. 4.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
According to AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality statistics, Highton demonstrates favorable public health metrics characterized by limited prevalence of chronic ailments across age brackets. Private health insurance participation slightly surpasses SA2 averages at roughly 53% of the total population (~13,763 people), outperforming the 50.5% rate registered across Regional Vic.. Asthma and mental health issues represent the most widely reported medical conditions, diagnosed in 8.4 and 7.9% of residents, while 70.9% reported no chronic medical ailments, outpacing the 63.4% proportion recorded across Regional Vic.. Residents under 65 exhibit above-average wellness measures.
Older residents aged 65 and over account for 17.2% of the local population (4,454 people), sitting well beneath the 24.0% regional share for Regional Vic., with health profiles across older cohorts tracking consistently with broad national standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Highton is largely Australian-born, at 80.6% of residents, with 12.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (28.1%) and Australian (25.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural demographics in Highton align broadly with wider regional averages, with 80.6% of residents Australian-born, 88.9% holding Australian citizenship, and 87.2% speaking only English in domestic settings. Christianity constitutes the primary religious affiliation at 50.1% of the population. Hinduism forms the most prominent overrepresented faith, accounting for 1.8% of local residents compared against 0.7% across Regional Vic.. Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplaces, the three most common ancestries comprise English at 28.1% of the population, Australian at 25.4% of the population, and Irish at 9.9% of the population. Specific European lineages display distinct local representation, including Scottish ancestry at 9.5% of Highton (vs 8.8% regionally), Dutch heritage at 1.8% (vs 1.7%), and Croatian background at 0.9% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Highton is 37. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 29.8% 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
Demographics in Highton lean comparatively youthful. Updates to August 2026 indicate that 35.1% of the population consists of young people (0 - 24) compared to 28.5% across Regional Vic., whereas residents in the 65+ age category make up 17.2% against a regional benchmark of 24.0%. The median age is estimated at 37, having lowered from 38 at the 2021 Census and sitting 6 years younger than the Regional Vic. mark of 43 from the same Census. Among broader demographic bands, residents aged 45 - 64 recorded the most visible change post-Census, reducing from 24.3% to 22.1%.
Long-term population expansion to 2041 will be led by the 25 - 44 cohort, which is projected to grow by 3,560 residents (54%) to reach 10,155.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Highton
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 263 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (24,034 at the 2021 Census → 25,823 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 Aug 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 (203021042). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.