Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Lakes Entrance's population was around 11,616 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 452 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,164. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,313 in June 2024 and an additional 252 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 54 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Lakes Entrance had a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, outpacing the SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 77.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilised VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting with a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipated a significant increase in the top quartile of locations outside capital cities. Lakes Entrance was expected to grow by 3,944 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 31.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Lakes Entrance has received approximately 83 dwelling approvals annually. Between fiscal years 2021 and 2025, a total of 415 homes were approved, with an additional 16 approved in the current financial year 2026. On average, 1.6 people moved to the area per dwelling built over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25). However, this has moderated to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

The average construction value of development projects is $463,000. This year, commercial development approvals totaled $6.8 million. Lakes Entrance shows 11.0% lower construction activity per person compared to the rest of Victoria but ranks among the 77th percentile nationally in terms of areas assessed.

All recent development has been detached houses, maintaining the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with around 152 people per approval. By 2041, Lakes Entrance is projected to grow by 3,629 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Lakes Entrance has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include North Arm Water Main Replacement, Jemmys Point Lookout Stage 2 and Kalimna Loop Walk, Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, and Lakes Entrance Slipway Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Lakes Entrance face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Lakes Entrance has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs well represented. Essential services sectors are prominent, with an unemployment rate of 6.1%.

As of June 2025, there are 4,279 employed residents, while the unemployment rate is 2.3% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 42.9%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and construction. Accommodation & food has a notable concentration with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 4.6%, compared to 7.5% regionally. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. From June 2024 to June 2025, labour force decreased by 0.7% and employment fell by 1.5%, increasing unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.9%, labour force contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Nov-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with state unemployment rate at 4.7%, compared to national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimate growth patterns for Lakes Entrance based on local employment profile. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with industry-specific projections suggesting local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

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

The median taxpayer income in Lakes Entrance SA2 was $38,839 and the average was $50,084 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages; Rest of Vic.'s median income was $48,741 with an average income of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Lakes Entrance would be approximately $43,562 (median) and $56,174 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Lakes Entrance fall between the 3rd and 7th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 30.2% of locals (3,508 people) earn $400 - $799 annually, contrasting with the surrounding region where the leading bracket is $1,500 - $2,999 at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest in Lakes Entrance, with residents retaining 86.7% of their income on average, although total disposable income ranks at just the 6th percentile nationally.

Lakes Entrance is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Lakes Entrance, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 11.2% comprising semi-detached, apartments, and other dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro Vic., which had 90.9% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lakes Entrance stood at 52.8%, similar to Non-Metro Vic.'s level. Mortgaged dwellings accounted for 25.7%, while rented dwellings made up 21.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with the Non-Metro Vic. average. The median weekly rent was $270, slightly higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s figure of $268. Nationally, Lakes Entrance's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Lakes Entrance features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.7% of all households, including 18.4% composed of couples with children, 37.5% consisting of couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 32.2% and group households comprising 2.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Vic.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 17.1%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (30.6%). A total of 24.7% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, with 10.0% in primary, 7.4% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

A substantial 24.7% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Lakes Entrance has 69 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 12 different routes that together offer 257 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is limited, with residents being located an average of 1873 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 36 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Lakes Entrance is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Lakes Entrance faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~5,366 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.6%) and mental health issues (8.8%). About 58.2% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 60.1% in Rest of Vic.. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 34.3% (3,988 people), compared to 30.5% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors in Lakes Entrance are above average, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Lakes Entrance, surveyed in 2016, had a cultural diversity index below the average. Its population was predominantly Australian-born citizens, with 87.4% being citizens, 85.1% born in Australia, and 95.5% speaking English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 46.4%.

Notably, Judaism had a higher representation in Lakes Entrance compared to the rest of Victoria, at 0.2% versus 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.9%), Australian (30.0%), and Scottish (9.0%). Some ethnicities showed notable variations: Dutch was slightly overrepresented at 2.0%, Maltese at 0.6%, and French at 0.5%.

Lakes Entrance ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Lakes Entrance is 54 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and also older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 19.0% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 7.7%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 10.9% to 12.2%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 9.1% to 10.1%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 21.0% to 19.0%. By 2041, Lakes Entrance is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25 to 34 age group projected to expand considerably by 633 people (71%), from 899 to 1,533.