Lakes Entrance
Statistical Area - sa2

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 is approximately 11,525 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 361 individuals, a 3.2% rise from the 2021 Census count of 11,164 people. The growth is inferred from the ABS's estimated resident population of 11,310 in June 2024 and the addition of 212 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 53 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Lakes Entrance has exhibited steady growth with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed significantly to this growth, accounting for approximately 77.9% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024, with a base year of 2022, for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by these data, AreaSearch employs the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, Lakes Entrance is expected to experience significant population growth, with an increase of 3,944 persons predicted by 2041, reflecting a total rise of 32.3% over the 17-year period.

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

Lakes Entrance has seen approximately 83 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 415 homes. As of FY-26, 9 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year arrive per new home in the area between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply conditions. However, this has decreased to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. Development projects average $463,000 in construction value.

In the current financial year, $6.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting Lakes Entrance's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of Vic., Lakes Entrance shows 11.0% lower construction activity per person, while it ranks among the 78th percentile nationally when assessed against other areas. All new construction consists of detached dwellings, preserving the area's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers with around 152 people per approval.

Population forecasts indicate Lakes Entrance will gain 3,720 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Lakes Entrance has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely influencing the region. Key projects include North Arm Water Main Replacement, Jemmys Point Lookout Stage 2, Kalimna Loop Walk, Lakes Entrance Foreshore Park Development, Krauatungalung Walk Stage 1, and Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area. The following list details those most relevant.

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

The labour market performance in Lakes Entrance lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Lakes Entrance has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well-represented, and the unemployment rate is 6.1%.

As of June 2025, 4,279 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.3% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation lags at 42.9%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and construction. The area specializes in accommodation & food with an employment share twice the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 4.6% compared to 7.5% regionally.

Between Jun-24 and Jul-25, labour force decreased by 0.7% and employment fell by 1.5%, increasing unemployment 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 Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with a state unemployment rate of 4.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lakes Entrance's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2022 indicates median income in Lakes Entrance was $38,839 and average income was $50,084. This compares to Rest of Vic.'s figures of median income at $48,741 and average income at $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% from financial year ended June 2022 to March 2025, estimated current incomes are approximately $42,766 (median) and $55,147 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Lakes Entrance fall between the 4th and 8th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 30.2% of Lakes Entrance population (3,480 individuals) earn within the $400 - $799 range, differing from regional patterns where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest with 86.7% of income retained, but total disposable income ranks at just the 7th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Lakes Entrance, as per the latest Census, was 88.8% houses and 11.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.9% houses and 9.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lakes Entrance was at 52.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.7% and rented ones at 21.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Vic.'s average. The median weekly rent was $270, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $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 constitute 65.7% of all households, including 18.4% couples with children, 37.5% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 32.2% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the average in 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 pursuing formal education, consisting of 10.0% in primary, 7.4% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

Lakes Entrance has a network of 7 schools educating approximately 956 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 975) and balanced educational opportunities. The area has 6 primary and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups, but school places per 100 residents (8.3) are below the regional average (12.2), indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas.

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

The analysis of public transport in Lakes Entrance shows that there are currently 69 active transport stops operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 12 individual routes providing service to the area. Collectively, these routes facilitate 257 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as limited, with residents typically located approximately 1873 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes stands at 36 trips per day, which translates to roughly 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% (~5,324 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (12.6%) and mental health issues (8.8%), while 58.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 60.1% in Rest of Vic.. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 34.3% (3,957 people), higher than the 30.5% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming general population 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 showed cultural diversity levels below average, with 87.4% citizens, 85.1% born in Australia, and 95.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 46.4%. Judaism's representation was higher than the regional average, at 0.2% compared to 0.1%.

Top ancestry groups were English (32.9%), Australian (30.0%), and Scottish (9.0%). Dutch (2.0%) Maltese (0.6%), and French (0.5%) ethnicities showed notable overrepresentation compared to regional averages of 1.9%, 0.4%, and 0.4% respectively.

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 older than the national norm of 38. The 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented locally at 19.0%, compared to the Rest of Vic.'s average, 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 present, 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 the year 2041, Lakes Entrance is projected to see significant shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 age group expected to expand considerably by 640 people (72%), increasing from 892 to 1,533.