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 approximately 11,925 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 761 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,164. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,301 in June 2024 and an additional 252 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 55 persons per square kilometer. Lakes Entrance's growth rate of 6.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.4%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 77.9% of overall population gains 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 utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. A significant population increase is forecast for the top quartile of locations outside capital cities, with Lakes Entrance expected to grow by 3,944 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 27.8% 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 FY21-FY25415 homes were approved, with an additional 22 approved in FY26 to date. The population growth per dwelling built averaged 1.6 people over the past five financial years but moderated to 0.8 people per dwelling over the last two years. Average construction value for these dwellings was $348,000.

This year has seen $6.8 million in commercial development approvals. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Lakes Entrance shows 11.0% lower construction activity per person but ranks at the 77th percentile nationally. All recent developments have been detached houses, maintaining the area's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers with around 152 people per approval.

By 2041, Lakes Entrance is projected to grow by 3,320 residents. Development pace has kept up with projected growth but increasing competition may arise as population expands.

Lakes Entrance has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely to affect this region. Notable ones are 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 drivers in Lakes Entrance are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Lakes Entrance has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs well represented. Essential services sectors are prominent, unemployment rate is 5.9%, and estimated employment growth over the past year is 4.4%. As of September 2025, there are 4,396 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 8.1% compared to Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Lakes Entrance is lower at 48.1%, versus Rest of Vic.'s 61.4%. According to Census responses, 13.6% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and construction. The area has a strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share twice the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 4.6%, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census working population versus resident population comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.4% and labour force grew by 4.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Vic.'s employment fell by 0.7%, labour force contracted by 0.6%, and unemployment rose marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that over five years, national employment will expand by 6.6% and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Lakes Entrance's employment mix indicates 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that median income in Lakes Entrance SA2 is $41,478 with an average of $52,402. This is lower than the national averages of $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average) for Rest of Vic. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% from July 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income in Lakes Entrance would be approximately $44,900 and average income around $56,725 by that date. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Lakes Entrance fall between the 3rd and 7th percentiles nationally. The $400 - $799 earnings band includes 30.2% of residents (3,601 individuals), unlike metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is most common at 30.3%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 86.7% income retention, 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

Dwelling structure in Lakes Entrance, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 88.8% houses and 11.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic had 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lakes Entrance was 52.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.7% and rented dwellings at 21.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, while the median weekly rent figure was $270. Nationally, Lakes Entrance's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Lakes Entrance features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average 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 comprise the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 32.2% and group households at 2.1%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

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, comprising 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

Public transport analysis indicates 69 active transport stops operating within Lakes Entrance. These stops are serviced by 7 individual routes, collectively providing 195 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 1873 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward - car remains the dominant mode at 93%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, some 13.6% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 27 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 2 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Lakes Entrance is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Lakes Entrance faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~5,461 people), compared to 50.5% in Rest of Vic., and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.6%) and mental health issues (8.8%). Conversely, 58.2% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Rest of Vic.. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors at 34.3%, or 4,095 people, compared to 23.5% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors are above average and rank even higher than the general population nationally.

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, as per the census data from June 2016, showed below-average cultural diversity with 87.4% of its population being citizens born in Australia speaking English only at home (85.1%, 95.5% respectively). Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.4%. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.2% compared to 0.1% across Victoria.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.9%), Australian (30.0%), and Scottish (9.0%). Some ethnicities showed notable differences: Dutch (2.0% vs regional 1.7%), Maltese (0.6% vs 0.5%), and French (0.5% vs 0.3%) were overrepresented in Lakes Entrance.

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 considerably older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented at 19.0% in Lakes Entrance, while the 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented at 7.7%. The concentration of the 65 - 74 age group in Lakes Entrance 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 2041, Lakes Entrance is projected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25 to 34 age cohort expanding considerably by 610 people (66%), from 922 to 1,533.