North Geelong - Bell Park
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in North Geelong - Bell Park are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

North Geelong - Bell Park's population is approximately 15,862 as of August 2025. Between the 2021 Census and this period, there has been an increase of 67 people, representing a 0.4% rise from the previous count of 15,795. This change can be attributed to an estimated resident population of 15,750 in June 2024 and the addition of 309 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 723 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration has been the primary driver of population growth in the area recently.

AreaSearch employs 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 uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting them using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, the area is expected to experience above median population growth in Australian non-metropolitan areas, with an increase of 3,418 persons by 2041, reflecting a 20.6% total increase over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in North Geelong - Bell Park according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

North Geelong - Bell Park has averaged approximately 68 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, there were 344 homes approved. In FY-26, one new dwelling has been approved so far.

Despite population decline in recent years, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $548,000, which is moderately above regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. This financial year has seen $93.9 million in commercial approvals, suggesting strong local business investment. Compared to the rest of Victoria, North Geelong - Bell Park shows substantially reduced construction, with 59.0% fewer approvals per person than the regional average. This typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. New development consists of 33.0% detached dwellings and 67.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix, which is currently 84.0% houses. North Geelong - Bell Park has a population density of approximately 313 people per approval, indicating a low-density area. Future projections estimate that North Geelong - Bell Park will add around 3,271 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

North Geelong - Bell Park has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 43 projects potentially impacting the region. Key initiatives include Viva Energy Geelong Refinery Upgrades, Northern Geelong Industrial Precinct, 340-344 Melbourne Road Retail Redevelopment, and Geelong Renewables Terminal. The following list details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch assessment indicates North Geelong - Bell Park faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

North Geelong - Bell Park has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.8% as of June 2024, with an estimated employment growth of 2.3% over the past year.

As of June 2025, there are 7,904 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.8%, which is 2.0% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in North Geelong - Bell Park is similar to that of Rest of Vic., at approximately 57.4%. The leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area specializes particularly in retail trade, with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.0% of North Geelong - Bell Park's workforce compared to 7.5% in Rest of Vic. The ratio of workers to residents, as at the Census, indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, while labour force increased by 2.3%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. In contrast, Rest of Vic. experienced an employment decline of 0.9% and a labour force decline of 0.4%, with a rise in unemployment of 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows that VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year (adding 39,880 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest potential future demand within North Geelong - Bell Park. These projections estimate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with differing growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to North Geelong - Bell Park's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

North Geelong - Bell Park had a median taxpayer income of $52,679 and an average of $64,509 in the financial year 2022. This is comparable to national averages, unlike Rest of Vic.'s median income of $48,741 and average income of $60,693. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 10.11% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $58,005 (median) and $71,031 (average). Census data from 2021 indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in North Geelong - Bell Park rank modestly, between the 27th and 28th percentiles. Income analysis shows that the predominant cohort consists of 29.9% of locals (4,742 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, which is consistent with broader regional trends showing 30.3% in the same income category. After accounting for housing costs, 85.0% of income remains, ranking at the 29th percentile nationally.

North Geelong - Bell Park is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In North Geelong-Bell Park, as per the latest Census evaluation, 83.9% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 16.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments and other dwelling types. This is comparable to Non-Metro Vic.'s 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in North Geelong-Bell Park stood at 40.8%, with mortgaged properties at 28.7% and rented dwellings at 30.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,560, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,712. Median weekly rent in the area was $340 compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $335. Nationally, North Geelong-Bell Park's median monthly mortgage repayment is significantly lower at $1,863 and rents are less than the national average of $375 per week.

North Geelong - Bell Park features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.6% of all households, including 25.4% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.4%, with lone person households at 31.1% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in North Geelong - Bell Park aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 22.4%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 34.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (24.0%). Educational participation is high at 26.1%, with 8.4% in primary, 7.0% in secondary, and 4.3% in tertiary education.

Twelve schools serve 4,815 students, with North Geelong - Bell Park showing typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1012). The educational mix includes five primary, four secondary, and three K-12 schools. The area functions as an education hub with 30.4 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 16.7.

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

North Geelong - Bell Park has 93 active public transport stops. These are a mix of train and bus stations. There are 19 individual routes serving these stops.

Together, they provide 3,499 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as good. Residents typically live 240 meters from their nearest stop. On average, there are 499 trips per day across all routes. This equates to approximately 37 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in North Geelong - Bell Park is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

North Geelong - Bell Park faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data.

Both younger and older age groups have high prevalence rates for common health conditions. The area has a private health cover rate of approximately 52% (8,232 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area. Mental health issues affect 9.7% of residents, while arthritis impacts 8.9%. A total of 64.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 65.9% across Rest of Vic.. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.2% (3,522 people), compared to the 16.8% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

North Geelong - Bell Park was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

North Geelong-Bell Park had a higher level of cultural diversity than most local areas, with 29.3% of its population born overseas and 28.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in North Geelong-Bell Park, making up 57.4% of its population, compared to 47.4% across the rest of Victoria. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (21.7%), English (21.1%), and Other (10.6%).

Notably, Croatian ancestry was overrepresented at 7.1%, compared to 1.5% regionally, Polish at 1.7% (vs 0.8%), and Hungarian at 0.7% (vs 0.3%).

North Geelong - Bell Park hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

North Geelong - Bell Park's median age is 41 years, lower than Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but higher than Australia's average of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 17.1% of the population compared to Rest of Vic., while the 55-64 cohort comprises 10.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows a decrease in median age by 1 year to 41, with notable shifts including growth in the 25-34 group from 14.5% to 17.1%, and increase in the 35-44 cohort from 11.7% to 13.0%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 12.1% to 10.5%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 10.4% to 9.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow by 53%, adding 1,438 residents to reach 4,151, while the 75-84 group is expected to decrease by 123 residents.