Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Ocean Grove's population is around 23,372 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 3,978 people (20.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,394 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,508 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 528 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 339 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Ocean Grove's 20.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of Vic. (8.1%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers, including overseas migration and natural growth, were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising 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 from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, exceptional growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of national regional areas, is predicted over the period, with the area expected to expand by 10,408 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, recording a gain of 32.3% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Ocean Grove among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Ocean Grove has recorded around 268 residential properties granted approval annually, with 1,340 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 76 so far in FY-26. With an average of 1.8 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand seem well-matched, fostering stable market dynamics, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $335,000. There have also been $2.1 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating minimal commercial development activity.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, Ocean Grove has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person while placing in the 81st percentile of areas assessed nationally. This is substantially higher than the national average, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists of 76.0% detached dwellings and 24.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes. This shows a considerable change from the current housing mix (currently 94.0% houses), reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The location has approximately 138 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts indicate Ocean Grove will gain 7,541 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Ocean Grove has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 25 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Kingston Ocean Grove Estate, Ti-Tree Village Redevelopment, 61 Powell Street Townhouses, and 57-59 The Parade Apartments, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Ocean Grove ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Ocean Grove possesses a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, and an unemployment rate of just 2.0%. As of December 2025, 10,588 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.7% below Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%, and workforce participation is fairly standard (64.5% compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.5%). Based on Census responses, a high 28.5% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Leading employment industries among residents comprise health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area has a particular employment specialization in education & training, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. On the other hand, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 1.0% of Ocean Grove's workforce compared to 7.5% in Regional Vic.. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.7% while employment declined by 0.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Regional Vic. recorded an employment decline of 0.6%, a labour force decline of 0.7%, with unemployment falling 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Ocean Grove. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Ocean Grove's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for FY-23 reveals that income in the Ocean Grove SA2 is higher than average nationally, with the median assessed at $55,157 while the average income stands at $73,259. This contrasts with Regional Vic.'s figures of a median income of $50,954 and an average income of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $59,707 (median) and $79,303 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Ocean Grove cluster around the 58th percentile nationally. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.8% of the community (7,198 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 30.3% in the same category. After housing, 86.4% of income remains for other expenses and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Ocean Grove, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 93.8% houses and 6.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Ocean Grove was higher than that of Regional Vic., at 43.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (38.7%) or rented (18.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well above the Regional Vic. average at $2,000, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $420, compared to Regional Vic.'s $1,430 and $285. Nationally, Ocean Grove's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Ocean Grove has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 75.4% of all households, comprising 33.3% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.6%, with lone person households at 22.4% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size of 2.5 people is larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Ocean Grove shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Ocean Grove significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 33.5% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 21.7% in Rest of Vic. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 21.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.6%) and graduate diplomas (5.1%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 35.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (13.9%) and certificates (22.0%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.1% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 68 active transport stops operating within Ocean Grove. These stops are serviced by 7 individual routes, collectively providing 716 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 377 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward, and the car remains the dominant mode at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling. A high 28.5% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 102 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ocean Grove's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data indicates relatively positive outcomes for Ocean Grove residents. AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions shows results broadly in line with national benchmarks, with a standard level of common health conditions across both young and old age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~12,948 people), compared to 50.5% across Regional Vic.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.8% and 8.6% of residents, respectively, while 67.0% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 22.8% of residents aged 65 and over (5,326 people), which is lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings higher than those of the general population.

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

Ocean Grove is below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 88.0% of its population born in Australia, 92.7% being citizens, and 96.4% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Ocean Grove is Christianity, which makes up 47.2% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Judaism, which comprises 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic..

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Ocean Grove are English, comprising 31.2% of the population, Australian, comprising 29.5% of the population, and Irish, comprising 11.9% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Scottish is notably overrepresented at 9.6% of Ocean Grove (vs 8.8% regionally), Dutch at 1.9% (vs 1.7%) and Welsh at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).

Ocean Grove hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Ocean Grove's median age of 44 years is similar to Regional Vic.'s 43 and well above the 38-year national average. Relative to Regional Vic., Ocean Grove has a higher concentration of 35 - 44 residents (14.4%) but fewer 25 - 34 year-olds (9.0%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 9.4% to 10.8% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 13.2% to 14.4%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 13.3% to 11.7% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 14.2% to 12.9%. By 2041, Ocean Grove is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading the demographic shift, the 45 to 54 group will grow by 46% (1,384 people), reaching 4,392 from 3,007.