Otway
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Otway's population is approximately 3,984 as of August 2025. This figure reflects a decrease of 24 people from the 2021 Census total of 4,008. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 3,951 in June 2024 and an additional 68 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2.6 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Otway has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 88.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, based on 2022 data. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth in locations outside capital cities. Otway is expected to increase by 108 persons to 2041 based on the latest numbers, with an overall increase of 1.8% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Otway when compared nationally

Otway's annual average dwelling approvals is approximately 42. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, showing 212 homes approved over the past five years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 7 so far in FY-26. The average population growth associated with these dwelling approvals is 0.7 people per year. This suggests that supply meets or exceeds demand, offering more buyer choices while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average construction value of new homes is $773,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Commercial approvals this financial year total $19.1 million, reflecting moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Rest of Vic., Otway has 118.0% more new home approvals per person, providing greater choice for buyers despite a recent slowdown in building activity. Recent construction consists of 97.0% detached dwellings and 3.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature by catering to space-seeking buyers with an average of around 131 people per dwelling approval.

Future projections estimate Otway will add 72 residents by 2041, suggesting that current development patterns should readily meet demand and offer favourable conditions for buyers while potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Otway has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 18thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified one major project likely affecting the region: Colac Water Pipeline Upgrade, Eden Project Anglesea, Telstra InfraCo Intercity Fibre Network, and Additional VLocity Trains are key projects, with the following list highlighting those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Otway demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Otway has an educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 1.3%.

Compared to Rest of Vic., Otway's unemployment rate is 2.5% lower at 3.8%, but workforce participation is lower at 53.7%. Key industries are accommodation & food (2.9 times regional level), health care & social assistance (11.6%), and construction. Over June 2024 to June 2025, Otway's labour force decreased by 1.8%, employment declined by 1.6%, reducing unemployment by 0.2%. In comparison, Rest of Vic.

had a 0.9% employment decline, 0.4% labour force decrease, and unemployment rose by 0.4%. State-wide in VIC to Sep-25, employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, outpacing national average growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Otway's mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0%% over five years and 12.6% 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 2022 indicates that Otway has lower incomes compared to national averages. The median income is $41,247 and the average is $53,998. This contrasts with Rest of Vic.'s median income of $48,741 and average income of $60,693. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $45,417 (median) and $59,457 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Otway fall between the 11th and 25th percentiles nationally. In Otway, 28.6% of individuals earn within the $800 - $1,499 range, differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 30.3%. Housing costs are modest with 87.8% of income retained. However, total disposable income ranks at just the 16th percentile nationally and Otway's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

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

Otway's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, had 91.0% houses and 9.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 93.2% houses and 6.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Otway stood at 53.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.8% and rented ones at 20.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,387, higher than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,300. Median weekly rent in Otway was $285, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $250. Nationally, Otway's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,387 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were lower at $285 compared to the national figure of $375.

Otway features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 62.0% of all households, including 18.3% couples with children, 34.4% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.0%, with lone person households at 35.3% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.3.

Educational attainment in Otway aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Otway's residents aged 15+ have a higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. 29.9% hold university qualifications compared to 17.2% in the SA3 area and 19.0% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (24.4%).

Educational participation is high at 25.8%, including 9.2% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education. Otway has a robust network of 6 schools educating approximately 405 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 990) and balanced educational opportunities. The mix includes 2 primary, 1 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 10.2 compared to 14.5, likely due to some students attending schools in adjacent areas.

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

Otway has 18 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are served by four distinct routes that together facilitate 96 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is considered limited, with Otway residents on average located 1032 meters from their nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages at 13 trips per day, translating to roughly five weekly trips per individual stop.

Otway's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Otway's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts are fairly standard.

Approximately 47% (~1872 people) have private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis (9.5%) and mental health issues (7.7%). About 68.5% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.0% across Rest of Vic.. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 29.2% (1161 people), compared to the state average of 24.6%. Health outcomes among seniors in Otway are particularly strong, outperforming those of the general population in health metrics.

Otway ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Otway's population showed lower cultural diversity, with 82.8% being citizens, 82.0% born in Australia, and 92.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 34.1%. Judaism, however, was slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Rest of Vic's 0.1%.

For ancestry, the top groups were English (31.1%), Australian (23.9%), and Irish (13.0%). Notably, Scottish (10.2%) and Dutch (1.9%) were overrepresented, while French was somewhat higher at 0.7%.

Otway ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Otway's median age is 51 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic. average of 43 and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic., Otway has an over-representation of the 65-74 cohort (18.6% locally compared to a national figure of 9.4%), while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented (8.3%). Post-Census data from 2021 shows that the 35-44 age group has grown from 9.8% to 11.4%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 7.3% to 8.4%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 19.3% to 17.3%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 14.3% to 12.9%. By 2041, Otway's age composition is expected to shift notably, with the 25-34 group projected to grow by 31% (an increase of 117 people), reaching a population of 495 from 377. Meanwhile, population declines are anticipated for the 15-24 and 5-14 cohorts.