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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Point Nepean has an estimated 20,583 residents, up from 19,811 at the 2021 Census — a change of 772 people, or 3.9%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. That puts 306 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Point Nepean's resident count stands at approximately 20,583 as of Aug 2026 according to AreaSearch evaluations. Compared to the 19,811 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 772 people (3.9%). The updated figure draws on the ABS estimated resident population of 20,575 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 35 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With a population density of 306 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample space per occupant and opportunities for additional building. Outpacing both the broader SA4 region and the SA3 area (2.0%), Point Nepean's 3.9% gain positions it at the forefront of regional growth.
Interstate arrivals served as the principal demographic engine, accounting for roughly 50.2% of recent net additions. SA2 projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (anchored to 2022 as a base year) form the foundation of AreaSearch's modeling. Where specific SA2 coverage is absent, figures from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA dataset are integrated via a weighted aggregation approach from LGA down to SA2 zones. Age cohort growth rates derived from these models are similarly projected across all districts from 2032 to 2041. Local expansion is set to outperform the national median across statistical areas, with projections indicating an influx of 3,191 persons through to 2041 based on recent annual ERP statistics, representing a cumulative rise of 15.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
797 new dwellings have been approved in Point Nepean over the past five years, an average of 159 a year. That places the area in the 75th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 8 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 159 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 94% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential planning permissions in Point Nepean have averaged around 159 dwellings per year, culminating in 797 homes sanctioned across the last 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over this same span (between FY-22 and FY-26), approximately 1.2 people per year arrived for each residence constructed, fostering balanced supply-demand dynamics and market equilibrium. Building activity centers on the luxury segment, evidenced by an average expected construction cost of $1,197,000 per dwelling. Non-residential building activity has also shown robust pace, with $47.9 million in commercial development approvals recorded this financial year.
Per capita building approvals in Point Nepean outstrip Greater Melbourne by 60.0%, expanding opportunities for purchasers. Detached houses account for 94.0% of recent approvals while townhouses or apartments make up 6.0%, preserving the low-density character of the neighborhood and appealing to buyers seeking spacious living. An average of roughly 143 people per approval further underlines the low-density nature of the district. According to the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, Point Nepean is on track to welcome 3,182 residents by 2041. Given prevailing construction rates, future residential output appears well-positioned to satisfy incoming demand, creating favorable buyer conditions and potentially enabling demographic growth to exceed anticipated levels.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Point Nepean
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Point Nepean, worth an estimated $42 million. A further 105 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.63 billion. 26 are already under construction and 40 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and environmental & disaster management. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure works and major development proposals exert a primary influence over local property and market conditions. AreaSearch has highlighted 4 active projects positioned to shape the locality, including 6 Napier Street Hotel Development, 2135 Point Nepean Road, Rye, Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment, and Rye Pier Reconstruction.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
6 Napier Street Hotel Development
DA approved development for a residential boutique hotel comprising a five-storey building with basement parking, ground floor restaurant, and onsite parking. Positioned on a 1,029sqm corner site close to the waterfront in Rye's commercial precinct.
Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment
The Rye Foreshore Promenade Redevelopment is part of the Rye Township Plan Stage 1, Part B. The project creates a strong central axis to the pier, acting as the main gateway to the foreshore. Works include a refurbished central walkway, new plaza spaces, pedestrian crossings on Point Nepean Road, connecting pathways, and landscaping. The project enhances public open space by replacing the eastern pier carpark and improves connectivity and accessibility for the community.
2135 Point Nepean Road, Rye
A three-storey, mixed-use building comprising 20 architecturally designed apartments (9 x 2-bedroom and 11 x 3-bedroom) above a ground-floor retail and car park area. The Cera Stribley Architects-designed development features a curved facade, high-end finishes, residents' lounge, beach showers, 'beach box' storage, and a rooftop with a pool, deck, and barbecue facilities, with coastal views.
Truemans Road Beach Precinct Redevelopment
Redezignment and redevelopment of the day-visitor area at the end of Truemans Road in Capel Sound. The project scope includes a new public amenities block, a playground, coastal boardwalk, upgraded parking, and additional picnic facilities to serve the local community and visitors.
Capel Sound Local Area Traffic Calming Project
Area-wide road safety and traffic calming project funded via the Federal Black Spot Program to reduce speed limits to 40 km/h across residential streets. The scope includes installation of raised safety platforms, new roundabouts, pedestrian refuge islands, and upgraded line markings across the precinct.
Rye Pier Reconstruction
Two-stage reconstruction of Rye Pier delivering a wider timber deck, updated L-shaped head with accessible low landings, solar lighting, seating, interpretative signage trail and improved all-abilities access. Stage 1 rebuilt the pier approach in 2022; Stage 2 rebuilt and upgraded the outer pier and head in 2023-2024. The pier reopened to the community and final works were completed in June 2024.
Rosebud Hospital Redevelopment
A major proposed redevelopment of the Rosebud Hospital to replace aging 1960s facilities. The project aims to double bed capacity, expand the emergency department, and integrate aged care and specialist services like chemotherapy and dialysis. While the current Victorian Government announced a 4 million dollar refurbishment in late 2025 for ventilation and safety upgrades, a full 340 million dollar rebuild remains a key advocacy priority and election commitment for the Coalition in 2026.
Rosebud Activity Centre Structure Plan Delivery
Ongoing strategic precinct revitalisation framework aimed at consolidating Rosebud's central activity zone, upgrading streetscapes, integrating mixed-use commercial and upper-level housing along Point Nepean Road, and establishing pedestrian-friendly public spaces.
9,312 residents of Point Nepean are employed, from a labour force of 9,657. Unemployment sits at 3.6%, with participation at 53.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 18,423, about 90% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Point Nepean features a capable labor force characterized by high construction industry representation, an unemployment rate standing at just 3.6%, and estimated annual jobs growth of 0.5%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 9,312. While local joblessness sits 1.2% lower than the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 4.8%, labor participation is considerably lower at 53.1% compared to 70.1% across Greater Melbourne. Census figures indicated that 30.7% of working locals operated from home, a metric likely influenced by pandemic restrictions. Resident employment centers primarily on construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.
Construction represents a major local specialization, capturing 1.8 times the employment share seen across the wider region. In contrast, health care & social assistance accounts for 11.4% of local workers, underperforming the regional proportion of 14.2%. Comparing Census resident counts against local workplace tallies indicates that local job generation remains constrained within this predominantly residential area. AreaSearch assessment of ABS and SALM records indicates that over the 12-month period, a 0.5% uptick in employment alongside a 0.2% rise in the workforce drove a 0.3 percentage points reduction in unemployment. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment increase 2.1% and the labor force expand 2.3%, leading to an unemployment uptick of 0.2 percentage points. Longer-term hiring prospects can be assessed through national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. When these nationwide projections (forecasting 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years across varying industries) are mapped to Point Nepean's local sectoral composition, projected local workforce gains indicate an increase of 6.6% over five years and 13.3% over ten years via simple weighted extrapolation, excluding local population models.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Point Nepean is $1,430 a week (about $74,000 a year), with median personal income at $751 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,335 a year against an average of $80,724. The average runs 67% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxpayer records at the postcode level compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place the Point Nepean SA2 median taxpayer income at $48,335 and the average at $80,724. Across Greater Melbourne, the corresponding figures are a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164, though local averages rank very high across the country. Factoring in Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% since financial year 2023, updated figures as of March 2026 approximate $52,985 for the median and $88,490 for the average. In the 2021 Census, local individual, household, and family incomes fell into moderate nationwide brackets between the 31st and 38th percentiles.
The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly earnings bracket accounts for 27.8% of local earners (5,722 individuals), mirroring regional trends where 32.8% fall in this band. Locals retain 85.7% of earnings following housing commitments, placing the area in the 6th decile on the SEIFA economic index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Point Nepean had 7,869 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 0% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 50% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $376 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,888 a month. Rent absorbs 26.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 30.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing stock is heavily weighted toward standalone houses at 96.3%, with semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and other housing formats representing 3.7%, compared with Melbourne metro figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Outright property ownership is prominent at 50.4%, surpassing Melbourne metro levels, while mortgaged residences account for 30.0% and rental properties make up 19.6%. Typical monthly mortgage payments stand at $1,888 and weekly rents average $376, coming in below the respective Melbourne metro medians of $2,000 and $390. On a nationwide scale, local mortgage commitments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and typical rents also surpass the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Point Nepean counted 7,869 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 82% of areas nationally, against 37% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 67.9% of local households, consisting of couples without children (36.8%), couples raising children (21.6%), and single parent arrangements (8.8%). Non-family living situations comprise the other 32.1%, dominated by single-person dwellings at 30.0% alongside group residences at 2.1%. The area records an average of 2.2 people per household, below the Greater Melbourne median of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
27.7% of adults in Point Nepean hold a university qualification, including 19.3% with a bachelor degree and 5.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 24.7% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 961 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,022 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment of higher education credentials in Point Nepean sits below wider metropolitan levels, with university degree holders making up 27.7% of residents aged 15+, compared to 37.0% throughout Greater Melbourne. Among these, bachelor qualifications comprise 19.3%, postgraduate awards represent 5.1%, and graduate diplomas account for 3.3%. Technical and trade qualifications are widely held, as vocational certifications cover 38.4% of the population aged 15+ across certificates (24.7%) and advanced diplomas (13.7%). A total of 24.9% of local residents are actively enrolled in educational programs. Breaking down this cohort, primary schooling accounts for 9.0%, secondary education includes 7.1%, and tertiary courses encompass 3.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Point Nepean reaches 198 stops on 3 routes, timetabled for about 1,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 390 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport services in Point Nepean encompass 198 bus stops distributed across 3 distinct routes, generating 1,043 weekly passenger trips. Access to the network is convenient, with residents residing an average of 394 meters from their closest boarding point. Commuters depend overwhelmingly on private transit, with cars accounting for 94% of journeys. Households maintain an average of 1.5 vehicles, higher than regional figures. Working from home was recorded by 30.7% of workers in the 2021 Census under pandemic-era settings. Transit services maintain an average volume of 149 trips per day throughout the network, translating to roughly 5 weekly trips per individual stop.
The 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint are illustrated on the provided map.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.5% of residents in Point Nepean report no long-term health condition. 5.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch metrics on chronic disease and mortality indicate favorable overall health patterns in Point Nepean, with minimal prevalence of routine conditions across both younger and older demographics. Private medical insurance adoption is widespread, covering roughly 60% of residents (12,246 people), outpacing the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 56.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most frequently reported diagnoses, affecting 10.9 and 7.9% of the local population, respectively. Meanwhile, 63.5% of locals report no chronic medical conditions, in contrast to 72.6% regionally. Health standards for working-age adults align with broader trends.
Individuals aged 65 and over constitute 36.8% of the local community (7,580 people), far exceeding the 15.1% share in Greater Melbourne, with senior health indicators achieving exceptional positions in nationwide assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Point Nepean is largely Australian-born, at 84.2% of residents, with 6.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.2%) and Australian (26.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures in Point Nepean sit below broader averages, with Australian-born residents accounting for 84.2% of the populace, Australian citizens representing 88.3%, and monolingual English speakers making up 93.1% in home settings. Christianity forms the dominant religious faith, practiced by 46.7% of the community. Judaism exhibits the most pronounced relative divergence, comprising 0.3% of local residents compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. Regarding ancestral background, English ancestry is the leading identity in Point Nepean at 32.2% (surpassing the regional benchmark of 20.1%), followed by Australian ancestry at 26.6% (exceeding the regional level of 18.4%) and Irish ancestry at 10.8%.
Other notable ethnic representations include Scottish at 9.4% (against 5.6% regionally), Italian at 4.4% (against 5.2%), and Greek at 1.6% (against 2.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Point Nepean is 53, older than 95% of areas nationally. 15.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The local age profile reflects a prominent lifestyle and retirement orientation, with individuals aged 65+ making up 36.8% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 15.1% across Greater Melbourne. Conversely, adults aged 25 - 44 represent just 16.7% locally against 32.1% in the wider metropolis. The estimated median age stands at 53 as at August 2026, holding steady from the 2021 Census, while sitting well above the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and the nationwide median of 38 at that Census. Since the Census, the proportion of residents aged 65+ increased from 32.3% to an estimated 36.8%.
Projections to 2041 indicate senior cohorts will drive the largest gains, rising by 3,556 (47%) to reach 11,137, while young to middle aged adults and children and young adults are forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Point Nepean
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 6 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 35 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (19,811 at the 2021 Census → 20,583 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (214021383). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.