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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Portland has an estimated 11,131 residents, down from 11,230 at the 2021 Census. 119 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 174 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
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Portland stands at approximately 11,131 in May 2026. This represents a contraction of 99 individuals (0.9%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 11,230 residents. This shift is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 11,125 in June 2025 combined with 119 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 174 persons per square kilometer, indicating substantial space per inhabitant and opportunities for future expansion. The minor reduction of 0.9% in Portland since the 2021 census slightly outperformed the broader SA3 region (-1.0%).
The primary catalyst for population growth in the locality was overseas migration, which served as virtually the sole source of population increases in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions, published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline year. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, AreaSearch employs Regional and LGA projections from the VIC State Government released in 2023, modified via a weighted aggregation method of population increases from the LGA to the SA2 level. The age group growth rates derived from these aggregations are also applied to all sectors for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic trends, population expansion is projected to remain just below the median for regional locations across the country, with the locality expected to grow by 797 persons by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a total rise of 7.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
242 new dwellings have been approved in Portland over the past five years, an average of 48 a year. That is 4.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 31 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 81% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 59, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Portland has recorded an average of approximately 48 new residential approvals annually, amounting to 242 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, there have been 55 registered approvals. Because the population contracted during the preceding timeframe, the supply of housing has remained sufficient relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with ample options for buyers, while new residences are constructed at a mean cost of $278,000. Additionally, commercial approvals have reached $8.4 million during this financial year, reflecting a modest emphasis on commercial development. In comparison to the Rest of Vic., Portland exhibits somewhat higher construction activity (25.0% above the regional average per capita over the 5 year period), which helps maintain buyer options while supporting existing real estate values, even though building pace has slowed down lately.
Recent residential construction comprises 81.0% detached houses and 19.0% apartments or townhouses, maintaining the low-density profile of the locality with a clear preference for standalone dwellings that draw buyers looking for space. The area averages roughly 290 people for each dwelling approval, pointing to a low density market. Demographic projections indicate that Portland will add 790 inhabitants by 2041 (utilizing the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch). Under current construction trends, the addition of new housing is projected to easily satisfy demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth that exceeds current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Portland
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Portland, worth an estimated $3.31 billion. A further 96 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $16.6 billion. 27 are already under construction and 35 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans energy, communities, precincts & urban renewal and residential development. 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
Locality outcomes are heavily shaped by updates to regional infrastructure, key developments, and planning schemes. AreaSearch has identified a total of 4 projects that are anticipated to influence the region. Significant initiatives include the Portland Renewable Fuels Project, Portland Energy Park, Portland Foreshore Multipurpose Facility, and the Portland North Employment Precinct, with the accompanying directory detailing the most significant undertakings.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Portland Energy Park
A 1,000 MW / 2,500 MWh grid-scale battery energy storage park on industrial land at Madeira Packet Road, Portland. The project comprises four co-located battery assets, associated switchyard, grid connection, access and supporting infrastructure, designed to store surplus renewable energy and discharge it during peak demand to strengthen energy security and support Victoria's energy transition. Pacific Green secured a Victorian planning permit in September 2025 and the EPBC project decision has been published.
Portland Renewable Fuels Project
A large-scale hybrid bio/e-methanol development in Portland, Victoria, converting over 500,000 tonnes of residual plantation forestry biomass and approximately 30,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per annum into around 300,000 tonnes of low-carbon methanol annually. Methanol targets shipping decarbonisation and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Partners include thyssenkrupp Uhde (technology), Airbus, Qantas, and Honeywell. Pre-FEED completed August 2025; AUD$10 million Series A closed February 2026. FID targeted for 2028.
Portland Foreshore Multipurpose Facility
Refurbishment of the Portland Yacht Club and Portland Sport Fishing Club buildings on the Portland Foreshore to provide all-abilities access, meet building codes, comply with regulations, extend building life, and reduce maintenance costs.
Portland North Employment Precinct
The Portland North Employment Precinct is a 10-hectare development aimed at boosting the local economy through job creation and business attraction. Bunnings Warehouse, the anchor tenant, opened in June 2025, creating over 50 ongoing jobs and supporting 50 during construction. Funded by $2.5 million from the Victorian Government, the precinct positions Portland as a key economic centre in south west Victoria.
Housing Manufacturing Hub
A $2.35 million manufacturing hub at Portland Airport developed by FormFlow to produce up to 200 relocatable modular houses per year, addressing housing shortages in Victoria's Great South Coast region. The project aims to create 50 direct and 150 indirect jobs but was paused in October 2023 due to industry pressures, with the lease remaining active as of 2025.
Southern Winds Offshore Wind Project
The Southern Winds Offshore Wind Project by BlueFloat Energy plans a 1,155 MW wind farm 8-20 km off Victoria's coast, covering 290 sq km. It includes undersea and onshore transmission infrastructures into Glenelg.
Tyrendarra Town Area Restructure Plan
A restructure plan to address lots with inadequate road access in the Tyrendarra town area through re-subdivision and consolidation.
Settlers Rd, Tyrendarra - Roads to Recovery Project
Road upgrade project on Settlers Rd in Tyrendarra funded under the Roads to Recovery Program.
4,842 residents of Portland are employed, from a labour force of 4,990. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 53.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Portland features a balanced labor market encompassing both white and blue collar jobs, with a solid representation of essential service industries, alongside an unemployment rate of only 3.0%. In March 2026, there are 4,842 employed residents, and the unemployment rate sits 0.7% below the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, though participation in the labor force is notably lower (53.2% compared to 61.1% in Regional Vic.). Census data indicates that a modest 7.0% of the workforce operated from home, although this should be viewed in light of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and education & training.
The region exhibits a distinct concentration in manufacturing employment, with its share of jobs reaching 2.0 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, construction is under-represented, employing only 7.4% of the workforce in Portland compared to 10.4% in Regional Vic.. Although there are local jobs available within the district, a comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that a significant number of workers travel outside the area for their employment. According to the AreaSearch study of SALM and ABS statistics, the labor force shrank by 6.4% and total employment fell by 5.6% in the year ending March 2026, leading to a decrease of 0.8 percentage points in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% drop in employment, a 0.3% contraction in the labor force, and a 0.2 percentage point decline in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective demand in Portland. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with local employment sectors to project future growth. While nationwide employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely across different industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment distribution of Portland indicates that local jobs should rise by 5.7% over five years and 12.6% over ten years (note that this represents a direct weighting extrapolation for demonstration purposes and excludes localized population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Portland is $1,200 a week (about $62,000 a year), with median personal income at $631 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,963 a year against an average of $60,183. 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
The most recent postcode ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the Portland SA2 sit below the national benchmark, with a median of $49,963 and an average of $60,183. This compares to a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728 in Regional Vic.. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current projections estimate these figures at approximately $54,769 for the median and $65,973 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Portland all rank between the 13th and 15th percentiles nationally.
The statistics indicate the largest group consists of 28.3% of residents (3,150 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which matches the wider region where this same group accounts for 30.3%. Although housing expenses are low with residents retaining 87.9% of their income, overall disposable income places in only the 17th percentile across the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Portland had 4,596 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 1% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 26% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,105 a month. Rent absorbs 20.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in Portland, according to the most recent Census, consisted of 89.4% detached homes and 10.6% alternative housing types (townhouses, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% alternative options in Regional Vic.. The rate of home ownership in Portland matched Regional Vic. at 42.6%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (31.9%) or occupied by tenants (25.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the locality was significantly lower than the Regional Vic. median at $1,105, and the median weekly rent stood at $250, compared to $1,430 and $285 in Regional Vic..
On a national level, the mortgage repayments in Portland are far below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also much lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Portland counted 4,596 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 22% are couples with children, fewer than in 81% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 32% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 65.1%, which includes 21.8% couples raising children, 31.0% couples without children, and 11.7% single parent households. The remaining 34.9% consist of non-family households, with single-person households representing 32.2% and group houses accounting for 2.7% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.2 residents is below the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.8% of adults in Portland hold a university qualification, including 9.8% with a bachelor degree and 1.8% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 79% of areas nationally. A further 29.8% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 1,863 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 963 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
The region experiences educational disparities, with university degree attainment rates (13.8% of the population) tracking far below the Victorian benchmark of 33.4%. This situation presents both a difficulty and a chance for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.8%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.8%). Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 39.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (29.8%). Enrolment in education is remarkably high, with 25.4% of the population currently participating in structured study.
This cohort includes 9.4% in primary schools, 8.0% in secondary schools, and 1.9% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Portland reaches 59 stops on 4 routes, timetabled for about 200 services a week. The typical home sits about 270 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.4 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
An analysis of public transport reveals 59 active transit stops functioning in Portland. These locations are serviced by 4 distinct routes, which combine to offer 199 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transport is classified as good, with residents living an average of 268 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential focus of the locality, the majority of workers commute outside the area, with private cars remaining the primary choice at 94%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per home. A relatively minor 7.0% of the population work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 influences).
Transit service frequency averages 28 runs per day across the network, which translates to roughly 3 weekly journeys for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
60.0% of residents in Portland report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 77% of areas nationally. 8.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health statistics indicate significant difficulties for Portland, based on the analysis of mortality figures and the occurrence of chronic conditions by AreaSearch, which notes prominent rates of common health issues in both youth and older demographics, while the share of residents with private health insurance is particularly low at roughly 49% of the population (~5,443 people). The national benchmark stands at 55.7%. The most prevalent medical diagnoses in the region are arthritis and mental health conditions, affecting 12.4 and 9.8% of the population, respectively, while 60.0% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic..
The population of working age experiences clear health difficulties with elevated rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 26.9% of the population (2,992 people), exceeding the Regional Vic. proportion of 23.9%. Health trends among the elderly present some difficulties, with national rankings aligning closely with the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Portland is largely Australian-born, at 90.0% of residents, with 3.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.1%) and Australian (32.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Portland exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 90.3% of the population, 90.0% of residents born in Australia, and 96.3% of households speaking only English. The dominant religious affiliation in Portland is Christianity, accounting for 45.0% of the community. However, the most notable disproportionate representation is found in Judaism, which makes up 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% proportion observed across Regional Vic.. Regarding ancestry (the birthplace of residents' parents), the three most common backgrounds in Portland are English at 33.1%, Australian at 32.3%, and Scottish at 9.4%.
Furthermore, there are clear variations in the proportions of other backgrounds: Dutch is represented at 1.7% in Portland (matching 1.7% regionally), German at 4.3% (compared to 3.5% regionally), and Maltese at 0.5% (matching 0.5% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Portland is 47, older than 84% of areas nationally. 20.1% 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
With a median age of 47 years, Portland is considerably older than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and far exceeds the national average of 38-year. The demographic breakdown reveals that the 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented (14.8%), whereas the 35 - 44 cohort is smaller (10.6%) than is typical in Regional Vic.. This concentration of 65 - 74 year-olds is well above the national share of 9.4%. Since 2021, the cohort aged 75 to 84 has expanded from 7.3% to 8.7% of the population. On the other hand, the 45 to 54 cohort has contracted from 13.1% to 11.9%.
By 2041, Portland is anticipated to experience substantial changes in its age profile. Led by this aging trend, the group aged 75 to 84 will expand by 34% (331 people), growing from 962 to 1,294. This aging trend is prominent, with individuals aged 65+ accounting for 51% of the projected population increase. Conversely, demographic drops are expected for the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Portland
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 4 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 Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 119 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (11,230 at the 2021 Census → 11,131 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 May 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 (217011422). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.