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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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Winchelsea has an estimated 7,240 residents, up from 6,614 at the 2021 Census — a change of 626 people, or 9.5%. Growth has averaged 2.2% a year over five years. 311 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 58.6% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 demographic assessments by AreaSearch, the resident count in Winchelsea stands at approximately 7,240 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 626 residents (9.5%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 6,614 individuals. This upward trajectory is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 7,079 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 311 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The resulting population density is 8.0 persons per square kilometer, highlighting an expansive living environment. Winchelsea's post-2021 census growth rate of 9.5% outpaced both the Rest of Vic.
benchmark of 4.4% and the wider SA4 territory, establishing the locality as a regional expansion frontrunner. Inward movement from interstate migration served as the principal demographic catalyst, accounting for roughly 58.6% of overall net additions in recent times, with overseas arrivals and natural increase also providing positive contributions. Projections utilized by AreaSearch incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia modeling released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline across SA2 divisions. For locations lacking this coverage, 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA datasets are incorporated through weighted population growth aggregations transitioning from LGA down to SA2 zones. Age cohort growth rates derived from these aggregated models are likewise applied to all localities between 2032 and 2041. In line with forward-looking demographic trajectories, growth is anticipated slightly beneath the national regional median, with Winchelsea projected to expand by 910 persons out to 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP figures, translating to an aggregate 16-year increase of 10.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
308 new dwellings have been approved in Winchelsea over the past five years, an average of 61 a year. That places the area in the 82nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 8 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 62 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 90% 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 building approvals across Winchelsea have tracked at roughly 61 dwellings per annum, culminating in 308 residential consents across the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over this 5 financial years timeframe (between FY-22 and FY-26), an average influx of 2.3 people per year per completed dwelling was recorded, underscoring solid underlying demand supportive of real estate values. Anticipated construction costs for newly sanctioned homes average $498,000, marginally exceeding the regional benchmark and pointing toward high-standard builds. Concurrently, commercial sector approvals totaling $6.7 million were logged during the ongoing financial year, pointing to modest non-residential development activity.
Per-capita building activity in Winchelsea mirrors that of Rest of Vic., preserving a balanced supply dynamic aligned with the broader territory. Unoccupied single-family homes comprise 90.0% of recent residential additions while attached structures constitute 10.0%, sustaining the township's low-density profile and catering to residents prioritizing open space. A ratio of approximately 114 people per dwelling approval characterizes Winchelsea as an active expansion district. Demographic modeling anticipates Winchelsea will welcome an additional 749 residents by 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. Prevailing residential building activity appears well-calibrated to absorb incoming household demand, maintaining supportive market conditions for purchasers while offering room for growth beyond baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Winchelsea
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Winchelsea, worth an estimated $351 million. A further 134 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $24.4 billion. 38 are already under construction and 57 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Civic infrastructure enhancements, regional initiatives, and development programs exert a substantial influence on regional development trajectories. AreaSearch has pinpointed 30 significant projects likely to impact the locality. Prominent works include the Gnarwarre BESS, Glenlee Armstrong Creek Estate, Warralily Quarter Shopping Precinct, and Armstrong Creek Growth Area Development, with primary initiatives detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Gnarwarre BESS
A 250 MW / 500 MWh utility-scale lithium-ion battery energy storage system located 20km west of Geelong. The project reached financial close in August 2025 and is currently in the main works construction phase. It connects to the Terang to Moorabool 220kV transmission line to provide grid stability and firming services. The facility occupies approximately 7 hectares and includes battery containers, a substation, and a switching station.
The Villas
An on-course group accommodation project of thirteen modern, two-storey townhouses within Anglesea Golf Club. Construction is complete and townhouses are now available for short-stay accommodation and select sales/leases to investors, with guests able to book stays directly via the club.
Grossmans Road Low Density Residential Development
A 21-hectare low-density residential subdivision in Bellbrae rezoned under Development Plan Overlay Schedule 11 (DPO11). The development delivers approximately 45 rural residential allotments ranging between 2,500m2 and 4,500m2, complete with reticulated sewerage, internal swale drainage systems, and a 15-metre native vegetated buffer along Anglesea Road.
Warralily Quarter Shopping Precinct
An 8,000 sqm convenience shopping precinct in Armstrong Creek featuring retail, dining, and community facilities, designed to complement the adjacent Village Warralily Shopping Centre.
Bellbrae Telecommunications Monopole Facility
Installation and operation of a 30-metre telecommunications monopole tower facility with associated panel antennas, parabolic dishes, remote radio units, and ground equipment. The infrastructure enhances mobile network coverage and high-speed data transmission across Bellbrae and surrounding rural areas in the Surf Coast Shire.
Armstrong Creek Growth Area Development
The Armstrong Creek Growth Area is Victoria's largest contiguous urban growth zone, spanning 2,500 hectares south of Geelong[cite: 1]. The master-planned precinct is slated to deliver 22,000 residential lots and accommodate over 60,000 residents across multiple precincts[cite: 1]. Active developments include the continuing stages of the Armstrong Creek Town Centre, civil infrastructure works, and major community facilities including the Tarratarra Stadium[cite: 1].
Great Ocean Road Intersection Improvements
Traffic intersection improvements along the Great Ocean Road and surrounding areas to enhance traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and reduce congestion. Includes new turning lanes, raised priority crossings, and traffic management upgrades partly funded under the 2025-2026 Black Spot Program.
Debonair Development (Anglesea)
Completed multi-residential coastal development opposite Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club. Designed by Carr, the Debonair project comprises approximately 14 dwellings configured as beach houses/townhouses and apartments. Homes are strata titled and continue to trade and be leased as established stock along the Great Ocean Road.
3,798 residents of Winchelsea are employed, from a labour force of 3,914. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 68.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 6,188, about 85% 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
Winchelsea features a capable labor force characterized by robust representation in the construction sector and a low jobless rate of 3.0%. There are 3,798 employed residents as of March 2026, while local unemployment sits 0.7% lower than the 3.7% recorded for Regional Vic. Labor market engagement remains elevated, with a participation rate of 68.8% outstripping the 61.1% seen across Regional Vic. Census findings revealed that 25.0% of the working population performed their duties remotely from home, reflecting conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Local workforce participation is centered predominantly within health care & social assistance, construction, and agriculture, forestry & fishing.
A pronounced concentration is evident in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where the local employment proportion reaches 1.6 times the broader regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for 14.1% of local workers, falling below the Regional Vic. share of 16.8%. Comparisons between resident worker numbers and local job counts suggest the immediate township provides limited on-site employment capacity. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM metrics, the local labor pool contracted by 0.9% alongside a 1.1% drop in filled positions over the 12-month period, lifting the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. Conversely, Regional Vic. saw employment fall by 0.1%, the workforce diminish by 0.3%, and unemployment decrease by 0.2 percentage points. Forward-looking national labor forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide context on structural shifts over five- and ten-year horizons. Across the nation, total employment is projected to climb 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by sector. When applied to Winchelsea's specific industry distribution, these projections indicate potential local job increases of 6.1% over five years and 12.8% over ten years (representing a baseline weighting extrapolation without local demographic adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Winchelsea is $1,845 a week (about $96,000 a year), with median personal income at $826 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,300 a year against an average of $68,352. 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 taxation statistics at the postcode level compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate earnings across the Winchelsea SA2 align closely with nationwide medians, posting a median taxable income of $52,300 and a mean figure of $68,352. In comparison, Regional Vic. registered a median of $50,954 and a mean of $62,728. Factoring in Wage Price Index appreciation of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields indexed estimates of roughly $57,331 for median earnings and $74,927 for average income as of March 2026. Across personal, family, and household levels, local earnings sit around the 54th percentile nationally.
The predominant cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, encompassing 32.5% of residents (2,353 people), closely matching the regional rate of 30.3%. Income retained after servicing housing obligations stands at 88.3%, indicating solid discretionary capacity, with the area placed in the 6th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Winchelsea had 2,339 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 0% apartments. 44% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 16.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The residential landscape in Winchelsea at the most recent Census was overwhelmingly dominated by standalone houses at 97.4%, with semi-detached residences, apartments, and alternative structures making up 2.6%, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic. Outright ownership matched the broader Regional Vic. standard at 42.3%, while remaining properties were either mortgaged (43.7%) or tenanted (13.9%). Typical monthly mortgage commitments stood at $1,733, exceeding the Regional Vic. median of $1,430, whereas median weekly rent was $300 against $285 regionally. In a nationwide context, Winchelsea home loan repayments sit below the Australian average of $1,863, and local rental rates track well under the national standard of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Winchelsea counted 2,339 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,560 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 36% are couples with children, against 32% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local domestic setups at 77.9%, comprising couples with children (35.9%), couples without children (32.3%), and single-parent arrangements (9.3%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.1%, consisting primarily of single-person households at 20.2% and share houses at 1.8%. The typical household consists of 2.6 people, which is slightly larger than the Regional Vic. median of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
25.2% of adults in Winchelsea hold a university qualification, including 17.4% with a bachelor degree and 4.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.2% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 562 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,048 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
Tertiary educational attainment in Winchelsea sits beneath state averages, with 25.2% of persons aged 15+ possessing a higher education degree versus 33.4% across VIC. Bachelor degrees represent the largest category at 17.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.1%. In contrast, vocational and technical training is widely held, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, divided between certificate-level qualifications (27.2%) and advanced diplomas (13.1%). Enrollment rates in formal learning pathways are substantial, with 29.2% of the local population engaged in study. This encompasses 10.6% attending primary school, 9.1% in secondary school, and 3.4% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Winchelsea means driving: households keep an average of 2.1 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Transit network mapping indicates 2 operational passenger transit stops serving Winchelsea, consisting of train connectivity. These stations are linked across 2 distinct routes that provide an aggregate of 80 weekly passenger trips. Public transport convenience is constrained, with an average distance of 3648 meters separating locals from their closest transit point. As an outward-commuting enclave, private vehicles dominate travel choices at 93%, while 5% of trips are made by walking. Vehicle ownership stands at 2.1 per dwelling, exceeding regional norms, alongside 25.0% of workers operating from home as recorded in the 2021 Census during the pandemic.
Transit service across the network averages 11 trips per day, which translates to roughly 40 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.4% of residents in Winchelsea report no long-term health condition. 5.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Public health records for Winchelsea reflect generally sound vitality, with AreaSearch evaluations of morbidity and mortality indicating conditions consistent with national norms across all demographics. Private health insurance participation is slightly elevated relative to the typical SA2, covering approximately 53% of residents (~3,858 people), compared to 50.5% throughout Regional Vic. Asthma and arthritis represent the most prevalent diagnosed conditions, observed among 8.1% and 8.0% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 68.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical ailments, outperforming the Regional Vic. benchmark of 63.4%. General health among working-age individuals aligns with standard expectations.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 19.8% of the community (1,436 people), lower than the 24.0% regional proportion, with older residents recording favorable health outcomes that exceed nationwide averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Winchelsea is largely Australian-born, at 90.8% of residents, with 2.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.6%) and Australian (31.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural homogeneity is pronounced in Winchelsea, where 91.3% of the community hold Australian citizenship, 90.8% were born domestically, and 97.6% communicate exclusively in English at home. Christianity forms the dominant religious faith, representing 44.8% of residents. The most noticeable relative divergence occurs in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of locals compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic. Looking at parental heritage, the three most common backgrounds among Winchelsea residents are English (32.6%), Australian (31.9%), and Irish (9.9%). Other notable ancestral groups include Scottish at 9.9% (exceeding the regional share of 8.8%), Dutch at 1.9% (versus 1.7% regionally), and Maltese at 0.5% (aligning with 0.5% across the region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Winchelsea is 42. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 21.8% 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 age distribution in Winchelsea closely follows broader trends in Regional Vic., with the maximum variation across cohorts measuring 4.2 percentage points. The median age is estimated at 42, down from 43 recorded during the 2021 Census, and 1 year below the Regional Vic. figure of 43 from that same Census. Individuals aged 45 - 64 have seen their share reduce from 28.5% at the Census to an estimated 25.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, the largest numerical gain is anticipated within the 25 - 44 cohort, which is projected to expand by 400 residents (23%) to reach 2,117.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Winchelsea
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 last month 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 last month 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 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 1 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 311 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,614 at the 2021 Census → 7,240 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 (203011036). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.