# Geelong

Region (SA4) · Area profile

Located in: Victoria › Rest of Vic.

Area: 4,429 km²

Far fewer people speak a language other than English in Geelong compared to the state and national figures. This larger-than-average community has grown quickly, adding over 77,000 people since 2011. It is an aging area where seniors are more common than in most similar places. The region is dominated by detached housing and a population that is increasingly likely to identify as having no religion.

## Demographics & Identity

The typical resident is 40, making the area a little older than the national figure. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 19.7% of the population, which is higher than most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 327,878 | +30.8% since 2011 |
| Median age | 40 yrs | +2.6% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 1.2% | +52.9% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 19.7% | +19.0% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 18.1% | -4.8% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 12.4% | +37.2% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Young adults (25–44) 26.2%, Older adults (45–64) 24.5%, Seniors (65+) 19.7%, Children (0–14) 18.1%, Youth (15–24) 11.6%

**Marital status** — Married 46.9%, Never married 35.7%, Divorced 8.8%, Widowed 5.4%, Separated 3.2%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

Only 16.5% of residents were born overseas, a figure far below the Victorian average of 30.0%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, combined accounting for over 75% of the population.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 16.5% | +9.0% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 78.7%, England 3.3%, India 1.6%, New Zealand 1.1%, Philippines 0.6%, Italy 0.5%, China 0.5%, South Africa 0.4%, Vietnam 0.2%, Nepal 0.1%

**Ancestry** — English 39.1%, Australian 36.4%, Irish 13.3%, Scottish 11.9%, German 4.5%, Italian 4.4%, Dutch 2.7%, Indian 1.5%, Chinese 1.5%, Greek 0.9%, Filipino 0.9%, Vietnamese 0.3%

## Language

English is the primary language for 84.5% of the community. Only 10.4% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 10.4% | +20.2% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 1.4% | -5.0% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 84.5%, Italian 0.7%, Mandarin 0.7%, Punjabi 0.7%, Greek 0.4%, Hindi 0.3%, Vietnamese 0.3%, Arabic 0.3%, Tagalog 0.2%, Cantonese 0.2%

## Religion

A large number of residents report no religion, at 45.7%. This is well above the national figure and has risen by 20 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 45.7% | +77.0% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 45.7%, Christianity 43.3%, Not stated 6.8%, Islam 1.3%, Hinduism 1.1%, Buddhism 0.9%, Other religions 0.9%, Judaism 0.1%

## Education & Qualifications

The area has seen a rise in qualifications, with those holding a bachelor degree or higher increasing by 8.6 points since 2011 to reach 25.1%. Year 12 completion is also higher than most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 56.1% | +27.0% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 25.1% | +52.3% since 2011 |
| Schools | 109 | — |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 1.84 | — |
| School enrolments | 54,442 | — |
| Average school size | 499 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,054 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 56.1%, Year 10 14.1%, Year 11 13.7%, Year 9 or below 9.9%

**Highest qualification level** — Certificate III / IV 28.4%, Bachelor degree 26.1%, Advanced diploma / diploma 16.4%, Postgraduate degree 8.3%, Graduate diploma / certificate 4.9%, Certificate I / II 1.6%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 15.4%, Engineering & related 12.9%, Health 12.8%, Society & culture 12.4%, Education 10.1%, Architecture & building 7.4%, Food, hospitality & personal services 4.9%, Creative arts 4.0%, Natural & physical sciences 2.8%, Agriculture & environment 2.2%, Information technology 2.2%

## Income

Typical weekly family income is $2,100, which is about the same as the national figure. High earners are more common here, with 11.3% of people earning $2,000 or more per week.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $787 | +49.1% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,658 | +53.7% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $2,100 | +53.7% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 11.3% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 20.7% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 29.7%, $650–$1,499 27.1%, Under $650 16.1%, $3,000–$3,999 10.4%, $4,000 or more 10.2%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 39.7%, $650–$1,499 31.6%, $1,500–$2,999 17.6%, $3,000 or more 4.1%

## Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 31.0% of residents. This includes a mental health condition rate of 10.6%, which is a little above the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 31.0% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 10.6% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 6.1% | +14.6% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Mental health 10.6%, Asthma 9.6%, Arthritis 9.1%, Other condition 8.5%, Diabetes 4.6%, Heart disease 4.3%, Cancer 3.2%, Lung condition 1.8%, Stroke 1.1%, Dementia 0.9%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 61.3%, One condition 21.0%, Two conditions 6.6%, Three or more 3.4%

## Community Participation

Unpaid care is a significant part of local life, with 13.6% of people providing unpaid care and 27.9% caring for children. Both figures are much higher than in most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 15.1% | -23.1% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 13.6% | +12.0% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 27.9% | -4.3% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 2.6% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 22.5% | -8.0% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations residents have a Year 12 completion rate of 43.0%, which is well above the national figure of 37.0%. The unemployment rate for this group is 8.9%, which is also lower than most areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 4,019 | — |
| First Nations median age | 24 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 43.0% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 8.9% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $637 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,664 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 4.3% | — |

## Family & Households

Homes tend to be larger than usual, with 2.5 people per home. Most families are couples with children, making up 56.8% of households.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.5 | +0.0% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 13.6% | -7.0% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 26.5% | +0.1% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 56.8%, Couples without children 28.7%, One-parent families 13.6%, Other families 1.0%

**Household size** — 2 people 35.0%, 1 person 26.5%, 4 people 15.1%, 3 people 15.1%, 5 people 6.1%, 6 or more 2.2%

## Housing & Dwellings

Detached houses are very common, making up 87.6% of all homes. This is far above the national figure, and 80.8% of homes have three or more bedrooms.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $350 | +45.8% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,733 | +14.2% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.80 | -27.3% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 26.0% | +4.2% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 35.1% | -4.1% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 87.6% | +1.4% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 80.8% | +4.1% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned with a mortgage 35.7%, Owned outright 35.1%, Rented 26.0%, Other tenure 1.8%, Not stated 1.4%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 87.6%, Townhouse / semi-detached 9.6%, Flat or apartment 2.2%, Other dwelling 0.5%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 46.2%, 4 bedrooms 29.7%, 2 bedrooms 14.8%, 5 or more 4.9%, 1 bedroom 3.0%, Studio / none 0.2%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 44.1%, $200–$349 35.2%, Under $200 11.3%, $550–$749 5.0%, $750 or more 1.1%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,000–$1,799 33.4%, $1,800–$2,999 33.2%, Under $1,000 15.8%, $3,000 or more 11.9%

## Transport & Vehicles

Cars are the primary way to get to work, while only 1.2% of people commute by public transport. However, working from home has become more common, rising 16 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 4.7% | -31.0% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 19.9% | +398.7% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 1.2% | -57.7% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 1,546 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 4.72 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 947.8 | — |
| Public transport routes | 74 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 57.8%, Worked at home 19.9%, Car (passenger) 3.8%, Walked 2.0%, Bus 0.7%, Bicycle 0.6%, Train 0.5%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 2 vehicles 41.2%, 1 vehicle 34.4%, 3 vehicles 12.5%, 4 or more 7.2%, No vehicle 4.7%

## Migration & Movement

The area is seeing significant movement, with 42.4% of people having moved in the last five years. This is a little above the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 42.4% | +12.3% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 13.4% | +0.5% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Health care and social assistance is the biggest industry, employing 16.8% of the workforce. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is much lower than most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | -21.7% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 61.2% | +2.9% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 55.4% | -5.8% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 16.8%, Construction 11.5%, Retail trade 10.3%, Education & training 9.9%, Accommodation & food 6.9%, Public administration & safety 6.5%, Professional & technical 6.3%, Manufacturing 5.9%, Transport & warehousing 3.9%, Other services 3.4%, Finance & insurance 2.9%, Administrative & support 2.8%, Wholesale trade 2.5%, Arts & recreation 1.6%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 1.6%, Rental & real estate 1.3%, Electricity, gas & water 1.2%, Media & telecommunications 0.9%, Mining 0.3%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 23.0%, Technicians & trades 14.6%, Community & personal service 13.2%, Managers 12.5%, Clerical & administrative 11.3%, Labourers 9.3%, Sales workers 8.7%, Machinery operators & drivers 5.7%

## Economy & Advantage

The population is growing rapidly, with an 8.7% increase since 2021. This growth is a little above the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Population estimate | 355,990 | — |
| Population growth since 2021 | 8.7% | — |

## Environment & Climate

The area experiences lower temperatures than most, with an average maximum of 19.5 degrees. Annual rainfall is 573mm, which is a little above the state figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average annual rainfall | 573 | — |
| Average maximum temperature | 19.5 | — |
| Average minimum temperature | 10.0 | — |

## Walkability

The area is somewhat walkable, though many homes are far from essential services. While 93.9% of people live within a short walk of a park, only 52.5% can reach health services within 15 minutes.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 5.6 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 5.3 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 62.1% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 62.0% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 80.3% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 64.6% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 93.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 52.5% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 20.8 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 13 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 4.4% | — |

## Schools serving Geelong

109 schools, 54,442 students, average ICSEA 1,054.

By sector: Government 75, Catholic 25, Independent 9

By type: Primary 78, Secondary 16, Combined 15

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kardinia International College | Independent | Combined | — | 1,925 |
| Christian College Geelong - Middle School – Highton | Independent | Combined | — | 1,908 |
| St Joseph's College Geelong | Catholic | Secondary | — | 1,742 |
| Northern Bay P-12 College | Government | Combined | — | 1,726 |
| The Geelong College | Independent | Combined | — | 1,573 |
| Sacred Heart College | Catholic | Secondary | — | 1,450 |
| Saint Ignatius College Geelong | Catholic | Secondary | — | 1,442 |
| Geelong Grammar School - Corio Campus | Independent | Combined | — | 1,422 |
| Iona College Geelong | Catholic | Secondary | — | 1,332 |
| Geelong Lutheran College - Armstrong Creek Campus | Independent | Combined | — | 1,317 |

## Areas within Geelong

[Barwon - West](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/20301/barwon-west) · [Geelong](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/20302/geelong) · [Surf Coast - Bellarine Peninsula](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/20303/surf-coast-bellarine-peninsula)

## Nearby areas

[Melbourne - West](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/213/melbourne-west) · [Ballarat](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/201/ballarat) · [Melbourne - North West](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/210/melbourne-north-west) · [Melbourne - Inner](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/206/melbourne-inner) · [Melbourne - Inner South](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/208/melbourne-inner-south) · [Mornington Peninsula](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/214/mornington-peninsula) · [Melbourne - Inner East](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/207/melbourne-inner-east) · [Melbourne - North East](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/209/melbourne-north-east)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sa4/203/geelong