VIC 3260 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Camperdown

At a median house price of $352,000 and a median age of 51, Camperdown reads as one of Victoria's most affordable and deeply established regional towns. Household income sits at the 21st percentile nationally, yet housing stress is absent: mortgage repayments take 23.1% of income and rent just 21.3%, both below stress thresholds. The vacancy rate of 13.0% is high relative to typical residential markets, reflecting a large 69 km2 footprint and slow net annual decline of 13 residents. With 50.4% of households owning their homes outright, more than half the population carries no mortgage, a profile consistent with long-settled older residents rather than recent buyers.

Camperdown urban fabric map

Population

3,354

Median Age

51.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,128/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

4

Median House

$352K

Apr-Jun 2024

69.34 km²· 48.4 people/km²· Family income $1,534/wk

The $352,000 median house price is well below the national average, making Camperdown one of the more accessible regional markets in Victoria. Prices peaked at $515,000 in Apr-Jun 2023 and have since fallen 31.7%, creating a significant discount from the peak. From the earliest recorded price of $220,000 in 2013, the compound annual growth rate works out to 3.4% over 14 years, modest but positive. Separate houses dominate at 93.5% of stock, with semi-detached at 6.5%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 54.8%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 25.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,127, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 23.1%, comfortably below the 30% stress line compared to many urban markets.

For Buyers

The $352,000 median house price is well below the national average, making Camperdown one of the more accessible regional markets in Victoria. Prices peaked at $515,000 in Apr-Jun 2023 and have since fallen 31.7%, creating a significant discount from the peak. From the earliest recorded price of $220,000 in 2013, the compound annual growth rate works out to 3.4% over 14 years, modest but positive. Separate houses dominate at 93.5% of stock, with semi-detached at 6.5%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 54.8%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 25.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,127, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 23.1%, comfortably below the 30% stress line compared to many urban markets.

For Investors

A 21.0% renter share against a $352,000 median and $240 weekly rent implies a gross yield near 3.5%, low but higher than most metro markets. The 13.0% vacancy rate is the clearest caution signal, indicating that demand for rental properties is not tight. Net internal migration runs at negative 16 residents per year and overseas migration adds just 5, meaning the overall population trend is a slow decline. Development activity recorded 4 applications in the past 12 months, all subdivisions rather than dwelling construction, suggesting limited new rental supply. Rent grew 50.0% over the decade, above general inflation, but from a low base. Investors who price yield expectations against the vacancy rate rather than the headline rent figure will get a more accurate picture of actual returns.

Development Activity

Total DAs

23

Last 12 Months

4

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-20.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
9

Schools in Camperdown iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

St Patrick's School

ICSEA 1035 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 213 students

Mercy Regional College

ICSEA 1026 Secondary Catholic

7-12 · 341 students

Camperdown College

ICSEA 983 Combined Government

Prep-12 · 381 students

Demographics

The median age of 51 is 11 years above the national figure, making Camperdown one of Victoria's older communities by this measure. The senior share rose 6.9 points over the decade while working-age population fell 3.1 points, confirming an aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents stand at 7.6%, which is 14.0 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a largely Australian-born, Anglo-Celtic population: English (1,405), Irish (476) and Scottish (415) are the top ancestries. University qualifications reach 21.3%, which is 8.8 points below the national average, and only 41 residents are unemployed, giving an unemployment rate of 3.0%. The average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, consistent with older couples without children making up 36.3% of families.

Age Distribution

0-14
15.4%
15-24
9.5%
25-44
19.4%
45-64
25.0%
65+
31.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
2.1%
2 bed
17.7%
3 bed
54.8%
4+ bed
25.4%

Dwelling Structure

93.5%

Houses

6.5%

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 50.4% Mortgage 28.6% Rent 21.0%

Outright ownership at 50.4% is one of the most distinctive features of Camperdown's housing market, meaning more than half of all households carry no mortgage debt, well above national norms. Mortgage holders account for 28.6% and renters 21.0%. The stock is dominated by separate houses at 93.5%, with no apartments recorded. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 54.8%, and 4-plus bedrooms account for 25.4%. The price history shows a sharp peak-to-present correction: from $515,000 in Apr-Jun 2023 to $352,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, a 31.7% decline. Over 14 years the median grew 60.0% from $220,000 in 2013. With a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 3, Camperdown ranks in the lower third of suburbs nationally on the combined advantage-disadvantage index.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,127

Rent / wk

$240

HH Size

2.2

Personal Income / wk

$628

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

13.0%

Unoccupied

212

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.3%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

23.1%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
1,405
Irish
476
Scottish
415
Ancestry NS
234
Other
119
German
90

Household Composition

36.3%

Couples, no children

2,399

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant industry at 22.1% of the workforce (186 workers), followed by Education at 12.7% (107) and Construction at 8.4% (71), with Agriculture and Manufacturing each contributing about 8%. This pattern is typical of a regional service centre where the hospital and school are the largest employers. Professionals (249) and Labourers (210) are the top occupations, a split that reflects both the healthcare-education white-collar base and the surrounding agricultural economy. The unemployment rate of 3.0% is low. Participation at 47.6% is constrained by a large not-in-labour-force group of 1,194, explained partly by the high median age of 51. The SEIFA IRSD and IRSAD scores both sit at decile 3, placing Camperdown in the lower tier on both relative disadvantage and combined advantage measures compared to the national distribution.

Unemployment

2.1%

Labour Force

1,519

Unemployed

32

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
3
Disadvantage
3
Economic resources
3
Education & occupation
3

Full-time

60.1%

Part-time

36.9%

Participation

47.6%

Employed

1,312

Occupations

Professionals 249
Labourers 210
Community/Personal 179
Managers 169
Clerical/Admin 134
Sales 122
Machinery/Drivers 114

Top Industries

Healthcare 22.1%
Education 12.7%
Construction 8.4%
Agriculture 8.3%
Manufacturing 8.2%

University

21.3%

Postgraduate

4.4%

Born Overseas

7.6%

Dwellings

1,410

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high at 85.2% of commuters driving, with public transport used by just 0.5%, a typical outcome for a regional town with limited transit options compared to metro areas. Walking and cycling account for 8.6% of trips. The crime rate of 63.5 incidents per 1,000 residents covers 213 total offences, with property and deception offences the largest category at 105, followed by crimes against the person at 53. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Camperdown in the lower third nationally on combined advantage and disadvantage. Volunteering is relatively strong at 22.9% of residents contributing, above many metro comparisons. Housing stress is absent: rent-to-income at 21.3% and mortgage-to-income at 23.1% both sit well under the 30% threshold. No schools are recorded in the dataset for this suburb boundary.

Drive

85.2%

Public Transport

0.5%

Walk / Cycle

8.6%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

-0.39%/yr

(-13 people/yr)

Established

Camperdown's population trend is a measured decline rather than a sharp fall. The medium forecast projects the population moving from 3,354 today toward approximately 3,310 by 2031, a loss of around 44 residents over six years. Historical figures show a similar pace: 3,379 in 2023, 3,367 in 2024, 3,356 in 2025. The annual rate sits at negative 0.39% or about 13 fewer residents per year. Internal migration is a net negative 16 per year while overseas migration adds 5, giving a broadly balanced but slightly negative migration picture. The gentrification score of 33 puts Camperdown at early signs stage, driven by the 50.0% rent growth and 15.6% real income growth over the decade, though the population decline limits how far that trajectory can run. The 10-year population change of 0.8% confirms a stable, slow-shrinking base.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+5

Net Internal / yr

-16

0

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

213

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

63.5

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
105
Crimes against the person
53
Justice procedures offences
39
Drug offences
11

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Camperdown compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 16%
Household Income
Bottom 21%
Rent Level
Bottom 42%
Renters
Top 48%
Uni Educated
Bottom 42%
Public Transport
Bottom 4%
Born Overseas
Bottom 18%
Density
Top 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Camperdown a good suburb to live in?

Camperdown suits residents who prioritise affordability and stability over urban amenity. The median house price of $352,000 is well below national averages, and housing stress is low with mortgage-to-income at 23.1%. The town's aging profile, with a median age of 51 that is 11 years above national, shapes the social environment toward a quieter, settled community. SEIFA decile 3 on IRSAD indicates it ranks in the lower third nationally on combined advantage.

What is the median house price in Camperdown?

The median house price is $352,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 31.7% from the peak of $515,000 reached in Apr-Jun 2023. Weekly rent averages $240 and monthly mortgage repayments sit around $1,127. Over 14 years from 2013, prices grew 60.0% from $220,000, a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%.

What schools are in Camperdown?

No schools are recorded within the Camperdown suburb boundary in this dataset. The broader Corangamite district services the area, and the town is the Shire's administrative centre. Education employs 12.7% of the local workforce (107 workers), the second largest industry sector, pointing to the presence of educational facilities in the wider locality.

Is Camperdown safe?

Camperdown recorded 213 offences with a crime rate of 63.5 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences are the largest category at 105 incidents, followed by crimes against the person at 53. As a reference point, the suburb's SEIFA IRSD decile of 3 places it in the lower third nationally on relative disadvantage, which typically correlates with higher crime rates than higher-decile suburbs.

Is Camperdown good for property investment?

The $352,000 median and $240 weekly rent imply a gross yield around 3.5%, higher than most metro markets, but the 13.0% vacancy rate signals weak rental demand. Population is declining at 0.39% per year and net internal migration is negative 16 annually. Rent grew 50.0% over the decade, which is a positive signal, but the sharp price correction from $515,000 to $352,000 since mid-2023 reflects the limits of demand in a slow-growth regional market.

How is Camperdown's population changing?

Population is declining slowly: 3,379 in 2023, 3,367 in 2024, and 3,356 in 2025, with the medium forecast reaching around 3,310 by 2031. The annual decline is approximately 13 residents, or negative 0.39%. Internal migration removes 16 residents per year on net while overseas arrivals add 5. The 10-year population change was just 0.8%, showing the town has been essentially stable over a longer horizon.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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