Charlemont
A population that grew 486% in 10 years is the defining fact about Charlemont, a greenfield suburb on Geelong's eastern fringe that has shifted from near-empty paddocks to a mortgage-belt community of 2,612 residents. The median age of 29 sits 11 years below the national figure, reflecting the young families drawn here by a median house price of $606,800, well below most Melbourne suburbs, and a detached-house share of 98.2%. Household income lands in the 79.6th percentile nationally, above average for the Geelong region, because the resident base skews toward dual-income working-age couples rather than retirees.
Population
2,612
Median Age
29.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,102/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median House
$607K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $606,800 (Apr-Jun 2024) is 6.6% below the 2022 peak of $650,000, which gives buyers some buffer compared to purchasing at the top. Since 2017, prices have risen 286.5%, a compound annual growth rate of 14.5% over 10 years. The stock is almost exclusively detached houses at 98.2%, with 51.9% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, making it one of the more family-sized housing markets in the Geelong area. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 19.0%, below the 30% stress threshold, so most buyers here are not financially stretched. Owner-occupiers with a mortgage make up 60.8% of households, a high mortgage-belt share that signals a suburb still building its equity base.
For Buyers
The median house price of $606,800 (Apr-Jun 2024) is 6.6% below the 2022 peak of $650,000, which gives buyers some buffer compared to purchasing at the top. Since 2017, prices have risen 286.5%, a compound annual growth rate of 14.5% over 10 years. The stock is almost exclusively detached houses at 98.2%, with 51.9% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms, making it one of the more family-sized housing markets in the Geelong area. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 19.0%, below the 30% stress threshold, so most buyers here are not financially stretched. Owner-occupiers with a mortgage make up 60.8% of households, a high mortgage-belt share that signals a suburb still building its equity base.
For Investors
Rents of $415 per week against a $606,800 median imply a gross yield around 3.6%, modest but above many coastal Victorian markets. The 28.7% renter share provides a tenant pool that is smaller than inner-city areas but stable. The biggest concern is the 7.6% vacancy rate, which is elevated and reflects the rapid new supply flowing from active land subdivision. Development activity in the past 12 months included 11 applications, predominantly subdivision of new lots, so supply continues to grow faster than national averages. On the positive side, net internal migration drives 988 new residents per year and the forecast adds roughly 835 persons annually through 2031, so demand should gradually absorb the excess stock. Investors who can hold through the absorption phase benefit from a young, growing rental population.
Development Activity
Total DAs
28
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+550.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Charlemont iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Iona College Geelong
7-12 · 1332 students
Demographics
The median age of 29 is 11 years below the national figure, the clearest signal that Charlemont attracts young families rather than retirees or downsizers. Overseas-born residents account for 19.3% of the population, 2.3 points below the national share, while English (892), Irish (309) and Scottish (250) ancestries dominate, giving the suburb a strongly Anglo-Celtic character. Indian ancestry (173 residents) is the largest non-English-speaking group, and the top non-English languages include Punjabi (32 speakers) and Malayalam (25). University qualifications reach 36.3%, which is 6.2 points above the national average, despite the suburb's working-class housing price point, because many residents commute to professional roles in Geelong or Melbourne. The average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure and the couple-with-children profile covers 47.9% of families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.2%
Houses
1.8%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Charlemont's housing stock is strikingly uniform: 98.2% are separate houses and 51.9% have 4 or more bedrooms, a larger-home profile than most Victorian suburbs. The price history tells a strong growth story, rising from $157,000 in 2017 to a peak of $650,000 in 2022 before settling at $606,800 by mid-2024, a 286.5% total gain. Tenure is dominated by mortgage holders at 60.8%, with just 10.5% owning outright because the suburb is too new for most households to have paid down their debt. Renters account for 28.7% of households, consistent with a suburb where some early land releases attracted investors. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.0% and rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% both sit well below stress levels, meaning housing costs remain manageable relative to the household income that lands in the 79.6th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$415
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$1,048
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.6%
Unoccupied
79
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.9%
Couples, no children
1,932
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 25.3% (296 workers), reflecting proximity to University Hospital Geelong and the broader health precinct. Construction follows at 13.7% (160 workers), appropriate for a suburb still building out its land releases. Education accounts for 12.5% (146 workers) and Retail 8.2% (96 workers). By occupation, Professionals lead with 372 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service workers (287), a composition that aligns with SEIFA scores placing Charlemont in the 8th decile on IRSD and IER, meaning relative advantage above most suburbs nationally. The unemployment rate is low at 2.5% and the full-time employment rate is 66.3%. The participation rate of 72.6% is solid, reflecting the young working-age population. Real incomes grew 41.1% over the decade, outpacing inflation.
Unemployment
2.8%
Labour Force
8,321
Unemployed
229
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.3%
Part-time
31.2%
Participation
72.6%
Employed
1,488
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.3%
Postgraduate
7.5%
Born Overseas
19.3%
Dwellings
951
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total at 92.3%, which is higher than the national average, because Charlemont lacks the train connections available in inner Geelong. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Armstrong Creek and Grovedale. The crime rate of 53.2 per 1,000 residents includes 139 recorded offences, with property and deception offences accounting for 92 of them, a pattern typical of new growth suburbs where construction activity and transient populations create opportunistic theft risk. SEIFA places the suburb in the 6th decile on IRSAD and IEO, moderate advantage nationally, and the 8th decile on IRSD, meaning limited relative disadvantage. Housing stress is low: only 5.3% of residents need daily assistance and both mortgage and rent burdens sit under 20% of income.
Drive
92.3%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
N/A
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+5.53%/yr
(+836 people/yr)
High GrowthCharlemont's population grew 486.2% over 10 years, one of the fastest rates in Victoria, driven entirely by new residential development rather than densification. Internal migration is the engine, averaging 988 net arrivals per year, while overseas migration adds a modest 43 annually. The suburb's classification is new development rather than gentrification, because there is no older housing stock being upgraded. Historical data shows the broader SA2 area rising from 12,681 residents in 2023 to 15,110 by 2025. Medium forecasts project continued growth to 18,802 by 2031, adding roughly 835 persons per year. Affordability improved from 56.7% in 2011 to 45.8% in 2021 as incomes grew faster than prices over that period. The rent growth of 40.0% over the decade reflects strong demand from households unable to buy in the first wave.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+43
Net Internal / yr
+988
Gentrification Signal
New development
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
139
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
53.2
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Charlemont compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlemont a good suburb to live in?
Charlemont suits young families who want a new detached home at a manageable price. The median house price of $606,800 comes with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.0%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb scores in the 8th decile on IRSD, indicating above-average advantage. The main trade-off is high car dependence at 92.3%, with limited public transport and no recorded schools inside the boundary.
What is the median house price in Charlemont?
The median house price is $606,800 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 6.6% from the 2022 peak of $650,000. Prices have risen 286.5% since 2017, a compound annual growth rate of 14.5% over 10 years. Weekly rent averages $415 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $1,733.
What schools are in Charlemont?
No schools are recorded inside the Charlemont suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Armstrong Creek, Grovedale and other nearby Geelong suburbs. The local resident base has a university qualification rate of 36.3%, which is 6.2 points above the national average, suggesting many parents commute to professional roles.
Is Charlemont safe?
Charlemont recorded 139 offences, a rate of 53.2 per 1,000 residents. The largest category is property and deception offences (92 incidents), common in new growth areas with active construction sites. Crimes against the person total 28 incidents. The suburb sits in the 8th decile on IRSD, indicating relatively low disadvantage compared to most Australian suburbs.
Is Charlemont good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $415 against a $606,800 median gives a gross yield around 3.6%. The 7.6% vacancy rate is elevated due to ongoing land releases adding new supply. Net internal migration of 988 residents per year supports long-term demand. Prices grew 286.5% since 2017 but are 6.6% below the 2022 peak, so near-term capital growth depends on absorption of new stock. Population forecasts of 18,802 by 2031 suggest the demand trajectory is positive.
How is Charlemont's population changing?
The population grew 486.2% over 10 years, one of the highest rates in Victoria, driven by new residential development. The broader SA2 area reached 15,110 residents by 2025 and forecasts project 18,802 by 2031. Annual growth runs at roughly 835 persons per year, with internal migration contributing 988 net arrivals annually and overseas migration adding 43.
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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