Geelong West
Prices nearly doubled from $440,000 in 2013 to $875,000 (98.9% growth, 5.0% CAGR over 14 years), but remain 12.2% below the $997,000 peak hit in 2022, placing Geelong West in a correction phase that mirrors broader regional Victorian trends. Crime at 121.6 per 1,000 residents is driven by property offences (544 of 893 total), notably higher than Melbourne inner suburbs of similar IRSAD decile 7 ranking. University education at 46.5% (16.4pp above national) alongside Professionals dominating occupations at 1,259 workers reveals a knowledge-worker suburb that commutes to Melbourne or works at Deakin.
Population
7,345
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,797/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$875K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $875,000 (Apr-Jun 2024) sits 12.2% below the 2022 peak of $997,000, and short-term data shows a dip to $860,000 (Jan-Mar 2024) before partial recovery. Monthly mortgage payments of $1,996 consume 25.7% of household income, just below the stress threshold. Stock is 73.9% detached, with 16.6% apartments and 9.1% semi-detached. The bedroom mix centres on 3-bedroom homes (46.2%), with 29.7% two-bedroom stock suitable for couples or downsizers. Vacancy at 9.4% is a buyer concern, indicating oversupply pressure.
For Buyers
The median house price of $875,000 (Apr-Jun 2024) sits 12.2% below the 2022 peak of $997,000, and short-term data shows a dip to $860,000 (Jan-Mar 2024) before partial recovery. Monthly mortgage payments of $1,996 consume 25.7% of household income, just below the stress threshold. Stock is 73.9% detached, with 16.6% apartments and 9.1% semi-detached. The bedroom mix centres on 3-bedroom homes (46.2%), with 29.7% two-bedroom stock suitable for couples or downsizers. Vacancy at 9.4% is a buyer concern, indicating oversupply pressure.
For Investors
The 41.2% rental share creates a deep tenant pool, second-highest in this analysis. Weekly rent of $350 on $875,000 purchase implies a gross yield of 2.1%, below typical regional Victorian returns. The 9.4% vacancy rate is problematic, roughly triple the balanced benchmark. Property crime at 544 offences may also deter quality tenants. Population growth at 0.91% annually (203 persons/year) adds moderate demand. Only 10 DAs in 12 months suggest limited new supply, but the existing vacancy must absorb first before conditions tighten.
Development Activity
Total DAs
16
Last 12 Months
11
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+450.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$32K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Geelong West iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Patrick's School
Prep-6 · 418 students
Ashby Primary School
Prep-6 · 259 students
Demographics
English ancestry dominates at 2,839, with Irish (1,210), Scottish (980), and Italian (529) reflecting traditional Geelong migration patterns. Only 19.8% were born overseas, 1.8pp below the national average. University attainment at 46.5% is 16.4pp above the national figure, unusual for a regional suburb and likely driven by Deakin University proximity. Italian (85 speakers), Mandarin (60), and Greek (23) are the most common non-English languages. Household size averages 2.2, 0.3 below the national figure, consistent with the 28.9% couples-without-children composition.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.9%
Houses
9.1%
Townhouse
16.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses account for 73.9%, apartments 16.6%, and semi-detached 9.1%. Three-bedroom homes lead at 46.2%, followed by 2-bedroom at 29.7%, reflecting Geelong's traditional worker-cottage stock. Renters (41.2%) outnumber mortgage holders (30.6%), indicating significant investor ownership. Outright owners sit at 28.1%. Prices grew 98.9% from $440,000 (2013) to the current $875,000, a 5.0% CAGR over 14 years, higher than the national median house price growth rate over the same period. But the peak-to-current decline of 12.2% from $997,000 signals the market has cooled. Mortgage stress at 25.7% is manageable but approaching attention thresholds.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,996
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$974
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.4%
Unoccupied
329
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.9%
Couples, no children
5,235
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 19.5% (604 workers), followed by Education (13.9%, 430), Professional/Tech (10.5%, 324), Construction (9.8%, 304), and Public Admin (8.0%, 249). Professionals dominate occupations at 1,259 workers, with Managers second at 614. Unemployment at 4.2% is below the national average. The 64.6% participation rate exceeds national norms. SEIFA IRSAD decile 7 indicates above-average advantage, though the IER decile of 4 suggests economic resources lag behind the educational capital (IEO decile 7), a common pattern in university-adjacent suburbs.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
8,221
Unemployed
420
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.6%
Part-time
32.2%
Participation
64.6%
Employed
3,765
Occupations
Top Industries
University
46.5%
Postgraduate
13.8%
Born Overseas
19.8%
Dwellings
3,180
Transport to Work
Two schools serve the suburb: St Patrick's School (Catholic, ICSEA 1,107, 418 students) and Ashby Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,059, 259 students). Both exceed the national benchmark comfortably. Walking/cycling at 10.1% is above average, reflecting the compact village layout. Public transport at 2.9% is low despite proximity to Geelong station. Crime at 121.6 per 1,000 is elevated, with property offences (544) dominating. Volunteering at 15.0% matches the national average. The 4.9% needing-assistance rate is close to the national norm.
Drive
81.9%
Public Transport
2.9%
Walk / Cycle
10.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.91%/yr
(+203 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is forecast to grow from 22,415 (2025) to 23,350 by 2031, at 0.91% annually (203 persons/year). Overseas migration (+200/year) is the primary driver, while internal migration runs at -88/year. Growth accelerated from 4% to 12% per period. The gentrification score of 45 (active) reflects a suburb in transition: real income grew 30.5% over the decade and affordability improved (mortgage-to-income fell from 41.1% to 36.5%). The stable trajectory label (not aging) distinguishes Geelong West from other regional Victorian suburbs. Growth at 0.91% annually ranks above the state average for established regional centres.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+200
Net Internal / yr
-88
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +16% since 2011, Accelerating: 4% → 12%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
893
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
121.6
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 Geelong West compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Geelong West a good suburb to live in?
Geelong West offers IRSAD decile 7 advantage, 46.5% university education (16.4pp above national), and 2 schools above ICSEA 1,059. The 10.1% walking/cycling rate reflects a walkable village character. Trade-offs include 121.6 per 1,000 crime rate (mostly property offences), 9.4% vacancy, and prices still 12.2% below their 2022 peak.
What is the median house price in Geelong West?
The median house price is $875,000 (Apr-Jun 2024), up 98.9% from $440,000 in 2013 (5.0% CAGR over 14 years) but 12.2% below the $997,000 peak in 2022. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,996 consume 25.7% of household income, below the stress threshold.
What schools are in Geelong West?
Geelong West has 2 schools: St Patrick's School (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1,107, 418 students) and Ashby Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1,059, 259 students). Both score well above the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000. Secondary students typically attend schools in central Geelong.
Is Geelong West safe?
The crime rate is 121.6 per 1,000 residents (893 total offences). Property and deception offences account for 544 incidents (61% of total), with crimes against the person at 111 and drug offences at 39. This is higher than comparable IRSAD decile 7 suburbs, partly reflecting the commercial strip along Pakington Street.
Is Geelong West good for property investment?
Gross yield of 2.1% ($350/week on $875,000) is below regional Victorian averages, and 9.4% vacancy is a significant risk. The 41.2% rental share indicates deep tenant demand in principle, but supply currently exceeds absorption. Prices are 12.2% below peak. This is a recovery play for patient investors, not a current-yield proposition.
How is Geelong West's population changing?
Population is forecast to grow from 22,415 to 23,350 by 2031 at 0.91% annually. Overseas migration adds 200 net people per year. Gentrification score of 45 (active) is backed by 30.5% real income growth over the decade and improving affordability. Growth accelerated from 4% to 12% per period.
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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