Grantville
At a median age of 52, Grantville sits 12 years above the national figure, making it one of the most age-skewed suburbs in regional Victoria. The 1,168-person coastal community covers 14.99 km2 on Western Port Bay with a population density of just 77.9 people per km2. Household income lands at the 17.8th percentile nationally, well below average, yet the median house price reached $590,000 in April-June 2024. That combination, below-average incomes against a near-$600K median, produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.6%, above the 30% stress threshold. The suburb is overwhelmingly owner-occupied, with 47% owning outright, and detached housing at 89.7% of stock leaves almost no apartment or medium-density supply.
Population
1,168
Median Age
52.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,107/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Median House
$590K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $590,000 in April-June 2024 reflects a slight correction from the $645,000 peak in April-June 2023, sitting 8.5% below that high. Over 14 years from 2013, prices compounded at 7.5% annually, rising 174.4% from $215,000, a strong long-run record compared to many regional peers. The stock runs heavily towards detached houses at 89.7%, with three-bedroom homes making up 46.3% and four-plus bedroom dwellings at 26.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,517 against a household income at the 17.8th percentile nationally creates real affordability pressure, with mortgage-to-income at 31.6% crossing the standard stress threshold. Buyers seeking a sea-change at a price point lower than Melbourne metropolitan suburbs will find standalone houses dominate the choice, with very few apartments or semi-detached options available.
For Buyers
The median house price of $590,000 in April-June 2024 reflects a slight correction from the $645,000 peak in April-June 2023, sitting 8.5% below that high. Over 14 years from 2013, prices compounded at 7.5% annually, rising 174.4% from $215,000, a strong long-run record compared to many regional peers. The stock runs heavily towards detached houses at 89.7%, with three-bedroom homes making up 46.3% and four-plus bedroom dwellings at 26.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,517 against a household income at the 17.8th percentile nationally creates real affordability pressure, with mortgage-to-income at 31.6% crossing the standard stress threshold. Buyers seeking a sea-change at a price point lower than Melbourne metropolitan suburbs will find standalone houses dominate the choice, with very few apartments or semi-detached options available.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $300 against a $590,000 median implies a gross yield close to 2.6%, below what most investors target on a risk-adjusted basis. The vacancy rate of 17.6% is the most significant caution, sitting well above a healthy 3% threshold and indicating an oversupply of available rental stock relative to tenant demand. Only 17.5% of dwellings are rented, meaning the rental market is thin. Net internal migration adds 29 residents annually and overseas migration contributes 16, giving a combined inflow that sustains modest but not rapid demand growth. Population grew 13.8% over the decade, and the medium forecast projects the broader locality reaching 6,921 by 2031 from 6,505 in 2025. The gentrification score of 34 indicates early signs of change, but the gentrification index categorises the suburb as not actively gentrifying, so capital uplift is more likely to be gradual than sharp.
Development Activity
Total DAs
14
Last 12 Months
4
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-33.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 52 is 12 years above the national average, driven by a senior share that rose 7.2 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.7 points and the young share declined 3.7 points, a clear aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents account for 17.5%, which is 4.1 points below the national figure. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (543 residents), Scottish (130) and Irish (117). University qualifications at 17.4% run 12.7 points below the national average, reflecting a workforce anchored in trades, services and manual roles rather than knowledge industries. Average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below national, consistent with the couples-without-children profile that accounts for 40.2% of families. Volunteering at 14.0% reflects community engagement appropriate for a small, stable coastal town.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.7%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
The 14-year price run from $215,000 in 2013 to $590,000 in April-June 2024 represents a 174.4% total gain at a 7.5% CAGR, competitive compared to broader regional Victoria benchmarks. The market peaked at $645,000 in April-June 2023 and has since eased 8.5%, offering buyers a moderate discount from the peak. Ownership tenure is unusually high: 47.0% own outright and 35.5% carry a mortgage, leaving only 17.5% renting, which is well below the national renting share. Separate houses at 89.7% dominate the stock, with apartments at only 0.6%. The three-bedroom home is the typical format at 46.3%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 26.3%, and one-or-two bedroom dwellings at 27.5%. Mortgage stress is a consideration with the monthly repayment of $1,517 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.6%, above the 30% benchmark.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$625
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
17.6%
Unoccupied
109
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.6% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
40.2%
Couples, no children
828
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 18.5% of the local workforce, followed by Construction at 12.6% and Education at 9.6%, together accounting for about 40% of jobs. Manufacturing and Retail round out the top five at 8.6% and 6.3% respectively. By occupation, Professionals (68 workers) and Managers (59) lead, though Community and Personal Services (57) and Clerical and Administrative roles (57) reflect the service-oriented local economy. The unemployment rate of 4.5% is above a typical low-disadvantage suburb, and the labour force participation rate of 45.8% is lower than national norms, largely because the older age profile (median 52) pulls many residents into retirement. Real income grew 15.6% over the decade. The SEIFA IEO decile of 3 places Grantville in the lower third nationally for education and occupation, while the IER decile of 8 reflects stronger household economic resources, partly from high outright ownership.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
3,341
Unemployed
70
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.8%
Part-time
31.7%
Participation
45.8%
Employed
445
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.4%
Postgraduate
3.0%
Born Overseas
17.5%
Dwellings
506
Transport to Work
Car dependency is pronounced, with 92.5% of workers driving to work, reflecting the limited public transport options typical of small coastal communities more than 80 km from Melbourne CBD. Walking or cycling accounts for only 2.7%. No schools are recorded inside the Grantville boundary, so families depend on nearby towns for schooling. Crime totals 79 incidents, giving a rate of 67.6 per 1,000 residents; property and deception offences are the largest category at 36 incidents, followed by crimes against the person at 26. The IRSAD decile of 4 places the suburb below the national median for socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage. Rent-to-income at 27.1% is below the 30% stress threshold for tenants, while mortgage-to-income at 31.6% exceeds it. The 8.2% of residents needing assistance with daily activities is slightly above the national baseline, consistent with the older demographic profile.
Drive
92.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.0%/yr
(+65 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is projected at 1.0%, adding around 65 persons a year, and the medium forecast shows the broader locality growing from 6,505 in 2025 to 6,921 by 2031. The 10-year historical change of 13.8% and signals of population growth at 19% since 2011 confirm steady, sustained expansion rather than a boom-and-bust pattern. Migration is balanced, with 29 net internal arrivals and 16 net overseas arrivals annually. The affordability trend is stable, improving slightly from 27.0% mortgage-to-income in 2011 to 25.3% in 2021, suggesting the local market has not overheated relative to incomes over that window. The gentrification score is modest at 34 out of 100, indicating early signs of change rather than active transformation. The resident stability rate of 75.8% staying in the same address over five years shows a settled population base.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+16
Net Internal / yr
+29
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +19% since 2011
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
79
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
67.6
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 Grantville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grantville a good suburb to live in?
Grantville suits retirees and sea-change buyers more than young families. At 47% outright ownership and a median age of 52 years, 12 above the national figure, it is a settled, low-turnover community. Car dependency is high at 92.5% of workers driving, public transport is limited, and the IRSAD decile of 4 places it below the national median for socioeconomic advantage.
What is the median house price in Grantville?
The median house price was $590,000 in April-June 2024, down 8.5% from the $645,000 peak in April-June 2023. Prices have grown 174.4% from $215,000 in 2013, a 7.5% annual compound rate over 14 years. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517.
What schools are in Grantville?
No schools are recorded inside the Grantville suburb boundary in this dataset. The suburb has a population of 1,168 and covers 14.99 km2, so families with school-age children typically travel to neighbouring towns. University qualifications at 17.4% are 12.7 points below the national average, indicating the local workforce leans towards trades and services rather than graduate roles.
Is Grantville safe?
Grantville recorded 79 total crimes in the reference period, a rate of 67.6 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences were the largest category at 36 incidents, and crimes against the person totalled 26. As context, the IRSAD decile of 4 indicates moderate disadvantage, which nationally correlates with somewhat higher crime exposure than top-decile suburbs.
Is Grantville good for property investment?
The long-run capital growth at 7.5% CAGR over 14 years is a positive, but the 17.6% vacancy rate is a major red flag for landlords, sitting well above a healthy 3% level. Weekly rent of $300 against a $590,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, and with only 17.5% of dwellings rented the tenant pool is thin. Investment suits a long-horizon hold rather than income-driven strategy.
How is Grantville's population changing?
Grantville and the broader locality grew 13.8% over the past decade, with annual growth now running at about 1.0% per year. The medium forecast projects 6,921 residents by 2031, up from 6,505 in 2025. Migration is balanced, averaging 29 internal and 16 overseas net arrivals annually, but the population is aging, with the senior share rising 7.2 points over 10 years.
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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