Hastings
A crime rate of 145.1 per 1,000 residents, driven by 769 property and deception offences (51% of total), makes Hastings one of the higher-crime suburbs on the Mornington Peninsula, despite median house prices of $670,000 that place it as a budget entry point to the Peninsula market. The mortgage stress flag is triggered at 32.5% mortgage-to-income, the only affordability metric in breach, because household income at the 25th percentile nationally cannot comfortably service Peninsula-level prices. University qualifications at 15.0% sit 15.1 percentage points below the national average, the largest education gap in the local government area. The 4.9% CAGR over 14 years has been tempered by a 9.2% pullback from the 2023 peak of $737,500.
Population
10,369
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,197/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
21
Median House
$670K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $670,000 in April-June 2024 sits 9.2% below the peak of $737,500 reached in April-June 2023, a correction that has restored some buyer leverage. Over 14 years, prices grew from $345,000 (2013) to today's level at a 4.9% CAGR. Detached houses at 72.8% dominate, but semi-detached stock at 24.7% is unusually high for the Peninsula, suggesting townhouse infill. Three-bedroom homes lead at 48.4%, with two-bedroom at 25.4%, indicating smaller housing stock than the Peninsula average. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 32.5% breaches the 30% stress threshold, flagging affordability strain. Household income at the 25th percentile nationally means Hastings buyers earn less than three-quarters of Australian households.
For Buyers
The median house price of $670,000 in April-June 2024 sits 9.2% below the peak of $737,500 reached in April-June 2023, a correction that has restored some buyer leverage. Over 14 years, prices grew from $345,000 (2013) to today's level at a 4.9% CAGR. Detached houses at 72.8% dominate, but semi-detached stock at 24.7% is unusually high for the Peninsula, suggesting townhouse infill. Three-bedroom homes lead at 48.4%, with two-bedroom at 25.4%, indicating smaller housing stock than the Peninsula average. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 32.5% breaches the 30% stress threshold, flagging affordability strain. Household income at the 25th percentile nationally means Hastings buyers earn less than three-quarters of Australian households.
For Investors
Renters make up 32.2% of households, roughly at the national average, providing a moderate tenant base. Median weekly rent of $320 against a $670,000 median price delivers a gross yield of approximately 2.5%, below most investor expectations. The 5.8% vacancy rate is elevated, suggesting some rental oversupply. With 14 development applications in 12 months, including a notable 20-dwelling project, new supply is modest but includes medium-density infill that could add rental stock. Over 14 years, the 4.9% CAGR and 94.2% total price growth from $345,000 demonstrate long-term capital gains. The 9.2% pullback from peak creates a potential entry window, though the IRSAD decile 4 reading indicates below-average suburb advantage.
Development Activity
Total DAs
39
Last 12 Months
21
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+110.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Hastings iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Mary's School
Prep-6 · 126 students
Western Port Secondary College
7-12 · 747 students
Hastings Primary School
Prep-6 · 147 students
Wallaroo Primary School
Prep-6 · 85 students
Demographics
English ancestry leads at 4,602, with Scottish (1,052) and Irish (1,045) producing a predominantly Anglo-Celtic profile. Only 17.5% of residents were born overseas, 4.1 percentage points below the national average. University qualifications at 15.0% sit 15.1 points below the national figure, one of the largest education gaps in the Mornington Peninsula LGA and consistent with the IEO decile 5 reading. The median age of 41 runs 1 year above the national figure. Average household size of 2.3 and 29.1% couples without children suggest a mix of downsizers and young households. Community/Personal workers (593) and Labourers (581) are the two largest occupational groups, ahead of Professionals (451), reversing the typical suburban pattern.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
72.8%
Houses
24.7%
Townhouse
1.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure shows 33.8% own outright, 34.0% hold mortgages and 32.2% rent, a near-equal three-way split. The 24.7% semi-detached share is notably high for a Peninsula suburb, reflecting townhouse development. Three-bedroom homes at 48.4% and two-bedroom at 25.4% dominate, while four-plus bedrooms at 22.8% are below the Peninsula average. Prices have compounded at 4.9% over 14 years, growing 94.2% from $345,000 in 2013 to $670,000. The current median sits 9.2% below the 2023 peak of $737,500. The rent-to-income ratio of 26.7% is elevated but below the stress threshold, while the mortgage-to-income ratio of 32.5% breaches it, indicating that new buyers face affordability strain that renters do not.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,687
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$639
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.8%
Unoccupied
257
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
32.5% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.1%
Couples, no children
7,622
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 17.6% (452 workers), followed by Construction at 15.9%, Public Administration at 9.8%, Manufacturing at 9.2% and Education at 9.2%. The 15.9% Construction share is well above the national average and reflects building activity on the Peninsula corridor. Community/Personal workers (593) and Labourers (581) outrank Professionals (451) and Managers (449), a blue-collar occupational profile. The 4.9% unemployment rate is slightly above the national average, and the 47.3% participation rate is notably low, with 3,500 adults not in the labour force. The IEO decile 5 versus IER decile 6 gap shows economic resources slightly outpace educational credentials, consistent with trade-based incomes on the Peninsula.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.7%
Part-time
33.4%
Participation
47.3%
Employed
3,809
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.0%
Postgraduate
2.6%
Born Overseas
17.5%
Dwellings
4,186
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high at 89.6%, with only 0.4% using public transport and 3.7% walking or cycling. Crime at 145.1 per 1,000 is well above the state median, with Property and deception offences dominating at 769 (51% of total), Justice procedures at 371 (25%), Crimes against the person at 232 (15%) and Drug offences at 78 (5%). Four schools serve the area: St Mary's School (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1,008, 126 students) sits just above the national benchmark, while Western Port Secondary College (Government, 957, 747), Hastings Primary (Government, 921, 147) and Wallaroo Primary (Government, 889, 85) fall below it. The 119-point ICSEA range reflects the suburb's mixed socioeconomic character.
Drive
89.6%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,505
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
145.1
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 Hastings compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hastings a good suburb to live in?
Hastings provides an affordable entry to the Mornington Peninsula at $670,000 median, below many Peninsula comparators. Trade-offs include a 145.1 per 1,000 crime rate above the state median, mortgage stress at 32.5% (breaching the 30% threshold), household income at only the 25th percentile nationally, and 89.6% car dependence. The IRSAD decile 4 reading places it below the national median on advantage.
What is the median house price in Hastings?
The median house price is $670,000 as of April-June 2024, down 9.2% from the peak of $737,500 in April-June 2023. Over 14 years prices compounded at 4.9% annually, growing 94.2% from $345,000 in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,687 produce a 32.5% mortgage-to-income ratio, above the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $320.
What schools are in Hastings?
Hastings has 4 schools. St Mary's School (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1,008, 126 students) is the only one above the national benchmark. Western Port Secondary College (Government, 957, 747 students), Hastings Primary (Government, 921, 147) and Wallaroo Primary (Government, 889, 85) sit below 1,000. The 119-point ICSEA spread reflects the IRSAD decile 4 community profile.
Is Hastings safe?
Hastings recorded 1,505 offences at a rate of 145.1 per 1,000 residents, above the Victorian metropolitan median. Property and deception offences dominate at 769 (51%), followed by Justice procedures at 371 (25%) and Crimes against the person at 232 (15%). The IRSAD decile 4 and 9.6% need-for-assistance rate are consistent with the elevated crime pattern.
Is Hastings good for property investment?
Mixed signals. The 4.9% CAGR over 14 years and 94.2% total growth demonstrate long-term capital gains, and the 9.2% pullback from peak creates entry opportunity. However, the 2.5% gross yield ($320 rent on $670,000) is modest, vacancy sits at 5.8%, and a 20-dwelling project is in the pipeline. The IRSAD decile 4 and 25th percentile incomes limit tenant quality and rent growth.
How is Hastings's population changing?
Hastings has a population of 10,369 with a median age of 41, one year above the national figure. The 9.6% need-for-assistance rate and 3,500 adults not in the labour force suggest a significant retiree cohort. Semi-detached stock at 24.7% indicates ongoing infill densification. Only 17.5% of residents were born overseas, 4.1 points below the national average. Development activity is modest at 14 applications in 12 months.
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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