Kalimna
At a median age of 54, Kalimna runs 14 years older than the national figure, and that single fact explains much of what follows. With 1,350 residents spread across 7.82 square kilometres on Victoria's Gippsland Lakes, 52.5% of dwellings are owned outright, well above the national norm, because older owner-occupiers have paid down their mortgages. Household income sits in the 15.1st percentile nationally, meaning most earning-age activity happens elsewhere. The vacancy rate of 18.3% is high, pointing to a strong holiday-home and seasonal component rather than a stressed rental market.
Population
1,350
Median Age
54.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,055/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$580K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price reached $580,000 in the April-June 2024 quarter, up from $230,000 in 2013, a 152.2% gain and a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% over 14 years. That trajectory compares well against many regional Victorian markets. Separate houses dominate at 91.3% of dwellings, so buyers face little apartment competition. Three-bedroom homes account for 53.9% of stock and four-plus bedrooms 27.1%, giving families reasonable choice. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,256, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.5% stays below the 30% stress threshold, making purchase commitments manageable relative to local incomes.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $580,000 in the April-June 2024 quarter, up from $230,000 in 2013, a 152.2% gain and a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% over 14 years. That trajectory compares well against many regional Victorian markets. Separate houses dominate at 91.3% of dwellings, so buyers face little apartment competition. Three-bedroom homes account for 53.9% of stock and four-plus bedrooms 27.1%, giving families reasonable choice. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,256, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.5% stays below the 30% stress threshold, making purchase commitments manageable relative to local incomes.
For Investors
The investment picture is mixed. Weekly rent averages $280, and with a $580,000 median that implies a gross yield near 2.5%, below typical regional benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 18.3% is elevated because a large share of the 1,350-person stock serves as holiday accommodation rather than permanent tenancy, creating seasonal demand rather than stable year-round occupancy. Only 17.2% of dwellings are rented, a low share compared to most Victorian towns. Development activity is light at just 2 applications in the past 12 months. Capital growth has been the stronger story, with prices up 152.2% since 2013.
Development Activity
Total DAs
5
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+100.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 54 sits 14 years above the national figure, producing a population where couples without children represent 42.1% of all families and the labour force participation rate is only 40.8%. Overseas-born residents make up 13.4%, which is 8.2 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the predominantly Anglo-Celtic heritage: English (583), Scottish (139) and Irish (132) ancestries lead. University qualifications reach just 13.0%, which is 17.1 points below the national figure, consistent with a retired and trade-skilled population. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national level, matching the couples-without-children demographic pattern.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.3%
Houses
4.8%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Outright ownership at 52.5% far exceeds what most Victorian suburbs show, because older residents have cleared their mortgages over decades. Mortgage holders account for 30.3% and renters just 17.2%. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 91.3%, with semi-detached at 4.8%. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 53.9%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 27.1%. The high vacancy rate of 18.3% inflates the formal dwelling count relative to the permanent population of 1,350. Price history shows steady appreciation from $230,000 in 2013 to $580,000 in 2024, a CAGR of 6.8%. Rent-to-income sits at 26.5%, below the 30% stress mark.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,256
Rent / wk
$280
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$557
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
18.3%
Unoccupied
117
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.5%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.1%
Couples, no children
933
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 23.7% of the workforce (71 workers), nearly double the next sector, Construction at 10.4% (31 workers). Education follows at 9.0% and Public Admin at 7.7%. The occupation mix is spread across Labourers (86), Community and Personal Service (81), Managers (60) and Sales (59), with Professionals at 49. The unemployment rate is 6.9%, above the Victorian average, and the full-time rate of 51.3% among employed people reflects part-time and seasonal patterns common in coastal lifestyle communities. Labour force participation at 40.8% is low, driven by the older age profile rather than economic disadvantage alone, though household income ranks in the 15.1st percentile nationally.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
51.3%
Part-time
41.8%
Participation
40.8%
Employed
446
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.0%
Postgraduate
2.9%
Born Overseas
13.4%
Dwellings
519
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total at 91.6% of commuters, above the national average and expected given the rural coastal setting with limited public transport. Walking and cycling account for only 1.6% of trips. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on facilities in neighbouring Lakes Entrance or East Gippsland towns. The crime rate of 40.0 incidents per 1,000 residents covers 54 total offences, with property and deception offences leading at 16 incidents. Housing stress metrics are contained: rent-to-income at 26.5% and mortgage-to-income at 27.5% both stay below the 30% threshold. Volunteering runs at 14.8%, and 10.4% of residents need daily assistance, reflecting the older age profile.
Drive
91.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
54
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
40.0
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 Kalimna compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kalimna a good suburb to live in?
Kalimna suits retirees and lifestyle buyers well. The median age is 54, which is 14 years above the national figure, and 52.5% of residents own their home outright. Housing costs are contained, with mortgage-to-income at 27.5% and rent-to-income at 26.5%, both below the 30% stress threshold. The trade-off is low walkability and no schools within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Kalimna?
The median house price is $580,000, based on April-June 2024 sales. Prices have grown 152.2% since $230,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% over 14 years. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,256 at current interest rates.
What schools are in Kalimna?
No schools are recorded within the Kalimna suburb boundary. Families rely on schools in neighbouring East Gippsland towns including Lakes Entrance. University qualifications among local residents reach 13.0%, which is 17.1 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Kalimna safe?
Kalimna recorded 54 total offences in the reference period, a rate of 40.0 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences were the most common at 16 incidents, followed by crimes against the person at 15. The small population of 1,350 means individual incidents can shift the rate significantly.
Is Kalimna good for property investment?
Capital growth has been strong, with prices rising 152.2% from $230,000 in 2013 to $580,000 in 2024 at a CAGR of 6.8%. However, a high vacancy rate of 18.3% and a low renter share of 17.2% reflect heavy holiday-home ownership, which creates seasonal income rather than stable year-round yield. Weekly rent of $280 against the $580,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.5%.
How is Kalimna's population changing?
The resident population is 1,350, with 80.7% of people at the same address as five years ago, indicating a very stable community with low turnover. The 18.3% vacancy rate suggests a significant seasonal and holiday-home component beyond the permanent count. The median age of 54 is 14 years above national, pointing to an aging demographic base over time.
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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