Koo Wee Rup
A population that grew 52.9% in a decade while the median house price doubled from $315,000 to $645,000 tells you Koo Wee Rup is absorbing outer-Melbourne demand faster than most comparable towns. At 4,047 residents spread across 58.98 km2 on the Mornington Peninsula fringe, density sits at just 68.6 people per km2, far below urban norms, yet internal migration runs at a net 445 arrivals a year because affordability relative to the metropolitan median remains the dominant pull. Household income sits at the 63.1st percentile nationally, above average without being wealthy, and the suburb scores IRSD decile 6, which is mid-range on relative disadvantage. The workforce leans toward labourers, construction, and healthcare rather than professional services, a pattern consistent with the low university qualification rate of 13.1%, which is 17 points below the national figure.
Population
4,047
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,782/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$645K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $645,000 (Apr-Jun 2024) is down 9.8% from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $715,000, giving buyers purchasing power they lacked 18 months ago. Prices have still risen 104.8% since 2013, a CAGR of 5.3% over 14 years, above most regional VIC benchmarks. Separate houses make up 90.1% of dwellings, which is high even compared to suburban VIC averages, and 47.4% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, reflecting the family-oriented stock. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.5%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, meaning a median-income household can service the median mortgage without financial strain. Monthly repayments average $1,811, accessible against the $2,094 median weekly family income.
For Buyers
The median house price of $645,000 (Apr-Jun 2024) is down 9.8% from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $715,000, giving buyers purchasing power they lacked 18 months ago. Prices have still risen 104.8% since 2013, a CAGR of 5.3% over 14 years, above most regional VIC benchmarks. Separate houses make up 90.1% of dwellings, which is high even compared to suburban VIC averages, and 47.4% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, reflecting the family-oriented stock. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.5%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, meaning a median-income household can service the median mortgage without financial strain. Monthly repayments average $1,811, accessible against the $2,094 median weekly family income.
For Investors
The rental vacancy rate of 5.9% is elevated compared to the national average of roughly 1-2%, pointing to softer rental demand relative to supply. Weekly rent averages $320, low in absolute terms given the $645,000 median, implying a gross yield around 2.6%. The renter share is 18.6%, lower than the national average, because most households are owner-occupiers, limiting the tenant pool. Internal migration adds a net 445 people per year, which sustains demand for new dwellings over time, though only 2 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months. Rent growth of 58.4% over the decade outpaced many regional markets, suggesting that supply additions have lagged population growth. The migration-driven growth trajectory supports long-term capital demand, even if near-term yield is below metropolitan levels.
Development Activity
Total DAs
8
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Koo Wee Rup iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St John the Baptist's School
Prep-6 · 203 students
Koo Wee Rup Primary School
Prep-6 · 314 students
Koo Wee Rup Secondary College
7-12 · 846 students
Demographics
The median age is 34, which is 6 years below the national median, making this one of the younger communities relative to the national average. The overseas-born share is 12.1%, which is 9.5 points below national, reflecting a strongly Australian-born population. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic dominant: English (1,731 residents), Irish (406), and Scottish (362) are the three leading ancestries. University qualifications reach only 13.1%, which is 17 points below the national figure, consistent with a workforce concentrated in trades, construction, and healthcare rather than professional services. Average household size is 2.7, slightly above the national average of 2.5, and 48.2% of families include couples with children, a high share that drives the demand for 4-plus bedroom houses at 47.4% of stock.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.1%
Houses
0.7%
Townhouse
8.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits into three clear groups: 54.2% carry a mortgage, 27.2% own outright, and 18.6% rent. The dominance of mortgage holders over outright owners reflects the area's growth phase, where many residents bought in the last decade rather than inheriting long-held properties. Separate houses account for 90.1% of dwellings, well above Melbourne's broader mix, and apartments are only 8.9%. The price-history covers 15 quarters: from $315,000 in 2013 to a peak of $715,000 in Oct-Dec 2023, then a pullback to $645,000, with the 104.8% rise since 2013 giving a CAGR of 5.3%. The 5.9% vacancy rate is above state norms, suggesting more supply than demand in the rental segment currently. Mortgage-to-income at 23.5% and rent-to-income at 18.0% both sit below stress thresholds.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,811
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$809
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.9%
Unoccupied
87
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.7%
Couples, no children
3,346
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (18.5%, 213 workers) and Construction (18.1%, 209 workers) are nearly tied as the top industries, a pairing that reflects both the area's growth-related building activity and its role as a local services hub for an aging-leaning fringe population. Manufacturing (9.9%) and Education (9.5%) follow, with Other Services at 6.1%. By occupation, Labourers (268) lead, followed by Clerical/Admin (251), Community/Personal (240), Machinery/Drivers (236), and Managers (217), a broad blue and pink collar spread. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, low by national standards, and full-time employment runs at 65.3% of those employed. The SEIFA IEO decile is 3, below average for education and occupation outcomes nationally, while the IER decile reaches 8, which is higher than the IEO would suggest because property ownership rates are strong.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
6,946
Unemployed
234
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.3%
Part-time
31.7%
Participation
61.5%
Employed
1,866
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.1%
Postgraduate
1.7%
Born Overseas
12.1%
Dwellings
1,389
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total at 92.7% of commuters, higher than the state average, because public transport use sits at just 0.6%, reflecting the limited train and bus services connecting this outer area to Melbourne. Walking and cycling account for 1.7% of commute modes. No schools are recorded in the dataset for the Koo Wee Rup suburb boundary, so families depend on services in neighbouring catchments. The crime rate of 63.3 incidents per 1,000 residents covers 256 total incidents, led by property and deception offences (141) and crimes against the person (61). The IRSAD decile is 5, placing the suburb at the national median on the combined advantage/disadvantage index. Rent-to-income at 18.0% and mortgage-to-income at 23.5% both sit below stress thresholds, meaning housing costs are proportionate to incomes for most residents despite the growth in prices.
Drive
92.7%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.1%/yr
(+390 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 52.9% in the decade to the most recent Census, well above the national average for established suburbs, and the annual growth trend continues at 3.1%, adding roughly 390 people per year to the SA2 area. Internal migration is the primary engine, averaging a net 445 arrivals annually, with overseas migration contributing a modest net 37 per year. Medium forecasts project the local SA2 population rising from around 12,598 in 2025 to 14,287 by 2031, consistent with Melbourne's southeastern fringe absorbing families priced out of closer suburbs. The gentrification stage is Active, with a score of 40, and key signals include the accelerating internal migration rate and the affordability trend holding stable at around 39% of income from 2011 to 2021. Real income growth of 29.3% over the decade has not kept pace with rent growth of 58.4%, a divergence that compresses household flexibility over time.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+37
Net Internal / yr
+445
Gentrification Signal
Active
Net internal migration +445/yr, Accelerating: 15% → 63%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
256
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
63.3
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 Koo Wee Rup compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Koo Wee Rup a good suburb to live in?
Koo Wee Rup suits families looking for affordable detached housing on Melbourne's southeastern fringe. The median house price of $645,000 sits well below the Melbourne median, the mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.5%, below the 30% stress threshold, and 90.1% of dwellings are separate houses with 47.4% having 4 or more bedrooms. The trade-off is almost total car dependence, with public transport at 0.6% of commuters.
What is the median house price in Koo Wee Rup?
The median house price is $645,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 9.8% from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $715,000. Prices have risen 104.8% since 2013, a CAGR of 5.3% over 14 years. Weekly rent averages $320 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,811.
What schools are in Koo Wee Rup?
No schools are recorded inside the Koo Wee Rup suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring catchments. The local university qualification rate is 13.1%, which is 17 points below the national figure, consistent with the area's trades and services workforce profile.
Is Koo Wee Rup safe?
The crime rate is 63.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, covering 256 total incidents in the most recent period. Property and deception offences account for 141 incidents, crimes against the person for 61, and justice procedures offences for 35. The suburb scores IRSD decile 6, mid-range on relative disadvantage nationally.
Is Koo Wee Rup good for property investment?
The case is mixed. House prices rose 104.8% since 2013, a CAGR of 5.3%, and internal migration of 445 net arrivals per year sustains long-term demand. However, the rental vacancy rate is 5.9%, above national norms of 1-2%, and the renter share of 18.6% is below average, limiting the tenant pool. Gross rental yield is around 2.6% against the $645,000 median.
How is Koo Wee Rup's population changing?
Population grew 52.9% over the decade to the most recent Census and continues at 3.1% annually, adding around 390 people per year to the SA2 area. Internal migration drives growth at a net 445 arrivals annually. Medium forecasts project the SA2 population reaching 14,287 by 2031, up from 12,598 in 2025.
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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