North Geelong
A crime rate of 207.8 per 1,000 residents is the sharpest signal in North Geelong's data, running well above typical suburban averages, and it sits alongside an IRSAD decile of 4, placing the suburb in the lower half of advantage nationally. Yet the housing market tells a different story: median house prices reached $710,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, up 160.6% from $272,500 in 2013, a CAGR of 7.1% over 14 years. The renter share of 41.7% is elevated compared to broader VIC norms, and 28.0% of residents were born overseas, which is 6.4 percentage points above the national figure. These numbers together profile an affordable-entry, high-crime suburb with sustained capital growth driven heavily by overseas migration.
Population
3,225
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,490/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$710K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price hit $710,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, up from $620,000 just one quarter earlier and more than double the $272,500 recorded in 2013. That 160.6% rise over 14 years, at a CAGR of 7.1%, makes North Geelong one of the stronger long-run performers in the Geelong corridor. Separate houses dominate at 82.0% of stock, with semi-detached at 18.0%, so detached house buyers face a typical suburban mix rather than density. The three-bedroom dwelling is most common at 49.2%, followed by two-bedroom at 22.5% and four-plus at 22.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,625, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, below the standard 30% stress threshold, which makes servicing a purchase manageable for median-income households.
For Buyers
The median house price hit $710,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, up from $620,000 just one quarter earlier and more than double the $272,500 recorded in 2013. That 160.6% rise over 14 years, at a CAGR of 7.1%, makes North Geelong one of the stronger long-run performers in the Geelong corridor. Separate houses dominate at 82.0% of stock, with semi-detached at 18.0%, so detached house buyers face a typical suburban mix rather than density. The three-bedroom dwelling is most common at 49.2%, followed by two-bedroom at 22.5% and four-plus at 22.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,625, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, below the standard 30% stress threshold, which makes servicing a purchase manageable for median-income households.
For Investors
With 41.7% of households renting, North Geelong sits above the state average for renter share, providing landlords a broad tenant pool. Weekly rent of $315 against a $710,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.3%, modest but above the ultra-low yields seen in premium markets. The vacancy rate of 6.9% is elevated compared to national benchmarks and warrants caution, as it signals soft short-term rental demand. Overseas migration runs at a net positive 217 arrivals per year while internal migration shows a net outflow of 179, so population growth relies on international inflows. Development activity is low at 5 applications in 12 months, limiting near-term new supply competition. Rent growth of 36.0% over the measured period supports the income side of the investment case.
Development Activity
Total DAs
23
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-14.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in North Geelong iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
North Geelong Secondary College
7-12 · 989 students
Demographics
The median age of 40 matches the national figure, though the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 3.7 points and the working-age share fell 0.7 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents make up 28.0% of the population, which is 6.4 percentage points above the national average, reflecting strong international migration. Ancestry is predominantly English (925), Irish (319) and Scottish (277), with Croatian (42) and Punjabi (34) as the leading non-English languages. University qualifications reach 29.6%, which is 0.5 points below the national figure, placing the suburb close to average on educational attainment. Average household size is 2.3, slightly below the national figure of 2.5, consistent with the mix of couples with children (875 families) and couples without children (508).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.0%
Houses
18.0%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits across three segments: 26.4% own outright, 31.9% carry a mortgage and 41.7% rent. The elevated renter share relative to national norms reflects the suburb's lower SEIFA standing at IRSAD decile 4. The stock is 82.0% separate houses and 18.0% semi-detached, with no material apartment segment, which keeps the market focused on detached house transactions. Three-bedroom homes account for 49.2% of dwellings, the clear plurality, with four-plus at 22.1% and two-bedroom at 22.5%. The price series runs from $272,500 in 2013 to $710,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, a 160.6% gain. Mortgage-to-income sits at 25.2% and rent-to-income at 21.1%, both below the 30% stress threshold, signalling that current costs are manageable for residents at median income levels.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,625
Rent / wk
$315
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$730
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.9%
Unoccupied
84
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.6%
Couples, no children
2,069
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 21.1% (198 workers), well ahead of Education at 10.5% (98), Construction at 9.6% (90), Retail at 8.4% (79) and Professional/Tech at 8.2% (77). The occupational spread is broad: Professionals (297) lead, followed by Clerical/Admin (180), Community/Personal (173), Labourers (168) and Managers (148). The unemployment rate is 6.8%, above typical suburban norms, and the participation rate of 51.3% is low, partly because 996 residents are not in the labour force. Household income sits at the 46.6th percentile nationally, below the median, consistent with the SEIFA IRSD decile of 4. Real income grew 17.2% over the decade, a positive trend that has contributed to the affordability improvement from 42.7% in 2011 to 40.3% in 2021.
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
61.9%
Part-time
31.3%
Participation
51.3%
Employed
1,290
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.6%
Postgraduate
8.4%
Born Overseas
28.0%
Dwellings
1,138
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high in North Geelong: 85.0% of workers drive, compared with 63.7% nationally, while public transport use sits at just 2.8% and walking or cycling accounts for 5.5%. The crime rate of 207.8 incidents per 1,000 residents is the most significant livability concern, with property and deception offences comprising 399 of the 670 recorded incidents. The suburb scores IRSAD decile 4, placing it in the lower-advantage tier nationally, which correlates with the 17.0% of residents (514 people) who need daily assistance. The rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% is below the 30% stress threshold, keeping renting affordable relative to household income. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring areas.
Drive
85.0%
Public Transport
2.8%
Walk / Cycle
5.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.61%/yr
(+83 people/yr)
EstablishedNorth Geelong's population grew 12.0% over the past 10 years, above many established suburban benchmarks, driven primarily by overseas migration at a net positive 217 arrivals per year. Internal migration runs at a net outflow of 179 per year, meaning the suburb gains internationally but loses residents domestically, a pattern common in lower-SEIFA areas where upward mobility leads to departures. The annual growth rate of 0.61% translates to roughly 83 additional residents per year. Medium forecasts project the SA2 population reaching approximately 14,290 by 2031. The gentrification score of 13 and stage of not gentrifying indicates limited upward socioeconomic shift is underway, even as property prices have grown at a CAGR of 7.1% since 2013.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+217
Net Internal / yr
-179
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +10% since 2011, Net internal outflow -179/yr, Strong overseas inflow +217/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
670
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
207.8
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 North Geelong compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Geelong a good suburb to live in?
North Geelong offers affordable housing, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2% below the stress threshold, and solid long-run price growth of 160.6% since 2013. The main drawbacks are a crime rate of 207.8 per 1,000 residents and an IRSAD decile of 4, placing it in the lower-advantage tier nationally. Car dependency is high at 85.0% of commuters.
What is the median house price in North Geelong?
The median house price reached $710,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, up from $272,500 in 2013, a gain of 160.6% over 14 years at a CAGR of 7.1%. Weekly rent averages $315 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,625, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%.
What schools are in North Geelong?
No schools are recorded within the North Geelong suburb boundary in this dataset, so families typically rely on schools in neighbouring areas such as Geelong and Geelong West. University qualifications among local residents reach 29.6%, close to the national average.
Is North Geelong safe?
North Geelong recorded 670 incidents in the most recent year, giving a crime rate of 207.8 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than typical for suburban Victoria. Property and deception offences are the largest category at 399 incidents, followed by justice procedures offences at 94 and crimes against the person at 79.
Is North Geelong good for property investment?
The renter share of 41.7% is elevated compared to state norms, providing a solid tenant pool. Weekly rent of $315 against a $710,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.3%, and rent grew 36.0% over the measured period. However, the vacancy rate of 6.9% is above national benchmarks. The 7.1% CAGR since 2013 supports the capital growth case.
How is North Geelong's population changing?
The population grew 12.0% over the past decade and is forecast to reach approximately 14,290 by 2031. Overseas migration adds a net 217 residents per year, which is the primary growth driver. Internal migration shows a net outflow of 179 per year, with the annual growth rate running at 0.61%, or roughly 83 additional residents each year.
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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