Portland
A coastal regional town of 10,016 people where nearly 42% of homeowners hold their properties outright, the highest outright-ownership rate in its region, yet household incomes sit at only the 21.5 percentile nationally. The median age of 47 runs 7 years above the national figure, and the senior share has jumped 8.7 percentage points over the past decade, making this one of Victoria's faster-aging suburbs. SEIFA places Portland at IRSAD decile 2, well below the national median, with IEO at decile 2 and IER at decile 3. Only 17.5% hold university qualifications, 12.6 points below the national average, while the labour force participation rate of 48.1% reflects a large retiree population with 3,501 people not in the labour force.
Population
10,016
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,146/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median House
$440K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $440,000 median house price makes Portland one of western Victoria's more affordable entry points, having grown 87.2% from $235,000 in 2013 at a 4.6% CAGR over 14 years. Prices have dipped 3.8% from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $457,500, suggesting minor cooling. Detached houses dominate at 88.4% of stock, with three-bedroom homes making up 56.4% of dwellings. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, well under the metropolitan average. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,083 are less than half the Melbourne median. Buyers should note the 11.6% vacancy rate, which is elevated compared to state averages and reflects Portland's seasonal and transient workforce patterns.
For Buyers
The $440,000 median house price makes Portland one of western Victoria's more affordable entry points, having grown 87.2% from $235,000 in 2013 at a 4.6% CAGR over 14 years. Prices have dipped 3.8% from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $457,500, suggesting minor cooling. Detached houses dominate at 88.4% of stock, with three-bedroom homes making up 56.4% of dwellings. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, well under the metropolitan average. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,083 are less than half the Melbourne median. Buyers should note the 11.6% vacancy rate, which is elevated compared to state averages and reflects Portland's seasonal and transient workforce patterns.
For Investors
Rental yields look attractive on paper, with $250 weekly rent against a $440,000 median producing roughly 3.0% gross yield, higher than Melbourne's middle ring. However, the 11.6% vacancy rate is among the highest in regional Victoria and represents genuine risk for landlords between tenants. Renters make up 27.6% of households, below the national average, and the tenant pool skews toward healthcare and manufacturing workers given these two industries employ 36.1% of the local workforce. Only 13 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, all subdivision-related, indicating minimal new supply pressure. Population growth of just 0.16% annually (18 persons per year) means demand is essentially flat, placing the investment thesis on yield rather than capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
48
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+62.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Portland iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Bayview College
7-12 · 291 students
St John's Lutheran School
Prep-6 · 112 students
All Saints Parish School
Prep-6 · 260 students
Portland Primary School
Prep-6 · 256 students
Portland South Primary School
Prep-6 · 142 students
Demographics
Portland's cultural profile is overwhelmingly Anglo-Celtic, with English (4,344), Scottish (1,235) and Irish (1,036) ancestries accounting for over 66% of declared heritage. Only 10.2% of residents were born overseas, 11.4 percentage points below the national average, making it one of the least diverse suburbs in Victoria. The median age of 47 sits 7 years above the national figure. Couples without children represent 35.4% of families, compared to couples with children at 32.3%, a ratio that signals an aging, post-family-formation demographic. The 18.2% volunteering rate runs above the national median, consistent with smaller regional communities. Christianity is the dominant religion at 4,135 adherents, with very small Buddhist (64) and Hindu (55) communities.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.4%
Houses
9.5%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure profile tells a clear story of established ownership. Outright owners at 41.8% far exceed the national average, mortgage holders make up 30.6%, and renters sit at 27.6%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 56.4%, with four-plus bedroom stock at 22.5%, reflecting the family housing built during Portland's aluminium smelter expansion era. Prices climbed from $235,000 in 2013 to a peak of $457,500 in late 2023, a 94.7% gain, before pulling back 3.8% to the current $440,000. The trough of $210,000 in 2014 shows the pre-boom floor. Semi-detached stock at 9.5% and apartments at just 1.3% indicate almost no densification, distinguishing Portland from growth-corridor suburbs where townhouse infill is common.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,083
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$617
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.6%
Unoccupied
543
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.4%
Couples, no children
7,114
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 23.2% of workers, followed by Manufacturing at 12.9%, Education at 12.5%, Construction at 7.7% and Public Administration at 7.7%. The manufacturing share, well above the national average, ties directly to Portland's aluminium smelter and associated supply chain. Community and Personal Service workers (610) nearly match Professionals (629) as the top occupational groups, with Labourers (596) close behind, a blue-collar tilt that sits lower than metropolitan suburbs. The 5.8% unemployment rate is moderate, but the 48.1% participation rate is low compared to the national average, driven by the large retiree cohort. SEIFA decile 2 on IRSAD reflects both the low income base (household weekly at $1,146, percentile 21.5) and limited educational attainment (IEO decile 2). The IER decile 3 sits slightly higher because outright home ownership buffers economic hardship.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
5,044
Unemployed
189
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.2%
Part-time
36.0%
Participation
48.1%
Employed
3,832
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.5%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
10.2%
Dwellings
4,141
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme at 88.3% driver share, with public transport at just 0.1%, reflecting Portland's isolation from the Melbourne rail network. Walking and cycling reach 5.2%, above many regional towns, possibly due to the compact town centre. Crime totalled 1,288 incidents at a rate of 128.6 per 1,000 residents, well above the Melbourne metropolitan median. Property and deception offences (481, 37%) and Justice procedures offences (346, 27%) dominate. Schools range from above-average to below the national benchmark: Bayview College (ICSEA 1,009, Independent secondary) and St John's Lutheran (1,007) sit above 1,000, while Portland Secondary College (946, 505 students) and Bundarra Primary (897) fall well below. The 9.3% of residents needing assistance with daily activities runs higher than the national average, consistent with the older demographic.
Drive
88.3%
Public Transport
0.1%
Walk / Cycle
5.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.16%/yr
(+18 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth has been negligible, with an annual rate of 0.16% adding just 18 persons per year. Over the past decade, population grew only 4.8%, well below the state average. The aging trajectory is pronounced: the senior share has increased 8.7 percentage points while the young adult share has dropped 3.3 points and the working-age share has fallen 4.3 points. Migration is balanced, with a small net internal outflow of 17 persons per year roughly offset by 24 overseas arrivals annually. The gentrification score sits at 0, confirming no gentrification signal. Real income growth of just 6.9% over the decade, below inflation in many years, indicates stagnant purchasing power. Medium projections forecast the population reaching 11,280 by 2031, essentially flat from today's 11,124.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+24
Net Internal / yr
-17
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,288
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
128.6
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 Portland compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland a good suburb to live in?
Portland suits buyers seeking affordable coastal living, with a $440,000 median house price and mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8%. Trade-offs include a high crime rate of 128.6 per 1,000 residents and IRSAD decile 2 ranking. The median age of 47 sits 7 years above the national figure, and public transport usage is just 0.1%.
What is the median house price in Portland?
The median house price in Portland is $440,000 as of April-June 2024, down 3.8% from the peak of $457,500 in late 2023. Over 14 years prices have grown 87.2% from $235,000 in 2013, compounding at 4.6% annually. Median monthly mortgage repayments sit at $1,083 and weekly rent is $250.
What schools are in Portland?
Portland has 7 schools. Bayview College (ICSEA 1,009, Independent secondary, 291 students) and St John's Lutheran School (1,007) lead. All Saints Parish (1,003, Catholic) and Portland Primary (981) sit near the national benchmark of 1,000. Portland Secondary College (946, 505 students) and Bundarra Primary (897, 86 students) rank below average.
Is Portland safe?
Portland recorded 1,288 offences at 128.6 per 1,000 residents, which is well above the Melbourne metropolitan median. Property and deception offences account for 481 incidents (37%), followed by Justice procedures (346) and crimes against the person (247). The IRSD decile 2 ranking is consistent with higher crime rates seen in disadvantaged areas.
Is Portland good for property investment?
Portland offers a gross rental yield around 3.0% ($250 weekly rent on $440,000 median), higher than Melbourne averages. However, the 11.6% vacancy rate is elevated and population growth is near zero at 0.16% per year. Capital growth of 4.6% CAGR over 14 years is moderate. The investment case depends on yield tolerance and long-hold horizon rather than growth expectations.
How is Portland's population changing?
Portland's population sits at roughly 10,016, growing just 4.8% over the past decade. Annual growth of 0.16% adds only 18 people per year. The suburb is aging rapidly, with the senior share up 8.7 percentage points and the working-age share down 4.3 points over the decade. Medium projections forecast 11,280 residents by 2031.
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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