South Geelong
A 1,014-person suburb on 2.42 sq km, South Geelong has a density of 418.5 people per sq km and a median age of 37, which is 3 years below the national comparison. University attainment reaches 42.0%, 11.9 percentage points above the national level, while overseas-born residents account for 16.2%, 5.4 points below it. Compared with nearby Geelong and Newtown, its 1,014 residents and compact 2.42 sq km footprint create a smaller residential scale. The wider area records 12.0% population change over 10 years, with an ageing trajectory and 0.61% annual growth.
Local council: Greater Geelong
Population
1,014
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,642/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$760K
October to December 2025
Only a handful of houses sold here in this period, so this median can jump sharply from one quarter to the next for reasons that have nothing to do with the market. Treat it as a rough guide, not a settled price.
A typical $1,700 monthly mortgage equals 23.9% of household income, so the repayment load is not flagged as stressed. Housing is mainly detached at 68.6%, with 30.4% semi-detached stock. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.7%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 32.3%, suiting smaller households averaging 2.2 people. Compared with an apartment-led market, the local mix directs buyers toward traditional houses and attached homes.
For Buyers
A typical $1,700 monthly mortgage equals 23.9% of household income, so the repayment load is not flagged as stressed. Housing is mainly detached at 68.6%, with 30.4% semi-detached stock. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.7%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 32.3%, suiting smaller households averaging 2.2 people. Compared with an apartment-led market, the local mix directs buyers toward traditional houses and attached homes.
For Investors
Rental conditions are supported by a sizeable renter base: 37.7% of households rent, compared with 29.6% who own outright, and the weekly median rent is $350. A vacancy rate of 8.0% can give tenants more choice because more dwellings are available. Rent growth of 36.0% is higher than the 0.61% annual population trend, which may support rental income but also affect affordability. Only 3 development applications were lodged in 12 months, including a 2-lot subdivision, so new supply appears limited. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while the gentrification score is 13 and the stage is Not gentrifying.
Development Activity
Total DAs
6
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+200.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in South Geelong
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Geelong South Primary School
Demographics
South Geelong's median age is 37, 3 years below the national comparison, but the trajectory is ageing: the senior share has risen 3.7 percentage points while the young share has fallen 1.9 points. University attainment is 42.0%, 11.9 points above the national comparison, supporting a strong professional and managerial presence. English ancestry is recorded for 412 residents, followed by Irish at 170 and Scottish at 113; 496 report no religion and 403 Christianity. Household size averages 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national figure, consistent with 40.8% of couples having no children and 38.8% having children. Compared with a larger family suburb, the 29.2% turnover rate and 70.8% who stayed indicate moderate residential continuity.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
68.6%
Houses
30.4%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
South Geelong's price cycle has been uneven. Tenure is split between 29.6% outright owners, 31.0% mortgagors and 37.7% renters. Compared with the 2013 market, current prices are substantially higher, while the 68.6% separate-house and 30.4% semi-detached shares point to a low-rise housing mix. Three-bedroom homes account for 43.7%, and 2-bedroom homes 32.3%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,700
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$350
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$937
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
37
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.8%
Couples with children
40.8%
Couples, no children
18.0%
Single parent
255
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by Healthcare at 17.5% and 77 workers, Construction at 11.6% and 51, Education at 10.9% and 48, Professional/Tech at 9.6% and 42, and Public Admin at 8.4% and 37. The occupation profile is led by Professionals at 156 and Managers at 88, followed by Community/Personal at 81, Trades at 76 and Clerical/Admin at 70. Participation is 72.4%, unemployment is 4.1% and full-time employment is 56.8%, indicating a broad labour base rather than a narrowly specialised one. Household income is $1,642 weekly and sits at the 56.8th percentile, above the midpoint. SEIFA is mixed: IEO is decile 7, IER decile 3, IRSD decile 6 and IRSAD decile 6. The gap suggests qualifications do not translate evenly into household resources.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
610
Unemployed
25
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.8%
Part-time
36.6%
Participation
72.4%
Employed
585
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
42.0%
Postgraduate
13.4%
Born Overseas
16.2%
Dwellings
424
Transport to Work
Daily movement is car-oriented: 55.9% drive, compared with 1.8% using public transport, while 9.4% walk or cycle and 28.3% work from home. That makes access to a car practical for many households, although the compact 2.42 sq km area may support short local trips. Geelong South Primary School is the local government primary option; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address and compare nearby school choices. Recorded crime totals 237 incidents, or 233.7 per 1,000 residents, led by 178 property and deception offences versus 20 crimes against the person. Socioeconomic conditions are mixed: IRSAD and IRSD are both decile 6, while IEO is higher at decile 7. Compared with its education and occupation standing, the overall disadvantage profile is more moderate.
Drive
55.9%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
9.4%
Work from Home
28.3%
Growth Outlook
South Geelong is an established market with a forecast annual trend of 0.61%, and overseas migration is the primary growth driver. Population change across the wider area is 12.0% over 10 years, a measured pace compared with the 80.7% rise in house prices since 2013. The shift profile is ageing: the senior share is up 3.7 points, the young share is down 1.9 points and the working share is down 0.7 points. Gentrification signals are mixed, with a score of 13 and stage Not gentrifying, while the shift assessment records 36 and Early signs. The pattern suggests gradual demand rather than rapid expansion because the suburb is established and development activity totals only 3 applications in 12 months.
Population trend: Greater Geelong council area
South Geelong sits in the Greater Geelong council area. These are the council area's residents, not South Geelong's.
Residents 2025
295,052
Growth, 5 yr average
+2.1%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+2.2%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
237
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
233.7
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 South Geelong compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Geelong a good suburb to live in?
South Geelong can suit buyers wanting a compact, established setting, with a 37-year median age, 42.0% university attainment and 28.3% working from home. Compared with a larger suburb, its 1,014 residents and 2.42 sq km footprint feel more contained, while 233.7 crimes per 1,000 residents warrant address-level checking.
What schools are in South Geelong?
Geelong South Primary School is the local government primary school. Its published type is Primary and its sector is Government. Compared with suburb-wide assumptions, families should confirm the exact enrolment zone before signing a contract, because 1 local school does not guarantee the same access for every address.
Is South Geelong safe?
Safety needs close attention to property incidents. There were 237 recorded offences, equal to 233.7 per 1,000 residents; property and deception offences accounted for 178, compared with 20 crimes against the person. The rate should be weighed alongside the exact street, lighting, parking and building security rather than treated as a complete verdict.
Is South Geelong good for property investment?
It can suit an investor seeking a rental market with 37.7% renting, $350 weekly median rent and an 8.0% vacancy rate. Rent growth is 36.0%, higher than the 0.61% annual population trend, while only 3 development applications were recorded in 12 months. Compared with a larger supply pipeline, limited new approvals may support scarcity, but the 13 gentrification score and Not gentrifying stage call for measured expectations.
How is South Geelong's population changing?
South Geelong has 1,014 residents today. The wider area records 12.0% population change over 10 years and a 0.61% annual trend, with overseas migration the primary driver. The trajectory is ageing: senior share is up 3.7 points and young share down 1.9 points. Compared with the 80.7% house-price increase since 2013, population growth is more gradual.
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), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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