Thomson
A 52.9% renter share is the defining feature of compact Thomson, where 1,606 residents occupy 0.96 square kilometres at 1,681 people per square kilometre. The median age of 38 is 2 years below the national figure, while the 1.9-person average household is 0.6 below national size. Compared with nearby Newcomb and Whittington, Thomson has a small, established urban footprint rather than a broad suburban layout. Housing is mainly separate houses at 69.6%, but semi-detached homes account for 27.3%, helping support smaller households. A 10.8% vacancy rate and 17.9% working from home add flexibility, while the 259.7-per-1,000 crime rate makes address-level due diligence important.
Population
1,606
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,126/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$615K
October to December 2025
Thomson suits buyers seeking a compact Geelong setting with a mix of conventional houses and attached stock. Separate houses make up 69.6% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes contribute 27.3%, so buyers can compare land, upkeep and entry price rather than assuming one housing format. Three-bedroom homes represent 50.3% of stock, while 2-bedroom dwellings account for 31.5%. Mortgage repayments of $1,408 monthly equate to 28.9% of household income, and the mortgage stress flag is false.
For Buyers
Thomson suits buyers seeking a compact Geelong setting with a mix of conventional houses and attached stock. Separate houses make up 69.6% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes contribute 27.3%, so buyers can compare land, upkeep and entry price rather than assuming one housing format. Three-bedroom homes represent 50.3% of stock, while 2-bedroom dwellings account for 31.5%. Mortgage repayments of $1,408 monthly equate to 28.9% of household income, and the mortgage stress flag is false.
For Investors
Thomson presents a tenant-oriented profile: 52.9% of households rent, compared with 45.8% owning outright or with a mortgage combined. Weekly rent is $295 and vacancy is 10.8%, so investors may face less immediate leasing pressure than in tighter markets, even though higher vacancy can lengthen letting times for poorly presented stock. Rental growth of 36.0% is a stronger historical signal than the vacancy rate alone, supporting attention to tenant quality and property condition rather than headline yield. The development count is 0 over 12 months, limiting new competing supply in the short term. Forecast growth is 0.61% annually and is driven primarily by overseas migration, while the Aging trajectory supports demand for practical, low-maintenance dwellings. Compared with owner-occupied Thomson, renter demand is the clearer investment driver.
Demographics
Thomson's 1,606 residents form a smaller-household, Anglo-leaning profile. English ancestry accounts for 634 people, followed by Irish at 237 and Scottish at 206, while 15.8% were born overseas, 5.8 percentage points below the national figure. University attainment is 25.6%, or 4.5 points below national, and average household size is 1.9, 0.6 below national. The household mix explains the modest scale of family demand: couples without children make up 44.6% of families, compared with 29.9% couples with children, while one-parent families account for 23.4%. No religion is recorded for 808 residents versus 589 identifying with Christianity. With 76.6% staying at the same address and turnover at 23.4%, Thomson is more settled than a highly mobile renter market, despite its 52.9% renting share.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
69.6%
Houses
27.3%
Townhouse
3.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Thomson's recent price path has been firm but uneven. That leaves the latest figure 23.0% above the earliest quarter and at the five-quarter peak, while the four-year CAGR is 5.3%. Compared with the 2024 starting point, the rebound is more important than the $2,000 rise between the middle two 2025 quarters. Tenure remains renter-heavy: 52.9% rent, versus 21.2% owning outright and 24.6% with a mortgage.
Mortgage / mo
$1,408
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$295
Census 2021
HH Size
1.9
Personal Income / wk
$667
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.8%
Unoccupied
93
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.9%
Couples with children
44.6%
Couples, no children
23.4%
Single parent
368
Total families
Economy & Employment
Thomson's employment base is led by healthcare at 24.3% of workers, followed by construction at 12.5%, retail at 8.3%, education at 7.7% and hospitality at 7.2%. The occupation mix reinforces this practical orientation: trades account for 155 people, professionals 137, community and personal service 113, labourers 93 and clerical or administrative roles 85. Unemployment is 4.5% among a labour-force participation rate of 55.5%; 56.6% of employed residents work full time and 275 work part time. Economic advantage is mixed: the IEO is in decile 7, above the midpoint for education and occupation, but IER is decile 3, below the midpoint for economic resources. IRSD and IRSAD both sit at decile 6. This gap can reflect capable workers alongside modest household means, consistent with household income at the 21st percentile, lower than the national midpoint.
Unemployment
4.5%
Labour Force
779
Unemployed
35
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.6%
Part-time
37.0%
Participation
55.5%
Employed
744
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.6%
Postgraduate
6.7%
Born Overseas
15.8%
Dwellings
766
Transport to Work
Thomson is strongly car-oriented: 72.7% travel as car drivers, compared with 2.5% using public transport and 2.8% walking or cycling; 17.9% work from home. That pattern supports access for commuters with vehicles but makes route planning more important for households without one. Safety needs active due diligence: 417 recorded offences equate to 259.7 per 1,000 residents, led by 154 property and deception offences, 113 justice procedures offences and 99 crimes against the person. IRSAD is decile 6, around the middle compared with lower and higher advantage areas, while 10.3% report needing assistance. Compared with a walkable inner-suburban setting, Thomson's transport mix and crime rate make street selection, lighting and daily travel practical priorities.
Drive
72.7%
Public Transport
2.5%
Walk / Cycle
2.8%
Work from Home
17.9%
Growth Outlook
Thomson is forecast to grow at 0.61% a year, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 12.0% over 10 years, but the suburb's trajectory is labelled Aging: the senior share has risen 3.7 points while the young share has fallen 1.9 points. That combination points to demand for accessible homes and services because household needs are shifting even as growth remains moderate. Gentrification is rated score 13, stage Not gentrifying, while the broader shift rating is 36, Early signs, so recent price movement should not automatically be read as broad neighbourhood transformation. Compared with a high-growth corridor, the 0.61% annual pace is measured, while 36.0% rent growth makes affordability and tenant retention important. The 17.2% real income growth and improving affordability trend provide some support, but the Aging trajectory remains the clearest structural change.
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
417
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
259.7
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 Thomson compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thomson a good suburb to live in?
Thomson can suit residents wanting a compact, established Geelong suburb with 69.6% separate houses and 17.9% working from home. Its 52.9% renter share, 10.8% vacancy rate and car-driver rate of 72.7% mean buyers should assess noise, parking, transport and street conditions at the exact address.
What schools are in Thomson?
Thomson has 0 school campuses within the suburb. Families should check nearby government, Catholic and independent options by exact address, because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. Compare year levels, transport, application requirements and out-of-area rules before committing to a home.
Is Thomson safe?
Safety requires careful address-level checking. Thomson recorded 417 offences, equal to 259.7 per 1,000 residents, including 154 property and deception offences, 113 justice procedures offences and 99 crimes against the person. Inspect lighting, street activity and access routes at different times before renting or buying.
Is Thomson good for property investment?
Thomson has a strong rental base, with 52.9% renting, weekly rent of $295 and 10.8% vacancy. Rental growth is recorded at 36.0%, while 0 development activity over 12 months may limit new supply. Investors should balance that demand support against vacancy risk, property condition and the suburb's 0.61% forecast annual growth.
How is Thomson's population changing?
Thomson has 1,606 residents today and an Aging trajectory. The senior share has increased by 3.7 percentage points while the young share has fallen by 1.9 points. Across the wider area, population change is 12.0% over 10 years, with forecast growth of 0.61% annually driven primarily by overseas migration.
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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