Winchelsea
Rent has grown 50% since 2011 while affordability has actually improved, with mortgage-to-income dropping from 38.1% to 36.3%, making Winchelsea one of the more resilient regional markets relative to income growth. The suburb sits on SEIFA decile 8 for relative disadvantage (IRSD) and decile 9 for economic resources (IER), placing it above the state median on both measures. Population has climbed 16.2% over ten years, driven by balanced migration (internal net 66, overseas net 18 per year), and the gentrification score of 31 signals early-stage transition. At 94.8% separate houses, this is one of the most detached-dominant small towns in the Surf Coast corridor.
Population
2,456
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,442/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Median House
$740K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price reached $740,000 in the April to June 2024 quarter, up from $670,000 in October to December 2023, a 10.4% gain in two quarters. Over 14 years since 2013, prices have risen 157.8%, a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%, compared to the national long-run average. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,560, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold and lower than many metropolitan suburbs. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 94.8%, with 3-bedroom dwellings the most common at 50.8% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 32.3%. Outright owners at 35.5% outnumber renters at 20.3%, a sign of stable, established ownership rather than high turnover.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $740,000 in the April to June 2024 quarter, up from $670,000 in October to December 2023, a 10.4% gain in two quarters. Over 14 years since 2013, prices have risen 157.8%, a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%, compared to the national long-run average. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,560, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold and lower than many metropolitan suburbs. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 94.8%, with 3-bedroom dwellings the most common at 50.8% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 32.3%. Outright owners at 35.5% outnumber renters at 20.3%, a sign of stable, established ownership rather than high turnover.
For Investors
The renter share of 20.3% is modest, and weekly rent sits at $295, giving a gross yield near 2.1% against the $740,000 median, below most regional benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 8.1% is elevated and signals soft rental demand relative to available stock, a caution for buy-to-let strategies. Development activity is low at 4 applications in 12 months, mostly subdivision permits rather than new dwelling construction, so supply pressure is limited. Net internal migration of 66 per year drives population growth at 1.26% annually, above the natural increase rate for most regional towns. Prices have never dipped below the 2024 peak, and the 14-year price history shows no extended trough beyond the 2015 low of $262,000.
Development Activity
Total DAs
19
Last 12 Months
4
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-20.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Winchelsea iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Winchelsea Primary School
Prep-6 · 141 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 matches the national figure, sitting within 1.0 year of the national median, so Winchelsea is neither notably young nor old by age alone. However the aging trajectory is clear: the senior share grew 4.5 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 1.9 points, consistent with the aging-trajectory identity signal. Overseas-born residents at 9.5% are 12.1 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born population. Ancestry leans heavily Anglo-Celtic, with English (1,030), Irish (300) and Scottish (283) the top three groups. University qualifications at 20.8% are 9.3 points below the national figure, consistent with a blue-collar and trades-oriented workforce. Average household size is 2.4, just 0.1 below national.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.8%
Houses
4.5%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Winchelsea has one of the highest separate-house rates you will find, at 94.8%, compared to the national average where apartments and townhouses take a growing share. Tenure splits with 35.5% owning outright, 44.2% carrying a mortgage and 20.3% renting, a mortgage-heavy profile that reflects a younger buying cohort entering the market. The median price climbed from $262,000 in 2015 to $740,000 in 2024, a gain of 157.8% over 14 years with a compound annual rate of 7.0%. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 50.8%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 32.3% reflecting the family orientation of the market. Rent-to-income at 20.5% stays below the 25% stress threshold, so renters here are not under abnormal financial pressure.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,560
Rent / wk
$295
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$749
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.1%
Unoccupied
84
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.7%
Couples, no children
1,862
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 21.1% of the workforce (157 workers), followed by Construction at 13.3% (99) and Education at 10.5% (78). Agriculture at 9.1% (68 workers) reflects the surrounding rural land use and is higher than urban norms. By occupation, Professionals (187) and Managers (165) lead, but Labourers (143) are close behind, pointing to a mixed-collar economy compared to professional-dominant suburbs. The unemployment rate is low at 2.4%, well below the national average, and the full-time employment rate is 62.0%. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 7 and IEO decile of 7 indicate moderate socioeconomic advantage, above the national median on both dimensions. Real incomes grew 27.9% over the decade, a solid gain that supports the improving affordability ratio.
Unemployment
3.0%
Labour Force
3,910
Unemployed
117
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.0%
Part-time
35.6%
Participation
51.8%
Employed
1,022
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.8%
Postgraduate
3.5%
Born Overseas
9.5%
Dwellings
954
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 88.5% of commuters, far above urban benchmarks, because the suburb lacks meaningful public transport (1.2% of residents). Walking and cycling account for 5.6%, above what many regional towns record, partly reflecting the compact township scale. The crime rate of 44.8 incidents per 1,000 residents is driven mainly by property and deception offences (63 of 110 total), with crimes against the person at 20. The IRSAD decile of 7 positions the suburb above the national median for socioeconomic advantage, and mortgage stress at 25.0% of income is below the 30% threshold. Volunteering at 18.3% is solid and indicates community participation. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on services in nearby Surf Coast towns.
Drive
88.5%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
5.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.26%/yr
(+89 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 1.26%, translating to roughly 89 additional residents per year, and medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 7,436 by 2031. Population has grown 22% since 2011, with early gentrification signals including accelerating net internal migration of 66 per year. The gentrification score of 31 places the suburb at an early-signs stage, meaning uplift has started but prices have not yet overshot incomes. Rent growth of 50% since 2011 is faster than income growth of 27.9%, compressing affordability slightly but not critically. The young-adult share is down 2.0 points while the senior share is up 4.5 points, so the population is aging even as it grows, a pattern common to attractive regional centres below major city prices.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+18
Net Internal / yr
+66
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +22% since 2011, Net internal migration +66/yr, Accelerating: 1% → 22%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
110
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
44.8
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 Winchelsea compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winchelsea a good suburb to live in?
Winchelsea ranks on SEIFA IRSAD decile 8 and IER decile 9, placing it above the national median on both disadvantage and economic resources measures. Mortgage-to-income at 25.0% is below the 30% stress threshold, the crime rate is 44.8 per 1,000 residents, and volunteering runs at 18.3%, pointing to a stable and relatively affordable community.
What is the median house price in Winchelsea?
The median house price is $740,000, recorded in the April to June 2024 quarter. Prices rose from $670,000 in October to December 2023. Over 14 years since 2013, prices climbed 157.8% at a compound annual rate of 7.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,560.
What schools are in Winchelsea?
No schools are recorded within the Winchelsea suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on educational facilities in neighbouring Surf Coast towns. University qualifications among residents at 20.8% are 9.3 points below the national average, consistent with a trades and services workforce profile.
Is Winchelsea safe?
The recorded crime rate is 44.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 110 total incidents. Property and deception offences account for 63 of those, with crimes against the person at 20. The suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 8, indicating below-average disadvantage nationally, which is generally correlated with lower crime risk.
Is Winchelsea good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $295 against a $740,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.1%, below most regional benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 8.1% signals soft rental demand. The long-term case is stronger: prices grew 157.8% over 14 years at 7.0% compound annually, and annual population growth of 1.26% with net internal migration of 66 per year supports medium-term demand.
How is Winchelsea's population changing?
Population grew 16.2% over the past decade and is rising at 1.26% per year, adding about 89 residents annually. Net internal migration of 66 and overseas migration of 18 per year are the primary drivers. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 7,436 residents by 2031. The population is aging, with the senior share up 4.5 points over the decade.
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.
Explore Winchelsea on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map