Bellbrae (Vic.)

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Bellbrae's population is estimated at around 1,606 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 260 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,346. The change was inferred from Districts' estimate of 1,499 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, along with three validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 31 persons per square kilometer. Bellbrae's 19.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded Rest of Vic.'s 8.1% and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 53.0%. Districts is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year.

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Bellbrae has an educated workforce with the construction sector being notably well-represented. As of December 2025, its unemployment rate was 0.4%. Over the past year, employment remained relatively stable.

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Districts' latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that median income in Bellbrae is $45,649 and average income is $64,275. This contrasts with Regional Vic.'s figures of a median income of $50,954 and an average income of $62,728. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates for Bellbrae would be approximately $49,415 (median) and $69,578 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Bellbrae rank modestly, between the 38th and 44th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 21.7% of locals (348 people) fall into the $400 - $799 income category, unlike metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - category is predominant at . After housing expenses, of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the th decile.

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Bellbrae's dwelling structure in its latest Census showed 98.7% houses and 1.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bellbrae was at 58.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.3% and rented ones at 5.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,300, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Bellbrae was recorded at $380, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Bellbrae's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

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Family households constitute 73.6% of all households, including 32.5% couples with children, 36.0% couples without children, and 3.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 25.1% and group households making up 1.7%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

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Bellbrae's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 37.0% possess university qualifications, compared to 21.7% in the rest of Victoria and 28.6% in the SA4 region. This indicates a significant educational advantage for the area, positioning it well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.2% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 14.6% and certificates for 18.6%.

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Bellbrae has six active public transport stops, served by two routes offering a total of forty weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is limited, with residents located an average of 1850 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily, primarily using cars (94%), while 5% walk. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling in Bellbrae, above the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 33.1% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages five trips per day, equating to approximately six weekly trips per individual stop.

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Districts' assessment of Bellbrae shows excellent health outcomes, with younger cohorts having very low prevalence of common conditions.

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Bellbrae had low cultural diversity, with 85.7% citizens, 86.5% born in Australia, and 96.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 42.7%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Regional Vic's 0.1%.

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The median age in Bellbrae is 52 years, significantly higher than Regional Vic.'s average of 43 and well above the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age group is notably over-represented in Bellbrae at 14.8%, compared to Regional Vic.'s average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 6.1%. This concentration of the 75-84 cohort is well above the national average of 6.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 5.0% to 6.1% of Bellbrae's population. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has declined from 13.5% to 12.2%, and the - age group has dropped from to . Population forecasts for indicate substantial demographic changes in Bellbrae. The + cohort is projected to grow by , adding residents to reach while the - cohort grows by a modest ( people).

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Bellbrae currently has an estimated 43 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 61 children aged 0-2 and 40 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 16% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 35% by 2041 (to approximately 58 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 189. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.0 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.