Geelong (Vic.)

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According to the analysis of ABS updates for the region and address confirmations by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Geelong is calculated to be 5,841 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 30 people (0.5%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 5,811 residents. This shift is derived from an Estimated Resident Population of 5,792 assessed by Districts using the ABS data release from June 2025, alongside 11 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The resulting population density stands at 1,764 persons per square kilometer, a concentration that exceeds the average for Australian locations analyzed by Districts. The primary driver of this demographic expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 92.0% of the total population growth over recent periods.

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Data aggregated from statistical areas by Districts reveals that Geelong has a highly qualified local workforce with a strong presence in key service sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.4%, and relatively steady job numbers over the prior year. In March 2026, the employed population numbered 3,353 residents, while the local unemployment rate was 1.7% higher than the Regional Vic. rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is elevated at 67.8%, compared to the 61.1% recorded across Regional Vic. Census statistics indicate that a moderate 24.5% of local workers operated from home, though this figure reflects conditions during Covid-19 lock-downs.

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The most recent postcode-level ATO data compiled by Districts for financial year 2023 shows that residents in the suburb of Geelong earn very high incomes relative to the rest of the country, with a median of $54,980 and an average of $77,993. These figures are higher than the Regional Vic. median income of $50,954 and average income of $62,728. Factoring in a Wage Price Index growth rate of 9.62% since financial year 2023, local income estimates are positioned at roughly $60,269 for the median and $85,496 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census data, individual weekly income sits in the 61st percentile ($865), whereas household income is in the 45th percentile. The income distribution shows that 30.8% of the local population (representing 1,799 people) earn between $1,500 and which is very similar to the wider region where fall into this bracket. Housing costs place a heavy burden on residents, leaving only of income available, which ranks in the th percentile, and the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile for income.

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The mix of housing in Geelong at the time of the last Census consisted of 52.1% houses and 47.9% other dwelling types (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and miscellaneous accommodation), compared to Regional Vic. where houses made up 90.1% and other dwellings accounted for 9.9%. Home ownership rates in Geelong were lower than the Regional Vic. level, standing at 34.4%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (20.7%) or renting tenants (44.9%). The median mortgage payment in the area was significantly higher than the regional average, recorded at $2,000 per month, while the median weekly rent was $370, compared to Regional Vic. figures of $1,430 and $285, respectively. On a national level, Geelong's median mortgage costs exceed the Australian average of $1,863, whereas its median rents remain below the country-wide figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of local households at 53.3%, which includes couples with children at 17.9%, couples without children at 28.2%, and single-parent households at 6.0%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 46.7% of households, consisting of single-person households at 39.3% and group households at 7.4%. The median household size is 2.0 residents, which is smaller than the average of 2.4 residents observed across Regional Vic.

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Attainment of higher education in Geelong is substantially higher than regional benchmarks, with 41.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 21.7% in the Rest of Vic. and 27.3% in the surrounding SA3 region. This educational profile positions the workforce well for knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 26.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 10.7% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. Vocational and technical training is also well represented, with 27.3% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (16.5%).

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Public transport options in Geelong include 47 active transit stops, comprising a network of train services. These facilities are served by 48 distinct routes, which accommodate 10,057 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 195 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice at 70%, followed by walking at 21% and cycling at 2%. Vehicle ownership rates average 1.0 car per household, which is lower than the regional average. Working from home was recorded for 24.5% of workers during the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic restrictions.

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Evaluations of local health indicators demonstrate positive outcomes throughout Geelong, based on Districts analysis of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with low rates of common health conditions observed across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 58% of the population (~3,365 people) holding cover, compared to 50.5% across Regional Vic.

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Geelong exhibits higher levels of cultural diversity than average, with 24.0% of residents born outside Australia and 17.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 46.3% of the population. The most pronounced religious divergence is in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.3% of residents compared to 0.1% across Regional Vic.

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The median age of 39 in Geelong is lower than the Regional Vic. average of 43, while being close to the Australian median of 38. Compared to Regional Vic., Geelong has a larger proportion of young adults aged 25 - 34 (21.8%) but fewer children aged 5 - 14 (5.7%). This concentration of 25 - 34 year-olds is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the median age has dropped by 1.1 years from 40 to 39, showing a shift toward a younger population. Notable changes include the 25 to 34 cohort growing from 19.0% to 21.8% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort increasing from to . In contrast, the to group declined from to , and the to group decreased from to . Projections suggest the age profile of Geelong will shift by with the to age bracket expected to grow by people () from to while the number of residents in the to range is expected to decrease by .

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Geelong currently has an estimated 262 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 178 children aged 0-2 and 119 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 29% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 46% by 2041 (to approximately 382 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 338. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.8 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.