Koo Wee Rup (Vic.)

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Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS, alongside new properties verified by Districts subsequent to the Census, the population of the suburb of Koo Wee Rup is projected to be approximately 4,499 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 452 residents (11.2%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted 4,047 individuals. This calculation is derived from a baseline of 4,359 residents estimated by Districts following analysis of the ABS June 2025 ERP release, with an additional 93 verified addresses added since the Census. The resulting density stands at 76 individuals per square kilometer, indicating low density and space for potential future expansion. The growth rate of 11.2% in the suburb of Koo Wee Rup since the 2021 Census outpaced the state figure of 9.3% and the national average, making it a regional leader. This upward trend was mostly supported by interstate relocation, which accounted for roughly 76.0% of the overall population rise, although natural increase and international arrivals also contributed positively.

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The local workforce displays a balanced mix of professional and manual occupations, with construction workers particularly well-represented, and a very low unemployment rate of 0.8% based on statistical area figures. As of March 2026, there are 477 working residents, and the unemployment rate is 3.9% lower than the Greater Melbourne rate of 4.8%, while participation in the labor force is low, sitting at 16.5% compared to 70.2% in Greater Melbourne. Census records show that a minor 13.4% of employed residents worked from home, though this period was affected by pandemic restrictions.

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Tax data from the ATO for the financial year 2023 shows that income levels in the suburb of Koo Wee Rup fall below the national average. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $51,407 and an average income of $59,640, compared to Greater Melbourne averages of $57,688 and $75,164. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be roughly $56,352 for the median and $65,377 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes placed in the 51st percentile across the nation. The most common income band is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 40.7% of residents (1,831 people), compared to 32.8% regionally. While housing expenses account for 16.0% of incomes, strong wages keep disposable income levels at the rd percentile.

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Residential structures in the suburb of Koo Wee Rup at the last Census consisted of 90.1% separate houses and 9.9% other dwelling types like apartments or townhouses, compared to the Melbourne metropolitan profile of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. The home ownership rate stood at 27.3%, which is lower than the Melbourne metropolitan average, with the remaining homes being purchased under a mortgage (53.9%) or occupied by tenants (18.8%). Typical monthly mortgage payments were $1,811 and median weekly rent was $320, lower than the Melbourne metropolitan figures of $2,000 and $390. Locally, mortgage costs are below the national average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also lower than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 76.0%, consisting of couples with children at 36.6%, couples without children at 25.8%, and single parent households at 12.5%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 24.0%, with single person households at 22.2% and group shared homes at 1.9%. The median household size of 2.7 people is slightly larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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Educational data shows lower levels of tertiary attainment, with university degree holders making up 9.9% of the population, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees represent the main qualification at 7.1%, with graduate diplomas at 1.7% and postgraduate degrees at 1.1%. Technical training is highly represented, as 43.7% of residents aged 15 and over hold vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificate qualifications at 34.1%.

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Public transport services consist of 2 active stops in the suburb of Koo Wee Rup. These stops are served by 4 routes, which provide a total of 289 passenger trips each week. Access to transport is limited, with residents living an average of 640 meters from the closest stop. Because the suburb of Koo Wee Rup is primarily residential, most workers travel out of the area, and private vehicles are the main transport mode at 96%. Households own an average of 1.8 cars, which is higher than the regional average. Working from home was recorded at 13.4% of residents in the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators reflect notable challenges in the suburb of Koo Wee Rup, based on mortality and chronic illness rates across younger and older age brackets, alongside a private health insurance rate of approximately 50% of residents (about 2,270 people). This compares to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with 87.9% of the population born in Australia, 91.0% holding citizenship, and 94.6% using only English at home. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 42.6% of residents. The most noticeable deviation from regional averages is in the Other category, which accounts for 0.7% of the population compared to 2.3% in Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of 34 years in the suburb of Koo Wee Rup is younger than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the suburb of Koo Wee Rup has a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (22.2%) but no residents aged 35 - 44 (exactly zero). The proportion of children aged 5 - 14 is higher than the national figure of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the 5 to 14 cohort grew from 15.2% to 22.2% of the population, and the 25 to 34 group rose from 15.5% to 21.2%. By contrast, the 35 to 44 cohort fell from to exactly zero, and the to age bracket fell from to exactly zero. Projections for suggest changing demographics, with the to cohort projected to experience no growth (exactly zero), adding no new residents to remain at exactly zero. Decreases are expected for the cohorts aged to and to .

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Koo Wee Rup currently has an estimated 494 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 205 children aged 0-2 and 137 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 61% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 476 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 520. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 16.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.