suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Geelong Council

Breakwater, 3219

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,144

Growth (1 yr)

+0.5%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.3%

Median age

40

Median income

$1,077/wk

Employment rate

49.8%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$570,000

Languages at home

12.1%non-English

Most common: Italian, Greek, Mandarin

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

40.5/100
Average

730th in VIC

Verified 89% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
  • High desirability
What Breakwater is known for: Excellent transport, Education hub, Heritage area, High desirability

Suburb profile

Breakwater is a practical smaller community in Greater Geelong Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix.

Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.

Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment, plus parks and green space compared with similar metro suburbs, though schools and education, plus growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Breakwater snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$570k

+11% change

Median rent

$490/wk

Population (ERP)

1,144

+0.5% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.0%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#34

among Metro Melbourne · Emerging

Safety

91st

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

54th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

1/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

44th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
40.5/100 — Average
National rank
3661st in Australia
State rank
730th in VIC
Peer rank
#34 among Metro Melbourne · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#366 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$490
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$570,000
Median price change
+10.7%

Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Population

Estimated resident population

1,144(June 2025)

+0.5% annual · +3.3% over 5 years · 54th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.5%
5-year growth
+3.3%
Change in 1 year
+6
Change in 5 years
+37
Growth rank in VIC
54th percentile

ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.

Methodology

Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.

The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,200), extrapolated at +1.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,060
Median age
40
Median household income / week
$1,077
Dwelling vacancy
7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
34 of 486
Median monthly mortgage
$1,213
Employment rate
49.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
346 / 40 / 64

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
234
Against the person
34
Against property
89
Rate per 1,000 residents
204.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 31 residents
State safety percentile
90.9th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-4.1%

Most common offence types

  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle19
  • B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goods13
  • C32 Drug Possession31
  • D11 Firearms Offences23
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order25

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
5
Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
993
Median ICSEA percentile
44th
School list
  • Geelong East Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 948 · 24th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 147 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
  • MacKillop Specialist SchoolSpecial · Catholic · ICSEA 993 · 44th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 196 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
  • Tate Street Primary School GeelongPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1029 · 60th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 164 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
  • St Margaret's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1063 · 73th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 241 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
  • Whittington Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 896 · 10th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 153 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

14 public transport stops in this suburb

  • 47 Tucker St
  • Boundary Rd/Leather St
  • Dyson Ct/Leather St
  • Reeves Ct/Leather St
  • Tanner St/Leather St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

45 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 1 pubs · 2 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 1 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
  • Reasonable bus and transport access — 14 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
25/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.94
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.89
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.94
Food & drink(2)
  • The Showman's Bar and CafeCafe
  • Breakwater HotelPub

    57 Tucker Street, Breakwater

Community(1)
  • White Eagle HouseCommunity centre
Sport & outdoors(6)
  • Park
  • Orchard PlaygroundPlayground
  • Playground
  • Geelong RacecourseSports centre
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool
Transport(9)

9 bus stops

Other(13)
  • Breakwater HotelAlcohol
  • Bench
  • Geelong Showgrounds CampingCamp Site

    Unit Gate 2 77 Breakwater Road

  • Garden (7)
  • Grovedale KitchensKitchen
  • Parking (7)
  • Practice Pitch (2)
  • Breakwater Reserve Toilet BlockPublic toilets
  • Public toilets
  • Sanitary Dump Station
  • Shelter (2)
  • Track
  • Oz TrampolinesTrade

    Unit 3 21 Leather Street

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
1
Parks (OSM)
1

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Nearest hospital
Geelong Clinic (1.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
46
Participants per 1,000 residents
40.2

Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.

For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.

Data sources & freshness

Weather

Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Usual max / min
26° / 12°
Rainfall
128 mm · ~16 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 10°
Rainfall
124 mm · ~16 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
149 mm · ~19 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 8°
Rainfall
182 mm · ~23 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

35 planning-related records

2021· 13 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Removal of Native Vegetation
    140 TANNER STREET BREAKWATER 3219Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Construction of a Shed
    44 FELLMONGERS ROAD BREAKWATER 3219Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Construction of Two (2) Additional Dwellings and a Three (3) Lot Subdivision
    6 COSGROVE STREET BREAKWATER 3219Withdrawn
  • Change of Use to Motor Car Sales
    17/28 INDUSTRIAL PLACE BREAKWATER 3219Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Multi Lot Subdivision (18 Lots) and Creation of Access to a Transport Zone (Category 2)
    66-70 TUCKER STREET BREAKWATER 3219In progress
  • Buildings & Works Associated with an Extension to an Existing Industrial Building and Reduction of Carparking Requirements
    22-23 Industrial PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Construction of a Shed
    46-48 Fellmongers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of Land for Motor Vehicle Sales
    5/21 Leather StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of an Amenities Building
    41-45 Leather StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Removal of Native Vegetation
    140 Tanner StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Hardstanding, Fence and Shipping Container
    96-150 Breakwater RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Construction of Eight (8) Dwellings, Eight (8) Lot Subdivision and Alter and Create Access to a Road in a Transport Zone 2
    52 TUCKER STREET BREAKWATER 3219NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Storage Shed and new Freezer room
    2 Dyson CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 22 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Construction of a Carport on an Existing Warehouse Site
    298 Boundary RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Take Away Food Premise and Display of Business Identification Signage and Promotion Signage
    96-150 Breakwater RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Carport
    298 Boundary RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Four (4) Lot Subdivision
    16-18 Apparel ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of an Amenities Building
    41-45 Leather StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of Three (3) Warehouses and a Reduction in Car Parking
    14 Kadak PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Use and Development of Forty-One (41) Stores (Personal Storage Units), Forty-One (41) Lot Subdivision, Reduction of Car Parking and Demolition of a Front Fence
    106 Tanner StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and Works Associated with Additions to a Warehouse
    4 Reeves CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Additional Dwellings and a Three (3) Lot Subdivision
    6 Cosgrove StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • Use of the land for a Restricted Recreation Facility (Group Fitness Training)
    3/30 Leather StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Two Lot Subdivision
    42B Leather StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Multi-lot Subdivision and Removal of Easement E-2 from Crown Allotment 19B Section 6A City of Greater Geelong Parish of Corio
    5 Haworth CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial Demolition of Front Fence and Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Shed and Driveway
    108-110 Tanner StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Building and Works to Construct Stables and Other Works in Association with an Existing Racecourse Including the Existing Stables
    99 Breakwater RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings, Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Alteration of Access to a Road Zone Category 1
    15 Fellmongers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Warehouse
    14 Leather StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Buildings and Works Associated with a Car Park in a Special Use Zone (SUZ)
    96-150 Breakwater RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Buildings and Works in Association with the Construction of an Open-sided Shelter
    9-10 Reeves CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Seventeen (17) Lot Subdivision
    28-31 Industrial PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Removal of Native Vegetation
    13 Perry CloseWithdrawn
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Warehouse
    14 Leather StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Warehouses Including Storage Facilities, Business Identification Signage and a Reduction in the Statutory Car Parking Requirements
    3 Dyson CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

2 heritage places

  • OVOID SEWER AQUEDUCT OVER BARWON RIVERNH0895
  • SUNNYSIDE WOOL SCOURNH1146

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Corio
Member of Parliament
Richard MARLES (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
122,756
Turnout (2025)
92.7%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+0.7 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 36.8%Labor 63.2%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.7 km away).

Coalition 30.6%Labor 69.4%

6.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +0.1 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • ThomsonLabor 69.7% · Coalition 30.3% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
  • St Albans ParkLabor 66.8% · Coalition 33.2% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
  • Geelong SouthLabor 75.7% · Coalition 24.3% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
  • Newcomb SouthLabor 67.5% · Coalition 32.5% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
  • NewcombLabor 68.3% · Coalition 31.7% TPP (2025)2.4 km away

Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
1/10
IRSD decile (2021)
1/10

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Greater Geelong Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.