suburb.guide

VIC · Bass Coast Council

Cape Paterson, 3995

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,179

Growth (1 yr)

+2.1%

Growth (5 yr)

+14.2%

Median age

55

Median income

$1,285/wk

Employment rate

49%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$865,000

Languages at home

5%non-English

Most common: Italian, Spanish, Greek

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

43.8/100
Average

627th in VIC

Verified 81% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • National parks
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
What Cape Paterson is known for: Coastal, National parks, Green suburb, Excellent transport, High desirability

Suburb profile

Cape Paterson is a coastal smaller community a long way from Melbourne, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.

Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.

Desirability sits around average overall, with local dining and lifestyle amenities the main drag compared with similar coastal suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Cape Paterson snapshot

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

Median house price

$865k

+12% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

1,179

+2.1% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

58.0%

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

#39

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

36th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

88th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

7/10

national SEIFA decile

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
43.8/100 — Average
National rank
3106th in Australia
State rank
627th in VIC
Peer rank
#39 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#76 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
81%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$865,000
Median price change
+11.6%

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

1,179(June 2025)

+2.1% annual · +14.2% over 5 years · 88th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+2.1%
5-year growth
+14.2%
Change in 1 year
+24
Change in 5 years
+147
Growth rank in VIC
88th 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 (~1,350), extrapolated at +2.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,111
Median age
55
Median household income / week
$1,285
Dwelling vacancy
58%
Unoccupied private dwellings
652 of 1,124
Median monthly mortgage
$1,517
Employment rate
49%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
452 / 9 / 3

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)
46
Against the person
7
Against property
31
Rate per 1,000 residents
39
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 159 residents
State safety percentile
36th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-36.1%

Most common offence types

  • B311 Residential Aggravated Burglary8
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary7
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft6
  • B49 Other Theft4
  • C32 Drug Possession4

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Public transport

13 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Marine St/Coral St
  • Seaward Dr/Cape Paterson Rd
  • Seaward Dr/Cape Paterson Rd
  • Seaward Dr/Cape Paterson Rd
  • Seaward Dr/Cape Paterson Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

50 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

5 playgrounds · 1 ev charging

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
  • Reasonable bus and transport access — 13 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
20/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
4.5
Sport & outdoors(11)
  • Allan Birt ReservePark
  • Cape FarmPark
  • Park (3)
  • Playground (4)
  • The Cape Adventure PlaygroundPlayground
  • Sports field

    567 Cape Paterson Road

Entertainment(1)
  • Viewpoint
Transport(10)

10 bus stops

Other(16)
  • Bbq
  • Bench (2)
  • Ingenia Holiday Park OranaCaravan Site
  • Ingenia Holidays Cape PatersonCaravan Site
  • ChargefoxEV charging
  • Wonthaggi Lifesaving Club KioskKiosk
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry (2)
  • Cape Paterson Nature Conservation ReserveNature Reserve
  • Parking (6)
  • Picnic Table (3)
  • Public toilets
  • Sanitary Dump Station
  • Shelter (3)
  • Shower (2)
  • Waste Basket

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

Parks & reserves

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Allan Birt ReservePark
  • Cape FarmPark
  • Cape Paterson Nature Conservation ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
8
Parks (OSM)
5

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
Wonthaggi Hospital (6.5 km)
Nearest hospital type
Public 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)
37
Participants per 1,000 residents
31.4

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
23° / 13°
Rainfall
143 mm · ~18 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
19° / 11°
Rainfall
223 mm · ~28 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 7°
Rainfall
308 mm · ~38 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
17° / 9°
Rainfall
248 mm · ~31 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).

21 planning-related records

2021· 10 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Buildings and works in association with seven portable buildings ( 5 buildings and 2 shipping containers) in a PCRZ and BMO - Application to amend plans
    14 BAY BEACH ROAD CAPE PATERSON 3995Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Development of land for dwelling in BMO2 - Amendment to Plans & Conditions
    64 SURF BEACH ROAD CAPE PATERSON 3995Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of land with 6 dwellings (in 2 two stages)
    2 SURF BEACH ROAD CAPE PATERSON 3995Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Amendment to plans - Construction of shed in BMO and associated communal gardens Original preamble - Use and development of land for an outbuilding (store) in a CDZ1 and BMO
    COMMON PROPERTY 1 PS719593, LOT 1-4, 5A, 5B, 6-125, A, B, S4 WILSONS ROAD CAPE PATERSON 3995Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an agricultural building located within 50 metres of Road Zone Category 1
    531 CAPE PATERSON ROAD CAPE PATERSON 3995Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of land for a dwelling over 7 metres in the BMO
    1 NARDOO STREET CAPE PATERSON 3995Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of Hothouses in FZ
    25 Wilsons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of land into 2 lots in a GRZ and BMO
    25 Marine StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Realignment of boundary between two lots in CDZ and GRZ1
    WILSON ROAD AND 59 CORAL STREET CAPE PATERSON 3995NOD issued by a delegate

  • January 2021

  • Development of land for a dwelling in BMO1
    59 Nardoo StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 11 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Development of land for a dwelling in the BMO1
    15 Marine StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Development of land for dwelling
    39 Nardoo StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Development of the land for a dwelling in the BMO1
    53 Coral StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for an outbuilding (store) in a CDZ1 and BMO
    Common Property 1 PS719593, Lot 1-4, 5A, 5B, 6-125, A, B, S4 Wilsons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Development of land for dwelling in BMO2
    64 Surf Beach RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of land for dwelling in BMO
    13 Wheeler RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of Native Vegetation in accordance with Clause 52.17
    "Boat Ramp' Hut ViewPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Develop and use a dwelling and ancillary outbuilding
    Wilsons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Development of land for dwelling in BMO2
    2 Heath StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Development of the land for Dwelling in BMO
    118 Surf Beach RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Display of Art work and removal of Native vegetation in PCRZ
    Surf Beach RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

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
Monash
Member of Parliament
Mary ALDRED (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
116,463
Turnout (2025)
93.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.2 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 54.1%Labor 45.9%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 22.2 km away).

Coalition 36.0%Labor 64.0%

18.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +2.3 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Cape PatersonLabor 65.5% · Coalition 34.5% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
  • WonthaggiLabor 57.9% · Coalition 42.1% TPP (2025)6.3 km away
  • Wonthaggi NorthLabor 53.8% · Coalition 46.2% TPP (2025)6.6 km away
  • InverlochLabor 55.9% · Coalition 44.1% TPP (2025)10.0 km away
  • DalystonLabor 54.6% · Coalition 45.4% TPP (2025)12.1 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)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

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

More in Bass Coast Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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