suburb.guide

VIC · Moyne Council

Illowa, 3282

Est. population · Jun 2025

310

Growth (1 yr)

+0.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.7%

Median age

47

Median income

$2,083/wk

Employment rate

60.9%

Languages at home

4.5%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

45.7/100
Average

Top 46% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 70% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
What Illowa is known for: Coastal, Excellent transport, High desirability

Suburb profile

Illowa is a coastal smaller community a long way from Melbourne, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.

Reported crime has been falling recently. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.

Desirability lands around average here: softer growth momentum weighing on the result versus similar coastal suburbs, even with community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Illowa snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

310

+0.7% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

4.4%

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

#33

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

7th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

58th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

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
45.7/100 — Average
State standing
Top 46% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2797th in Australia
State rank
573rd in VIC
Peer rank
#33 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#69 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
70%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

310(June 2025)

+0.7% annual · +3.7% over 5 years · 58th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.7%
5-year growth
+3.7%
Change in 1 year
+2
Change in 5 years
+11
Growth rank in VIC
58th 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 (~300), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
304
Median age
47
Median household income / week
$2,083
Dwelling vacancy
4.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings
5 of 113
Median monthly mortgage
$1,975
Employment rate
60.9%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
112 / 0 / 0

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)
4
Against the person
1
Against property
3
Rate per 1,000 residents
12.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 304 residents
State safety percentile
7.4th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-55.6%

Most common offence types

  • A231 Fv Common Assault1
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary2
  • B49 Other Theft1

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Public transport

3 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Fitzgibbons Lane/Princes Hwy
  • Princes Hwy/Lakeview Rd
  • Southern Cross Rd/Princes Hwy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

4 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 1 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
5/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
3.29
Transport(2)

2 bus stops

Other(1)
  • Artwork (2)

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

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Warrnambool - Port Fairy Coastal ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

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
St John of God Warrnambool Hospital (8.0 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)
8
Participants per 1,000 residents
25.8

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
24° / 11°
Rainfall
112 mm · ~14 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 9°
Rainfall
164 mm · ~20 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
251 mm · ~31 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 8°
Rainfall
212 mm · ~26 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).

25 planning-related records

2021· 10 proposals

  • July 2021

  • Re-subdivsion of four (4) existing lots into two (2)
    35 Willis LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Seven lot re-subdivision and creation of access to a Road Zone Category 1
    11 CURRANS LANE ILLOWA 3282NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
    LYNCHS ROAD ILLOWA 3282Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Use and development for workers accommodation associated with rural industry and agriculture
    483 PRINCES HIGHWAY ILLOWA 3282Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Use and development of a dwelling and outbuilding
    38 QUARRY ROAD ILLOWA 3282NOD issued by a delegate
  • Re-subdivision of land
    77 Conns LaneWithdrawn
  • Two lot re-subdivision (house excision)
    11 Currans LaneWithdrawn
  • Two lot re-subdivision (house excision)
    77 Conns LaneWithdrawn
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    30B Quarry RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding and verandah
    65 Douglas LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 15 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a replacement dwelling
    434 Illowa RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct an agricultural building
    Illowa RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    17 Fitzgibbons LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    629 Princes HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a display home centre
    Lynchs RoadLapsed

  • September 2020

  • Buildings and works to extend a habitable outbuilding
    7 Douglas LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the land for primary produce sales, the construction and display of business identification signage and the alteration of access to a Road Zone Category 1
    626 Princes HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a car port
    259 Illowa RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Two lot subdivision (house excision) and variation of the access to the RDZ1
    277 Illowa RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works to construct an agricultural building
    835 Tower Hill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    5 Fitzgibbons LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Use and development of a dwelling and creation of an access to a Road Zone Category 1
    Southern Cross RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Re subdivision of the land into 6 lots
    Illowa RoadLapsed
  • Use and development of the land for domestic animal boarding (cattery) and the display of business identification signage
    31 Douglas LaneNOD issued by the Resp. Authority

  • January 2020

  • Construct an outbuilding
    5 Lanes LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 31/03/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, FARNHAM ROAD30 Mar 2026 – 30 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · 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
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 10.5 km away).

Coalition 60.1%Labor 39.9%

0.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +39.9 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • DenningtonLabor 41.7% · Coalition 58.3% TPP (2025)4.5 km away
  • KoroitLabor 37.5% · Coalition 62.5% TPP (2025)5.6 km away
  • Warrnambool WestLabor 41.1% · Coalition 58.9% TPP (2025)6.6 km away
  • WoodfordLabor 36.2% · Coalition 63.8% TPP (2025)7.8 km away
  • Mailors FlatLabor 26.1% · Coalition 73.9% TPP (2025)8.2 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)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

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 Moyne Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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