suburb.guide

VIC · Cardinia Council

Koo Wee Rup, 3981

Est. population · Jun 2025

3,935

Growth (1 yr)

+5.2%

Growth (5 yr)

+34.2%

Median age

34

Median income

$1,782/wk

Employment rate

64.4%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$720,000

Languages at home

5.4%non-English

Most common: Italian, Greek, Serbian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

58.3/100
Good

Top 25% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Green suburb
  • High desirability
  • Education hub
  • Excellent transport
What Koo Wee Rup is known for: Coastal, Green suburb, High desirability, Education hub, Excellent transport

Suburb profile

Koo Wee Rup is a coastal mid-sized suburb where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. The wider metro area and neighbouring suburbs stay within easy reach when you want a change of scene. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Residents can rely on buses for getting around locally and across the city. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.

A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Desirability rates good overall, led by stronger growth momentum compared with similar coastal suburbs.

At a glance

Koo Wee Rup snapshot

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

Median house price

$720k

+7.9% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

3,935

+5.2% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

5.9%

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

#4

among Coastal & beach · Growth area

Safety

64th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

97th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

3/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

34th

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
58.3/100 — Good
State standing
Top 25% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
1193rd in Australia
State rank
315th in VIC
Peer rank
#4 among Coastal & beach · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#44 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$720,000
Median price change
+7.9%

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

3,935(June 2025)

+5.2% annual · +34.2% over 5 years · 97th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+5.2%
5-year growth
+34.2%
Change in 1 year
+193
Change in 5 years
+1,003
Growth rank in VIC
97th 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 (~4,950), extrapolated at +4.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
4,047
Median age
34
Median household income / week
$1,782
Dwelling vacancy
5.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
87 of 1,480
Median monthly mortgage
$1,811
Employment rate
64.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,251 / 10 / 124 (+ 4 other)

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)
282
Against the person
50
Against property
169
Rate per 1,000 residents
71.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 81 residents
State safety percentile
63.7th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-5.4%

Most common offence types

  • A231 Fv Common Assault20
  • B21 Criminal Damage25
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle22
  • B49 Other Theft52
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order35

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
972
Median ICSEA percentile
34th
School list
  • Koo Wee Rup Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 972 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 314 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Koo Wee Rup Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 964 · 31th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 846 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
  • St John the Baptist's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1013 · 53th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 203 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Koo Wee Rup PreschoolRossiter Roadkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

2 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Koo Wee Rup Bus Interchange/Rossiter Rd
  • Koo Wee Rup Bus Interchange/Rossiter Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

53 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 bakeries · 3 playgrounds · 2 sports centres · 1 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 9 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
Walkability proxy
47/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.49
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.22
Food & drink(2)
  • Bakery
  • Koo Wee Rup PubPub
Shopping(2)
  • WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(4)
  • Koo Wee Rup PreschoolKindergarten

    356 Rossiter Road

  • Koo Wee Rup Primary SchoolSchool

    28-34 Moody Street

  • Koo Wee Rup Secondary CollegeSchool

    345-357 Rossiter Road

  • St John the Baptist Primary SchoolSchool

    172-180 Station Street

Health & services(2)
  • Koo Wee Rup Medical CentreClinic

    303 Rossiter Road

  • Pharmacy
Sport & outdoors(13)
  • Lions ParkPark
  • Park (5)
  • Playground (3)
  • Koo Wee Rup Swimming PoolSports centre
  • Sports centre
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool
Transport(1)

1 bus stops

Other(13)
  • BWSAlcohol
  • Bench (2)
  • Koo Wee RupBus Station
  • Koo Wee Rup Bus InterchangeBus Station
  • Ponderosa Timber and HardwareDoityourself

    40-65 Station Street

  • Royal HotelHotel
  • Oshar Leather WorksLeather

    124 Station Street

  • Parking (17)
  • Woolworths ParkingParking
  • ShellPetrol station
  • Koo Wee RupPolice
  • Australia PostPost office

    44 Station Street

  • Public toilets

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

  • Lions ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
16
Parks (OSM)
9

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

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
Koo Wee Rup Hospital (1.5 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Koo Wee Rup HospitalHospital
  • Koo Wee Rup Medical CentreRossiter RoadClinic
  • PharmacyPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
153
Participants per 1,000 residents
38.9

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
25° / 12°
Rainfall
197 mm · ~25 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 9°
Rainfall
228 mm · ~28 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
13° / 5°
Rainfall
261 mm · ~33 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 7°
Rainfall
304 mm · ~38 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).

51 planning-related records

2021· 23 proposals

  • September 2021

  • T180293-1 APP - Amended Planning Permit Application Subdivision of land into nine (9) lots and creation of access to a Road Zone Category 1
    400 ROSSITER ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Withdrawn
  • Use and development of the land for a Telecommunications Facility and associated works
    380 KOO WEE RUP ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981NOD issued by a delegate
  • Proposed colourbond steel veranda attached to the side of the existing dwelling
    2 FLAX COURT KOO WEE RUP 3981Withdrawn

  • August 2021

  • Use of the land for a Place of Worship (church) and the Development of the land for a Warehouse
    116 DENHAMS ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Withdrawn
  • Buildings and works associated with an agricultural building
    75 ISLAND ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Land Development
    400 ROSSITER ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Withdrawn
  • Please find attached town planning application for 'Use of land for a Place of Worship and Development of land for a Warehouse" at 116 Denhams Road, Koo Wee Rup VIC 3981. This application is being lodged following GE210282 - General Enquiry and GE210450 - Pre-Application meeting. We kindly request provision of an invoice so we can organize payment of council application fees Should you require any additional information or clarification, please feel free to contact me via the details below Kind
    116 DENHAMS ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Withdrawn

  • July 2021

  • Development of the land for a covered arena
    370 KOO WEE RUP-LONGWARRY ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling extension (alfresco)
    125 MCDONALDS DRAIN ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • To reinstate areas of land on our property to the level they previously sat, before severe rain fall caused it to wash away, leaving it below drain level.
    175 FECHNER ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Lapsed
  • Develop a new shed building.
    73 MCDONALDS DRAIN ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Lapsed

  • June 2021

  • Subdivision of the land into two (2) lots
    48 HENRY STREET KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Variation to easement E-2 on LP147923T
    JOHN THE BAPTIST PRIMARY SCHOOL, 172-180 STATION STREET KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • CONSTRUCTION OF A CARPORT
    40 Alexandra AvenueWithdrawn
  • Development of the land for three (3) dwellings behind an existing dwelling
    16 HENRY STREET KOO WEE RUP 3981NOD issued by a delegate

  • March 2021

  • Use of the land for restricted retail premises (automotive parts and accessories)
    124 Denhams RoadLapsed
  • Removal of Powerline Easements created as E3, E4 & E5 on PS825012T in favour of TXU Electricity Ltd and Creation of Powerline Easements E3 & E4 in favour of AusNet Electricity
    10 NO 5 DRAIN ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Re-subdivision of land into three (3) lots (boundary realignment)
    3460 BALLARTO ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendments to planning permit T170291 (issued for the buildings and works (including partial demolition and development of a fence) associated with two retail premises (shops), the construction of two (2) dwellings and subdivision of the land (boundary realignment)) to amend what the permit allows and the endorsed plans.
    284 ROSSITER ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with an agricultural outbuilding (shed)
    60 Island RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • To submit the relevant documents to gain a building permit for this project.
    19 Shelton Park DriveWithdrawn
  • Use and development of the land for a dwelling and associated earthworks
    22 NO 5 DRAIN ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (garage)
    35 Boundary Drain RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 17 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Alterations and extensions and partial demolition to an existing Hotel in a Heritage Overlay, the use of the land for a Gaming Premises and use of 40 Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs), use of the land for a Function Centre, a reduction in car parking, alterations to access to a Road Zone Category 1, an increase to the area for the sale and consumption of liquor and an increase to the number of patrons allowed under a licence
    96-102 STATION STREET KOO WEE RUP 3981Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Construction of an outbuilding associated with agriculture
    275 McDonalds Drain RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of easement E-1 on Lot 1 LP 204633N
    30 Sybella AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with the extension of an existing machinery shed
    1285 MANKS ROAD KOO WEE RUP 3981Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Subdivision and buildings and works comprising filling of the land as per Melbourne Water's requirements
    110 Denhams RoadWithdrawn
  • Construction of and use of the land for a dwelling
    295 McDonalds Drain RoadWithdrawn

  • August 2020

  • Development of the land for two (2) dwellings
    48 Henry StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • Use and development of land for a Dependent Person¿s Unit
    180 Main Drain RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a building and construct and carry out works on land in a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    33 Henry StreetRefusal issued by a delegate

  • June 2020

  • Buildings and works (learning centre and library) associated with an existing Education Centre (Primary School)
    172-180 Station StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Multi-lot subdivision in stages, vegetation removal, creation of access to a Road Zone Category 1 and associated works
    390 & 394 ROSSITER ROAD AND 9A SUPREME CLOSE KOO WEE RUP 3981In progress
  • Subdivision of the land into 32 lots and creation of access to a Road Zone Category 1
    390 Rossiter RoadWithdrawn
  • Development of the land for two buildings (sheds) and associated works
    540 Main Drain RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Construction of a storage warehouse
    Moody StreetWithdrawn
  • Use and development of the land for a warehouse
    Moody StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Seven (7) Lot Subdivision in Stages.
    228 Rossiter RoadWithdrawn
  • Two (2) lot subdivision
    8 Mickle StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • HAREWOODNH0284

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
La Trobe
Member of Parliament
Jason WOOD (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
115,425
Turnout (2025)
93.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+6.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 52.1%Labor 47.9%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 14.0 km away).

Coalition 56.9%Labor 43.1%

4.9 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +3.8 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Koo Wee RupLabor 43.3% · Coalition 56.7% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
  • BaylesLabor 32.1% · Coalition 67.9% TPP (2025)6.1 km away
  • Lang LangLabor 44.9% · Coalition 55.1% TPP (2025)10.3 km away
  • Pakenham SpringsLabor 51.1% · Coalition 48.9% TPP (2025)11.9 km away
  • Pakenham CentralLabor 52.7% · Coalition 47.3% TPP (2025)12.7 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)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
4/10

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 Cardinia Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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