suburb.guide

VIC · East Gippsland Council

Lakes Entrance, 3909

Est. population · Jun 2025

5,489

Growth (1 yr)

+0.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+4.2%

Median age

55

Median income

$866/wk

Employment rate

35.8%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$485,000

Languages at home

5.7%non-English

Most common: Italian, Greek, Punjabi

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

35.1/100
Below average

902nd in VIC

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • National parks
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Lakes Entrance is known for: Green suburb, Excellent transport, National parks, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

Lakes Entrance offers a slower mid-sized suburb life in East Gippsland Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.

Local crime has been trending higher of late. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because community and employment lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Lakes Entrance snapshot

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

Median house price

$485k

+16% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

5,489

+0.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

24.6%

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

#198

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

95th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

58th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

1/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

9th

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
35.1/100 — Below average
National rank
4669th in Australia
State rank
902nd in VIC
Peer rank
#198 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#425 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$485,000
Median price change
+15.5%

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

5,489(June 2025)

+0.6% annual · +4.2% over 5 years · 58th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.6%
5-year growth
+4.2%
Change in 1 year
+35
Change in 5 years
+221
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 (~5,800), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
5,145
Median age
55
Median household income / week
$866
Dwelling vacancy
24.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
705 of 2,861
Median monthly mortgage
$1,227
Employment rate
35.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,755 / 276 / 39 (+ 60 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 increased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
1,694
Against the person
323
Against property
523
Rate per 1,000 residents
308.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 16 residents
State safety percentile
95.2th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+53%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage116
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store85
  • B49 Other Theft82
  • C32 Drug Possession124
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order356

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
889
Median ICSEA percentile
9th
School list
  • Lakes Entrance Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 889 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 167 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 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

52 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Jetty Rd/Princes Hwy
  • Middle St/Princes Hwy
  • Police Station/Roadknight St
  • Post Office North/Esplanade
  • Post Office/Princes Hwy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Decent local green space — 7 parks in suburb
  • Well connected by public transport — 52 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.36
Sport & outdoors(1)
  • Lakes View Golf CourseGolf course

    189 Palmers Road

Transport(2)

2 bus stops

Other(2)
  • Waverley House CottagesApartment

    205 Palmers Road

  • Parking

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

2 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Esplanade ReservePark
  • Evatt ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
17
Parks (OSM)
7

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
2
Nearest hospital
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (34.5 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • Gippsland Lakes Community HealthClinic
  • PharmacyPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
154
Participants per 1,000 residents
28.1

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° / 14°
Rainfall
187 mm · ~23 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 11°
Rainfall
190 mm · ~24 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
15° / 6°
Rainfall
188 mm · ~24 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 9°
Rainfall
218 mm · ~27 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).

72 planning-related records

2021· 33 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Multi Lot Subdivision, roadworks associated with the subdivision and Removal of Native Vegetation
    55 LAKEVIEW DRIVE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works associated with for a moveable dwelling unit on Site 79
    685 ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909No permit required
  • Two lot subdivision and buildings and works for a second Dwelling
    40 DON ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works in the form of an alteration to the existing building façade of Shop 2 (installation of an external roller door)
    40A CHURCH STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Buildings and works for a dwelling within an Erosion Management Overlay and on land with a 15 percent slope within a Design and Development Overlay
    11 MACRAE COURT LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of a Medical Centre in the general residential zone 1, creation of access to a transport zone 2 and buildings and works including fencing in the land subject to inundation, erosion management and design and development overlays
    40 ROADKNIGHT STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Veranda and deck addition to a dwelling
    8 MACRAE COURT LAKES ENTRANCE 3909In progress
  • Buildings and works for a dwelling within the Design and Development Overlay and Bushfire Management Overlay and removal of vegetation and associated earthworks within the Erosion Management Overlay
    40 OCEAN VIEW PARADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works including earthworks for a single dwelling and associated outbuilding in the Bushfire Management Overlay, Design and Development Overlay and Erosion Management Overlay.
    66B GOLD RING ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
  • Development of an Agricultural Building within 10m of a boundary, and100m of a waterway within an Erosion Management and Environmental Significance Overlay
    159 COLQUHOUN ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of a shed
    35 ROWE STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a multi dwelling residential development within a Design and Development Overlay and Erosion Management Overlay
    11 BILLS STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate

  • May 2021

  • Buildings and works to an existing office (additions and alterations to a building for a section 2 use) and reduction to the standard car parking requirement
    11 HEATHERLEA GROVE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Works ancillary to an existing building altering the surface profile by more than 150mm, display of business identification signage including pylon, creation and alteration of access to a Transport Zone 2
    365A ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works, including earthworks, for an outbuilding and carport within a Design and Development Overlay, Erosion Management Overlay and Bushfire Mangement Ovelray
    61 ROBIN STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works (storage shed) associated with an existing use
    79 BUNGA CREEK ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works with two outbuildings
    43 BUNGA CREEK ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Construction of a single storey dwelling on a lot less than 300sqm
    23A GOLF LINKS ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works of a Dwelling, Outbuilding and Associated Earthworks
    14 OCEAN VIEW PARADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
  • Four Lot Subdivision and the Removal of Easement (E-1)
    42 MYER STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    205 PALMERS ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of a double-storey dwelling
    122A Myer StreetWithdrawn
  • Development of an outbuilding (shed)
    79 Colquhoun RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use & Development of an Indoor Recreation Facility (Mini-Golf), Subdivision into two lots adjacent to Road Zone Category 1 & reduction in the car parking requirement
    547 ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a two storey dwelling
    11 MERRANGBAUR STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for an outbuilding (carport)
    110 PALMERS ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Change of Use of existing shed to a vehicle store
    53 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Withdrawn
  • Buildings and works to an existing building
    605 EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision (restructure)
    112 Carpenter StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for a shed
    18 Norman CourtNo permit required
  • Two lot subdivision and variation of an easement (powerline)
    106 Ostlers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor pursuant to an on premises liquor license in association with the development of a restaurant, reduction of car parking and access alteration to a Road Zone Category 1 within Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.
    595 ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate

  • January 2021

  • Buildings and works for a garage
    424 Colquhoun RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 7 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings and works for a dwelling within a Bushfire Management Overlay and Design and Development Overlay
    95 Golf Links RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for a dwelling and outbuilding
    255 Colquhoun RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for a shed within an Erosion Management Overlay
    79 Bunga Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    9 Kinkuna CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Buildings and works (extension and alteration to a dwelling, construction of an outbuiding and fencing) within Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    421 EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for dwelling additions
    12 Mitchelson CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Temporary Red Line Area
    595 EsplanadeNo permit required

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • NEW WORKS HISTORIC COMPLEXNH1532

Data sources & freshness

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

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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
Gippsland
Member of Parliament
Darren CHESTER (The Nationals)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
118,075
Turnout (2025)
92.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+1.2 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 69.4%Labor 30.6%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 25.9 km away).

Coalition 73.4%Labor 26.6%

4.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +2.3 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Lakes Entrance EastLabor 26.2% · Coalition 73.8% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
  • Lakes EntranceLabor 28.5% · Coalition 71.5% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
  • Toorloo ArmLabor 25.1% · Coalition 74.9% TPP (2025)3.9 km away
  • MetungLabor 38.5% · Coalition 61.5% TPP (2025)13.9 km away
  • Nowa NowaLabor 22.9% · Coalition 77.1% TPP (2025)15.8 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)
2/10

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 East Gippsland Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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