suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Geelong Council

Moolap, 3224

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,753

Growth (1 yr)

+0.3%

Growth (5 yr)

-1.7%

Median age

59

Median income

$1,279/wk

Employment rate

39.1%

Languages at home

6.1%non-English

Most common: Mandarin, Turkish, Vietnamese

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

46.2/100
Average

Top 44% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 78% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Moolap is known for: Coastal, Green suburb, Excellent transport, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

Moolap is a coastal smaller community where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. Neighbouring pockets and the city remain accessible for work, dining and weekends away from the beach. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees.

Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here.

Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

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

At a glance

Moolap snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

$490/wk

Population (ERP)

1,753

+0.3% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.3%

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

#29

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

78th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

49th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

4/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

33rd

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
46.2/100 — Average
State standing
Top 44% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2708th in Australia
State rank
553rd in VIC
Peer rank
#29 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#65 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
78%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$490

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

1,753(June 2025)

+0.3% annual · -1.7% over 5 years · 49th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.3%
5-year growth
-1.7%
Change in 1 year
+6
Change in 5 years
-30
Growth rank in VIC
49th 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 (~1,750), extrapolated at +0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,825
Median age
59
Median household income / week
$1,279
Dwelling vacancy
7.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
53 of 728
Median monthly mortgage
$1,907
Employment rate
39.1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
610 / 27 / 0 (+ 33 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)
193
Against the person
22
Against property
133
Rate per 1,000 residents
110.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 83 residents
State safety percentile
77.8th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+1%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage23
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary18
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft15
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle19
  • B49 Other Theft22

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
970
Median ICSEA percentile
33th
School list
  • Moolap Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 970 · 33th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 197 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

27 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Essex St/Portarlington Rd
  • Essex St/Portarlington Rd
  • Highcliff St/Bellarine Hwy
  • Larkins Lane/Portarlington Rd
  • The Peninsula Hotel/Bellarine Hwy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

47 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 1 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Decent local green space — 0 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 27 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
32/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.55
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.55
Parks per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink(1)
  • Cafe
Shopping(1)
  • Convenience store
Community(1)
  • Moolap Primary SchoolSchool

    22-30 Wills Crescent

Sport & outdoors(4)
  • Bellarine Lakes Resort Golf Club (private)Golf course
  • Moolap ReservePlayground
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool
Transport(9)

9 bus stops

Other(12)
  • Bench (3)
  • Moolap Caravan ParkCaravan Site
  • Compressed Air
  • Geelong Flower FarmFlorist
  • Thrift ShopInterior Decoration
  • Parking (17)
  • BP MoolapPetrol station

    369 Portarlington Road

  • Picnic Table
  • MOOLAP RESERVE TENNIS TOILETSPublic toilets
  • Public toilets
  • Shelter (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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
12
Parks (OSM)
0

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
Barwon Health - Newcomb (2.6 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)
107
Participants per 1,000 residents
61.0

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).

59 planning-related records

2021· 28 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Use of the land for a Transfer Station and Materials Recycling and Associated Advertising Signage
    72-80 BUCKLEY GROVE MOOLAP 3224NOD issued by a delegate
  • Alterations to Existing Building and Construction of Two (2) Additional Warehouses
    13-25 MOON STREET MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Staged Subdivision of the Land into Eight (8) Lots and Creation of Access to Road Zone Category 1
    371-379 PORTARLINGTON ROAD MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Four Lot Subdivision and Creation of Carriageway Easements
    13-25 MOON STREET MOOLAP 3224In progress

  • August 2021

  • Construction of a Shed
    562-570 BELLARINE HIGHWAY MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Storage Shed
    68-72 ESSEX STREET MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Change of Use to a Equine Veterinary Centre, Construction of Associated Advertising signage, Reduction of Carparking Requirements and Construction of an Internal Office Structure in an SBO
    8-12 COONEY STREET MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Verandah in a Special Building Overlay
    1-5 ALICE STREET MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Industrial Storage Shed (Potato Storage)
    56-60 BUCKLEY GROVE MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Change of Use to Automotive Electrical Workshop
    252-290 TOWNSEND ROAD MOOLAP 3224Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and Works to Existing Building, Construction of a Car Park, Alteration of Access to a Road in a Road Zone Category 1 and Display of Business Identification Signage
    251-259 BELLARINE HIGHWAY MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of Ten (10) Warehouses
    371-379 PORTARLINGTON ROAD MOOLAP 3224Withdrawn

  • June 2021

  • Buildings & Works for a Portable Building Associated with a Place of Worship
    406-410 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of a Store
    54-60 EARLS ROAD MOOLAP 3224NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of twelve (12) Warehouses, twelve (12) Lot Subdivision and Reduction of Car Parking Requirements
    35-43 DENBIGH STREET MOOLAP 3224In progress
  • Construction of a Shed
    481-489 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Creation of Access to a Road Zone Category 1
    562-570 BELLARINE HIGHWAY MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Four Lot Subdivision
    57-77 MOON STREET MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed
    16-22 Hunter StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of a Concrete batching facility (Expansion of existing site)
    25-33 SUN STREET MOOLAP 3224NOD issued by a delegate

  • April 2021

  • Construction of a Shed
    21-39 Scotts RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Verandah
    231-239 Townsend RoadNo permit required

  • March 2021

  • Two Lot Subdivision (Boundary Re-alignment)
    182-192 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Use and Development of Retirement Village, Aged care facility, associated recreation facilities, including the retention of a nine (9) hole golf course and waiver of bicycle parking
    13 Gull DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed
    32 HIGH STREET MOOLAP 3224In progress
  • Construction of a Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay
    216-218 Portarlington RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with an Extension to an Existing Shed
    291 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Construction of a Shed
    26 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 12 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Continuation of Existing Use Rights as a Dwelling and Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Replacement Dwelling
    362-370 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Warehouses and Reduction of Carparking
    5 Moon StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works Associated with an Existing Dwelling
    320 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for the Construction of Warehouse and Store Buildings, Removal of Native Vegetation, Reduction in the Car parking Requirements of Clause 52.06 and Alteration of Access to a Road in Transport 2 Zone
    361-363 PORTARLINGTON ROAD MOOLAP 3224Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Change of Use to Home Based Business
    252-290 Townsend RoadLapsed
  • Buildings and Works Associated with a Store, Reduction in Carparking and Display of Major Promotion Sign
    266-270 Portarlington RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Building and Works Associated with Removal of Landfill and Native Vegetation
    420-430 Point Henry RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of land for a Disability Services Facility Including Offices, Vehicle Store and Training Rooms and Display of Business Identification Signage
    111 Coppards RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Staged development and use of the land for transfer station and materials recycling facility, construction and display of business identification signs, removal of native vegetation and a reduction in the required car parking and bicycle facilities.
    82-90 BUCKLEY GROVE MOOLAP 3224NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Extension to a Function Centre
    511-519 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Buildings and Works to Existing Building and Display of Business Identification Signage
    251-259 Bellarine HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Extensions to Community Care Accommodation in the Special Building Overlay
    3 Coppards RoadPermit 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

  • CHEETHAM SALT WORKSNH1157

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
Corangamite
Member of Parliament
Libby COKER (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
114,123
Turnout (2025)
94.7%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+0.2 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 42.0%Labor 58.0%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 8.2 km away).

Coalition 51.6%Labor 48.4%

9.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -10.4 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • MoolapLabor 46.2% · Coalition 53.8% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
  • LeopoldLabor 59.2% · Coalition 40.8% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
  • Leopold NorthLabor 59.1% · Coalition 40.9% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
  • Grovedale CentralLabor 63.8% · Coalition 36.2% TPP (2025)7.2 km away
  • CharlemontLabor 71.1% · Coalition 28.9% TPP (2025)7.7 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)
4/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

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.