suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Geelong Council

Portarlington, 3223

Est. population · Jun 2025

5,066

Growth (1 yr)

+2.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+22.4%

Median age

62

Median income

$1,064/wk

Employment rate

38%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$820,000

Languages at home

6.7%non-English

Most common: Greek, Italian, Croatian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

45.2/100
Average

Top 47% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
What Portarlington is known for: Coastal, Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub

Suburb profile

Portarlington wears its coastal identity openly, a mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here. With fewer amenities on hand, neighbouring suburbs do much of the shopping and service heavy lifting.

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. Property prices run toward the upper end of the local market.

Reported crime has been falling recently. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

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

At a glance

Portarlington snapshot

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

Median house price

$820k

+4.1% change

Median rent

$490/wk

Population (ERP)

5,066

+2.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

37.1%

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

#35

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

33rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

92nd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

4/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

52nd

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
45.2/100 — Average
State standing
Top 47% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2894th in Australia
State rank
592nd in VIC
Peer rank
#35 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#72 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$490
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$820,000
Median price change
+4.1%

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

5,066(June 2025)

+2.6% annual · +22.4% over 5 years · 92th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+2.6%
5-year growth
+22.4%
Change in 1 year
+128
Change in 5 years
+926
Growth rank in VIC
92th 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 (~6,050), extrapolated at +3.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
4,436
Median age
62
Median household income / week
$1,064
Dwelling vacancy
37.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
1,131 of 3,048
Median monthly mortgage
$1,657
Employment rate
38%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,736 / 155 / 11 (+ 12 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)
184
Against the person
32
Against property
116
Rate per 1,000 residents
36.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 139 residents
State safety percentile
32.7th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-20.3%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage15
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary16
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle17
  • B49 Other Theft32
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order13

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
1,010
Median ICSEA percentile
52th
School list
  • Portarlington Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1010 · 52th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 150 students · Top SEA quarter 12%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

36 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Arlington St/The Esplanade
  • Calhoun Rd/The Esplanade
  • Grassy Point Rd/The Esplanade
  • Oxley St/The Esplanade
  • Sunset Bvd/The Esplanade

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 10 parks mapped in suburb
  • Well connected by public transport — 36 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
2.25
Sport & outdoors(1)
  • Portarlington Golf CourseGolf course

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

9 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Arlington Rise ReservePark
  • Evandale ReservePark
  • Hawthorn ReservePark
  • Nottingham ReservePark
  • Portarlington (Point Richard) Flora and Fauna ReserveNature reserve
  • SS Nash ReservePark
  • W.G. Little ReservePark
  • Wiffen ParkPark
  • Willey Langdon ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
18
Parks (OSM)
10

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
1
Nearest hospital
Barwon Health - Newcomb (23.8 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • Portarlington PharmacyNewcombe StreetPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
146
Participants per 1,000 residents
28.8

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° / 13°
Rainfall
155 mm · ~19 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 11°
Rainfall
186 mm · ~23 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
203 mm · ~25 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 9°
Rainfall
207 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).

104 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    PARENT - 4 TRAUM STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 Lot Boundary Re-Alignment
    41 RAMBLERS ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay
    100 WILLIS STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Construction of a Dwelling Exceeding 7.5m in Height
    26 FAIRFAX STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of Land for a Contractors Depot
    17 RAJAH COURT PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling
    12 RAMBLERS ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223In progress
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Replacement Dwelling and Construction of a Shed within a Special Building Overlay
    42-50 HOOD ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling within 2m of a Side Boundary and a Fence
    78 RAMBLERS ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223Withdrawn

  • July 2021

  • Construction of a Dwelling Exceeding 7.5m in Height
    37-39 WELFARE STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223In progress
  • Construction of a Second Dwelling and Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    67 HEREFORD STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of Three (3) Dwellings and Four (4) Lot Subdivision
    64 STEVENS STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Increase the Redline Area that Liquor is Consumed and Supplied and Increase the Hours of Operation associated with an Existing Hotel.
    76-80 NEWCOMBE STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Withdrawn
  • Use and Development of a Dwelling
    19-39 OXLEY STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Dwelling on a Lot Less than 300sqm and in a Special Building Overlay
    39 FAIRFAX STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Staged Multi Lot Subdivision, Creation of Reserves and Alteration of Access to a Road in a Transport Zone 2
    185-235 GEELONG ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Second Dwelling and 2 Lot Subdivision
    9 REABY STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct and Display Business Identification Signage, Land Sale Signage more than 10 square metres and Pole Signs
    151-179 Geelong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Three (3) Dwellings and a Three (3) Lot Subdivision
    50 SMYTHE STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    28A Payne StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of 2 Buildings, Use of the Western building as a Warehouse, Use of the Eastern Building for Industry, Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Reduction in Car Parking Requirements
    23 RAJAH COURT PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with a Raised Deck in a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    24 ARLINGTON STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision
    18 Langdon StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Construction of Three (3) Dwellings and Creation of Access to a Road Zone Category 1
    43 FISHER STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate
  • Use of Land for Food and Drink Premises (Restaurant & Cafe), Partial Demolition and Buildings and Works associated with Construction of Food and Drink Premises, Thirty-One (31) Dwellings and Reduction of on-site Car Parking
    10-14 HARDING STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Building Associated with an Existing Place of Worship
    22-30 Waterview ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Alteration of Access to a Road Zone Category 1
    79 GEELONG ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Existing Dwelling and Construction of a Second Dwelling
    15 MUELLER STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate
  • Use of Land for Sales Office
    185-235 Geelong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings
    16 MERCER STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Buildings and Works Associated with an Extension to an Existing Place of Worship
    18 HARDING STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works Associated with the Construction of a Dependant Persons Unit
    161-179 Hood RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Creation and Alteration of Access to a Road in a Road Zone Category 1
    185-235 Geelong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    222-230 OLD ST LEONARDS ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223Refusal issued by a delegate

  • March 2021

  • Use and Development of a Dwelling
    412-450 TOWER ROAD PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate
  • Business Identification Signage and External Painting
    62 Newcombe StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 3 Lot Subdivision
    14 Traum StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of Eleven (11) Dwellings with Four of these Dwellings more than 7.5 metres above natural ground level (Units 1-4) and Eleven (11) Lot Subdivision
    125 Tower RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct and Display Floodlit Business Identification Signage
    40-42 NEWCOMBE STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed in a Farming Zone
    131-149 Oxley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings
    81 DRYSDALE STREET PORTARLINGTON 3223NOD issued by a delegate

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • PORTARLINGTON MILLNH0389

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 17.4 km away).

Coalition 41.8%Labor 58.2%

0.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +3.4 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • PortarlingtonLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
  • St LeonardsLabor 60.7% · Coalition 39.3% TPP (2025)5.2 km away
  • DrysdaleLabor 62.8% · Coalition 37.2% TPP (2025)9.1 km away
  • Clifton SpringsLabor 59.2% · Coalition 40.8% TPP (2025)10.6 km away
  • QueenscliffLabor 64.0% · Coalition 36.0% TPP (2025)14.0 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)
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 Greater Geelong Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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