Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Bells Beach suburb profile
Bells Beach, VIC · Postcode 3228
This Bells Beach suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Bells Beach, VIC (postcode 3228). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Bells Beach with nearby suburbs.
Bells Beach at a glance
Population
151
Median rent
$525/wk
Household income
$2,600/wk
Median age
48
Bells Beach trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
-7.4% over 10 years
Population
151
was 130 in 2016
+21 · +16.2%
Household income
$2,600/wk
was $2,062/wk in 2016
+$538 · +26.1%
Median age
48
was 50 in 2016
-2 · -4%
Dig deeper: Bells Beach population growth · Bells Beach then and now
Bells Beach vs nearby & Greater Melbourne
Median Census 2021 figures for Bells Beach, nearby suburbs (8), and the Melbourne metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+34.4% vs area
- Bells Beach$525/wk
- Nearby$420/wk
- Melbourne$390.5/wk
Household income
+34.3% vs area
- Bells Beach$2,600/wk
- Nearby$2,031.5/wk
- Melbourne$1,936.5/wk
Median age
+23.1% vs area
- Bells Beach48
- Nearby48
- Melbourne39
Personal income
+32.1% vs area
- Bells Beach$1,114/wk
- Nearby$933.5/wk
- Melbourne$843.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in VIC. See Melbourne rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Bells Beach compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Bells Beach ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows strong access to economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,124.7
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,137.5
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 101,180.8
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,181.7
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Bells Beach on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Bells Beach, VIC.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Bells Beach people
- Population
- 151
- Median age
- 48
- Born overseas
- 15.2%
- Average household size
- 2.9
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Bells Beach income
- Median household income
- $2,600/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,114/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Bells Beach housing
- Median rent
- $525/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,600/mo
- Separate houses
- 61.1%
- Flats & apartments
- 0%
- Owned outright
- 34.7%
- Mortgaged
- 19.4%
- Rented
- 5.6%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 43.1%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Bells Beach work
- Employment to population
- 61.9%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%
- Year 12 or above
- 79%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 3228)
Compare Bells Beach with nearby suburbs
Bells Beach in numbers
Bells Beach had 151 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 48, 17% above the typical VIC suburb. The average household has 2.9 people. 15.2% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 34.7% own their home outright, 19.4% are paying a mortgage, 5.6% rent. Separate houses make up 61.1% of dwellings, with 0% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $525/wk, 50% above the typical VIC suburb.
Median household income was $2,600/wk, 46% above the typical VIC suburb. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 16.2% (from 130 to 151).
Bells Beach suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Bells Beach, VIC?
- The median weekly rent in Bells Beach was $525/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Bells Beach, VIC?
- Bells Beach had 151 residents at the 2021 Census, up 16.2% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Bells Beach?
- Median household income in Bells Beach was $2,600/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Bells Beach?
- 5.6% of occupied homes in Bells Beach were rented, 34.7% were owned outright and 19.4% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Bells Beach suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Bells Beach. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Melbourne