Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Colac suburb profile
Colac, VIC · Postcode 3250
This Colac suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Colac, VIC (postcode 3250). 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 Colac with nearby suburbs.
Colac at a glance
Population
9,243
Median rent
$260/wk
Household income
$1,108/wk
Median age
44
Colac 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
+4.5% over 10 years
Population
9,243
was 9,048 in 2016
+195 · +2.2%
Median rent
$260/wk
was $215/wk in 2016
+$45 · +20.9%
Household income
$1,108/wk
was $964/wk in 2016
+$144 · +14.9%
Median age
44
was 43 in 2016
+1 · +2.3%
Dig deeper: Colac population growth · Colac then and now
Colac vs nearby & Greater Melbourne
Median Census 2021 figures for Colac, nearby suburbs (8), and the Melbourne metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-33.4% vs area
- Colac$260/wk
- Nearby$265/wk
- Melbourne$390.5/wk
Household income
-42.8% vs area
- Colac$1,108/wk
- Nearby$1,481.5/wk
- Melbourne$1,936.5/wk
Median age
+12.8% vs area
- Colac44
- Nearby42
- Melbourne39
Personal income
-21.6% vs area
- Colac$661/wk
- Nearby$744/wk
- Melbourne$843.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in VIC. See Melbourne rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Colac compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Colac ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 1904.8
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1875
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1919.9
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1854.1
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Colac on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Colac, VIC.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Colac people
- Population
- 9,243
- Median age
- 44
- Born overseas
- 10.9%
- Average household size
- 2.2
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Colac income
- Median household income
- $1,108/wk
- Median personal income
- $661/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Colac housing
- Median rent
- $260/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,213/mo
- Separate houses
- 78.1%
- Flats & apartments
- 0%
- Owned outright
- 34.8%
- Mortgaged
- 25.2%
- Rented
- 27.4%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 9%
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
Colac work
- Employment to population
- 52.1%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 37.6%
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 3250)
Compare Colac with nearby suburbs
Colac in numbers
Colac had 9,243 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 228th most populous suburb or locality in VIC out of 2,835. The median age is 44, 7% above the typical VIC suburb. The average household has 2.2 people. 10.9% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 34.8% own their home outright, 25.2% are paying a mortgage, 27.4% rent. Separate houses make up 78.1% of dwellings, with 0% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $260/wk, 26% below the typical VIC suburb.
Median household income was $1,108/wk, 38% below the typical VIC suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3.2%. 37.6% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 1 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 2.2% (from 9,048 to 9,243). Median rent moved from $215/wk to $260/wk (+20.9%).
Colac suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Colac, VIC?
- The median weekly rent in Colac was $260/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Colac, VIC?
- Colac had 9,243 residents at the 2021 Census, up 2.2% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Colac?
- Median household income in Colac was $1,108/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Colac?
- 27.4% of occupied homes in Colac were rented, 34.8% were owned outright and 25.2% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Colac suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Colac. 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