North Geelong vs Geelong

In North Geelong, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Geelong, about half of households rent and about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Geelong: a median of $896,000, against $690,000 in North Geelong, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, North Geelong tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget, while Geelong suits people living alone.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • North Geelong has more separate houses rather than flats (82% vs 52%)
  • Geelong has more parks and reserves (14 vs 4)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

North Geelong

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has cheaper units ($429,000 vs $566,500)
  • has cheaper houses ($690,000 vs $895,750)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

North Geelong

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($315/wk vs $370/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

North Geelong

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (58 min vs 64 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (70 km vs 74.3 km)
  • But Geelong is more walkable (90/100 vs 80/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Geelong

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (15 vs 2)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (48% vs 18%)
  • is more walkable (90/100 vs 80/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

North Geelong

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • returns a higher gross yield on units (6.5% vs 4.9%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.9% vs 3.2%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

North Geelong and Geelong drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

North Geelong Geelong
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

North Geelong Geelong
Walkability 80 / 90
North Geelong — Walkability: 80/100 Geelong — Walkability: 90/100
Safety 8 / 1
North Geelong — Safety: 8/100 Geelong — Safety: 1/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
North Geelong — Low fire risk: 100/100 Geelong — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 70 / 63
North Geelong — Low flood risk: 70/100 Geelong — Low flood risk: 63/100

Demographics

Geelong has more residents (5,811 vs 3,225); Geelong rents higher ($370/wk vs $315/wk).

North Geelong Geelong
Population 3,225 5,811
+80% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +8.7% +11.5%
Median age 40
same for both
Median household income $77,480/yr $86,840/yr
+12% vs other
Median weekly rent $315/wk $370/wk
+17% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

North Geelong Geelong
0-4 5.6% / 3.5%
North Geelong — 0-4: 5.6% Geelong — 0-4: 3.5%
5-14 10.7% / 6.7%
North Geelong — 5-14: 10.7% Geelong — 5-14: 6.7%
15-19 4.2% / 5.0%
North Geelong — 15-19: 4.2% Geelong — 15-19: 5.0%
20-24 5.8% / 8.9%
North Geelong — 20-24: 5.8% Geelong — 20-24: 8.9%
25-34 16.6% / 19.0%
North Geelong — 25-34: 16.6% Geelong — 25-34: 19.0%
35-44 12.2% / 10.6%
North Geelong — 35-44: 12.2% Geelong — 35-44: 10.6%
45-54 12.0% / 11.5%
North Geelong — 45-54: 12.0% Geelong — 45-54: 11.5%
55-64 8.3% / 13.9%
North Geelong — 55-64: 8.3% Geelong — 55-64: 13.9%
65-74 9.3% / 12.5%
North Geelong — 65-74: 9.3% Geelong — 65-74: 12.5%
75-84 7.5% / 5.8%
North Geelong — 75-84: 7.5% Geelong — 75-84: 5.8%
85+ 7.5% / 2.6%
North Geelong — 85+: 7.5% Geelong — 85+: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

North Geelong 42.0% lone person
North Geelong — Lone Person: 42.0% North Geelong — Couple Families: 34.0% North Geelong — One Parent Families: 16.6% North Geelong — Group Household: 6.3% North Geelong — Other Families: 1.1%
Geelong 54.7% lone person
Geelong — Lone Person: 54.7% Geelong — Couple Families: 24.9% Geelong — One Parent Families: 8.6% Geelong — Group Household: 10.3% Geelong — Other Families: 1.5%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

North Geelong 41.7% renting
North Geelong — Owned Outright: 26.4% North Geelong — Mortgage: 31.9% North Geelong — Renting: 41.7%
Geelong 45.1% renting
Geelong — Owned Outright: 34.1% Geelong — Mortgage: 20.8% Geelong — Renting: 45.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

North Geelong Geelong
Bachelor Degree 10.6% / 21.1%
North Geelong — Bachelor Degree: 10.6% Geelong — Bachelor Degree: 21.1%
Certificate III & IV 13.8% / 11.3%
North Geelong — Certificate III & IV: 13.8% Geelong — Certificate III & IV: 11.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.4% / 8.5%
North Geelong — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.4% Geelong — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.5%
Postgraduate Degree 4.2% / 8.5%
North Geelong — Postgraduate Degree: 4.2% Geelong — Postgraduate Degree: 8.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.0% / 3.6%
North Geelong — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.0% Geelong — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.1%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

North Geelong Geelong
India 3.8% / 2.8%
North Geelong — India: 3.8% Geelong — India: 2.8%
England 1.9% / 3.1%
North Geelong — England: 1.9% Geelong — England: 3.1%
Italy 1.8% / 1.7%
North Geelong — Italy: 1.8% Geelong — Italy: 1.7%
China 1.0% / 1.8%
North Geelong — China: 1.0% Geelong — China: 1.8%
New Zealand 1.0% / 0.9%
North Geelong — New Zealand: 1.0% Geelong — New Zealand: 0.9%
Malaysia — / 1.1%
North Geelong — Malaysia: not among its largest Geelong — Malaysia: 1.1%
Germany 1.0% / —
North Geelong — Germany: 1.0% Geelong — Germany: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (3.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

North Geelong 81.6% houses
North Geelong — Houses: 81.6% North Geelong — Townhouses: 17.9% North Geelong — Flats / Apartments: 0.5%
Geelong 51.8% houses
Geelong — Houses: 51.8% Geelong — Townhouses: 21.5% Geelong — Flats / Apartments: 26.8%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

North Geelong Geelong
Median house price $690,000 $895,750
Median unit price $429,000 $566,500
Median land price $825,000 $730,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 42 days
from 12 sales
 33 days
from 59 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

North Geelong Geelong
1 bed $321K / $430K
North Geelong — 1 bed: $321K (8 sales) Geelong — 1 bed: $430K (23 sales)

8 vs 23 sales

2 bed $491K / $591K
North Geelong — 2 bed: $491K (6 sales) Geelong — 2 bed: $591K (65 sales)

6 vs 65 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

North Geelong Geelong
2 bed $640K / $665K
North Geelong — 2 bed: $640K (7 sales) Geelong — 2 bed: $665K (23 sales)

7 vs 23 sales

3 bed $667K / $905K
North Geelong — 3 bed: $667K (45 sales) Geelong — 3 bed: $905K (48 sales)

45 vs 48 sales

4 bed $810K / $1.12M
North Geelong — 4 bed: $810K (16 sales) Geelong — 4 bed: $1.12M (30 sales)

16 vs 30 sales

Zoning mix

North Geelong has more industrially zoned land (41% vs 0%); Geelong has more commercially zoned land (38% vs 10%).

North Geelong Geelong
Residential 19% 41%
Industrial 41% 0%
Commercial 10% 38%
Infrastructure and transport 19% 14%
Parks and recreation 7%
same for both
Other and special use 5% 0%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

North Geelong Geelong
New dwellings approved 3,468
across Greater Geelong
same for both
Approvals change year on year +56%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

North Geelong Geelong
Houses 3.9%
$528/wk on $700K
 3.2%
$640/wk on $1.04M
Units 6.5%
$420/wk on $335K
 4.9%
$580/wk on $620K

Ranking within VIC

North Geelong Geelong
House price Higher than 38% of VIC Higher than 59% of VIC
Income Higher than 45% of VIC Higher than 57% of VIC
Schools — Higher than 15% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 96% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 57% of VIC Higher than 44% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 85% of VIC Higher than 94% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 82% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 63% of VIC Higher than 21% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 96% of VIC Higher than 54% of VIC

Liveability

Geelong is more walkable (90 vs 80).

North Geelong Geelong
Grade B
same for both
Score 50/100 51/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

North Geelong Geelong
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
92/100
 High
99/100
Flood Low
30/100
 Low
37/100
Coastal erosion Moderate
42/100
 High
78/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 12
within 5 km
 14
within 5 km

Schools

North Geelong Geelong
Inside the suburb 2 5
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 2
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 2
Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, 4.0 km
 2
Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.8% 6.1%

Schools in North Geelong

  • SEDA College (Victoria) - BVNV Geelong Independent · Secondary
  • SEDA College (Victoria) - Multi Geelong Independent · Secondary

Schools in Geelong

  • Geelong South Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College Government · Secondary at peers
  • St Mary's School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Newcomb Secondary College-Victorian Sailing Water Safety School Government · Secondary
  • SEDA College (Victoria) - AFL- Geelong Independent · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

North Geelong Geelong
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 8 123
Parks & reserves 4 14
Childcare 2 4
GPs 2 15
Pharmacies 0 7
Hospitals 0 2
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 8
Fuel stations 3 2
EV chargers 1 0
Beaches 0 1
Waterways 2 0

Mobility

Geelong sits further from the CBD (74.3 km vs 70 km).

North Geelong Geelong
Walkability score 80/100 90/100
Distance to Melbourne 70 km 74.3 km
+6% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 58 min 64 min
Public transport score 89/100
Rail
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 96.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 318.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.3%
postcode 3215
 1.9%
postcode 3220
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 26
postcode 3215
 24
postcode 3220

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

North Geelong Geelong
Car (driver) 64.9% / 49.6%
North Geelong — Car (driver): 64.9% Geelong — Car (driver): 49.6%
Worked from Home 22.3% / 25.1%
North Geelong — Worked from Home: 22.3% Geelong — Worked from Home: 25.1%
Walked Only 2.3% / 16.5%
North Geelong — Walked Only: 2.3% Geelong — Walked Only: 16.5%
Car (passenger) 5.1% / 3.7%
North Geelong — Car (passenger): 5.1% Geelong — Car (passenger): 3.7%
Bicycle 1.9% / 1.6%
North Geelong — Bicycle: 1.9% Geelong — Bicycle: 1.6%
Bus 1.8% / 1.7%
North Geelong — Bus: 1.8% Geelong — Bus: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (64.9%).

Setting

North Geelong Geelong
Elevation 19 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 23 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 903 m
3.8 km to a named beach
 639 m
774 m to a named beach

NBN connectivity

North Geelong Geelong
Connectivity score 85/100 74/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 65%
2,409 premises
 35%
6,219 premises

Climate

North Geelong Geelong
Annual rainfall 454 mm —
Summer max (Jan) 26.1°C 22.8°C
Winter min (Jul) 5.5°C 7.8°C

Air quality (annual mean)

North Geelong Geelong
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 20.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

North Geelong Geelong
Average residential rate $1,802/yr
same for both
Council Greater Geelong
same for both

Federal electorate

North Geelong Geelong
Division Corio
same for both
Member Richard Marles
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

North Geelong Geelong
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

North Geelong

Coastal Transport Hub

Geelong

Beach Cafe Culture Coastal Nightlife Parks Professionals Townhouses Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with North Geelong

North Geelong vs Norlane North Geelong vs Geelong West North Geelong vs Hamlyn Heights North Geelong vs Bell Park North Geelong vs Rippleside North Geelong vs Drumcondra

Other comparisons with Geelong

Geelong vs Newtown Geelong vs Geelong West Geelong vs East Geelong Geelong vs South Geelong Geelong vs Drumcondra
Full data on North Geelong Full data on Geelong
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or