🔍

Breakwater

VIC 3219 • Rest of VIC

1,060
Population (2021)
$56,004
Median Household Income
3.12 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
AffordableRiversideWorking-ClassGeelongGrowth Suburb

About Breakwater

Breakwater is a residential and industrial suburb of Geelong in Victoria, located on the southern bank of the Barwon River within the City of Greater Geelong. With a population of 1,060 at the 2021 census and a median age of 40, it covers 3.1 square kilometres at 15 metres elevation. Established in 1837, the suburb has a working-class heritage and is undergoing gradual renewal, benefiting from its proximity to Geelong's CBD and the expanding South Geelong precinct.

Breakwater offers affordable living close to Geelong's CBD, with the Barwon River providing scenic walking and cycling trails along its banks. The suburb is home to the Marcus Oldham agricultural college and is close to the Geelong Showgrounds and GMHBA Stadium. It attracts first-home buyers and investors drawn to its affordability, river frontage, and proximity to Geelong's revitalised waterfront, just a few minutes' drive away.

Breakwater falls under postcode 3219 and is governed by Greater Geelong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Geelong (Western Victoria) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3219
Urban Area
Geelong - Queenscliff
LGA / Council
Greater Geelong
Federal Electorate
Corio
State Electorate
Geelong (Western Victoria)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.18°, 144.37°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
3.12 km²
Elevation
15m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Breakwater for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$603K
6 sales · ▲ 35.4% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,213
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.8%

28 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

South Geelong Station
2 km
25 min
Marshall Station
3 km
35 min

Bus Services

  • Route 55 — Geelong Station / CBD 10 min

Commute to Geelong CBD

Distance
4 km
By Train
5 min (from South Geelong)
By Bus
10 min
By Car (Peak)
8 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 min

🛣️ Close to Geelong CBD. Melbourne is about 1 hour by V/Line train or car via Princes Freeway.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Some local amenities and river trails accessible on foot. Shopping requires a short drive to Geelong CBD.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Greater Geelong Local Government Area, which contains Breakwater. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
357.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 56.6%
Motor vehicle theft
236.5 / 100k
2yr Up 57.4% 10yr Down 43.2%
Non-FV assault
291.6 / 100k
2yr Up 10.1% 10yr Up 20.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.4 / 100k
2yr Down 65.3% 10yr Down 53.8%
Steal from vehicle
772.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 42.4%
View all offence subgroups for Greater Geelong →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,014
Census 2021
1,060
▲ 4.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,312
Personal Income 2021
$34,060
▲ 29.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$34,060 / yr
$655/wk
Household
$56,004 / yr
$1077/wk
Family
$76,804 / yr
$1477/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 783
Born Overseas 158

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 23
  • 2. India 14
  • 3. New Zealand 10
  • 4. Bosnia & Herzegovina 9
  • 5. Pakistan 9
  • 6. Philippines 9
  • 7. Fiji 8
  • 8. Myanmar 8
  • 9. Sri Lanka 8
  • 10. Germany 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 384
English 382
Irish 111
Scottish 96
German 47
Italian 44
Dutch 35
Australian Aboriginal 16
Filipino 14
Chinese 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

593
Both parents born in Australia
217
Both parents born overseas
128
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
46.4%
Christianity
37.0%
Hinduism
1.7%
Islam
1.4%
Buddhism
0.8%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
43 (4.1%)
5-14 years
111 (10.5%)
15-19 years
35 (3.3%)
20-24 years
89 (8.4%)
25-34 years
184 (17.4%)
35-44 years
148 (14.0%)
45-54 years
118 (11.1%)
55-64 years
134 (12.6%)
65-74 years
103 (9.7%)
75-84 years
77 (7.3%)
85+ years
22 (2.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Breakwater known for? +

Breakwater is a residential and industrial suburb of Geelong in Victoria, located on the southern bank of the Barwon River within the City of Greater Geelong. Breakwater offers affordable living close to Geelong's CBD, with the Barwon River providing scenic walking and cycling trails along its banks.

How far is Breakwater from Melbourne CBD? +

Breakwater is approximately some distance from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 30-60 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Breakwater have public transport? +

Breakwater is served by PTV (Public Transport Victoria) buses within the Greater Geelong network. Geelong Station also provides V/Line train services to Melbourne CBD, approximately 60 minutes away. Local buses connect suburbs to Geelong CBD and surrounding areas.

What is the population of Breakwater? +

According to the 2021 Census, Breakwater has a population of approximately 1,060 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Greater Geelong (City) local government area.

Is Breakwater a good place to live? +

Breakwater offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local parks, shops, and community services. It suits a broad range of residents including families, professionals, and retirees looking for a connected and well-serviced neighbourhood.

What is the postcode for Breakwater? +

The postcode for Breakwater, VIC is 3219. This postcode covers Breakwater and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Breakwater? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Breakwater is about $655 per week (around $34,100 per year). The median household income is $1,077 per week and the median family income is $1,477 per week.

What is the median house price in Breakwater? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $602,500, up 35.4% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Breakwater? +

The median age in Breakwater is 40. The largest age group is 25–34 (184 residents, around 17%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Breakwater a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Breakwater is part of the Greater Geelong LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Breakwater? +

In Breakwater, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,213 (2021 Census).