🔍

Clifton Springs

VIC 3222 • Rest of VIC

7,646
Population (2021)
$70,096
Median Household Income
5.37 km²
Area
$350/wk
Median Rent
CoastalFamily-FriendlyRetireesAffordable
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About Clifton Springs

Clifton Springs is a residential coastal suburb on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, located approximately 16 kilometres east of Geelong's city centre and 70 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. Part of the City of Greater Geelong, the suburb had a population of 7,646 at the 2021 Census, making it one of the more sizeable communities on the peninsula. Clifton Springs is nestled near the shores of Corio Bay and is adjacent to Drysdale, together forming the main service hub of the central Bellarine region. The suburb offers a pleasant semi-rural coastal atmosphere that has attracted steady residential growth in recent decades.

Clifton Springs appeals strongly to families, retirees, and sea-change seekers drawn by its relaxed coastal lifestyle and relative affordability compared to Melbourne. The suburb has good local amenities including primary schools, reserves, and access to the Bellarine Rail Trail. Residents typically commute to Geelong by car or bus, with the Bellarine Highway providing direct access to the city. The nearby town of Drysdale provides supermarkets, medical services, and cafes, while the broader Bellarine Peninsula is renowned for its wineries, farm gates, and tourism.

Clifton Springs falls under postcode 3222 and is governed by the Greater Geelong Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Corangamite, while state elections fall under the Bellarine (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3222
Urban Area
Geelong - Queenscliff
LGA / Council
Greater Geelong
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
Bellarine (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.15°, 144.57°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
5.37 km²
Population Density
1,424 /km²
Elevation
54m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$668K
46 sales · ▲ 1.9% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$441K
3 sales · ▼ 2% 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.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3222

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3222, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$45,431
Median 2023–24
$55,600
▲ 22.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$70,628

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3222; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$28,444
Personal Income 2021
$35,516
▲ 24.9% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

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

Personal
$35,516 / yr
$683/wk
Household
$70,096 / yr
$1348/wk
Family
$87,204 / yr
$1677/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$350
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

6 state housing + 8 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • PTV bus services — Geelong CBD 10-30 min

Commute to Geelong CBD

Distance
70 km
By Train
V/Line train service to Melbourne CBD (~60 min from Geelong Station)
By Car (Peak)
80-100 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
65 min

🛣️ No direct rail service; bus to Geelong is the main public transport option

Walkability Car-Dependent

A car is essential for most daily needs; Drysdale town centre accessible by short drive

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,519
Census 2021
7,646
▲ 1.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Greater Geelong Local Government Area, which contains Clifton Springs. 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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,179
Born Overseas 1,225

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 457
  • 2. New Zealand 103
  • 3. Scotland 72
  • 4. Germany 56
  • 5. Netherlands 38
  • 6. Italy 37
  • 7. South Africa 35
  • 8. Ireland 34
  • 9. United States 32
  • 10. Malta 29

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,540
Australian 2,948
Irish 1,076
Scottish 1,025
German 398
Italian 281
Dutch 189
Maltese 119
Greek 94
Australian Aboriginal 93

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

4,820
Both parents born in Australia
1,637
Both parents born overseas
967
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.5%
Christianity
45.2%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.1%
Judaism
0.0%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
362 (4.7%)
5-14 years
822 (10.8%)
15-19 years
388 (5.1%)
20-24 years
333 (4.4%)
25-34 years
737 (9.6%)
35-44 years
856 (11.2%)
45-54 years
948 (12.4%)
55-64 years
1,162 (15.2%)
65-74 years
1,242 (16.2%)
75-84 years
645 (8.4%)
85+ years
156 (2.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clifton Springs on the coast? +

Clifton Springs sits near the shores of Corio Bay on the Bellarine Peninsula. While it is not a beachside suburb in the traditional sense, it offers bay views and is close to coastal reserves and beaches.

How far is Clifton Springs from Geelong? +

Clifton Springs is about 16 kilometres east of Geelong's city centre, roughly a 20-minute drive along the Bellarine Highway.

What schools are in Clifton Springs? +

Clifton Springs Primary School serves the local area, with secondary students typically attending Drysdale or other nearby Bellarine schools.

Is there public transport from Clifton Springs to Melbourne? +

There is no direct train service from Clifton Springs. Residents can take a bus to Geelong and then connect to the V/Line train service to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, with the total journey taking approximately 90 minutes.

Who lives in Clifton Springs? +

Clifton Springs is popular with families, retirees, and sea-change residents from Melbourne and Geelong who value its relaxed coastal lifestyle and more affordable housing than inner-city areas.

What is the average income in Clifton Springs? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Clifton Springs is about $683 per week (around $35,500 per year). The median household income is $1,348 per week and the median family income is $1,677 per week.

What is the median house price in Clifton Springs? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $667,500, up 1.9% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $441,000, down 2% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Clifton Springs? +

The median age in Clifton Springs is 48. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,242 residents, around 16%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Clifton Springs a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Clifton Springs 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.

What is the population of Clifton Springs? +

Clifton Springs had a population of 7,646 at the 2021 Census, up 1.7% from 7,519 in 2016.

How much is rent in Clifton Springs? +

In Clifton Springs, the median weekly rent is $350, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,517 (2021 Census).