🔍

Koo Wee Rup

VIC 3981 • Greater Melbourne

4,047
Population (2021)
$92,664
Median Household Income
58.98 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
RuralMarket GardensAsparagus CountryCountry TownAffordable

About Koo Wee Rup

Koo Wee Rup is a country town 63 kilometres southeast of Melbourne in the Cardinia Shire, where former swampland has been transformed into some of Australia's most productive market gardens. The Aboriginal name meaning 'blackfish swimming' reflects the area's wetland origins. With a population of around 4,000, this farming community has grown steadily as a gateway to South Gippsland and the Bass Coast.

The town is famous as Australia's premier asparagus-growing district, with rich black soils supporting diverse vegetable cultivation. Life centres on the main street with its historic pub, local shops, and genuine country atmosphere. Koo Wee Rup attracts farming families, tree-changers seeking affordable rural living within reach of Melbourne, and those who appreciate the flat, open landscapes and strong agricultural heritage. The town has been proposed as a site for a third Melbourne airport.

Koo Wee Rup falls under postcode 3981 and is governed by Cardinia Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bass (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3981
Urban Area
Cardinia
LGA / Council
Cardinia
Federal Electorate
La Trobe
State Electorate
Bass (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.19°, 145.49°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
58.98 km²
Elevation
8m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$695K
14 sales · ▲ 7.8% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$450K
3 sales · ▼ 5.5% 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)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,811
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
34 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.8%

25 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Pakenham Station
25 km
25 min by bus

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach 1720 — Melbourne (Southern Cross) via Dandenong 1h 5min
  • V/Line Coach 1722 — Yarram, Leongatha Regional
  • Ventura 842 — Pakenham Station 25 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
63 km
By Train
N/A (rail closed 1994)
By Bus
1h 5min (V/Line coach to Southern Cross)
By Car (Peak)
1h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55 min

🛣️ Former rail station closed 1994; local advocacy for rail reinstatement; most residents work locally or commute to Pakenham/Dandenong

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre walkable with shops, schools, and services; car essential for farming areas and regional trips

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    25 -65 Station Street North Koo Wee Rup 3981 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
284.4 / 100k
2yr Up 33.2% 10yr Down 46.9%
Motor vehicle theft
277.7 / 100k
2yr Up 91.6% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
193.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 17.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.2 / 100k
2yr Up 65.4% 10yr Up 27.1%
Steal from vehicle
860.6 / 100k
2yr Up 108.1% 10yr Up 21.7%
View all offence subgroups for Cardinia →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,579
Census 2021
4,047
▲ 13.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,072
Personal Income 2021
$42,068
▲ 27.2% 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
$42,068 / yr
$809/wk
Household
$92,664 / yr
$1782/wk
Family
$108,888 / yr
$2094/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,397
Born Overseas 469

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 117
  • 2. New Zealand 62
  • 3. Italy 41
  • 4. Philippines 16
  • 5. Cambodia 15
  • 6. India 12
  • 7. Ireland 12
  • 8. Scotland 12
  • 9. Sri Lanka 12
  • 10. United States 12

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,801
English 1,731
Irish 406
Scottish 362
Italian 245
German 149
Dutch 146
Australian Aboriginal 67
New Zealander 46
Indian 32

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,620
Both parents born in Australia
658
Both parents born overseas
559
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.6%
Christianity
39.7%
Buddhism
0.8%
Islam
0.6%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
307 (7.6%)
5-14 years
614 (15.2%)
15-19 years
258 (6.4%)
20-24 years
221 (5.5%)
25-34 years
629 (15.5%)
35-44 years
507 (12.5%)
45-54 years
468 (11.6%)
55-64 years
414 (10.2%)
65-74 years
321 (7.9%)
75-84 years
196 (4.8%)
85+ years
114 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Koo Wee Rup known for? +

Koo Wee Rup is famous as Australia's asparagus capital, with the town's rich black soils supporting a diverse range of market garden vegetables. The area was once a vast swamp that was drained in the early 20th century to create productive farmland.

How far is Koo Wee Rup from Melbourne? +

Koo Wee Rup is approximately 63 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD, around a 55-70 minute drive via the South Gippsland Highway.

Does Koo Wee Rup have public transport? +

Koo Wee Rup has very limited public transport. There is no train service to the town; V/Line buses connect to nearby rail hubs. A car is essential for most residents.

What is the population of Koo Wee Rup? +

According to the 2021 Census, Koo Wee Rup has a population of approximately 4,047 residents, with a diverse multicultural community including many market gardening families.

Is Koo Wee Rup a good place to live? +

Koo Wee Rup suits families and those drawn to country living with affordable housing, a strong agricultural community, and the relaxed lifestyle of Cardinia Shire. It is a practical choice for those working in the local market garden industry.

What is the postcode for Koo Wee Rup? +

The postcode for Koo Wee Rup is 3981.

What is the average income in Koo Wee Rup? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Koo Wee Rup is about $809 per week (around $42,100 per year). The median household income is $1,782 per week and the median family income is $2,094 per week.

What is the median house price in Koo Wee Rup? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $695,000, up 7.8% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $450,000, down 5.5% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Koo Wee Rup? +

The median age in Koo Wee Rup is 34. The largest age group is 25–34 (629 residents, around 16%). Around 29% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Koo Wee Rup a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Koo Wee Rup is part of the Cardinia 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 Koo Wee Rup? +

In Koo Wee Rup, the median weekly rent is $320, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,811 (2021 Census).