🔍

Lara

VIC 3212 • Rest of VIC

19,014
Population (2021)
$102,388
Median Household Income
89.35 km²
Area
$370/wk
Median Rent
Growth SuburbDual-City CommuteYou Yangs AccessAffordable

About Lara

Lara is a thriving growth suburb of 19,000 in Greater Geelong, strategically located between Melbourne and Geelong, 53 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. V/Line services stop at Lara station, providing connections to both cities. The suburb has grown rapidly from a small town into a substantial residential area while retaining some country character.

The Lara Village provides local shopping, while Geelong's CBD is readily accessible. The nearby You Yangs provide dramatic bushland walks, and Corio Bay offers waterfront recreation. Lara attracts families commuting to both Melbourne and Geelong, seeking affordable housing in the growth corridor while maintaining access to the best of both cities.

Lara falls under postcode 3212 and is governed by Greater Geelong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lara (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3212
Urban Area
Geelong - Queenscliff
LGA / Council
Greater Geelong
Federal Electorate
Corio
State Electorate
Lara (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.01°, 144.41°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
89.35 km²
Elevation
20m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$688K
62 sales · ▲ 1.9% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$466K
8 sales · ▼ 3.9% 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)
$370
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.1%

28 state housing + 43 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • PTV bus services — Geelong CBD 10-30 min

Commute to Geelong CBD

Distance
53 km
By Train
V/Line train service to Melbourne CBD (~60 min from Geelong Station)
By Car (Peak)
70-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-90 min

🛣️ Located 53 km from Melbourne CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    120 Station Lake Road Lara 3212 VIC
  • Woolworths
    50 The Centre Way Lara 3212 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Greater Geelong Local Government Area, which contains Lara. 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
16,355
Census 2021
19,014
▲ 16.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,840
Personal Income 2021
$43,368
▲ 24.5% 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
$43,368 / yr
$834/wk
Household
$102,388 / yr
$1969/wk
Family
$115,908 / yr
$2229/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 15,116
Born Overseas 3,318

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 676
  • 2. India 363
  • 3. Philippines 317
  • 4. New Zealand 227
  • 5. Scotland 138
  • 6. Vietnam 103
  • 7. Netherlands 95
  • 8. Germany 91
  • 9. Italy 62
  • 10. Croatia 61

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 6,874
English 6,870
Irish 2,086
Scottish 1,953
German 832
Italian 729
Dutch 554
Filipino 412
Indian 315
Croatian 305

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

10,599
Both parents born in Australia
4,388
Both parents born overseas
2,241
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
42.8%
No Religion
41.8%
Sikhism
1.2%
Islam
1.2%
Hinduism
1.0%
Buddhism
1.0%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
1,206 (6.3%)
5-14 years
2,461 (12.9%)
15-19 years
1,069 (5.6%)
20-24 years
1,046 (5.5%)
25-34 years
3,013 (15.8%)
35-44 years
2,857 (15.0%)
45-54 years
2,540 (13.4%)
55-64 years
2,001 (10.5%)
65-74 years
1,715 (9.0%)
75-84 years
803 (4.2%)
85+ years
291 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lara known for? +

Lara is a well-established residential suburb in Greater Geelong, VIC, with a population of approximately 19,014 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Lara from Melbourne CBD? +

Lara is approximately 53 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, typically a 55-90 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Lara have public transport? +

Lara is served by local bus services connecting to the broader VIC network. Nearby train stations provide access to Melbourne CBD.

What is the population of Lara? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lara has a population of approximately 19,014 residents.

Is Lara a good place to live? +

Lara offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $52,499, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Lara? +

The postcode for Lara, VIC is 3212.

What is the average income in Lara? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lara is about $834 per week (around $43,400 per year). The median household income is $1,969 per week and the median family income is $2,229 per week.

What is the median house price in Lara? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $687,500, up 1.9% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $466,000, down 3.9% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Lara? +

The median age in Lara is 37. The largest age group is 25–34 (3,013 residents, around 16%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lara a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Lara 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 Lara? +

In Lara, the median weekly rent is $370, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).