Cape Paterson, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Cape Paterson VIC is 1,111 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Cape Paterson is $656 per week ($34,112 per year). Median rent in Cape Paterson is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Cape Paterson has a median age of 55 years, older than the national median of 38. Cape Paterson has a population density of 70 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Cape Paterson is England. The most common religion is No religion (58.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cape Paterson is $1,517.

There were 47 recorded offences in Cape Paterson in 2025-25, a rate of 42 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (17 offences).

Population
1,111
Census 2021
Median income
$656/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$300/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
55years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Cape Paterson vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Cape Paterson is $656 a week, 14% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 977th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $300 a week, $16 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 23.3% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 55, 12 years older than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureCape PatersonTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$656/wk$767/wk −14%$766/wk
Household income$1,285/wk$1,687/wk −24%$1,637/wk
Rent$300/wk$316/wk −5%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,517/mo$1,723/mo −12%$1,733/mo
Median age5543 +12 yrs42
Rent share of household income23.3%19.1% +4.3 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Cape Paterson, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Cape Paterson Population

1,111 residents at the 2021 Census.

Cape Paterson Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$656/wk
$34,112 per year
Ranked 6,231 of 14,663
Median Rent
$300/wk
$1,300 per month
Ranked 4,529 of 14,663
Median Age
55years
17 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,517/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Cape Paterson Rent Prices & Affordability

23% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,285/wk
Median rent $300/wk
Rent to income 23.3%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Cape Paterson against your income

About $5,568 a month
Median rent $300/wk
Left after rent $985/wk
Rent share 23.3%

Cape Paterson Map

Cape Paterson, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Cape Paterson

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.9% (541) Female 51.1% (566)

Population Density

70
people per km²
1,111 people · 15.8 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,632
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
4.6%
New Zealand
2.5%
Scotland
1.1%
Germany
0.8%
Italy
0.5%
Canada
0.5%
France
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
1.9%
Spanish
0.9%
Greek
0.5%
German
0.4%
Afrikaans
0.3%
French
0.3%
Serbian
0.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
44.5%
Australian
37.5%
Scottish
16.5%
Irish
16.3%
Italian
6.1%
German
5.0%
Dutch
2.4%
New Zealander
1.2%
Welsh
1.0%
French
0.9%
Chinese
0.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
58.7%
Catholic
16.8%
Anglican
7.8%
Not stated
4.9%
Uniting Church
3.6%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.1%
Christian (other)
1.9%
SB OSB NRA SB
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
52.0% 511
Separated
3.7% 36
Divorced
10.9% 107
Widowed
5.1% 50
Never married
28.4% 279

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
41.8%
Couple: children under 15
32.8%
Couple: no children under 15
17.5%
One parent: no children under 15
4.3%
One parent: children under 15
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
30.9%
2 persons
41.6%
3 persons
13.1%
4 persons
9.9%
5 persons
3.6%
6+ persons
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Cape Paterson

Housing Tenure

Of the 471 occupied private dwellings in Cape Paterson at the 2021 Census, 16.3% were rented, 53.9% owned outright and 23.8% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
3.2% 15 dwellings
Owned outright
53.9% 254 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
23.8% 112 dwellings
Rented
16.3% 77 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
3.0% 14 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
97.4%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.1%
2 bedrooms
12.9%
3 bedrooms
54.3%
4 bedrooms
22.6%
5 bedrooms
8.0%
6+ bedrooms
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
7.4%
$600-$799/mo
3.2%
$800-$999/mo
4.2%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
30.5%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
24.2%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
18.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
8.4%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.6%
1 vehicle
40.2%
2 vehicles
41.3%
3 vehicles
12.2%
4+ vehicles
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Cape Paterson

Employment

Employed full-time
25.5% 231 people
Employed part-time
23.2% 210 people
Unemployed
2.2% 20 people
Not in labour force
49.2% 446 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
29.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.9%
Managers
15.1%
Community & Personal Service
12.8%
Clerical & Administrative
12.5%
Sales Workers
6.5%
Labourers
6.3%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
6.0%
$1-$149/wk
1.4%
$150-$299/wk
2.1%
$300-$399/wk
3.0%
$400-$499/wk
7.3%
$500-$649/wk
5.0%
$650-$799/wk
5.7%
$800-$999/wk
8.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
11.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.4%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.2%
$4,000+/wk
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.3%
$1-$149/wk
4.8%
$150-$299/wk
5.9%
$300-$399/wk
4.0%
$400-$499/wk
5.1%
$500-$649/wk
7.6%
$650-$799/wk
11.7%
$800-$999/wk
10.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.0%
$3,500+/wk
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
76.7%
Did not go to work
14.7%
Car (passenger)
5.0%
Walked only
1.4%
Bicycle
1.1%
Other
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
62.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
16.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
15.8%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.5%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
30.6%
Bachelor Degree
28.8%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
21.0%
Postgraduate Degree
10.8%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
6.3%
Certificate I/II
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Society & Culture
17.9%
Management & Commerce
15.9%
Architecture & Building
14.8%
Health
13.5%
Education
9.6%
Engineering
9.3%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.5%
Creative Arts
4.4%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.8%
Agriculture & Environment
3.6%
Information Technology
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.6%
Secondary: Government
24.3%
Vocational Education
15.8%
Pre-school
11.2%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
6.6%
Primary: Catholic
5.3%
Secondary: Catholic
4.6%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
91.6%
Has need for assistance
4.5%
Need for assistance not stated
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
121
Arthritis
53
Heart disease
41
Diabetes
38
Lung condition
35
Asthma
35
Cancer
20
Kidney disease
10
Stroke
7

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
17.0% 157
Did not provide
83.0% 764

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
24.0% 223
Not a volunteer
76.0% 705

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
3.7% 35
Never served
96.3% 902

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.8%
1 child
10.1%
2 children
30.3%
3 children
22.1%
4 children
8.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
11
1951: 1960
21
1961: 1970
25
1971: 1980
34
1981: 1990
22
1991: 2000
6
2001: 2010
13
2011: 2015
5
2018
5
2020
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

16.2%
moved in the last year
49.1%
moved in the last 5 years
3.4%
unemployment rate (Census)
50.7%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
891
Moved from VIC
87
Moved: same area (SA2)
71
Moved from QLD
3
Moved from overseas
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.0%
5: 14 hours
34.1%
15: 29 hours
16.8%
30+ hours
12.4%
Did not do domestic work
15.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
90.9%
Blended family: no other children
6.4%
Step family: no other children
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cape Paterson Crime Statistics

47 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
17
Break & Enter
14
Assault
6
Justice Procedures
6
Property Damage
2
Fraud
2

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Cape Paterson

The closest suburb to Cape Paterson is Wonthaggi, 4.3 km away.

Wonthaggi
4.3 km away · income $515/wk · rent $270/wk
North Wonthaggi
8.8 km away · income $584/wk · rent $300/wk
Inverloch
10.9 km away · income $703/wk · rent $346/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Paterson

What is the population of Cape Paterson VIC?

The population of Cape Paterson VIC is 1,111 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 70 people per km². Cape Paterson is ranked #3,815 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Cape Paterson?

The median personal income in Cape Paterson VIC is $656 per week, or $34,112 per year. The median household income is $1,285 per week. Family income is $1,632 per week. Cape Paterson is ranked #6,231 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Cape Paterson?

Median rent in Cape Paterson VIC is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Rent represents 23.3% of household income, which is considered affordable. Cape Paterson ranks #4,529 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Cape Paterson?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cape Paterson VIC is $1,517. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Cape Paterson?

The median age in Cape Paterson VIC is 55 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Cape Paterson a good suburb to live in?

Cape Paterson is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 1,111. The median income is $656/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (23.3% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 20473. All dollar figures in AUD.