Lara, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Lara VIC is 19,014 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Lara is $834 per week ($43,368 per year). Median rent in Lara is $370 per week ($1,603 per month). Lara has a median age of 37 years, younger than the national median of 38. Lara has a population density of 213 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Lara is England. The most common religion is No religion (41.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Punjabi. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lara is $1,733.

There were 1,391 recorded offences in Lara in 2025-25, a rate of 73 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (461 offences).

Population
19,014
Census 2021
Median income
$834/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$370/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
37years
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.

Lara vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Lara is $834 a week, 9% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 425th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $370 a week, $54 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 18.8% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 37, 6 years younger 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.
MeasureLaraTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$834/wk$767/wk +9%$766/wk
Household income$1,969/wk$1,687/wk +17%$1,637/wk
Rent$370/wk$316/wk +17%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,733/mo$1,723/mo +1%$1,733/mo
Median age3743 −6 yrs42
Rent share of household income18.8%19.1% −0.3 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 Lara, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Lara Population

19,014 residents at the 2021 Census.

Lara Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$834/wk
$43,368 per year
Ranked 3,047 of 14,663
Median Rent
$370/wk
$1,603 per month
Ranked 2,711 of 14,663
Median Age
37years
1 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,733/mo
Avg household size: 2.7 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Lara Rent Prices & Affordability

19% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,969/wk
Median rent $370/wk
Rent to income 18.8%

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

Median rent in Lara against your income

About $8,532 a month
Median rent $370/wk
Left after rent $1,599/wk
Rent share 18.8%

Lara Schools

4
schools nearby
3
government
1008
avg ICSEA score
2,462
total students
St Anthony's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 477 students
1040
ICSEA
Lara Lake Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 888 students
1025
ICSEA
Lara Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 439 students
993
ICSEA
Lara Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 658 students
975
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Lara, with a map

Lara Map

Lara, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Lara, Victoria: 38.0104°S, 144.4141°E

Lara Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (4)

People in Lara

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 52.1% (9,907) Female 47.9% (9,110)

Population Density

213
people per km²
19,014 people · 89.3 km²

Households

2.7
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,229
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
3.6%
India
1.9%
Philippines
1.7%
New Zealand
1.2%
Scotland
0.7%
Vietnam
0.5%
Netherlands
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

Punjabi
1.4%
Tagalog
0.9%
Vietnamese
0.6%
Croatian
0.6%
Italian
0.5%
Filipino
0.5%
Serbian
0.4%

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

Ancestry

Australian
36.2%
English
36.1%
Irish
11.0%
Scottish
10.3%
German
4.4%
Italian
3.8%
Dutch
2.9%
Filipino
2.2%
Indian
1.7%
Croatian
1.6%
Australian Aboriginal
1.5%

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
41.5%
Catholic
22.6%
Not stated
10.7%
Anglican
7.8%
Uniting Church
2.8%
Christian (other)
2.2%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.8%
Baptist
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
48.4% 7,426
Separated
3.3% 506
Divorced
7.8% 1,201
Widowed
4.3% 658
Never married
36.2% 5,550

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
45.0%
Couple: no children
24.4%
Couple: no children under 15
17.1%
One parent: children under 15
7.5%
One parent: no children under 15
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
20.7%
2 persons
32.8%
3 persons
17.4%
4 persons
18.4%
5 persons
7.5%
6+ persons
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Lara

Housing Tenure

Of the 6,358 occupied private dwellings in Lara at the 2021 Census, 21.6% were rented, 30.5% owned outright and 45.6% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.3% 81 dwellings
Owned outright
30.5% 1,938 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
45.6% 2,897 dwellings
Rented
21.6% 1,372 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.1% 69 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
90.4%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.0%
2 bedrooms
10.8%
3 bedrooms
43.2%
4 bedrooms
39.2%
5 bedrooms
4.1%
6+ bedrooms
0.7%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.3%
$300-$449/mo
1.7%
$450-$599/mo
1.4%
$600-$799/mo
2.5%
$800-$999/mo
4.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
15.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
23.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
31.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
9.4%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.5%
1 vehicle
28.6%
2 vehicles
43.3%
3 vehicles
15.7%
4+ vehicles
9.8%

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

Work, income and education in Lara

Employment

Employed full-time
39.4% 5,621 people
Employed part-time
20.3% 2,890 people
Unemployed
2.7% 383 people
Not in labour force
37.6% 5,359 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
25.1%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.7%
Community & Personal Service
15.8%
Clerical & Administrative
12.2%
Managers
11.1%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.4%
Labourers
5.6%
Sales Workers
5.1%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.3%
$1-$149/wk
0.3%
$150-$299/wk
0.9%
$300-$399/wk
1.5%
$400-$499/wk
4.6%
$500-$649/wk
4.5%
$650-$799/wk
5.2%
$800-$999/wk
5.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
14.7%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
10.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
8.4%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.9%
$4,000+/wk
10.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.0%
$1-$149/wk
4.4%
$150-$299/wk
5.6%
$300-$399/wk
3.7%
$400-$499/wk
3.2%
$500-$649/wk
3.0%
$650-$799/wk
9.3%
$800-$999/wk
10.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.9%
$3,500+/wk
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
76.7%
Did not go to work
13.2%
Car (passenger)
5.1%
Train
1.8%
Walked only
1.1%
Truck
0.9%
Other
0.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.3%
Bus
0.3%
Bicycle
0.2%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%
Ferry
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
54.2%
Year 10 or equivalent
24.1%
Year 11 or equivalent
15.6%
Year 9 or equivalent
6.2%

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
42.0%
Bachelor Degree
24.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.8%
Postgraduate Degree
6.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.6%
Certificate I/II
1.8%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
18.7%
Engineering
18.6%
Society & Culture
14.2%
Health
12.2%
Education
9.5%
Architecture & Building
8.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.6%
Information Technology
4.0%
Creative Arts
3.6%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.9%
Agriculture & Environment
2.2%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.0%
Secondary: Government
17.7%
Pre-school
12.4%
Vocational Education
11.7%
Primary: Catholic
11.3%
Secondary: Catholic
8.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
5.7%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.6%

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
85.2%
Has need for assistance
5.4%
Need for assistance not stated
9.3%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,944
Asthma
867
Arthritis
578
Diabetes
519
Heart disease
436
Lung condition
290
Cancer
244
Stroke
184
Kidney disease
179
Dementia
55

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.1% 1,918
Did not provide
85.9% 11,733

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.0% 1,781
Not a volunteer
87.0% 11,916

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.0% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 14
Previously served
2.9% 403
Never served
96.9% 13,310

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
31.2%
1 child
12.8%
2 children
30.9%
3 children
17.2%
4 children
6.2%
5+ children
1.6%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
47
1951: 1960
320
1961: 1970
471
1971: 1980
238
1981: 1990
242
1991: 2000
233
2001: 2010
674
2011: 2015
409
2016
122
2017
70
2018
71
2019
65
2020
24
2021
8

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

Population Mobility

13.3%
moved in the last year
41.4%
moved in the last 5 years
4.1%
unemployment rate (Census)
61.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
14,788
Moved from VIC
1,425
Moved: same area (SA2)
706
Moved from overseas
49
Moved from QLD
25
Moved from NSW
15
Moved from TAS
7
Moved from SA
3
Moved from WA
3
Moved from ACT
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.5%
5: 14 hours
29.2%
15: 29 hours
13.1%
30+ hours
10.1%
Did not do domestic work
26.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
86.7%
Step family: no other children
6.9%
Blended family: no other children
4.8%
Intact family: other children present
0.7%
Other couple: children only
0.5%
Step family: other children present
0.2%
Blended family: other children present
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Lara Crime Statistics

1,391 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
461
Justice Procedures
346
Assault
193
Property Damage
89
Drug Offences
76
Break & Enter
73
Weapons
65
Fraud
63
Public Order
15
Robbery
8
Traffic
1
Other
1

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

North Bendigo
Income: $707/wk Rent: $285/wk $85/wk less rent
White Hills (Vic.)
Income: $750/wk Rent: $300/wk $70/wk less rent
Canadian
Income: $749/wk Rent: $300/wk $70/wk less rent
Mount Clear
Income: $728/wk Rent: $310/wk $60/wk less rent
Darley
Income: $821/wk Rent: $320/wk $50/wk less rent
Hoppers Crossing
Income: $691/wk Rent: $340/wk $30/wk less rent
Ardeer
Income: $698/wk Rent: $340/wk $30/wk less rent
Belmont (Vic.)
Income: $802/wk Rent: $350/wk $20/wk less rent

Suburbs near Lara

The closest suburb to Lara is Corio, 7.1 km away.

Corio
7.1 km away · income $537/wk · rent $280/wk
Lovely Banks
9.3 km away · income $798/wk · rent $350/wk
Little River (Vic.)
10.0 km away · income $750/wk · rent $427/wk
Norlane
10.7 km away · income $494/wk · rent $250/wk
Bell Park
12.5 km away · income $638/wk · rent $340/wk
Bell Post Hill
12.6 km away · income $674/wk · rent $350/wk

Compare Lara

Frequently Asked Questions About Lara

What is the population of Lara VIC?

The population of Lara VIC is 19,014 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 213 people per km². Lara is ranked #159 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Lara?

The median personal income in Lara VIC is $834 per week, or $43,368 per year. The median household income is $1,969 per week. Family income is $2,229 per week. Lara is ranked #3,047 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Lara?

Median rent in Lara VIC is $370 per week ($1,603 per month). Rent represents 18.8% of household income, which is considered affordable. Lara ranks #2,711 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Lara?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lara VIC is $1,733. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Lara?

The median age in Lara VIC is 37 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Lara a good suburb to live in?

Lara is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 19,014. The median income is $834/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (18.8% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 21469. All dollar figures in AUD.