Suburb Profile: Grovedale

The size of Grovedale is about 7sqkm and has 21 parks covering nearly 14.3 per cent of total area.

The population of Grovedale in 2016 was 14,314 and by the 2021 Census the population was recorded at 14,869 showing a population growth of 4% in the area during that time.

Grovedale has become an attractive alternative to many homebuyers who balk at the thought of moving into the higher density new suburbs.

Close to the Geelong CBD with great beaches just down the road at Torquay, the choice of train multiple stations, and all the best shopping facilities, Grovedale has become a popular suburb for homeowners.

Grovedale was named after a property of about 76 hectares acquired by Alexander Pennell in 1847, just south of Waurn Ponds Creek.

Originally the place was named Germantown, which arose from several families of Lutheran German origin who arrived at Corio Bay in 1849.

A Geelong pioneer, Dr Alexander Thomson, encouraged them to settle on Pennell’s land and a school was opened in 1854.

 

By the mid-1860s, there were about 70 families of German origin settled there, and there were two hotels, two flour mills, two tanneries and four wool washing establishments.

In September 1915, after the outbreak of World War I, the South Barwon Council changed the name to Grovedale.

Grovedale continued to be an agricultural district until the mid-1960s when residential expansion from neighbouring Belmont began.

In 1970 the estimated population was 1,200 persons and in 1980 the suburb had grown to 5,000.

CoreLogic data indicates the predominant age group in Grovedale is 30-39 years with households in Grovedale being primarily couples and retirees who are likely to be repaying on average $1,582 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Grovedale work in a professional occupation.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“Grovedale, a thriving suburb in southwestern Geelong, continues to attract both investors and homebuyers with its strong market performance and exceptional lifestyle offerings.

“With a population of approximately 17,000, Grovedale boasts a perfect blend of residential and commercial opportunities, enhanced by beautiful parks, reputable schools, and excellent transport connectivity.

“The Grovedale property market is showing strong signs of confidence, making it an exciting opportunity for investors.

“Houses rent for an average of $510 per week, delivering an attractive 4.1% annual rental yield, while units achieve $430 per week, yielding 4.7%.

“In the past month alone, 43 houses and 19 units were listed, with an impressive 212 houses and 46 units sold over the past year.

“With renewed confidence in the market and a recent interest rate cut bringing fresh optimism, Grovedale continues to present a solid investment opportunity with promising future growth.”

Tiffany Simpson – Director, Hayeswinckle East Geelong

TIDBIT:

Town and Country Shopping World opened in 1985 and is now called Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, although it is just in Grovedale.

Population: 16,762

Male: 47.8%

Female: 52.2%

Median age: 41

5 year population change: 5%

House median sales price: $660,000

Change in median price: (5yrs) 26%

Median asking rent per week: $510

Average length of ownership: 14 years

Owner occupiers: 74%

Renters: 26%

House median value:

January 2025: $704,250

January 2024: $702,700

January 2023: $712,500

January 2022: $748,800

January 2021: $586,150

House sales per annum:

Period ending January 2025: 225

Period ending January 2024: 223

Land median sale price:

January 2025: $415,000

January 2024: $403,000

Land sales per annum:

Period ending January 2025: 5

Period ending January 2024: 7