Town by Town Snapshot: Jan Juc

The size of Jan Juc is approximately 6.2 square kilometres and has 4 parks covering nearly 2.1% of total area.

The population of Jan Juc in 2011 was 3,521 people and by the 2016 Census the population was 3,686 showing a population growth of 4.7% in the area during that time.

During the mid-1960’s the coastal township of Jan Juc began to be developed as its rugged coastline and great surf and fishing spots attracted more people to the area.

By 1992 there were nearly 1,200 dwellings and an estimated population of 1,791 people with about one-third of these dwellings being holiday homes.

Effectively treeless prior to development, Jan Juc has certainly transformed itself from an area that was once dominated by holiday shacks and student accommodation dotted along unsealed roads with dodgy creek crossings.

This three-bedroom Jan Juc home originally built in the 1970s sold recently for $1.35 million.

Once considered Torquay’s poorer sister, Jan Juc now dominates the Torquay property market with the median house price consistently above that of Torquay’s, and currently, Jan Juc’s median house value exceeds Torquay’s by nearly $160,000.

The main reason Juc has become so popular with home owners and investors is that it is just not Torquay.

Relatively protected from development and population growth, Jan Juc is somewhat isolated from the pressures that Torquay faces in regard to traffic, development and commercial activity, for some Jan Juc residents, the thought of moving back across the bridge horrifies them.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Jan Juc is 40-49 years with households in Jan Juc being primarily couples with children and are likely to be repaying $1,800 – $2,399 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Jan Juc work in a professional occupation.

In 2011, 73.1% of the homes in Jan Juc were owner-occupied compared with 74.2% in 2016.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“Jan Juc is one of the newcomers to Australia’s million-dollar property club from regional Victoria.

“This is thanks to a red-hot market that’s seen the median value for houses and units in the 3228 postcode soar.

“With record low interest rates and low stock fueling demand, competition to buy a slice of “Juc” paradise has been fierce.

“We’re seeing multiple buyers competing over available properties, whilst happily watching the sold price exceeding vendors expectations in many cases.

“The level of interest in the area is no surprise, who wouldn’t want to live in a friendly community with stunning beaches, nature reserves, golf courses and the Great Ocean Road right on your doorstep.”

Shaun O’Callaghan – Director, One Agency Surf Coast

TIDBIT:

The village of Bellbrae was first known as Jan Juc, which is taken from the aboriginal word “jan jook” for iron bark and the trees that covered the area.

Population: 3,686

Male: 49.8%

Female: 50.2%

Median age: 37

5 year population change: 4.7%

House median value: $1,320,000

Change in Median Price: (5yrs) is 78%

Median asking rent per week: $520

Average length of ownership: 15 years

Owner occupiers: 77%

Renters: 23%

House median sale price: