Town by town snapshot: Fairhaven

The size of Fairhaven is approximately 5.2 square kilometres and is separated from Aireys Inlet by Painkalac Creek,
but both are still considered to be part of the same town.

The population of Fairhaven in 2011 was 354 people and by the 2016 Census the population was 276 showing a population decline of 22 per cent in the area during that time.

Geographically Fairhaven is a series of hills that front onto the majestic Fairhaven Beach and is surrounded by the Great Otway National Park at the rear.

It is a popular holiday destination and the majority of houses in Fairhaven are used for this purpose.

The Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club is very popular, and the beach is patrolled by both lifeguards and volunteer life savers in the warmer months with an underpass providing safe access under the Great Ocean Road.

Nearby, the famous Pole House first built in the 1970s continues to attract a great deal of interest.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Fairhaven is 50-59 years with households in Fairhaven being primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying $1,800 – $2,399 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Fairhaven work in a professional occupation.

In 2011, 85.8 per cent of the homes in Fairhaven were owner-occupied compared with 83.5 percent in 2016.