Lara
VIC 3212 · Greater Geelong
19,014 (2021) → 21,833 est. (2025) · High Growth
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Lara is a high growth suburb in Greater Geelong, VIC 3212, about 54km from Melbourne CBD. Its median house price of $683K is around the same as the VIC average. The suburb has 4 schools, a transport score of 85/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Lara has an overall score of 69/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 82/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 3212 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (3.56%), India (1.91%), Philippines (1.67%), New Zealand (1.19%), Scotland (0.73%)
Top languages: Punjabi (1.39%), Tagalog (0.94%), Vietnamese (0.6%), Croatian (0.56%), Italian (0.53%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: Valuer-General Victoria (DTF) · Updated 2024
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (suburb-level) · Updated 2025
Schools
Reasonable school mix
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of schools, though the strongest options may require some travel.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1003 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- St Anthony's SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1040
- Lara Lake Primary SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1025
- Lara Primary SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 993
- Lara Secondary CollegeSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 975
Nearby (within 10km)
- Geelong Grammar School - Corio CampusCombined · Independent · 6.9kmICSEA 1149
- Northern Bay P-12 College-Hendy Street P-8 CampusCombined · Government · 8km
- St Francis Xavier SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 8.4kmICSEA 937
- Northern Bay P-12 College-Wexford Court P-8 CampusCombined · Government · 8.7km
- Geelong English Language School (interim name)-Corio CampusCombined · Government · 8.7km
- Northern Bay P-12 CollegeCombined · Government · 9.2kmICSEA 877
- Yea High School-Goldsworthy Road CampusSecondary · Government · 9.3km
- Kardinia International College - Kardinia Grove CampusCombined · Independent · 9.3km
- Nelson Park School-Illinois Avenue AnnexeSecondary · Government · 9.4km
- Geelong Baptist CollegeCombined · Independent · 9.6kmICSEA 1031
- Little River Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 9.7kmICSEA 978
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Few fitness options
Very few fitness facilities in and around this suburb.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Limited outdoor options
Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Few cultural venues
Very few cultural venues in and around this suburb.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Not much nightlife
Very few licensed venues nearby — you'll be heading to a neighbouring suburb for a night out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: VGCCC (Victorian liquor register) · Updated April 2026
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Greater Geelong
Compare Lara with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Lara
Is Lara safe?
Lara has a residential safety score of 82/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 4,292 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Lara?
In Lara, the .
How far is Lara from Melbourne CBD?
Lara is about 53.6 km from Melbourne CBD, an estimated 95 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Lara?
Lara has 4 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1008 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Lara?
Lara has a transport score of 85/100, including 1 train station and 59 bus stops.