Bass Coast Shire Council
Cape Paterson
Cape Paterson at a glance
Median house
$745,000
Median unit
$205,920
Walk score
6
Very car dependent
Population
1,111
Median age 55
The brief
What to know about Cape Paterson.
Cape Paterson (3995) sits in the Bass Coast region of Victoria. The median house here is $745,000, in line with the Victoria median of around $850K.
Cape Paterson has roughly 1,111 residents, with a retiree-heavy demographic. Households are predominantly owner-occupied. Daily life is car-dependent: most residents drive to work, school and the shops.
Side by side
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Day to day
What it’s like to live here.
Cape Paterson scores 6/100 on walkability, which makes it car-dependent with limited public transport. Plan for two cars in a typical household, especially if work isn't local.
Schooling within or near the suburb covers 2 government primary, 1 government secondary, 1 Catholic.
Who lives here
Demographics.
The 2021 Census put Cape Paterson's population at 1,111, with a median age of 55. That sits as a retiree-heavy demographic. Households are predominantly owner-occupied (78% own, 16% rent), which shapes everything from school catchment stability to how often properties turn over. The household mix skews family-dominated (66% family households, 31% lone person), so amenity decisions tend to follow what families want: parks, schools, supermarkets.
Population
1,111
Median age
55
Family households
66%
Lone person
31%
Demographics data as of May 2026· ABS 2021 Census
Houses change hands at $745,000 on a typical sale, in line with the Victoria median. Units come in around $205,920, roughly 72% below the house median.
For buyers
A 20% deposit on the median house works out to roughly $149,000. Prices are in line with the Victoria median, so the broader state lending settings apply.
Market
The price of a home here.
Median house price
$745,000
+0.0% over the past year. Median unit price $205,920.
Sales data as of May 2026· sales-vic
Rental and ownership
Weekly rent (house)
$280/wk
Weekly rent (unit)
$300/wk
Owner occupied
78%
Renter occupied
16%
At a deeper level
$745,000
$205,920
1,111
Median age: 55
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For investors
Investment overview.
Gross rental yield on houses sits at 1.95% (median rent $280/wk against a $745,000 price tag). Units yield 7.58% gross, often the better cash-flow play for first-time investors. Renter share is modest (16%), so the rental pool is smaller and tenant demand can be patchier than in higher-density suburbs.
Gross Yield (House)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 20261.95%
Based on $745,000 median
Gross Yield (Unit)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 20267.58%
Based on $205,920 median
Annual Growth (House)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 2026–
Year-on-year capital growth
Annual Growth (Unit)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 2026–
Year-on-year capital growth
Owner Occupancy
Source: ABS Census 2021 · May 202678%
Higher = more owner-occupier demand
Days on Market
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 2026–
Lower = higher buyer demand
Gross rental yield is annual rent divided by purchase price, before expenses. It does not account for vacancy rates, management fees, maintenance, or financing costs. Use this as a starting point for further research.
Safety
Crime and safety.
39
total offences in 2025
Top offence categories
Crime statistics are reported at LGA level and may cover a broader area than this suburb.
Source: State Police Open Data
Crime data as of December 2025· State Police Open Data
Getting around
Walkability.
6
0
0
Scores calculated from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL)
Walkability data as of May 2026· OpenStreetMap
Place
Location.
Amenities
Transport
Education
Schools in Cape Paterson.
Local schools for Cape Paterson
View the catchment for each school to find out more.
Government School Catchment
Bass Coast Specialist School
Bass Coast College
Wonthaggi Primary School
© ACARA, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Frequently asked
About Cape Paterson.
- What is the median house price in Cape Paterson?
- The median house price in Cape Paterson, VIC 3995 is $745,000. The median unit price is $205,920. Annual growth is +0.0%.
- What is the Cape Paterson postcode?
- Cape Paterson is in the 3995 postcode, in VIC, in the Bass Coast Shire Council region.
- What is the average rent in Cape Paterson?
- The median weekly rent for houses is $280, for units it's $300.
- What schools are in Cape Paterson?
- There are 5 schools serving Cape Paterson on this page, including Bass Coast Specialist School, Bass Coast College, Wonthaggi Primary School.
- How walkable is Cape Paterson?
- Cape Paterson has a Walk Score of 6 out of 100, highly car-dependent. transit score 0, bike score 0.
- What suburbs are near Cape Paterson?
- Cape Paterson is close to Harmers Haven, Wonthaggi, North Wonthaggi, Hicksborough, South Dudley.
- What is the population of Cape Paterson?
- Cape Paterson has approximately 1,111 residents. The median age is 55.
For Sale
Cape Paterson
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Surrounding Suburbs
Side by side
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Sources cited
Median, growth and rental data from state revenue offices and ABS. Census from ABS 2021. Climate from BoM. Hazard from Geoscience Australia. School data from ACARA. Crime from state police open data. Full methodology →
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