Greater Geelong City
Greater Geelong City scores well on community services (62/100) but only 25/100 on sustainability — a gap worth watching.
"Victoria's second city — waterfront renewal, cultural growth, and Melbourne commuter hub"
See where Greater Geelong City ranks: Best Councils in Victoria 2026
Victoria · regional council · Pop. 289,565
Data last updated: 2024-25 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
44 out of 100
#25 of 29 regional councils in VIC
#65 in Victoria
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 25/100 |
| Community Services | 62/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 53/100 |
| Core Operations | 37/100 |
What This Means For You
Among regional councils, Greater Geelong City performs strongest in Community Services (scoring 62 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Sustainability (currently 25 out of 100).
What Makes This Place Unique
Victoria's second city — waterfront renewal, cultural growth, and Melbourne commuter hub
Greater Geelong has transformed from a car manufacturing city into a confident, growing regional centre. The waterfront renewal is world-class, the food and cultural scene has matured, and the population has boomed as Melbourne commuters discover they can have bayside living at half the price.
Known For
- Geelong waterfront — the Carousel, bollards, boardwalk, and dining precinct
- Gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road
- Deakin University Geelong campus — driving knowledge economy growth
- Significant manufacturing history transitioning to services and tech
Living Here
Geelong is the best-value major Australian city. Waterfront living, strong amenity, improving cultural scene, and a fast train to Melbourne. The growth areas (Armstrong Creek, Lara) are expanding rapidly. Geelong has hit its stride — it feels like a city that knows what it wants to be.
Hidden Gem
The Barwon River trail from the city to Barwon Heads — a stunning walk or ride from urban Geelong to the surf coast.