Melba

An assessment of population growth drivers in Melba reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Melba's population was 3,384 as of Nov 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure reflects a zero-percent increase from the 2021 Census result of 3,383 people. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 3,382 in June 2024 and six validated new addresses since the Census date. Melba's population density was 1,464 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. With a zero-percent growth rate since the census, Melba is within 2.4 percentage points of its SA3 area's growth rate of 2.4%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 64.7% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. By 2041, Melba's population is projected to decline by 311 persons according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts like the 85 and over group are expected to grow, with a projected increase of 15 people in that cohort.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Melba according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Melba averaged approximately four new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 24 homes. As of FY-26, zero approvals have been recorded. On average, 5.1 new residents were associated with each home built in Melba between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand significantly outpaces supply. This typically leads to upward pressure on prices and increased competition among buyers.

The average value of new homes being constructed is $216,000. In the current financial year, $626,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting minimal commercial development activity compared to previous years. Melba's development activity is 75.0% below the regional average per person when compared to the Australian Capital Territory. This scarcity of new homes can strengthen demand and prices for existing properties due to limited supply. The area's established nature is also reflected in its level being under the national average, potentially suggesting planning limitations.

New building activity comprises 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% medium and high-density housing, offering a mix of opportunities across price brackets. Melba's population density, at around 1087 people per approval, indicates a mature, established area with expected stable or declining population growth, potentially reducing pressure on housing and creating buying opportunities.

Melba has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 14thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. A total of one project has been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Among the key projects are Ginninderry Stage 3 - The Valley Release, Ginninderry Estate - Stages 4-7 (Strathnairn & future Macnamara), Belconnen Lakeshore - Connected Waterfront Precinct, and New Northside Hospital. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Melba faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Melba has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 6.1% as of September 2025.

Over the past year, employment stability was relative. There were 1,673 residents employed in September 2025, with an unemployment rate of 8.7%, higher than the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) rate of 3.6%. Workforce participation was lower at 65.0% compared to ACT's 69.6%. Leading employment industries were public administration & safety, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Education & training had an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level, while public administration & safety employed 25.9% of local workers, below ACT's 30.4%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparison. In the 12 months prior, employment increased by 0.1%, labour force by 1.0%, raising unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. Meanwhile, ACT had employment growth of 1.4% and a fall in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov showed ACT employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.5%, slightly above the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May-25 estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, varying by industry sector. Applying these projections to Melba's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The median taxpayer income in Melba SA2 was $65,611, with an average of $74,164 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This is higher than the national averages of $68,678 median and $83,634 average in the Australian Capital Territory. Based on a 13.6% growth from the Wage Price Index since FY2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $74,534 median and $84,250 average. The 2021 Census data ranks Melba's household, family, and personal incomes between the 84th and 86th percentiles nationally. Incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999 were reported by 31.0% of Melba's population (1,049 individuals), similar to the regional average of 34.3%. High weekly earnings exceeding $3,000 were achieved by 38.1% of households, indicating strong consumer spending power. After housing costs, residents retained 87.3% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power and placing Melba in the 8th decile based on its SEIFA income ranking.

Melba is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Melba, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings including semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to the Australian Capital Territory's 69.4% houses and 30.5% other dwellings during the same period. The level of home ownership within Melba was at 35.5%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 43.8% and rented dwellings making up 20.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,100, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,000. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure stood at $400, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's $430. Nationally, Melba's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863 recorded in 2019, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375 during the same year.

Melba has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 76.5% of all households, including 36.9% couples with children, 27.6% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 23.5%, with lone person households at 21.0% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.

Melba shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile stands out regionally with university qualification rates of 40.3% among residents aged 15+, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees lead at 23.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 11.9% and graduate diplomas at 4.5%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 29.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 18.1%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.0% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 5.8% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Melba has 43 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 12 different routes that together facilitate 1,085 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically living within 157 meters of the nearest stop.

On average, there are 155 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Melba is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Melba faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 56%, covering about 1,911 people. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 10.1% and 9.6% of residents respectively. Around 65.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across Australian Capital Territory. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 16.8%, with about 567 people falling into this category, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 15.3%. Health outcomes among seniors in Melba are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Melba was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Melba's cultural diversity was found to be above average, with 21.9% of its population born overseas and 16.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Melba, comprising 45.4% of people there, compared to the Australian Capital Territory's overall figure of 1.3%. The most notable overrepresentation was seen in the 'Other' category, which comprised 1.2% of Melba's population.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (27.2%), English (24.9%), and Irish (9.2%). Some ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Welsh at 0.7% in Melba compared to 0.6% regionally, Croatian at 0.8% versus 0.8%, and Serbian at 0.4% versus 0.3%.

Melba's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Melba's median age is 38 years, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 35 but equivalent to the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Melba has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (15.2%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.7%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 11.0% to 12.8%, while the population aged 0 to 4 has declined from 7.1% to 5.9%. The population aged 45 to 54 has also decreased, from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Melba's age profile will change significantly. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow by 4%, adding 18 residents and reaching a total of 439. In contrast, both the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to decrease in number.