Airport West

Population growth drivers in Airport West are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Airport West's population is estimated at around 8,803 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 630 people (7.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,173 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 8,783, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 172 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,398 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 7.7% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's 4.9%, marking Airport West as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking at population projections moving forward, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is expected, with the suburb expected to increase by 867 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 9.6% in total over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Airport West when compared nationally

Airport West recorded approximately 75 residential properties granted approval annually, with around 376 homes approved between FY-21 and FY-25. In FY-26, by June, about 87 dwellings have been approved. This results in an average of roughly 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost value for these properties is approximately $425,000. Commercial development approvals totalled $10.6 million in FY-26. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Airport West exhibits moderately higher construction activity, at 31.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. The new development composition is approximately 33.0% detached dwellings and 67.0% attached dwellings, which differs from the current housing pattern of around 63.0% houses. Airport West has a population density of roughly 133 people per approval, indicating a developing area.

By 2041, AreaSearch projects Airport West will add approximately 847 residents based on its latest quarterly estimate.

Airport West has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of twelve projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Hart Precinct, Textron Aviation Hangar 83, Essendon Fields, and Airport Toyota Expansion, with the following list detailing those 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.

Employment conditions in Airport West demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Airport West has an educated workforce with diverse sector representation, unemployment rate of 2.7%, and stable employment over the past year (AreaSearch data). As of December 2025, 4897 residents are employed, with a 2.1% lower unemployment rate than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%.

Census data shows 30.9% work from home, considering Covid-19 impacts. Leading industries include construction, healthcare & social assistance, and education & training. Construction employment is high at 1.4 times the regional level, while professional & technical employs only 6.8%, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. The worker-to-resident ratio of 0.6 indicates ample local opportunities.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force decreased by 0.8% and employment by 0.3%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Airport West's mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% in five years and 13.1% in ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2023 shows Airport West's median income was $61,285 and average income was $74,643. For Greater Melbourne, the median income was $57,688 and average income was $75,164. Based on a 9.62% growth in wages since June 2023, estimated incomes for March 2026 would be approximately $67,181 (median) and $81,824 (average). The 2021 Census reports that Airport West's household, family, and personal incomes fall around the 57th percentile nationally. Income analysis indicates that 31.4% of residents earn between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, consistent with metropolitan trends at 32.8%. Housing costs consume 15.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 52nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Airport West displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Airport West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 62.6% houses and 37.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Airport West was at 39.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.4% and rented ones at 28.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,085, higher than Melbourne metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Airport West was $401, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Airport West's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Airport West features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.7% of all households, including 28.7% couples with children, 23.7% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.3%, with lone person households at 31.4% and group households making up 2.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than Greater Melbourne's average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Airport West exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Airport West's residents aged 15+ have 28.3% with university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. This difference suggests potential for educational improvement. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 31.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 20.8%.

Currently, 24.0% of the population is actively engaged in formal education: 7.9% in primary, 5.7% in secondary, and 4.4% in tertiary education.

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

Airport West has 57 active public transport stops, consisting of both lightrail and bus services. These stops are served by 13 different routes, together facilitating 8,212 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents situated an average of 201 meters from their nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 88% of residents. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a significant 30.9% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 1,173 trips daily, translating to roughly 144 weekly trips per individual stop.

Airport West's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Airport West's health metrics are close to national benchmarks, with AreaSearch assessing mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence as somewhat typical of the general population.

However, older cohorts have a higher prevalence of common health conditions compared to the national average. Private health cover is very high in Airport West, at approximately 56% of the total population (~4,956 people). The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.0 and 7.5% of residents respectively. 69.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The under-65 population has better than average health outcomes. Airport West has 19.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,690 people), higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Airport West's population showed high cultural diversity, with 25.9% born overseas and 26.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Airport West, at 64.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 43.0%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (18.6%), English (17.8%), and Italian (17.8%), significantly higher than regional averages.

Notably, Maltese (3.0%) was overrepresented in Airport West versus the region (1.1%). Similarly, Croatian (1.4% vs 0.7%) and Greek (4.3% vs 2.7%) groups showed significant divergences compared to regional representations.

Airport West's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Airport West is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and very close to Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Greater Melbourne average, Airport West has a notably over-represented 75-84 age group (7.1% locally) and an under-represented 15-24 age group (9.5%). Post-2021 Census data shows that the 5-14 age group grew from 10.0% to 11.3% of the population, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 12.6% to 11.2%. Population forecasts for Airport West indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 55-64 age group is projected to grow by 20%, increasing from 1,003 to 1,206 people. Conversely, both the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups are expected to have reduced numbers.