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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Airport West has an estimated 8,810 residents, up from 8,173 at the 2021 Census — a change of 637 people, or 7.8%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years. 176 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 64.0% of that increase. That puts 2,401 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic assessments by AreaSearch combining ABS regional updates with 176 validated new addresses post-Census place the population of the suburb of Airport West at approximately 8,810 as of Aug 2026. Compared against the 8,173 residents documented in the 2021 Census, this represents a net expansion of 637 people (7.8%). This outcome draws upon an estimated resident population of 8,783 established from the June 2025 ABS ERP release alongside subsequent address verification. With 2,400 persons per square kilometer, the suburb of Airport West records a density ratio ranking within the top quartile of nationally evaluated localities.
Expanding by 7.8% since the 2021 census, the suburb outpaced the 4.9% increase recorded across the broader SA3 area to serve as a regional growth driver, with overseas migration accounting for roughly 64.0% of recent gains. Projections for the suburb of Airport West apply 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 models using 2022 as a base year, supported by VIC State Government 2023 LGA releases weighted to the SA2 level for any missing geography and applying age cohort trajectories across 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, population growth for the suburb of Airport West sits marginally beneath the national median of assessed territories, anticipating an increase of 856 persons to 2041 under SA2 aggregations, which represents a cumulative expansion of 9.4% over 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
375 new dwellings have been approved in Airport West over the past five years, an average of 75 a year. That places the area in the 73rd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 9 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 87 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 32% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 120, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Dwelling construction metrics from AreaSearch drawing on ABS building approvals indicate an average delivery of roughly 75 residential approvals annually in Airport West, yielding approximately 375 homes across the past 5 financial years, with 120 approvals already logged in FY-25. Across FY-21 to FY-25, population intake averaged just 1 new residents per year per approved dwelling, demonstrating that construction is keeping pace with or exceeding local requirements, broadening buyer choice and supporting expansion, with new dwellings carrying an average expected construction cost of $469,000. In addition, commercial development approvals reached $10.6 million during this financial year, reflecting stable non-residential activity.
Per capita building activity across Airport West exceeds the Greater Melbourne average by 49.0% over the 5 year period, maintaining healthy options for purchasers while supporting established market values. Attached housing accounts for 68.0% of incoming dwellings alongside 32.0% standalone homes, creating accessible opportunities that cater to entry-level purchasers, downsizers, and investors. This shift away from the prevailing historical stock of 63.0% houses highlights tightening land availability as well as evolving density and affordability demands, with approximately 94 people per dwelling approval reflecting ongoing growth dynamics. According to the most recent quarterly figures from AreaSearch, Airport West is projected to add 829 residents through to 2041. Current planning and residential delivery rates suggest incoming supply will comfortably satisfy demand, establishing favourable market conditions for purchasers and supporting potential growth ahead of baseline expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Airport West
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Airport West, worth an estimated $520 million. A further 33 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $19.7 billion. 8 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Major infrastructure developments and urban planning initiatives play a decisive role in shaping local performance, with AreaSearch cataloguing 12 key projects across the district. Prominent undertakings include Hart Precinct, Textron Aviation Hangar 83, Essendon Fields, and Airport Toyota Expansion, with the primary developments detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Hart Industrial Precinct
A 30 hectare aviation, commercial and light industrial precinct in the north-east of Essendon Fields, named after aviation pioneer James "Bob" Hart. Stage 1 civil works, including the Global Avenue extension, services and the stage 1 retarding basin, are complete. Operational buildings include Autex Acoustics at 121-131 Global Avenue, Modscape at 112-120 Global Avenue and Dutton Wholesale at 1 Challenger Court, with Modscape storage at 117 Global Avenue. As of September 2026, landscaping, boundary works and retarding basin stage 2 (due Q1 2027) remain ongoing.Further warehouses and a cafe are planned subject to market demand.
Textron Aviation Hangar 83
A newly completed 3,343 square meter hangar facility at Essendon Fields Airport designed for Textron Aviation's business jet maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations. The facility more than doubles Textron's previous Melbourne footprint and serves as a major regional hub for Beechcraft, Cessna, and Hawker aircraft. It features an onsite parts stockroom, upgraded customer service lounge, and expanded workshop areas to support over 1,400 aircraft across the Asia-Pacific region.
Westfield Airport West Redevelopment & Upgrades
Completed redevelopment and upgrade works at Westfield Airport West, featuring a major new fresh food precinct (opened mid-2022) with expanded dining options and entry upgrades. The centre is anchored by Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Kmart, Target, and a Village Cinemas complex. Recent works focused on modernizing the retail mix and improving amenity.
Essendon Fields
A $500-million 20-year masterplan is underway to develop greenfield areas near Melbourne's CBD and Tullamarine airport. This plan includes road extensions, warehouses, amenities, and public spaces for the workforce.
17-25 Earl Street Airport West Development
Residential development project in Airport West on Earl Street. Part of ongoing residential densification in the Airport West area near transport links and Westfield shopping centre.
18-22 Howes Street Apartments by Artisan Architects
84-unit residential development featuring 1 and 2 bedroom apartments across two buildings of 5 and 6 storeys on a 1400sqm site. Designed by Artisan Architects with landscape design by Human Habitats. Includes 91 car parking spaces and mixed use office space. Development application has been granted, with completion estimated for early 2027.
12 Howes Street Airport West Apartments
30-unit residential apartment project at 12 Howes Street, Airport West. Proposal indicates a 4-storey, ~17 m building with rooftop terrace, approx. 30 car spaces and 5 bicycle spaces. Local government is Moonee Valley City Council.
19-21 Louis Street Airport West
Small-scale residential development in Airport West providing additional housing stock in established suburban area. Part of local planning to increase housing density near transport corridors.
4,923 residents of Airport West are employed, from a labour force of 5,052. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 69.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Workforce figures aggregated by AreaSearch indicate that Airport West maintains a qualified labor pool distributed across various industries, registering an unemployment rate of 2.6% alongside consistent annual employment performance. Employed persons numbered 4,923 as of March 2026, while the local jobless rate sat 2.2% lower than the 4.8% recorded for Greater Melbourne, accompanied by participation levels in line with the regional benchmark of 70.1%. Working from home was recorded by 30.9% of residents at the Census, although pandemic restrictions were active at that point. Resident employment demonstrates high representation across construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
Construction represents a distinct regional specialization, capturing a workforce share 1.4 times greater than the wider metropolitan benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for 6.8% of workers, trailing the 10.1% regional level. Local employment self-sufficiency remains elevated, with Census figures showing 0.6 workers for each resident. SALM and ABS records compiled by AreaSearch for the 12 months to March 2026 reveal a 0.1% increase in local employment alongside a 0.6% contraction in the labour force, causing the jobless rate to fall by 0.6 percentage points. Across Greater Melbourne, employment expanded by 2.1%, the labour force rose by 2.3%, and unemployment climbed by 0.2 percentage points. Longer-term forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 project national employment growth of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, which, when weighted against the local occupational profile, suggests Airport West employment will rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Airport West is $1,761 a week (about $92,000 a year), with median personal income at $883 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $61,285 a year against an average of $74,643. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate a median taxpayer income of $61,285 and an average of $74,643 in Airport West. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne medians of $57,688 and averages of $75,164. Incorporating 9.62% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 positions estimated earnings as of March 2026 at roughly $67,181 for the median and $81,824 for the average. Census records align overall household, family, and individual incomes near the 57th percentile nationally. The single largest income bracket comprises 2,766 residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (31.4%), aligning with the 32.8% regional proportion.
Housing costs account for 15.4% of total income, with net disposable earnings ranking at the 52nd percentile and SEIFA income placement within the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Airport West had 3,438 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 63% detached houses and 2% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $401 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,085 a month. Rent absorbs 22.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census structural profiles for Airport West show that separate houses represent 62.6% of residential stock, while semi-detached homes, apartments, and other configurations comprise 37.4%, compared against 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across Melbourne metro. Outright home ownership stands at 39.0%, well above the metropolitan norm, with mortgaged properties accounting for 32.4% and rental accommodation making up 28.6%. Typical monthly mortgage payments stood at $2,085 and weekly rents were $401, exceeding Melbourne metro figures of $2,000 and $390 respectively. Compared to national benchmarks, local mortgages remain well above the $1,863 Australian baseline, with rents similarly above the $375 national level.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Airport West counted 3,438 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,706 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 24% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 65.7% of all households in the area, divided between couples with children at 28.7%, couples without children at 23.7%, and single parent families at 11.9%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 34.3%, consisting of lone person households at 31.4% and group households at 2.8%. Average household occupancy is 2.3 people, lower than the Greater Melbourne figure of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
28.3% of adults in Airport West hold a university qualification, including 19.7% with a bachelor degree and 5.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 20.8% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,025 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,067 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications in Airport West sit below broader regional levels, with 28.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree relative to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications represent 19.7%, postgraduate awards comprise 5.6%, and graduate diplomas account for 3.0%. Technical and vocational credentials are held by 31.8% of residents aged 15+, consisting of certificates at 20.8% and advanced diplomas at 11.0%. Active participation in formal education stands at 24.0% across the local community. This cohort includes 7.9% enrolled in primary education, 5.7% attending secondary education, and 4.4% engaged in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Airport West reaches 57 stops on 13 routes, timetabled for about 7,300 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport networks in Airport West encompass 57 active stops across bus and lightrail infrastructure. A total of 13 individual routes operate across these stops, generating 7,315 weekly passenger trips and providing convenient access with an average distance of 201 meters to the closest stop. Private vehicle travel remains the primary commuting option for 88% of residents, with vehicle ownership averaging 1.2 per dwelling, while 30.9% of workers operated from home at the 2021 Census under pandemic conditions. Transit services maintain an average volume of 1,045 trips per day across the collective network, representing roughly 128 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.5% of residents in Airport West report no long-term health condition. 7.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
General health conditions across Airport West closely mirror Australian averages according to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and chronic illnesses, displaying standard rates among the wider population, higher prevalence in senior demographics, and strong private health insurance coverage of approximately 56% (~4,960 people). Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent reported conditions locally, affecting 8.0 and 7.5% of residents respectively, while 69.5% reported no chronic medical issues compared to 72.6% throughout Greater Melbourne. Younger residents under 65 demonstrate above-average health indicators. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 19.0% of the populace (1,673 people), exceeding the 15.1% share in Greater Melbourne, with senior health indicators presenting comparatively lower national standing.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
25.9% of Airport West residents were born overseas and 26.9% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (18.6%) and English (17.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Airport West is pronounced, with 25.9% of residents born overseas and 26.9% using a language other than English in their households. Christianity forms the dominant faith, observed by 64.8% of the community compared to 43.0% across Greater Melbourne. The primary reported ancestries for Airport West residents are Australian at 18.6%, English at 17.8%, and Italian at 17.8%, with the Italian representation substantially exceeding the 5.2% regional proportion. Other distinct community representations include Maltese at 3.0% (vs 1.1% regionally), Greek at 4.3% (vs 2.7%), and Croatian at 1.4% (vs 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Airport West is 39. 24.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Airport West closely parallel Greater Melbourne, showing a maximum variance of 3.9 percentage points across four broad categories. The median age is estimated at 39 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 2 years above the Greater Melbourne median of 37 at that Census. The cohort aged 45 - 64 has reduced from 23.5% at the Census to an estimated 22.5%, whereas retirees and seniors aged 65+ are forecast to expand by 416 residents (25%) to reach 2,090 by 2041, alongside contractions across young to middle aged demographics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Airport West
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Oct 2026 this month all 7 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Oct 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 176 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (8,173 at the 2021 Census → 8,810 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL20015). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.