Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Badger Creek has an estimated 1,564 residents, down from 1,610 at the 2021 Census — a change of 46 people, or 2.9%. The population has thinned by an average 0.9% a year over five years, slower than 98% of areas nationally. That puts 174 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
According to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS demographic updates with post-Census address validations, the suburb of Badger Creek has an estimated population of roughly 1,564 as of Aug 2026. Compared with the 1,610 residents counted in the 2021 Census, this indicates a drop of 46 people (2.9%). These findings stem from an estimated resident count of 1,559 determined after reviewing the ABS June 2025 ERP release, alongside 1 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census. The suburb's density currently stands at 174 persons per square kilometer, offering generous space per resident as well as scope for prospective development.
Net demographic expansion in the area has been driven almost entirely by overseas migration in recent times. For individual SA2 districts, AreaSearch applies ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline. Where SA2 figures are missing, 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections are utilized via weighted aggregation from LGA down to SA2 boundaries. Projected age-group growth rates from these models are similarly applied across regions from 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the suburb of Badger Creek is tracking within the lower quartile of nationwide growth, with aggregated SA2 modeling indicating an addition of 48 persons to 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 2.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Building approvals have recorded no new dwellings throughout the preceding five years in Badger Creek. Such subdued construction reflects an established locality where opportunities for new builds remain scarce. Although constrained supply tends to reinforce existing property values, it likewise points to a mature housing market characterized by subdued turnover. Construction levels in Badger Creek trail well behind the broader activity observed across Greater Melbourne. This limited flow of new building stock generally bolsters buyer competition and pricing across established residences. Because development rates also sit beneath the national benchmark, the suburb reflects an established urban footprint with likely planning constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Badger Creek
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Badger Creek, worth an estimated $85 million. A further 27 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.14 billion. 8 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, environmental & disaster management 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
Community outcomes and development trajectories are heavily shaped by planning initiatives, major civic projects, and local infrastructure works. AreaSearch has highlighted 1 distinct project expected to influence the surrounding region, with notable initiatives including the Healesville Sanctuary Precinct Redevelopment (Stage 2), Maroondah Highway & Don Road Interchange Upgrade, Graceburn Gardens Estate, and The Memo Healesville Redevelopment.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Healesville Sanctuary Precinct Redevelopment (Stage 2)
A major expansion of Healesville Sanctuary focused on modernising visitor facilities and native animal exhibits to support critical wildlife conservation. Key components include a new Threatened Species Quarantine facility, a Raptor Recovery Flight Aviary, and an upgraded Australian Wildlife Health Centre Visitor Gallery. Ongoing works involve the redesign of the active play area and visitor amenity blocks to enhance the educational experience and save priority native species from extinction.
Maroondah Highway & Don Road Interchange Upgrade
Construction is underway on a grade-separated interchange replacing the existing roundabout at Maroondah Highway and Don Road in Healesville. The project includes a new bridge over Maroondah Highway, upgraded intersections, shared walking and cycling paths, improved safety barriers, drainage upgrades and landscaping to improve traffic flow and safety. Construction remains on track for completion in 2026.
Yarra Valley Railway Heritage Line Restoration
Volunteer-led restoration of the historic Yarra Valley Railway between Healesville and Yarra Glen. The project includes reconstruction of rail infrastructure, bridge and station restoration, rolling stock overhaul and eventual expansion of heritage train services. As of 2026, public passenger services have been temporarily paused so volunteers can accelerate track restoration, rolling stock works and preparations for extending operations to Yarra Glen.
Graceburn Gardens Estate
Premium residential land estate offering large lifestyle blocks with Yarra Valley views. The project has been completed in stages, with lots likely fully released by 2024.
The Memo Healesville Redevelopment
Restoration and expansion of the historic 1930s art-deco cinema and community hall into a modern multi-purpose performing arts and function centre. The venue includes a retractable seating bank auditorium, a hydraulic orchestra pit lift, a gallery space, and multi-purpose hire rooms (Nan Francis Room, Billiard Room, Meeting Room).
Morrison Reserve Master Plan 2024-2039
A 15-year master plan for Morrison Reserve adopted by Yarra Ranges Council on 28 May 2024. The first funded implementation stage, the Youth Activation and Bike Park project, is now under construction by Warrandale Industries following contract award. The works include an all-abilities bike park, youth activation spaces, social areas and associated public facilities, with completion expected during 2026. The broader master plan continues to guide future staged upgrades to sporting, recreation and pathway infrastructure through 2039.
Fernhill Road, Mount Evelyn - Drainage Improvements
Drainage infrastructure and stormwater network upgrades along Fernhill Road in Mount Evelyn. Delivered under Yarra Ranges Council's Capital Expenditure Program, the works resolve localized overland flow and flooding impacts associated with surrounding catchment development.
Hereford Road Childcare Centre and Development Site
A planning permit for a 104-place childcare centre on a 5014 sqm site at 19-23 Hereford Road, Mount Evelyn was approved by VCAT on 4 December 2024, following a Council refusal that was overturned on appeal. The application, lodged by Planning Property Partners, originally also proposed a 24/7 McDonald's restaurant on the site, but the fast-food component was refused by Council and the refusal was upheld by VCAT. The childcare centre occupies about 43 percent of the supersite, which retains a development scheme allowing for an additional quick-service restaurant / fast-food outlet subject to further approval.The property was the site of Pro Futsal Mt Evelyn, a sports complex and physiotherapy clinic, held on a lease expiring 31 December 2025. The site was taken to market via Expressions of Interest closing 2 July 2025 through Burgess Rawson and Teska Carson, and has since sold; the purchaser has not been publicly disclosed. No construction start date has been confirmed.
793 residents of Badger Creek are employed, from a labour force of 830. Unemployment sits at 4.5%, with participation at 64.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,232, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market in Badger Creek features an even distribution across white-collar and manual professions, highlighted by strong presence in construction trades, an unemployment rate of 4.5%, and annual employment growth of 0.9% according to statistical aggregations by AreaSearch. In March 2026, employed locals numbered 793, while the jobless rate tracking 0.3% under the 4.8% recorded for Greater Melbourne coincided with a lower participation rate of 64.5% versus 70.1% across Greater Melbourne. Census records showed 16.2% of workers operating from home, though pandemic-related lockdown measures may have influenced this outcome.
Local jobs are heavily weighted toward construction, manufacturing, along with health care & social assistance. Building and construction displays marked local specialization, capturing a workforce proportion 1.7 times the wider regional benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical occupations are under-indexed, making up just 3.1% of the workforce in Badger Creek relative to 10.1% in Greater Melbourne. Comparing resident counts against the local working population from the Census points to restricted local commercial employment opportunities. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM statistical series reveal that across the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 0.9% while the broader labour pool grew by 1.3%, lifting local unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. Across Greater Melbourne over the same timeframe, jobs increased by 2.1%, the workforce expanded by 2.3%, and the unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points. Future employment outlooks are guided by national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. These five- and ten-year models have been applied against the local industry baseline to project workplace trends. While national figures anticipate expansions of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years with notable sector variances, weighting these benchmarks across Badger Creek's sectoral distribution indicates employment gains of 5.8% over five years and 12.5% over ten years (provided purely as an illustrative weighting exercise without incorporating local demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Badger Creek is $1,481 a week (about $77,000 a year), with median personal income at $683 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,945 a year against an average of $57,284. 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
Based on aggregated postcode taxation statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers across the suburb of Badger Creek registered a median income of $44,945 and an average income of $57,284. These figures sit below the nationwide benchmark and compare against respective Greater Melbourne medians and averages of $57,688 and $75,164. Incorporating Wage Price Index gains of 9.62% recorded since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $49,269 (median) and $62,795 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed local family, household, and personal earnings moderately between the 25th and 34th percentiles.
Specifically, 35.1% of residents (548 individuals) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, aligning with the 32.8% observed regionally. After meeting housing costs, households retain 86.0% of earnings for general living needs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Badger Creek had 609 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 0% apartments. 50% are owned with a mortgage, 10% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $323 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 21.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Badger Creek at the most recent Census was composed of 93.4% houses and 6.6% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared with 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings throughout Melbourne metro. Outright property ownership in Badger Creek reached 40.0%, substantially exceeding metropolitan rates, while the remaining homes were divided between mortgaged (49.6%) and rented (10.4%) properties. Monthly mortgage costs averaged a median of $1,517 locally against $2,000 across Melbourne metro, while median weekly rent stood at $323 compared to $390 in Melbourne metro.
On a national scale, local monthly repayments remain noticeably lower than the Australian figure of $1,863, with weekly rent sitting well below the national mark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Badger Creek counted 609 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 23% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units represent the primary living arrangement, accounting for 74.7% of households and consisting of couples without children (30.7%), couples with children (30.2%), and single parent families (12.5%). Non-family setups make up the other 25.3%, consisting mostly of lone person households at 22.8% alongside group households at 2.6%. The typical household size sits at 2.5 people, slightly below the 2.6 recorded across Greater Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.8% of adults in Badger Creek hold a university qualification, including 10.2% with a bachelor degree and 2.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.6% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 237 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 996 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
Attainment levels present structural challenges locally, with 15.8% of residents holding higher education degrees compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne, creating opportunities for dedicated upskilling programs. Bachelor degrees form the primary tertiary qualification at 10.2%, followed by graduate diplomas at 3.0% and postgraduate qualifications at 2.6%. Meanwhile, trade credentials remain prominent, with 41.3% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational certifications, divided between advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (31.6%). Active enrollment in formal study accounts for 24.8% of the local population. Within this cohort, 9.4% attend primary school, 6.8% are in secondary school, and 2.5% are enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Badger Creek means driving: households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local transit networks feature 4 operational public transport stops across Badger Creek providing bus connections. These stops are served by 2 distinct routes that generate 567 weekly passenger trips in total. Transit accessibility remains strong, with households typically situated 363 meters from their nearest boarding point. As an outlying residential suburb, outward travel is common, and private vehicles account for 94% of trips. Car ownership averages 1.7 vehicles per household, exceeding regional figures, while 16.2% of the workforce indicated working from home during the 2021 Census under potential COVID-19 influences.
Across all transit lines, services run at an average frequency of 81 trips per day, translating to roughly 141 weekly services per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.0% of residents in Badger Creek report no long-term health condition. 5.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community wellness metrics across Badger Creek indicate lower overall health outcomes based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality patterns and chronic illnesses, with elevated incidence rates evident across younger as well as older demographics. Private medical insurance coverage stands at approximately 50% of residents (~774 people), sitting below the 56.7% registered across Greater Melbourne and the 55.7% national benchmark. Locally diagnosed health issues are led by arthritis and asthma, affecting 11.2% and 8.6% of residents, respectively, whereas 64.0% of the community indicated no chronic health conditions compared with 72.6% across Greater Melbourne.
Working-age cohorts experience increased rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 23.6% of the population (369 people), above the 15.1% seen across Greater Melbourne, with senior citizens achieving above-average health scores that surpass broader national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Badger Creek is largely Australian-born, at 85.7% of residents, with 3.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.3%) and Australian (30.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Badger Creek trend lower than broader regional benchmarks, with 85.7% of residents born in Australia, 91.4% holding Australian citizenship, and 96.9% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity stands as the predominant faith, claimed by 33.3% of the community. In contrast, Judaism accounts for no residents locally, differing from the 1.0% observed across Greater Melbourne. Regarding parental ancestry, English heritage represents the largest background in Badger Creek at 32.3%, well above the 20.1% regional baseline, followed by Australian ancestry at 30.2% (against 18.4% regionally) and Scottish ancestry at 9.1%.
Distinct concentrations also appear across other lineages, with Dutch ancestry accounting for 3.2% (compared to 1.2% regionally), German representing 5.0% (versus 2.2%), and Hungarian standing at 0.5% (versus 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Badger Creek is 43. 20.5% 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
The demographic profile in Badger Creek trends noticeably older than the surrounding metropolitan area. Updates to August 2026 indicate that retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) constitute 23.6% of the local population, compared to 15.1% across Greater Melbourne, while young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) make up 23.3% versus 32.1% regionally. This results in an estimated median age of 43, matching the 2021 Census result, which sat 6 years above Greater Melbourne's median of 37 and higher than the national median of 38 from the same Census. Since that count, the sharpest demographic shift has been among retiree and elderly cohorts, rising from 20.5% to an estimated 23.6%.
Looking ahead to 2041, senior cohorts are projected to experience the greatest growth, rising by 79 residents (21%) to 448, while young to middle aged adults alongside children and young adults are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Badger Creek
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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 | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 1 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 May 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 — 1 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,610 at the 2021 Census → 1,564 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 (SAL20097). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.