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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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Blackburn South has an estimated 11,001 residents, up from 10,939 at the 2021 Census. That puts 3,082 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
The suburb of Blackburn South has an estimated population of 11,001 as of May 2026, according to analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch. This figure represents an increase of 62 people (0.6%) from the 10,939 people recorded in the 2021 Census. The adjustment is derived from a resident population count of 10,986, which AreaSearch estimated after reviewing the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and incorporating 42 newly validated addresses since the Census date. With a density ratio of 3,081 persons per square kilometer, the suburb falls into the upper quartile compared to other national locations evaluated by AreaSearch.
Overseas migration has been the main factor behind recent population growth, serving as the only significant source of increase during this period. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilised for each SA2 division. For SA2 territories where this information is unavailable, AreaSearch incorporates the 2023 Victoria State Government projections, adjusted by weighting and aggregating population growth from LGA to SA2 divisions. Growth rates by age cohort from these calculations are also projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Future expectations suggest the suburb of Blackburn South will experience a population rise slightly under the median of all examined locations, expanding by 439 individuals by 2041 through aggregated SA2 projections, representing a total increase of 3.9% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
224 new dwellings have been approved in Blackburn South over the past five years, an average of 44 a year. That is 4.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 45 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 73% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 33, broadly in line with 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
Building approvals data from the ABS, mapped from broader statistical regions, shows the suburb of Blackburn South averaging approximately 44 approved dwellings annually, with an estimated total of 224 homes over the past 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 31 approvals have been registered. Because the population has decreased lately, the volume of new completions has likely matched market demand, providing buyers with options, while new homes average $703,000 in construction costs, pointing to developers focusing on high-end, premium properties. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $2.2 million this financial year, reinforcing the residential character of the neighborhood.
The suburb of Blackburn South displays significantly quieter construction activity than Greater Melbourne, sitting 52.0% below the regional per capita average. This limited addition of new stock generally supports demand and values for existing residences. Approved building types consist of 73.0% detached houses and 27.0% semi-detached properties or units, preserving the residential character dominated by family households wanting space. The ratio of around 293 people per building approval indicates a low density layout. Demographic projections indicate the suburb of Blackburn South will add 424 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Looking at established building trends, the addition of new housing should comfortably satisfy demand, establishing favourable conditions for purchasers and potentially supporting growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Blackburn South
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Blackburn South, worth an estimated $18 million. A further 131 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $101.6 billion. 28 are already under construction and 37 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation 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
Local infrastructure projects, major works, and urban planning policies have a major influence on local property performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 active projects that are expected to impact the neighborhood. Some of the key local developments include the Mirrabooka Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment, the Wurundjeri Walk Master Plan, the Raleigh Street Road Reconstruction Renewal Program, and the Blackburn South Exclusive Townhouse Collection, with details on the most significant works provided 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
Mirrabooka Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the Mirrabooka Reserve Pavilion delivering a modern community sports facility with six unisex change rooms, umpire facilities, accessible amenities, first aid room, community meeting room, multipurpose social space, kitchen and storage. Construction is underway following completion of design and tendering, with temporary facilities provided for clubs during works.
Raleigh Street Road Reconstruction Renewal Program
Road reconstruction and renewal program to improve infrastructure in Blackburn South and Forest Hill areas.
Wurundjeri Walk Master Plan
Whitehorse City Council has adopted the Wurundjeri Walk Master Plan for Mirrabooka Reserve, Orchard Grove Reserve and Fulton Reserve in Blackburn South. The plan sets a 15-year framework to improve path connections, accessibility, amenity, safety, seating, kerb ramps and public facilities while protecting environmental values, biodiversity and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung cultural significance. Following endorsement in December 2025, Council will progress detailed design and early works subject to funding and priorities.
Roberts Reserve Masterplan & Sports Pavilion
Major upgrade to Roberts Reserve in Box Hill South, delivering a new community sports pavilion with modern change rooms and social space, improved sports fields and courts, upgraded paths and lighting, and more accessible open space for local clubs and residents.
104 Main Street Blackburn Townhouses
17 contemporary three and four-bedroom townhouses designed by DE atelier architects. Modern architectural approach with quality materials and finishes, featuring 1-2 garage parking spaces per residence on a 1,720sqm site. Pricing from $849,950 for a quality residential development in established Blackburn location.
Forest Ridge (including MAX apartments)
A large-scale 9-hectare masterplanned community, formerly the Channel 10 television studio site. The project features approximately 700 dwellings, including townhouses and the 'MAX at Forest Ridge' apartment development. The MAX component consists of 115 luxury 1-3 bedroom apartments across two buildings, designed by SJB Architecture with landscapes by Jack Merlo. The wider community includes extensive parklands and nature trails with views over the Dandenong Ranges. Stages have been progressively developed since 2018.
133 Burwood Highway Mixed-Use Development
Proposed 8-storey mixed-use development comprising approximately 156 apartments, ground-floor commercial space and basement parking. The proposal includes sustainable design measures and is intended to complement the evolving Burwood Highway corridor. Publicly available information indicates the site has not yet progressed to construction and remains subject to the planning process.
Blackburn South Exclusive Townhouse Collection
An exclusive development of meticulously designed four-bedroom townhouses in Blackburn South, crafted for discerning homeowners. It combines superior quality with premium materials, high-end European appliances, and sophisticated finishes, offering a luxurious and convenient lifestyle close to schools, shopping, and parklands.
5,672 residents of Blackburn South are employed, from a labour force of 6,017. Unemployment sits at 5.8%, with participation at 65.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 8,860, about 81% 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 suburb of Blackburn South is home to a highly qualified workforce with substantial employment in professional sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.8%, and a 1.5% rise in jobs over the past year, according to AreaSearch aggregated data. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 5,672, whereas the unemployment rate was 1.0 percentage points higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, and participation in the labour market was slightly lower at 65.3% versus 70.2% regionally. Census records show a high rate of 39.6% of residents working from home, though this may reflect pandemic lockdown measures.
The main industries employing local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The education & training sector is particularly prominent, employing residents at 1.3 times the regional average rate. On the other hand, construction represents a smaller share of employment at 7.9% compared to 9.7% across the region. The comparison between the local working population and resident workers in the Census suggests the neighborhood is mostly residential with limited local jobs. Based on SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regions, the 12 months to March 2026 saw local employment rise by 1.5% while the labour force expanded by 2.5%, causing the unemployment rate to increase by 1.0 percentage points. Meanwhile, Greater Melbourne registered a 2.1% increase in employment, a 2.3% rise in the labour force, and a minor 0.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. National forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context on expected labour demand for the suburb of Blackburn South. These five and ten-year forecasts have been combined with local employment distributions to project future patterns. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but rates differ by industry. Extrapolating these national industry trends to the local workforce structure indicates employment for the suburb of Blackburn South could rise by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming local factors remain constant.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Blackburn South is $1,861 a week (about $97,000 a year), with median personal income at $753 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,679 a year against an average of $79,321. The average runs 45% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
Taxpayer statistics from the ATO for financial year 2023 indicate that the suburb of Blackburn South has a exceptionally high income level compared to national averages. The median income for local taxpayers is $54,679, and the average income is $79,321, compared to Greater Melbourne figures of $57,688 and $75,164. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $59,939 for median income and $86,952 for average income. The 2021 Census placed household incomes at the 56th percentile ($1,861 weekly) and individual incomes at the 39th percentile.
The largest group, comprising 28.8% of the local population (3,168 people), falls into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, which is close to the wider region where 32.8% of households are in this range. Residents allocate 15.5% of their income to housing costs, and strong overall earnings place disposable income at the 58th percentile, with a SEIFA income ranking in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Blackburn South had 4,024 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 76% detached houses and 8% apartments. 36% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $410 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,251 a month. Rent absorbs 22.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the dwelling profile in the suburb of Blackburn South consisted of 75.7% detached houses and 24.3% other types of housing, including semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across Melbourne metro. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Blackburn South were considerably higher than the metropolitan average at 39.3%, with 35.9% of properties mortgaged and 24.8% occupied by tenants. The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,251, which is above the metropolitan average of $2,000, and the median weekly rent was $410, compared to $390 metro-wide.
Compared nationally, local mortgage commitments are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents exceed the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Blackburn South counted 4,024 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 38% are couples with children, against 22% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise 70.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 37.7%, couples without children at 22.0%, and single parents at 9.8%. The remaining 29.3% are non-family households, which include single person households at 26.1% and group homes at 3.3%. The median size of local households is 2.6 people, matching the average for Greater Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
42.6% of adults in Blackburn South hold a university qualification, including 26.5% with a bachelor degree and 11.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 87% of areas nationally. A further 12.6% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,066 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,094 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
Residents in the suburb of Blackburn South have qualification rates that significantly exceed broader averages, with 42.6% of people aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. This strong educational profile positions the community well for professional services and knowledge sector roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. Vocational education is held by 23.7% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificate qualifications at 12.6%.
Enrolment in education is strong, with 30.1% of the population presently undertaking formal study. Primary school pupils make up 9.7% of residents, secondary students account for 8.2%, and tertiary students represent 6.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Blackburn South reaches 47 stops on 11 routes, timetabled for about 1,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 230 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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 infrastructure includes 47 active bus stops in the suburb of Blackburn South. These stops accommodate 11 routes, which combine to support 1,916 passenger trips per week. Transport access is convenient, with residents living an average of 225 meters from a stop. Because the area is primarily residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice at 84%, while trains account for 7%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.3 cars per home. A high proportion of 39.6% of residents worked from home at the time of the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.
Service frequency averages 273 journeys per day across all routes, which is equivalent to approximately 40 weekly journeys for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.1% of residents in Blackburn South report no long-term health condition. 7.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
The suburb of Blackburn South displays positive health statistics based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality and chronic illness. While common health conditions are infrequent among the general population, they exceed national averages within older, vulnerable cohorts. Private health insurance membership is high, covering approximately 58% of the local population, which equates to about 6,394 individuals. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues, affecting 7.4% and 7.3% of the community. Meanwhile, 70.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. The working-age population exhibits high health standards with low rates of long-term illness.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 21.2% of the local population (2,332 people), which is higher than the 15.0% share across Greater Melbourne. Senior health statistics present some challenges and rank lower nationally than the younger cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
38.0% of Blackburn South residents were born overseas and 37.6% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 81% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (19.3%) and Australian (18.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Blackburn South exhibits high levels of cultural diversity, with 38.0% of residents born outside Australia and 37.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 44.0% of the population. Buddhism represents a notable local concentration at 5.4% of the population, compared to 4.2% across Greater Melbourne. English ancestry is claimed by 19.3% of the population, followed by Australian ancestry at 18.1%, and Chinese ancestry at 17.9%, which is higher than the regional average of 6.5%. Other parental birthplaces show distinct patterns, with Sri Lankan backgrounds at 0.9% (compared to 0.8% across the region), Greek backgrounds at 3.9% (versus 2.7% regionally), and Vietnamese backgrounds at 1.3% (compared to 1.9% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Blackburn South is 42. 23.5% 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 median age of 42 years in the suburb of Blackburn South is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 years and the national median of 38 years. Residents aged 85 and over are highly represented at 4.2% of the population, whereas the 25 to 34 age bracket is smaller at 10.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 cohort has increased from 13.2% to 14.3% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 14.4% to 12.9%. Projections for 2041 suggest changing demographics for the suburb of Blackburn South.
The 45 to 54 age group is expected to grow by 15% (an increase of 216 people), rising from 1,419 to 1,636. Over-65 age groups will make up 57% of total population growth, pointing to an ageing demographic. Conversely, declines are expected in the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Blackburn South
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 6 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 Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 42 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (10,939 at the 2021 Census → 11,001 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 May 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 (SAL20254). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.