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
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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader regional ABS demographic releases alongside post-Census address validations, the suburb of Blackburn South has an estimated resident tally of approximately 11,001 people as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 62 people (0.6%) compared to the 10,939 people counted in the 2021 Census. Such figures are derived from an ERP estimate of 10,986 residents following ABS updates in June 2025, combined with 42 validated new addresses identified after the Census benchmark. With 3,081 persons per square kilometer, the suburb of Blackburn South registers a population density situated within the top quarter of localities assessed across Australia by AreaSearch.
In recent times, population expansion has been almost entirely underpinned by inbound international migration, serving as the sole source of net gains. Projections for the suburb of Blackburn South incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling anchored to 2022, supplemented where necessary by 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA datasets calibrated through weighted aggregation from LGA down to SA2 boundaries. Age cohort growth rates derived from these models are similarly applied between 2032 and 2041 across all assessed areas. Looking forward, demographic growth is positioned slightly below the national median across statistical districts, with aggregated SA2 figures projecting an increase of 427 persons by 2041, representing an overall expansion of 3.8% across 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 4.0 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 44 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 75% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 37, 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
Analysis of ABS building approvals compiled by AreaSearch indicates an annual average of around 44 residential dwellings approved in Blackburn South, amounting to an estimated 224 homes over the preceding 5 financial years. Within FY-25 so far, 37 approvals have been logged. In the context of recent population contraction, residential supply has aligned well with demand, maintaining a balanced environment with healthy opportunities for purchasers. Approved dwellings reflect an average expected construction cost of $795,000, underscoring an emphasis by developers on the higher-end, upmarket residential sector. Meanwhile, commercial construction activity remains subdued, with commercial approvals totaling $2.2 million over the ongoing financial year.
Dwelling approval volume per resident in Blackburn South sits at approximately two-thirds of the Greater Melbourne benchmark, ranking at the 53rd percentile on a national scale. Approvals are weighted heavily toward detached houses at 75.0%, with apartments and townhouses accounting for the remaining 25.0%, reinforcing the established low-density suburban landscape favored by family households looking for space. This structure is highlighted by a ratio of roughly 271 people per approval. Projections based on the latest quarterly AreaSearch figures anticipate that Blackburn South will add 412 residents leading up to 2041. Given the ongoing pace of residential construction, emerging housing inventory appears well positioned to satisfy demand, fostering favorable purchasing conditions and potentially facilitating demographic gains in excess of baseline forecasts.
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
Strategic planning, infrastructure additions, and major projects remain central determinants of local performance, with AreaSearch tracking 14 specific initiatives expected to influence the community. Notable undertakings include the Mirrabooka Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment, Wurundjeri Walk Master Plan, Raleigh Street Road Reconstruction Renewal Program, and Blackburn South Exclusive Townhouse Collection, with the key developments outlined below.
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
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 6,018. Unemployment sits at 5.7%, with participation at 65.1%. 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
Aggregated statistical area metrics compiled by AreaSearch show that Blackburn South possesses a well-credentialed labour force with significant representation in professional sectors, registering an unemployment rate of 5.7% and annual employment growth estimated at 1.5%. Employed residents numbered 5,672 as of March 2026. The local jobless rate sits 1.0% above the 4.8% recorded across Greater Melbourne, while the labour force participation rate of 65.1% trails the regional figure of 70.1%. At the time of the Census, 39.6% of workers conducted their duties from home, an outcome influenced by Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents consist of health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, alongside education & training. In particular, education & training represents a major local specialization, capturing a workforce proportion 1.3 times the wider metropolitan baseline. In contrast, construction employment stands at 7.9%, underperforming the regional proportion of 9.7%. Comparison of Census figures between resident workers and local employment positions indicates that this predominantly residential district provides comparatively few local jobs. Synthesizing broader ABS and SALM statistical area figures, AreaSearch records that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, local employment grew by 1.5% while the labour pool expanded by 2.6%, driving a 1.0 percentage points increase in the jobless rate. Over the identical timeframe, Greater Melbourne saw employment and labour supply rise by 2.1% and 2.3% respectively, accompanied by a 0.2 percentage points lift in unemployment. Sector projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 outline national employment expansions of 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years. Applying these industry growth differentials to the employment profile of Blackburn South yields projected local job expansions of 6.9% across five years and 14.0% across ten years (representing an illustrative weighted model that excludes local population adjustments).
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
ATO taxpayer records at postcode level for financial year 2023 show Blackburn South taxpayers registering a median income of $54,679 and an average of $79,321, placing the suburb among the higher brackets nationally compared to Greater Melbourne figures of $57,688 (median) and $75,164 (average). Factoring in a 9.62% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 brings estimated earnings to approximately $59,939 (median) and $86,952 (average) by March 2026. According to Census records, local household income sits at the 56th percentile ($1,861 weekly), whereas individual earnings reach the 39th percentile.
The largest income bracket contains 28.8% of residents (3,168 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider regional level of 32.8%. While mortgage and rental commitments absorb 15.5% of income, strong remuneration places disposable earnings at the 58th percentile, supporting an 8th decile SEIFA income position.
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
Census assessments show the residential profile of Blackburn South is made up of 75.7% standalone houses and 24.3% other dwellings (incorporating units, townhouses, and attached formats), contrasting with the wider Melbourne metro split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Outright property ownership is elevated at 39.3% relative to the metropolitan standard, while mortgaged properties make up 35.9% and tenancies account for 24.8%. Typical mortgage payments stand at $2,251 per month, exceeding the Melbourne metro benchmark of $2,000 and the national baseline of $1,863. Median weekly rents are recorded at $410, similarly higher than the regional median of $390 and the Australian standard 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
Family households represent the prevailing living arrangement at 70.7% of all dwellings, consisting of 37.7% couples with children, 22.0% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family residences comprise 29.3%, divided between single-occupant homes at 26.1% and group households at 3.3%. Average household occupancy sits at 2.6 people, aligning precisely with the Greater Melbourne benchmark.
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
Tertiary attainment among residents aged 15+ in Blackburn South exceeds broader standards, with 42.6% possessing university degrees compared to 33.4% in VIC and 30.4% across Australia, creating an advantageous foundation for professional industries. Bachelor degrees constitute the primary tier at 26.5%, complemented by postgraduate qualifications at 11.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. In terms of vocational training, 23.7% of the cohort aged 15+ hold credentials, comprising 11.1% in advanced diplomas and 12.6% in certificates. Participation in formal learning is prominent throughout the community, encompassing 30.1% of the population. This cohort includes 9.7% enrolled in primary education, 8.2% undertaking secondary education, and 6.7% involved in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Blackburn South reaches 47 stops on 11 routes, timetabled for about 4,000 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
The public transit network serving Blackburn South includes 47 operational bus stops spanning 11 individual routes, providing 3,997 weekly passenger trips and ensuring solid accessibility with an average distance of 225 meters to the nearest stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, outward travel is common; private vehicles serve as the main travel method at 84%, compared to 7% for train journeys. Dwellings maintain an average of 1.3 vehicles. A significant 39.6% of workers worked from home at the 2021 Census, a figure reflecting pandemic conditions at the time. Public transport operations generate an average of 571 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 85 weekly trips per 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
Health indicators in Blackburn South track above national norms across chronic illness measures and mortality evaluated by AreaSearch, with disease rates remaining modest among the broader public, though elevated among older and vulnerable groups. Moreover, private medical insurance coverage is widespread, extending to approximately 58% of the total population (~6,394 people). Arthritis and mental health issues form the primary reported health conditions, recorded among 7.4 and 7.3% of locals respectively, whereas 70.1% of residents reported having no long-term medical ailments, slightly beneath the Greater Melbourne proportion of 72.6%. The working-age population shows sound overall health with limited chronic conditions.
Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 20.9% of the suburb (2,299 people), exceeding the Greater Melbourne share of 15.1%, with health metrics for this older demographic displaying greater complexity despite favorable outcomes in the wider population.
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
Cultural diversity is pronounced across Blackburn South, where 38.0% of the community was born overseas and 37.6% communicate in languages other than English at home. Christianity forms the most widespread religious affiliation at 44.0%, while Buddhism demonstrates noticeable overrepresentation at 5.4% compared to 4.2% across Greater Melbourne. Examining parental heritage, the three most common backgrounds among Blackburn South residents are English (19.3%), Australian (18.1%), and Chinese (17.9%), the latter tracking significantly above the regional rate of 6.5%. Other cultural groups exhibit differing local concentrations, such as Sri Lankan ancestry at 0.9% (vs 0.8% regionally), Greek at 3.9% (vs 2.7%), and Vietnamese at 1.3% (vs 1.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Blackburn South is 42. 23.9% 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
The age distribution in Blackburn South skews older than the broader metropolitan standard. As of August 2026 updates, senior and retired age groups (65+) represent 20.9% of the population compared to 15.1% across Greater Melbourne, whereas individuals aged 25 - 44 account for 25.2% against a regional benchmark of 32.1%. The estimated median age is 42, matching the 2021 Census reading and sitting 5 years higher than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 at that time. Since the Census, the 25 - 44 demographic has risen from 23.6% to an estimated 25.2%.
Looking to 2041, senior cohorts are projected to drive net demographic expansion, increasing by 435 residents (19%) to 2,734, while cohorts of children, young adults, and residents aged 25 - 44 are expected to decrease.
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 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 | Jul 2026 3 months ago 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 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 — 42 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 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 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 (SAL20254). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.