Blackburn South

Blackburn South is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Blackburn South is around 10,999. This reflects an increase of 60 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,939. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 11,004 following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and validation of 35 new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 3,081 persons per square kilometer, placing Blackburn South in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia's SA2-level projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, Blackburn South is anticipated to grow by 419 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 3.8% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Blackburn South according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Blackburn South averaged approximately 44 new dwelling approvals per year. Between financial years FY-21 to FY-25, around 224 homes were approved, with an additional 7 approved so far in FY-26. Despite population decline during this period, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average construction value of new properties is $703,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment. Commercial approvals totalled $2.2 million in FY-26, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Blackburn South has significantly less development activity, with 53.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

New building activity consists of 73.0% detached dwellings and 27.0% attached dwellings, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Blackburn South reflects a low density area, with around 293 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate Blackburn South will gain approximately 412 residents by 2041, based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

AreaSearch has identified 14 projects that could impact the area's performance. Major ones include Mirrabooka Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment, Wurundjeri Walk Master Plan, Raleigh Street Road Reconstruction Renewal Program, and Blackburn South Exclusive Townhouse Collection. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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The employment landscape in Blackburn South shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Blackburn South has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 4.9% in June 2025, 0.3% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.5%. The area had 5,786 residents employed with workforce participation at 60.3%, below Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training, with education & training showing notable concentration at 1.3 times the regional average. Construction had lower representation at 7.9% compared to the regional average of 9.7%.

Employment opportunities locally appeared limited as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.5%, labour force by 3.0%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5%, labour force growth of 4.0%, and unemployment rose 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest potential future demand within Blackburn South. Five-year projections indicate national employment expansion at 6.6% and ten-year projections at 13.7%. Applying these industry-specific projections to Blackburn South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Blackburn South's median income among taxpayers was $54,679 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $79,321 during the same period. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's median of $54,892 and average of $73,761 respectively. As of September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022 suggest the median income would be approximately $61,328 and the average income would be around $88,966. According to census data, Blackburn South's household income ranks at the 56th percentile ($1,861 weekly), with personal income at the 39th percentile. Income distribution shows that 28.8% of the population falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region where 32.8% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income in Blackburn South. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 58th percentile, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Blackburn South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Blackburn South's dwelling structures in the latest Census showed 75.7% houses and 24.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 60.2% houses and 39.8% other dwellings. Home ownership was higher at 39.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.9% and rented ones at 24.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,251, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,300. Median weekly rent in Blackburn South was $410, slightly higher than Melbourne metro's $412. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Blackburn South has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.7% of all households, including 37.7% couples with children, 22.0% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

Blackburn South shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Blackburn South's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 42.6% hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational pathways account for 23.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 12.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.7% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 6.7% pursuing tertiary education. Blackburn South's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,066 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1094). All three schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 9.6, below the regional average of 14.4, suggesting some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Blackburn South has 47 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 11 different routes that together facilitate 2,430 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of the transport system is rated as good, with residents on average located 225 meters from their nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes averages 347 trips per day, which equates to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Blackburn South's health metrics align closely with national benchmarks. Common health conditions among its general population are somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 58% of the total population (6,393 people), compared to 56.0% across Greater Melbourne. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 7.4% and 7.3% of residents respectively. 70.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 73.9% across Greater Melbourne. As of 2021, the area has 21.2% of residents aged 65 and over (2,331 people), which is higher than the 17.7% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges that require more attention than those for the broader population.

Blackburn South is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Blackburn South has a high level of cultural diversity, with 38.0% of its population born overseas and 37.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Blackburn South, accounting for 44.0% of the population. However, Buddhism is notably overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 5.4% of Blackburn South's population versus 6.0%.

The top three represented ancestry groups are English (19.3%), Australian (18.1%), and Chinese (17.9%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Sri Lankan is overrepresented at 0.9% compared to the regional average of 0.8%, Greek at 3.9% versus 3.0%, and Vietnamese at 1.3%.

Blackburn South hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Blackburn South is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group constitutes 7.5% of the population in Blackburn South, compared to a lower prevalence of the 25-34 cohort at 9.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 35-44 age group has increased from 13.2% to 14.3%, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 14.4% to 13.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Blackburn South. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 14%, reaching 1,634 people from 1,429. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 59% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 15-24 and 0-4 age cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.