Brighton (Vic.)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Brighton reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Brighton's population is estimated at around 26,301 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 3,049 people (13.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 23,252 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 25,564, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 294 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,142 persons per square kilometer, placing Brighton in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Brighton's growth of 13.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (8.7%), along with the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering projected demographic shifts, Brighton is expected to expand by 2,660 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 3.7% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Brighton among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Brighton shows approximately 277 residential properties approved annually over the past five financial years ending June 2021, totalling an estimated 1,389 homes. As of May 2022, 96 approvals have been recorded for FY-26. Despite population decline during this period, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, indicating a balanced market with good buyer choice. The average expected construction cost value for new dwellings is $1,038,000, suggesting developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

Commercial approvals amounting to $51.0 million in FY-26 indicate strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brighton exhibits moderately higher building activity, 18.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period ending June 2021. This balances buyer choice while supporting current property values, although construction activity has eased recently. The activity level is substantially higher than the national average, suggesting strong developer confidence in Brighton's location. New building activity comprises approximately 17.0% detached houses and 83.0% attached dwellings, reflecting a trend toward denser development to provide accessible entry options appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This shift indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles with increasing demand for diverse, affordable housing options.

With approximately 118 people per approval, Brighton is considered a developing area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Brighton is expected to grow by 979 residents through to 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Brighton has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

A total of 35 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area, with changes to local infrastructure being influential factors. Key projects include Star of the Sea College Nano Nagle Centre, and three mixed-use developments at 600-604 North Road comprising 52 apartments each plus four retail units. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Brighton has been broadly consistent with national averages

Brighton has a highly educated workforce. Professional services are strongly represented, with an unemployment rate of 3.1% as of September 2025. This is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation in Brighton is 61.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 50.7% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Brighton shows strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level.

Construction has limited presence, with 6.9% employment compared to 9.7% regionally. Many residents commute elsewhere for work. Between September 2024 and September 2025, Brighton's labour force increased by 0.6%, while employment declined by 0.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.8 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 3.0% over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brighton's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Brighton's median income among taxpayers is $73,238. The average income in Brighton is $167,699. This places Brighton in the top percentile nationally. In comparison, Greater Melbourne has a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Brighton's median income are approximately $79,280 as of September 2025, with the average estimated at $181,534 during the same period. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Brighton rank highly nationally, between the 93rd and 94th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Distribution data shows that 37.6% of residents earn $4000+ weekly (9,889 residents), contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 32.8%. A significant 46.9% of Brighton's residents earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounts for 14.0% of income in Brighton. Residents' strong earnings place them within the 94th percentile for disposable income nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Brighton displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Brighton's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 57.2% houses and 42.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brighton was 46.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.0% and rented ones at 24.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Brighton was $3,467, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Brighton was $600, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Brighton's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Brighton has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.4% of all households, including 32.4% couples with children, 28.8% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.6%, with lone person households at 27.8% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Brighton demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Brighton's residents aged 15+ have a higher university qualification rate of 52.6%, surpassing Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. This advantage is driven by bachelor degrees (34.2%), postgraduate qualifications (13.7%), and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational pathways account for 19.6%, with advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 8.6%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% currently enrolled in formal education: secondary (9.0%), primary (8.6%), and tertiary (7.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.0% in secondary education, 8.6% in primary education, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Brighton has 123 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 18 different routes that together facilitate 5,454 weekly passenger trips. The average distance residents live from the nearest transport stop is 182 meters. In this primarily residential area, most commuting is outward-bound. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 80%, with trains used by 9% and walking by 6%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 50.7% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 779 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 44 weekly trips per stop. A map accompanies this data, displaying the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Brighton's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Brighton's health outcomes show remarkable results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 93% of Brighton's total population (24,346 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%.

Nationally, the average is 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma were found to be the most common medical conditions in Brighton, affecting 7.3 and 6.4% of residents respectively. Notably, 72.2% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Brighton has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 28.1%, or 7,390 people, compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Brighton are strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Brighton was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Brighton's cultural diversity was notable, with 16.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 28.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 49.4%. Judaism was overrepresented, comprising 3.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (27.3%), Australian (20.1%), and Irish (10.1%). Polish, Russian, and Hungarian groups showed notable divergences: Polish at 1.5% vs regional 0.8%, Russian at 0.9% vs 0.4%, and Hungarian at 0.5% vs 0.3%.

Brighton hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Brighton's median age is 48 years, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 make up 11.1% of the population, a prominent group compared to Greater Melbourne. Meanwhile, the 25-34 age group constitutes only 6.7%. Since 2021, the 75-84 age group has increased from 8.4% to 11.1%, while the 15-24 cohort has risen from 11.7% to 13.8%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 15.1% to 12.9%, and the 25-34 group has fallen from 7.9% to 6.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Brighton. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 80%, adding 945 residents to reach 2,129. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 92% of population growth, emphasizing demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 35-44 and 0-4 age cohorts.