Brunswick East

Brunswick East lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the population of Brunswick East was estimated at 15,483 as of Feb 2026. This showed an increase of 2,204 people from the 2021 Census figure of 13,279, a growth rate of 16.6%. AreaSearch estimated the resident population at 15,193 using latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024) and added 633 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 6,850 persons per square kilometer, placing Brunswick East in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. The suburb's growth exceeded national average (9.9%) and state figures, indicating it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.0% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with base year 2022. For uncovers areas, they use VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation method to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future projections anticipate exceptional growth, with Brunswick East expected to expand by 10,010 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 62.8% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Brunswick East among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Brunswick East recorded around 188 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 943 homes were approved, with a further 40 approved so far in FY-26. On average, over these five years, each dwelling constructed accommodated about 2 new residents per year. However, this figure has increased to 8.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating rising demand and tightening supply.

The average construction value of development projects is $633,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $4.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brunswick East's construction activity is 26.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years, supporting good buyer choice and existing property values despite recent moderation in development activity. This activity is significantly higher than the national average, indicating strong developer confidence in the area. Recent construction comprises 5.0% detached dwellings and 95.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 23.0% houses. This trend suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

With around 207 people per dwelling approval, Brunswick East exhibits characteristics of a growth area. By 2041, it is projected to grow by approximately 9,720 residents based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely impacting this region. Notable initiatives include Brunswick and Parkville Level Crossing Removals, Saxon Street development by Milieu, East Brunswick Village (EBV), and Brunswick Early Years Hub. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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.

Employment performance in Brunswick East has been broadly consistent with national averages

Brunswick East has a highly educated workforce. The technology sector is well-represented. The unemployment rate in the area was 5.1% as of an unspecified date.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.6%. As of December 2025, 10,944 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 5.2%, which is 0.4% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation in Brunswick East was 83.4%, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 53.3% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Employment is concentrated in professional & technical (1.7 times the regional average), health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. Construction employment is limited at 4.4%, compared to the regional average of 9.7%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the resident population versus working population count. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 4.6% while labour force increased by 4.6%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 5.2%. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising to 5.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Brunswick East's employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the local employment mix.

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 for financial year 2023, Brunswick East had a median income among taxpayers of $67,997 and an average of $82,223. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $73,607 (median) and $89,006 (average), based on an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data shows individual earnings at the 93rd percentile nationally are $1,252 weekly. In income distribution, 37.4% of Brunswick East's population earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort represents 32.8%. Notably, 30.3% earn above $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 69th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Brunswick East features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Brunswick East had 22.7% houses and 77.3% other dwellings in its latest Census evaluation, compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick East was at 18.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.3% and rented ones at 54.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $421, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390 respectively. Nationally, Brunswick East's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Brunswick East features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 48.6% of all households, including 14.1% couples with children, 27.1% couples without children, and 5.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for 51.4%, composed of 38.9% lone person households and 12.6% group households. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Brunswick East places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Brunswick East has a higher proportion of residents with university qualifications than the national average. Specifically, 62.4% of its residents aged 15 and above have such qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. The area's educational attainment is particularly notable for its Bachelor degrees, which account for 37.1% of these qualifications. Postgraduate qualifications follow at 19.4%, with graduate diplomas at 5.9%.

Vocational pathways are also present, with advanced diplomas making up 8.3% and certificates 8.9% of the qualifications held by residents aged 15 and above. Educational participation is high in Brunswick East, with 26.9% of its residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.3% in tertiary education, 4.4% in primary education, and 3.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Brunswick East has 55 active public transport stops, offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These are served by 12 different routes, facilitating 9,773 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 123 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential zone, most commuting is outward-bound. Cars remain the primary mode of travel, used by 53% of residents, while cycling accounts for 13% and walking for 7%. On average, there are 0.5 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, 53.3%, work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 1,396 trips per day across all routes, translating to roughly 177 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Brunswick East is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Brunswick East shows better-than-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups have low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is notably high at approximately 59% of the total population (9,175 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 14.1 and 9.2% of residents respectively. 69.2% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among working-age residents are generally typical. The area has 9.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,455 people), lower than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings higher than those of the general population.

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

Brunswick East had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 31.3% of its population born overseas and 23.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Brunswick East, accounting for 26.6% of people. Judaism, however, was more prevalent in Brunswick East at 0.5%, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

The top three ancestry groups were English (22.1%), Australian (16.7%), and Other (11.0%). Notably, Italian (8.2%) and Spanish (0.8%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Brunswick East compared to regional averages of 5.2% and 0.4%, respectively. French ethnicity was also slightly higher at 0.8%.

Brunswick East's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Brunswick East's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brunswick East has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (32.0%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.6%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has increased from 10.6% to 11.4%, while the proportion of those aged 25-34 has decreased from 33.5% to 32.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Brunswick East, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 age group, which is expected to grow by 49%, adding 2,446 residents to reach a total of 7,401.