Brunswick (Vic.)

Population growth drivers in Brunswick are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Brunswick (Vic.) is around 28,651. This reflects an increase of 3,755 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 24,896. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 28,559 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 1,253 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 5,753 persons per square kilometer, placing Brunswick in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 15.1% since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (9.9%) and the state average. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with natural growth and interstate migration also being positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering these projections, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with an expected increase of 16,687 persons in the suburb of Brunswick (Vic.) to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 57.9% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Brunswick shows around 412 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 2064 homes. As of FY26203 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 0.7 new residents was associated with each dwelling constructed. This suggests that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction value of new homes was $514000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY26, $10300000 in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brunswick shows moderately higher construction activity, preserving reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. However, construction activity has eased recently. This is substantially higher than the national average, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists of 3% detached houses and 97% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

This represents a considerable change from the current housing mix, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With around 113 people per approval, Brunswick reflects a developing area. Future projections show Brunswick adding 16595 residents by 2041, with construction maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects that could impact the region. Notable projects include Brunswick and Parkville Level Crossing Removals, Saxon Street by Milieu, Albert Street Stockland Development, and Brunswick Established - 23 Hodgson Street. The following list details those most likely to be 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 conditions in Brunswick remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Brunswick has a highly educated workforce. The technology sector is particularly well-represented. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate was 6.3%.

Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 4.2%. This is based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. In Brunswick, 19,691 residents were in work as of December 2025. The unemployment rate was 1.5% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation was high at 80.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 50.7% of residents worked from home. However, the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns should be considered. The dominant employment sectors among Brunswick residents were professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Brunswick had a notably high concentration in professional & technical jobs, with levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Conversely, construction was under-represented, with only 4.4% of Brunswick's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment in Brunswick increased by 4.2%, while labour force grew by 4.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment rose by 2.4%, the labour force grew by 2.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brunswick's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

The suburb of Brunswick has a high national income level according to recent Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ending June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Brunswick is $62,311, with an average income of $78,274. These figures compare to those for Greater Melbourne, which are $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.25% since the financial year ending June 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $67,452 (median) and $84,732 (average). According to figures from the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Brunswick rank highly nationally, between the 72nd and 85th percentiles. Income analysis shows that 33.1% of individuals in Brunswick earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which aligns with the surrounding region where this cohort also represents 32.8%. A substantial number of higher earners, 31.9%, exceed $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consume 16.7% of income in Brunswick, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 71st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Brunswick displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Brunswick's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 35.3% houses and 64.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick was at 24.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.7% and rented ones at 49.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,162, higher than Melbourne metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent figure for Brunswick was $441, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Brunswick's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,162 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 51.7 percent of all households, including 16.8 percent couples with children, 27.6 percent couples without children, and 5.8 percent single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 48.3 percent, with lone person households at 34.2 percent and group households comprising 14.1 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Brunswick exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Brunswick has a notably high educational attainment among residents aged 15 and above, with 59.1% holding university qualifications. This is significantly higher than the national average of 30.4% and the Victorian state average of 33.4%. The area's educational advantage is reflected in its knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 34.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (18.6%) and graduate diplomas (5.6%).

Vocational pathways account for 16.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas making up 8.0% and certificates 8.7%. Educational participation is notably high in Brunswick, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in tertiary education, 4.9% in primary education, and 3.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Brunswick has 115 active public transport stops offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These are served by 12 routes, collectively providing 10,249 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent, with residents typically located 143 metres from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward. Cars remain the dominant mode at 49%, followed by cycling at 13% and train at 11%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.6 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 50.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,464 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 89 weekly trips per stop. The map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Brunswick's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Brunswick residents' health outcomes are relatively positive according to health data.

AreaSearch's analysis shows mortality rates and health conditions align with national benchmarks. Common health issues affect both young and old age groups similarly, with mental health issues impacting 13.8% of residents, followed by asthma at 9.0%. Approximately 58% (~16,537 people) have private health cover. Around 67.5% declare no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age population health outcomes are typical. The area has 11.6% (3,323 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. National rankings for the area align with general population figures.

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

Brunswick, found more culturally diverse than most local markets, had 31.5% of its population born overseas and 24.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Brunswick, comprising 26.7%. Judaism's representation stood out at 0.5%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

For ancestry, the top groups were English (21.8%), Australian (17.7%), and Irish (10.9%). Notably, Greeks were overrepresented at 4.5% compared to the regional 2.7%, Italians at 7.3% versus 5.2%, and French at 0.8% compared to 0.5%.

Brunswick hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Brunswick'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 has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (30.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (4.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has increased from 29.2% to 30.4%, while the proportion of those aged 5 to 14 has decreased from 6.3% to 4.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Brunswick, with the strongest projected growth in the 25 to 34 age cohort, which is expected to grow by 47%, adding 4,124 residents to reach a total of 12,834.