Brunswick West

Population growth drivers in Brunswick West are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

By Nov 2025, Brunswick West's population is estimated at around 16,270. This reflects an increase of 1,524 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,746. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of resident population at 16,115 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 142 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 5,052 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Brunswick West's growth rate of 10.3% since the 2021 census exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.0% of overall population gains 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 also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the suburb expected to increase by 8,454 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 51.2% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Brunswick West when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Brunswick West has seen approximately 83 new homes approved each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 417 homes. As of FY26, 12 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of two new residents per new home has been observed, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this figure has increased to 13.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing demand and tightening supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $638,000, slightly above the regional average.

In FY26, $8.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brunswick West has significantly less development activity, with 51.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Current building activity shows 11.0% detached houses and 89.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 38.0% houses. This skew towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 436 people per dwelling approval, Brunswick West shows a developed market.

Future projections estimate Brunswick West will add approximately 8,339 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 28 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Australian Liquorice Factory Redevelopment, Brunswick Level Crossing Removal - Upfield Line (8 Crossings), Albert Street Stockland Development, and Saxon Street by Milieu. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

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

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

Brunswick West has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate was 7.0% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 5.7%.

As of June 2025, 10,440 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.4% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is high at 72.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Education & training has a particularly strong presence, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Construction, however, is under-represented at 5.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 5.7%, while labour force grew by 7.1%, raising the unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 3.5%, labour force expanded by 4.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brunswick West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% 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

Income data from AreaSearch for financial year 2022 shows median assessed income in Brunswick West at $59,486 and average income at $77,438. In Greater Melbourne, median income was $54,892 with an average of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $66,719 (median) and $86,854 (average). According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranks at the 79th percentile ($1,004 weekly), while household income is at the 52nd percentile. The predominant earnings cohort spans 32.3% of locals (5,255 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, reflecting patterns seen regionally where 32.8% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, leaving disposable income at the 52nd percentile and placing the area's SEIFA income ranking in the 8th decile.

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

In Brunswick West, as per the latest Census, 38.0% of dwellings were houses while 62.0% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differed from Melbourne's metropolitan area which had 46.2% houses and 53.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick West stood at 23.9%, with mortgaged properties at 27.3% and rented ones at 48.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Melbourne's average of $2,149. The median weekly rent was $366 compared to Melbourne's $418. Nationally, Brunswick West's median monthly mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $366 than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 52.3% of all households, including 20.5% couples with children, 23.3% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 47.7%, with lone person households at 38.2% and group households comprising 9.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

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

Brunswick West's residents aged 15+ have a higher proportion with university qualifications (52.2%) compared to Australia (30.4%) and Victoria (33.4%). Bachelor degrees are the most common at 31.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.8%) and graduate diplomas (5.4%). Vocational pathways account for 20.9% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 11.8%. Educational participation is high, with 28.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.8% in tertiary, 6.3% in primary, and 4.5% in secondary education.

Brunswick West has five schools with a combined enrollment of 1,455 students. The area's ICSEA score is 1144, indicating significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement. Educational provision is balanced with four primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Transport analysis in Brunswick West shows 81 active public transport stops. These include a mix of light rail and bus services. There are 12 individual routes operating, serving a total of 5,779 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 119 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 825 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 71 weekly trips per individual stop.

Brunswick West's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Brunswick West residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population but higher in older at-risk groups compared to national averages.

Private health cover is high, at approximately 57% (~9,337 people). Mental health issues and asthma are most common, affecting 12.9 and 9.0% respectively, while 67.8% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 68.5%. The area has 12.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,952 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Brunswick West was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Brunswick West had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 31.0% of its population born overseas and 28.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Brunswick West, accounting for 35.6% of people. However, Judaism was notably overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 0.3% versus 0.3%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (20.2%), Australian (17.5%), and Other (12.2%). Italian (9.3%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 10.2%, while Greek (4.7%) and French (0.7%) were slightly below their respective regional averages of 5.1% and 0.7%.

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

Brunswick West's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brunswick West has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (25.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.7%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has increased from 12.0% to 12.8%, while the proportion of those aged 45-54 has decreased from 11.8% to 11.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Brunswick West, with the strongest projected growth occurring among the 25-34 age group, which is expected to grow by 39%, adding 1,592 residents to reach a total of 5,676.