Brunswick West

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Brunswick West statistical area (Lv2) is around 16,270. This reflects a growth of 1,524 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,746. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 16,115 as of June 2024 and an additional 142 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 5,052 persons per square kilometer, placing Brunswick West (SA2) in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth rate of 10.3% since the 2021 Census exceeded the national average of 9.7%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Brunswick West (SA2) is expected to experience exceptional growth by 2041, with an increase of 8,452 persons predicted, reflecting a total gain of 51.2% over the 17-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Brunswick West has seen around 83 new homes approved each year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 419 homes between FY-20 and FY-25. So far in FY-26, 15 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 new residents arrive per new home annually over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, recent figures show an acceleration to 13.2 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $628,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $8.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to Greater Melbourne, where Brunswick West has significantly less development activity (50.0% below regional average per person). This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Building activity shows 11.0% detached houses and 89.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 38.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 419 people per dwelling approval, Brunswick West shows a developed market. Future projections show Brunswick West adding 8,337 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate).

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 28 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Australian Liquorice Factory Redevelopment, Brunswick and Parkville Level Crossing Removals, Albert Street Stockland Development, and Saxon Street by Milieu. 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.

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 professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 7.2% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 4.1%.

As of September 2025, 10,145 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 2.6% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. 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. Notably, education & training has a strong specialization with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction is under-represented at 5.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 4.1%, while labour force grew by 4.8%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 3.0%, labour force expanded by 3.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from Victoria to November 25 shows employment growth of 1.13% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brunswick West's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 7.0% in five years and 14.2% in ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended 30 June 2023 shows median income in Brunswick West was $59,485 and average income was $77,438. This compares to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% from financial year ended 30 June 2023 to September 2025, estimated current incomes would be approximately $64,393 (median) and $83,827 (average). According to the Census conducted in August 2021, personal income ranks at the 79th percentile ($1,004 weekly), while household income sits at the 52nd percentile. The earnings profile indicates that 32.3% of locals (5,255 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 52nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it 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

Brunswick West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 38.0% houses and 62.0% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 46.2% houses and 53.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick West was at 23.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.3% and rented ones at 48.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,149. Median weekly rent in Brunswick West was $366, compared to Melbourne metro's $418. Nationally, Brunswick West's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower 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 constitute 52.3 percent of all households, including 20.5 percent couples with children, 23.3 percent couples without children, and 6.8 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 47.7 percent, with lone person households at 38.2 percent and group households making up 9.5 percent of the total. 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 has a notably high level of educational attainment among residents aged 15 and above, with 52.2% holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds the national average of 30.4% and the Victorian state average of 33.4%. The area's residents have a significant educational advantage, particularly in bachelor degrees (31.0%), postgraduate qualifications (15.8%), and graduate diplomas (5.4%). Vocational pathways are also well-represented, with advanced diplomas accounting for 9.1% and certificates for 11.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.8% in tertiary education, 6.3% in primary education, and 4.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Brunswick West has 81 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These comprise a mix of light rail and bus services. There are 9 individual routes serving these stops, collectively facilitating 3,700 weekly passenger trips.

The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located just 119 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 528 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 45 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 health conditions among the general population, although higher than national averages in older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover is high, at approximately 57% (~9,337 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (12.9%) and asthma (9.0%). 67.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 68.5%. In the area, 12.0% (~1,952 people) are aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in 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 compared to 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 its population. Notably, Judaism was slightly overrepresented in Brunswick West compared to Greater Melbourne, with 0.3% versus 0.3%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (20.2%), Australian (17.5%), and Other (12.2%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Italian was higher at 9.3% in Brunswick West compared to the regional average of 10.2%, Greek was slightly lower at 4.7% versus 5.1%, and French remained the same at 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 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 present, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has increased from 12.0% to 12.8%, while the proportion of those aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 11.8% to 11.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Brunswick West. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 39%, adding 1,592 residents to reach a total of 5,676.