Burnside (Vic.)

Burnside 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 validations, the suburb of Burnside (Vic.) had an estimated population of 6,681 as of Feb 2026. This is an increase of 881 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,800. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 6,449 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,620 persons per square kilometer, placing Burnside in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth of 15.2% since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (9.9%) and state averages. Interstate migration contributed approximately 48.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth 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 uses Victorian State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these trends, Burnside is predicted to have exceptional growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase by 3,602 persons, reflecting a total increase of 50.4% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Burnside has seen approximately 69 new homes approved annually. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25, around 349 homes were approved, with an additional 26 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 2.6 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five financial years, indicating solid demand supporting property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $573,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This year, $8.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Burnside records significantly lower building activity, 55.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, preserving Burnside's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of 116 people per approval.

By 2041, AreaSearch projects Burnside will add approximately 3,370 residents. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, but increasing population could intensify competition among buyers.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects that may impact the area. Key projects include Amora Estate Cairnlea, Western Freeway Upgrade from Melton to Caroline Springs, Lake Caroline Master Plan & Activation Strategy, and Modeina Estate. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Burnside recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Burnside has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 5.6% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 3.1%. As of December 2025, 3,343 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.6%, 0.8% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Burnside is 68.0%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 21.3% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing. Burnside shows strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing (2.0 times the regional level), but lower representation in professional & technical services (5.4%, compared to 10.1% regionally).

Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 3.1%, labour force by 4.5%, resulting in a rise in unemployment of 1.3 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 2.4%, labour force expanded by 2.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burnside's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Burnside had a median taxpayer income of $45,747 and an average income of $53,731 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is lower than the national average, compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25%, estimated incomes would be approximately $49,521 (median) and $58,164 (average). According to census data, household income ranks at the 57th percentile ($1,871 weekly), while personal income is at the 24th percentile. The largest income segment consists of 34.9% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (2,331 residents). This aligns with broader metropolitan trends showing 32.8% in the same category. Housing costs consume 16.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 57th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Burnside is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Burnside, as per the latest Census evaluation, 85.3% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 14.7% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This is compared to Melbourne metropolitan area's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burnside stood at 31.1%, similar to Melbourne metro, with mortgaged dwellings at 58.4% and rented ones at 10.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, mirroring the Melbourne metro average, while the median weekly rent was $400 compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390 respectively. Nationally, Burnside's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Burnside features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 80.9% of all households, including 51.5% couples with children, 18.6% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 19.1%, with lone person households at 18.0% and group households comprising 1.1%. The median household size is 3.1 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Burnside performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate is 25.0%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 30.4% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 19.3%. Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.7% in primary, 9.7% in secondary, and 5.3% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Burnside has 20 operational public transport stops, serving mixed bus routes. These stops are covered by four distinct routes, offering a combined total of 804 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents situated an average of 210 meters from their nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most Burnside residents commute outward; cars remain the primary mode at 90%, while train use stands at 6%. On average, each dwelling owns 1.7 vehicles, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 21.3% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 114 trips per day, equating to roughly 40 weekly trips per individual stop.

Burnside's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Burnside's health metrics are close to national benchmarks. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence indicate that common health conditions among residents are somewhat typical of the general population, but higher than average for older cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~3,216 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (7.2%) and asthma (6.9%), with 73.3% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. As of 2021, the area has 16.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,129 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those for the broader population.

Burnside is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Burnside's population is highly diverse, with 49.3% born overseas and 56.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Burnside, comprising 60.5% of its population. Buddhism is notably overrepresented, making up 5.9% compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.

In terms of ancestry, 'Other' is the largest group (23.0%), significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 14.6%. Australian and English ancestry are underrepresented in Burnside at 12.1% and 10.3%, respectively. Certain ethnic groups show notable divergences: Filipino (8.3% vs regional 1.3%), Maltese (5.9% vs 1.1%), and Spanish (1.2% vs 0.4%) are overrepresented.

Burnside's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Burnside's median age is 37, matching Greater Melbourne and closely resembling Australia's figure of 38. The 15-24 age group comprises 16.3%, higher than Greater Melbourne, while the 25-34 cohort stands at 11.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has risen from 12.9% to 16.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 11.2% to 9.8%, and the 25-34 group has fallen from 12.4% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Burnside's age structure. Notably, the 15-24 group is projected to grow by 53%, adding 579 people and reaching a total of 1,669 from its current figure of 1,089.