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 analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Burnside (Vic.) has an estimated population of around 6,687 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 887 people (15.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,800 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,449, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 214 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,622 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Burnside's 15.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (8.9%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 48.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the 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. Moving forward with demographic trends, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, is predicted over the period with the area expected to increase by 3,602 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 50.3% in total over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Burnside has seen around 69 new homes approved each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY21 and FY25, approximately 349 homes were approved, with a further 19 approved so far in FY26. On average, 2.6 people per year have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five financial years, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $573,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This financial year, $8.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to Greater Melbourne, where Burnside records markedly lower building activity, 55.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties, which is substantially higher than nationally, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. Burnside reflects a developing area, with around 116 people per approval.

Future projections show Burnside adding 3,364 residents by 2041, from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

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

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified six projects potentially impacting the area. Notable projects are Amora Estate Cairnlea, Taylors Creek Residential Estate, Western Freeway Upgrade - Melton to Caroline Springs, and Lake Caroline Master Plan & Activation Strategy. The following details those most relevant:.

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

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

Burnside's workforce is skilled with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 4.9% in the past year, with an estimated growth of 5.3%.

As of June 2025, 3,326 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.3% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation was lower at 59.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The dominant employment sectors included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing. Burnside showed strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share of 2.0 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical had lower representation at 5.4% versus the regional average of 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 5.3%, labour force by 5.8%, resulting in unemployment rising by 0.4 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 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burnside's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Burnside's median taxpayer income was $45,747, with an average of $53,731, according to AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This is lower than national averages, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. By September 2025, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $51,310 and an average income of $60,265, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022. Census data indicates household income ranks at the 57th percentile ($1,871 weekly), while personal income is at the 24th percentile. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 34.9% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,333 residents). This aligns with broader metropolitan trends showing 32.8% in the same category. High housing costs consume 16.7% of income. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 57th percentile, and 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

Burnside's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 90.9% houses and 9.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burnside was at 31.1%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (58.4%) or rented (10.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Burnside was $2,000, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $1,800 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Burnside was recorded at $400, compared to Melbourne metro's $351 and the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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 comprise the remaining 19.1%, with lone person households at 18.0% and group households making up 1.1%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 3.0.

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

The area's university qualification rate is significantly lower than the Greater Melbourne average, standing at 25.0% compared to 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 18.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 30.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (19.3%). Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (11.7%), secondary education (9.7%), and tertiary education (5.3%). Burnside Primary School serves the local area, with an enrollment of 405 students as of a recent report. The school's ICSEA score is 1034, indicating balanced educational opportunities typical of Australian schools. It focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. Local school capacity is limited, with only 6.1 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.2, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Transport analysis shows 20 active stops operating in Burnside, consisting of bus services only. These stops are served by three routes, offering a total of 1499 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents located an average of 210 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 214 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 74 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Burnside is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Burnside demonstrates above-average health outcomes with a low prevalence of common health conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, certain older and at-risk cohorts show higher rates of these conditions. Approximately 48% (~3,219 people) of Burnside's total population has private health cover, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's 50.8%.

Nationally, the average is 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in Burnside are arthritis and asthma, affecting 7.2% and 6.9% of residents respectively. A total of 73.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 73.7%. Burnside has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 16.2% (1,083 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Health outcomes among seniors in Burnside require more attention than 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 has a high level of cultural diversity, with 49.3% of its population born overseas and 56.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Burnside, with 60.5% of people identifying as Christian. Buddhism stands out as overrepresented in Burnside compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 5.9% versus 2.8%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (23.0%), Australian (12.1%), and English (10.3%). Notably, Filipino (8.3%) and Maltese (5.9%) populations are higher in Burnside than the regional averages of 3.4% and 5.1%, respectively. Spanish is also overrepresented at 1.2%.

Burnside's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Burnside has a median age of 37, matching Greater Melbourne and closely resembling Australia's figure of 38 years. The 15-24 age group comprises 15.7%, higher than Greater Melbourne, while the 25-34 cohort stands at 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.9% to 15.7%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 12.4% to 11.2%, and the 55-64 group has fallen from 11.2% to 10.1%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Burnside's age structure. Notably, the 15-24 group is projected to grow by 59%, adding 620 people to reach a total of 1,670 from its current figure of 1,049.