Carnegie

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Carnegie is around 20,305. This represents an increase of 2,396 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,909. The latest AreaSearch validation uses resident population data from ERP estimates released by the ABS in June 2024, indicating 20,218 residents, along with 344 new addresses validated since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 5,502 persons per square kilometer, placing Carnegie in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 13.4% since the 2021 census exceeds both the SA4 region (7.1%) and the SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in Carnegie.

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 VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, significant population growth is forecasted for Carnegie, with an expected increase of 6,031 persons by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections. This reflects a total increase of 29.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Carnegie among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis shows Carnegie had approximately 96 dwelling approvals annually. From FY-21 to FY-25, around 484 homes were approved, with another 53 in FY-26. Each new home accommodated about 2.4 people on average over the past five financial years.

The average construction cost was $667,000. This year, Carnegie has seen $23.0 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Greater Melbourne and nationally, Carnegie's dwelling approval rate is around three-quarters lower but places it among the 56th percentile of areas assessed. New developments consist mostly of townhouses or apartments (88.0%), with standalone homes at 12.0%. This shift from the current housing mix (32.0% houses) reflects reduced development sites and changing lifestyle demands.

Carnegie has around 285 people per dwelling approval, indicating a developing market. By 2041, AreaSearch estimates Carnegie will grow by 5,920 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 31 projects likely affecting the area. Notable ones are Housing Choices Carnegie - Egan Street, Eighty East, Lord Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment, and Carnegie Station & Level Crossing Removal. 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.

Employment conditions in Carnegie remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Carnegie's workforce comprises highly educated individuals with significant representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 4.7% as of June 2025, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

Workforce participation stood at 69.0%, close to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key employment sectors include professional & technical (dominant with a share 1.5 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction is under-represented, with only 6.0% of Carnegie's workforce compared to 9.7% in Greater Melbourne. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Carnegie's labour force increased by 1.4%, while employment remained unchanged, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points.

In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 3.5% and labour force growth of 4.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Carnegie's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, based on industry-specific extrapolations from Sep-22 forecasts.

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

Carnegie has a median taxpayer income of $58,809 and an average of $78,028 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. This is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 during the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 12.16% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $65,960 (median) and $87,516 (average). According to the 2021 Census, personal income in Carnegie ranks at the 79th percentile ($1,005 weekly), while household income is at the 57th percentile. The earnings profile shows that 31.8% of locals (6,456 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to Greater Melbourne's 32.8%. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income in Carnegie, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 58th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Carnegie's dwellings were 32.0% houses and 68.0% other types at the latest Census, compared to Melbourne metro's 47.8% houses and 52.1% others. Home ownership in Carnegie was 26.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.7% and rented ones at 43.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,040, below Melbourne metro's $2,396. Median weekly rent was $395 in Carnegie, compared to Melbourne metro's $435. Nationally, Carnegie's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 58.7% of all households, including 24.5% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 6.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 41.3%, with lone person households at 34.9% and group households comprising 6.4%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

Carnegie demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Carnegie has a higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. 55.3% of its residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 33.4% in Victoria (VIC). This educational advantage positions the area well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 17.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%.

Vocational pathways account for 20.6% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 10.4%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in tertiary education, 7.1% in primary education, and 5.3% pursuing secondary education. Carnegie's four schools have a combined enrollment of 964 students as of the latest data. The area shows significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1130. All four schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas due to limited local school capacity (4.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.1). Many families therefore travel to nearby areas for schooling. Note that where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Carnegie has 67 active public transport stops offering a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. These stops are served by 14 different routes, collectively handling 6,874 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 169 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 982 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 102 weekly trips per individual stop.

Carnegie's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Carnegie. Younger cohorts particularly exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover stands at approximately 58% of the total population (~11,699 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 65.2%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 7.9% and 6.8% respectively. 74.2% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 74.0%. The area has 14.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,944 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 16.8%. However, health outcomes among seniors require more attention despite being above average.

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

Carnegie's cultural diversity is notable, with 39.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 44.7% born overseas. Christianity is the dominant religion in Carnegie, accounting for 34.2%. Judaism's representation stands at 6.6%, lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 17.5%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (17.7%), Australian (15.7%), and Other (14.5%). Some ethnic groups show significant variations: Russian is overrepresented at 1.7% compared to the regional figure of 2.2%, Polish is overrepresented at 1.5% versus 3.1%, and Hungarian is slightly underrepresented at 0.6% against a regional average of 0.8%.

Carnegie's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Carnegie's median age is 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and somewhat younger than the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group constitutes 23.9%, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage, while the 5-14 cohort makes up 7.8%. This concentration in the 25-34 age bracket is significantly above the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has grown from 21.8% to 23.9%, the 15-24 cohort increased from 11.6% to 13.3%, while the 5-14 cohort declined from 9.1% to 7.8%. By 2041, Carnegie's population is projected to see substantial demographic changes. The 25-34 age group is expected to increase by 1,244 people (26%), growing from 4,852 to 6,097. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort is forecasted to grow modestly by 5% (147 people).