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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Carnegie has an estimated 20,586 residents, up from 17,909 at the 2021 Census — a change of 2,677 people, or 14.9%. Growth has averaged 1.6% a year over five years, faster than 84% of areas nationally. 349 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 92.0% of that increase. That puts 5,579 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Carnegie's population is estimated at around 20,586 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 2,677 people (14.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,909 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 20,569, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 349 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This level of population equates to a density ratio of 5,578 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, making land in the area a highly-sought resource. the suburb of Carnegie's 14.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (8.0%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 92.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, a significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is forecast, with the area expected to grow by 5,536 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting reflecting an increase of 26.8% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
489 new dwellings have been approved in Carnegie over the past five years, an average of 97 a year. That places the area in the 82nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 81 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 12% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 86, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
According to municipal building approvals aggregated from statistical zones, the suburb has averaged approximately 97 residential permits annually, summing to roughly 489 dwellings over the prior 5 financial periods. In the current FY-26 cycle, 79 approvals have been logged. With an average of 3.2 added occupants per year for each completed home during the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, demand outstrips new construction, which typically fuels upward price pressure and heightened competition, while construction costs average $667,000, indicating a developer focus on high-end residential projects. Additionally, non-residential approvals worth $23.0 million were registered this financial year, pointing to steady commercial building trends.
Carnegie registers 19.0% less building activity per capita than Greater Melbourne, placing it in the 56th percentile of locations analyzed across the country. The composition of new construction comprises 12.0% detached dwellings and 88.0% multi-unit structures like townhouses or apartments. This preference for higher-density housing provides entry-level pathways and attracts buyers looking to downsize or invest. This represents a distinct shift from the existing housing stock, which is 32.0% detached houses, reflecting a scarcity of development parcels alongside changing buyer preferences and budget considerations. The ratio of roughly 283 individuals per approved dwelling highlights an evolving local property market. Long-term outlooks indicate the suburb will add 5,519 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimates. If building rates do not accelerate, residential additions might fall short of population gains, which could intensify buyer competition and support elevated price appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Carnegie
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 15 current infrastructure and development projects inside Carnegie, worth an estimated $36.7 billion. A further 117 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $56.9 billion. 21 are already under construction and 34 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and major upgrades represent key influences on local performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects likely to impact the locality, including Housing Choices Carnegie - Egan Street, Eighty East, the Lord Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment, and the Carnegie Station & Level Crossing Removal, with the most relevant details listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Suburban Rail Loop East
SRL East is delivering 26km of twin underground rail tunnels and six new underground stations connecting Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood, and Box Hill[cite: 1]. Major construction and site preparation are active across all station sites, with tunnel boring machines launching from the Burwood site[cite: 1]. The new orbital rail line will connect major educational, health, and commercial precincts while integrating with existing regional and metropolitan rail networks[cite: 1]. Trains are scheduled to commence passenger operations by 2035[cite: 1].
Housing Choices Carnegie - Egan Street
106 one and two-bedroom affordable housing apartments across 10 levels, part of the Victorian Government's Big Housing Build program. Designed by Bruce Henderson Architects and constructed by Buxton Construction, the project includes office space, a 3-level basement, and a landscaped rooftop terrace, aiming to provide quality affordable housing for low to moderate income earners.
Mimosa Row Apartments
Boutique 40-apartment development designed by BG Architecture with industrial-style finishes, oak timber floors, and premium materials. Features two-bedroom and three-bedroom residences with private balconies, gardens, study nooks, and secure parking. Developed by ITUM and Pan Plan Properties with Platinum Construction as builder.
Eighty East
Upcoming residential development in Malvern East featuring modern architecture and premium finishes. Designed to complement the local streetscape while providing contemporary living spaces.
Carnegie Station & Level Crossing Removal
Part of $2.4 billion Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project. Removed 2 dangerous level crossings at Koornang Road and Neerim Road, built new elevated Carnegie Station with improved accessibility, and created new public spaces beneath the rail line.
Packer Park Cricket Net Upgrades
Glen Eira City Council is upgrading the sports and training facilities at Packer Park. The project replaces the existing three-bay cricket net facility with a modern five-bay training setup, integrates a multipurpose basketball ring and futsal goal at the northern end, and relocates the golf practice cage.
Lord Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the Lord Reserve sports pavilion including modern changerooms, social facilities, improved accessibility, and enhanced community meeting spaces to better serve local sporting clubs and community groups.
Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project
Major $2.4 billion infrastructure project removing 9 dangerous level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong on Melbourne's busiest rail corridor. Involved constructing 8.3 kilometres of elevated rail (Sky Rail), building five new elevated stations (Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale, Clayton, Noble Park), and creating 22.5 hectares of new public open space including sports courts, playgrounds, walking and cycling trails, and the 17-kilometre Djerring Trail. Project completed in June 2018, eliminating boom gates that were previously down for up to 87 minutes during peak periods.
12,587 residents of Carnegie are employed, from a labour force of 13,183. Unemployment sits at 4.5%, with participation at 72.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 16,114, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, strong representation in professional roles, and an unemployment rate of 4.5%, with stable employment conditions observed over the preceding year. As of March 2026, 12,587 residents are employed, with the unemployment rate tracking 0.3% below the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, while participation is registered at 72.4% compared to 70.2% regionally. Census returns show that 44.5% of the working population operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic lockdowns. The main employment fields for local residents are professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The district exhibits a strong concentration in professional & technical fields, accounting for 1.5 times the wider metropolitan proportion. Conversely, construction fields are underrepresented, engaging only 6.0% of local workers compared to 9.7% across Greater Melbourne. The local area offers sparse job opportunities internally, as shown by comparing the count of Census local jobs against the resident workforce. Analysis of data from SALM and the ABS shows that in the year ending March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 0.3% while total employment dipped by 0.1%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point decline in unemployment. Conversely, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.1% and workforce growth of 2.3%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point increase. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional context on future demand. These five and ten-year projections, when mapped against the local industry profile, suggest employment could grow by 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, assuming national trends apply to the local mix, though national projections anticipate overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Carnegie is $1,878 a week (about $98,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,005 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,809 a year against an average of $78,028. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Tax office data for the 2023 financial year indicates a median taxpayer income of $58,809 and an average of $78,028. Based on a Wage Price Index rise of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures would stand at approximately $64,466 for the median and $85,534 for the average as of March 2026. Individual weekly income at the 2021 Census placed in the 79th percentile at $1,005, while household income ranked in the 57th percentile. The largest income bracket contains 31.8% of residents (6,546 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the metropolitan pattern where 32.8% of the population falls into this category.
Housing costs account for 16.6% of income, while disposable income ranks in the 58th percentile, and the SEIFA index places the area in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Carnegie had 7,807 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 32% detached houses and 40% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 43% rented and 27% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $395 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,040 a month. Rent absorbs 21.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential housing composition at the most recent Census consisted of 32.0% detached houses and 68.0% multi-unit options, compared to the Melbourne metropolitan split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Owner-occupation rates stood at 26.9%, which is lower than the metropolitan average, with the remaining tenure comprised of mortgaged properties (29.7%) and rental properties (43.4%). The median monthly home loan payment was $2,040, which is higher than the metropolitan average of $2,000, while the median weekly rental cost was $395, compared to $390 across Melbourne. These local housing costs also exceed the Australian median mortgage payment of $1,863 and the national median rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Carnegie counted 7,807 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,974 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 58.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 24.5%, couples without children at 25.9%, and single-parent homes at 6.7%. The remaining 41.3% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 34.9% and group households making up 6.4%. The median household occupancy of 2.2 residents is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
55.3% of adults in Carnegie hold a university qualification, including 33.5% with a bachelor degree and 17.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 95% of areas nationally. A further 10.4% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 964 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,130 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational outcomes in the area are high, with 55.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to national and state levels of 30.4% and 33.4% respectively. Bachelor degrees represent the most common level at 33.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 17.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.3%. Vocational qualifications are held by 20.6% of those aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificate level qualifications at 10.4%. A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in an educational institution.
This includes 9.9% attending tertiary institutions, 7.1% in primary school, and 5.3% in secondary school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Carnegie reaches 67 stops on 15 routes, timetabled for about 7,400 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Trams carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 0.8 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis indicates there are 67 active public transport stops in the suburb, consisting of bus and lightrail options. These stops are serviced by 15 separate routes, which accommodate 7,350 passenger trips each week. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 169 meters from their nearest stop. Because of the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area, with 69% traveling by car and 18% using the train. Vehicle ownership sits at 0.8 cars per household, which is below the metropolitan average. At the 2021 Census, 44.5% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Service frequency across all local routes averages 1,050 trips daily, which represents approximately 109 weekly trips per transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
74.2% of residents in Carnegie report no long-term health condition. 4.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 57.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessments of mortality and health conditions show positive outcomes across the locality, with chronic illness rates tracking low in the general community and matching national averages among older populations, while private health coverage is high at 58% of the population, representing about 11,861 people. The most prevalent health concerns are mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 7.9% and 6.8% of the population respectively, while 74.2% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The working-age population exhibits good health outcomes with low disease rates.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 14.8% of the population, representing 3,046 people, and seniors report above-average health status, though their national percentile rank is lower than that of the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
44.7% of Carnegie residents were born overseas and 39.8% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 85% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (17.7%) and Australian (15.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The area exhibits high levels of cultural diversity, with 39.8% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 44.7% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, held by 34.2% of residents. However, the most pronounced local concentration is in Judaism, which accounts for 6.6% of the population, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 1.0%. In terms of parental origin, the most common ancestries are English at 17.7%, Australian at 15.7%, and Other at 14.5%. There are also distinct concentrations of specific ethnic groups, with Russian backgrounds representing 1.7% of the population compared to 0.4% regionally, Polish backgrounds at 1.5% compared to 0.8%, and Hungarian backgrounds at 0.6% compared to 0.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Carnegie is 35. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 38.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The local median age of 35 is slightly below the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 25.0% of the population, which is above the national average of 14.6%, while children aged 5 - 14 represent a lower share at 7.6%. The median age has decreased by 1.1 years from 36 since 2021, driven by the 25 to 34 cohort increasing from 21.8% to 25.0% and the 15 to 24 cohort rising from 11.6% to 13.2%, while the 5 to 14 cohort fell from 9.1% to 7.6% and the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 11.6% to 10.5%.
Projections to 2041 indicate the 25 to 34 group will grow by 25% to reach 6,415 residents, adding 1,268 people, while the 15 to 24 group is expected to grow by only 4%, adding 118 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Carnegie
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 15 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 349 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (17,909 at the 2021 Census → 20,586 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL20498). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.