Coburg

Coburg has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, Coburg's population is estimated at around 30,214 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 3,640 people (13.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 26,574 people in the Coburg statistical area (Lv2). The change is inferred from the resident population of 28,749 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on June 2024 and an additional 626 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4,366 persons per square kilometer, placing Coburg in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 13.7% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.7%) and that of the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the Coburg SA2 was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead with demographic trends, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the Coburg statistical area (Lv2) expected to increase by 14,622 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 43.8% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Coburg averaging approximately 297 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 1486 homes. As of FY26, 33 approvals have been recorded. The average number of people moving to the area for each dwelling built has been around 0.5 per year between FY21 and FY25, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average value of new homes being built in Coburg is $456,000, which is moderately above regional levels.

There have been $5.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Coburg has similar development levels per person, maintaining market equilibrium with surrounding areas. Recent periods have seen an increase in development activity. The majority of new building activity consists of townhouses or apartments (93%), with a small percentage being detached houses (7%). This shift from the current housing pattern of 65% houses suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

Coburg has approximately 76 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Coburg is projected to add 13223 residents by 2041. If current construction levels continue, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Coburg 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 has identified 42 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Pentridge Precinct, Coburg Health and Community Services Precinct, Holstep Health Community Hub (Coburg), and Sydney Road Transport Corridor Upgrade. 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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The employment landscape in Coburg shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Coburg's workforce is highly educated with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 7.0% as of a past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.9%.

As of September 2025, 16,783 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 2.3% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Coburg was 68.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Education & training has a particularly high employment share at 1.4 times the regional level, while construction employs only 6.7% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 9.7%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. In the 12-month period ending in a past year, employment increased by 4.9%, alongside labour force growth of 4.9%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne, where employment rose by 3.0%, labour force grew by 3.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. 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 Coburg's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023 shows median income in Coburg suburb is $58,713, with average income at $73,658. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since June 2023, estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $63,557, with average income at $79,735. Census data indicates household, family and personal incomes in Coburg are around the 67th percentile nationally. Income brackets show that 31.5% of residents (9,517 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, similar to the broader area where 32.8% occupy this range. Economic strength is evident with 31.4% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting increased consumer spending. Housing expenses account for 15.0% of income, while strong earnings place residents within the 72nd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Coburg displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Census data shows that in Coburg, 65.2% of dwellings are houses, with the remaining 34.8% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. In contrast, Melbourne metropolitan area has 46.2% houses and 53.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coburg stands at 33.1%, with mortgaged properties making up 32.9% and rented dwellings accounting for 34.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Coburg is $2,167, exceeding Melbourne's average of $2,149. Median weekly rent in Coburg is $430, higher than Melbourne's $418. Nationally, Coburg's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Coburg features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 65.8% of all households, including 29.9% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 34.2%, with lone person households at 25.3% and group households comprising 9.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

Coburg shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Coburg has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 45.4% holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds the national average of 30.4% and the Victorian state average of 33.4%. The area's educational advantage is reflected in the distribution of qualifications: Bachelor degrees are held by 27.2%, postgraduate qualifications by 13.2%, and graduate diplomas by 5.0%. Vocational pathways account for 21.8% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.7% and certificates at 12.1%.

Educational participation is particularly high in Coburg, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.7% in tertiary education, 7.6% in primary education, and 5.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

Coburg has 133 active public transport stops. These include train, light rail, and bus services. There are 16 routes in total, serving 12,727 weekly passenger trips.

The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 174 meters. Daily service frequency averages 1,818 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 95 weekly trips per individual stop.

Coburg'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

Coburg's health data shows positive outcomes overall. Common health conditions are relatively uncommon among its general population but higher than national averages among older and at-risk groups.

Approximately 56% (~16,895 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 59.0%. Mental health issues affect 11.5% of residents, while asthma impacts 8.1%. About 67.9% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 68.5%. Coburg has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 13.7% (4,139 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 12.1%.

Coburg 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

Coburg had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 30.7% of its population born overseas and 32.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Coburg, comprising 39.1% of people. However, Islam was notably overrepresented at 6.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (18.6%), Australian (16.6%), and Italian (12.1%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Greek (5.7% vs regional 5.1%), Lebanese (3.6% vs regional 1.9%), and Maltese (1.0% vs regional 0.9%) were overrepresented in Coburg.

Coburg's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Coburg has a median age of 37, which is equal to Greater Melbourne's figure and comparable to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group constitutes 19.7% of Coburg's population, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage but lower than the national average of 14.5%. The 5-14 cohort makes up 9.0% of Coburg's population. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.2% to 12.0%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 10.0% to 9.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Coburg's age structure. Notably, the 55-64 group is expected to grow by 76%, reaching a population of 5,522 from the current 3,142.