Coburg North

Coburg North lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Coburg North is around 8,843, reflecting a 6.2% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,327. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 8,826 following examination of ABS data released in June 2025 and an additional 149 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,850 persons per square kilometer, which is above average national levels assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Coburg North has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 93.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. 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 VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth is predicted over the period, with the suburb expected to expand by 3,880 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 43.7% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Coburg North according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Coburg North has seen approximately 23 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling about 118 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. Each new resident gained averages around two dwellings built annually between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost for these dwellings is $651,000, indicating a focus on premium market properties.

Commercial development approvals reached $44.6 million in FY-26. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Coburg North has lower building activity, 59.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity can strengthen demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, the area's activity is also below average, suggesting maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity consists of 40.0% standalone homes and 60.0% townhouses or apartments, a shift from the current housing composition of 76.0% houses. Coburg North has an estimated population growth of 3,863 residents by 2041. If development rates continue at their current pace, housing supply may not keep up with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Coburg North will gain 3,863 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 17 such projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Assembly Broadmeadows, Kodak Lands Redevelopment (Merri-bek Gardens Estate), Gaffney St, Coburg North, Coburg North Village, and Lincoln Mills Redevelopment. The following list details those projects considered 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.

The employment environment in Coburg North shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Coburg North has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.2% as of an unspecified past year. As of December 2025, 5158 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 3.3%, which is 1.5% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Coburg North is 72.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 42.1% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Coburg North has a particular employment specialization in education & training, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 7.0% versus the regional average of 9.7%. The ratio of 0.6 workers per resident indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Coburg North's labour force decreased by 0.9%, with employment declining by 0.2%, leading to a 0.6 percentage point drop in unemployment. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Coburg North's employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolations of industry-specific projections against the local employment mix.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Coburg North's median income among taxpayers is $58,647. The average income in the suburb is $73,573. Nationally, the median income is lower at $54,891 and the average is $79,411. In Greater Melbourne, the median income is $57,688 with an average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for Coburg North's median income would be approximately $64,289 by March 2026 and the average would be around $80,651. Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Coburg North are at the 64th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 33.4% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to regional levels where 32.8% fall into this bracket. High housing costs consume 15.9% of income in Coburg North. Despite this, disposable income remains at the 64th percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Coburg North is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Coburg North, as per the latest Census data, 75.7% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 24.3% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coburg North stood at 30.7%, mirroring Melbourne metro's rate, with mortgaged properties at 37.9% and rented dwellings at 31.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, surpassing Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Coburg North was $401, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Coburg North's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 68.6% of all households, including 33.0% couples with children, 22.8% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.4%, with lone person households at 24.8% and group households comprising 6.6%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Coburg North is notably high, with 42.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to the SA4 region's 27.7% and Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 25.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational pathways account for 24.3% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 13.4%. Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.1% in primary education, 7.1% in tertiary education, and 6.6% pursuing secondary education.

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

Coburg North has 59 active public transport stops offering a mix of lightrail and bus services. These stops are served by 7 different routes, facilitating 7,366 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 149 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Car remains the primary mode of transportation at 74%, followed by train at 10% and cycling at 5%. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 42.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,052 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 124 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Coburg North is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Coburg North faces significant health challenges.

AreaSearch's assessment found common health conditions somewhat prevalent across all age groups but more so among older cohorts. Approximately 56% (~4,942 people) of the total population has private health cover, a rate higher than Greater Melbourne's average. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (10.1%) and asthma (7.8%). About 68.8% of residents reported no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are typical. The area has 13.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,167 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

Coburg North 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 North has a high level of cultural diversity, with 32.6% of its population born overseas and 34.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Coburg North, accounting for 41.1% of the population. However, Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 7.4% versus 5.6%.

The top three ancestry groups in Coburg North are English (18.1%), Australian (17.2%), and Other (14.4%). Notably, Italian (13.0%) and Greek (4.6%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 5.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Additionally, Lebanese ethnicity is also overrepresented at 2.6% versus the regional average of 0.8%.

Coburg North's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Coburg North is 38 years, closely matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Coburg North has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (17.9%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.1%). Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the 55 to 64 age group increased from 9.5% to 10.6%, while the 85+ cohort decreased from 4.0% to 2.8%. The 0 to 4 age group also dropped from 6.6% to 5.4%. By 2041, Coburg North's population is projected to see significant shifts in age composition, with the 45 to 54 group expected to grow by 64%, reaching 2,007 people from 1,220.