Cockatoo (Vic.)

Cockatoo is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

The population of the suburb of Cockatoo (Vic.) is estimated to be around 4,608 as of February 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 200 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,408 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 4,574 in June 2024, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 13 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 162 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth contributed approximately 56% 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 utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting them using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb is expected to expand by 105 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.5% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Cockatoo is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Cockatoo experiencing around 5 dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 27 homes were approved, with none yet in FY-26. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to population change.

New properties are constructed at an average cost of $847,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. In FY-26, $10.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Cockatoo's building activity is 89.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. New development consists of 80.0% detached houses and 20.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low density character with a focus on family homes. This marks a shift from the current 100.0% houses pattern, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 918 people. Future projections show Cockatoo adding 71 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Cockatoo has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

No changes can influence an area's performance more than modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that could potentially impact the area. Notable projects include South East Melbourne Recycled Water Supply Infrastructure Upgrades, Yarra Ranges Council Drainage Infrastructure Program, Additional VLocity Trains, and Level Crossing Removal Project (Melbourne). The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis places Cockatoo well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Cockatoo's workforce is skilled, with the construction sector prominent. The unemployment rate was 3.1% in an unspecified past year. Employment growth over that year was estimated at 4.4%.

As of December 2025, 2,777 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Workforce participation in Cockatoo was 79.8%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. Home workership stood at 21.7% based on Census responses, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment sectors were construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing.

Construction had a strong presence with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level. Professional & technical services had limited representation at 4.9%, compared to 10.1% regionally. Local employment opportunities appeared limited based on Census data comparisons. Over a 12-month period ending in December 2025, employment increased by 4.4% while labour force grew by 4.8%, leading to a slight unemployment rise of 0.3 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 2.4%, labour force expanded by 2.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cockatoo's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that income in Cockatoo is higher than average nationally. The median income stands at $52,955 while the average income is $71,779. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's figures of a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest approximately $57,324 (median) and $77,701 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Cockatoo cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that the predominant cohort spans 42.8% of locals (1,972 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, aligning with metropolitan regions where this cohort likewise represents 32.8%. After housing costs, 85.0% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Cockatoo is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

The dwelling structure in Cockatoo, as per the latest Census, was entirely composed of houses (100.0%) with no other dwellings recorded (0.0%). This contrasts with Melbourne metro's composition of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cockatoo stood at 24.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 67.3% and rented ones at 7.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,742, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Cockatoo was recorded as $370, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Cockatoo's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 79.6% of all households, including 41.9% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 20.4%, with lone person households at 18.4% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Cockatoo exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 18.2%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 46.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (33.7%). Educational participation is high, with 32.8% currently enrolled in formal education: 12.7% in primary, 9.3% in secondary, and 3.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.7% in primary education, 9.3% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cockatoo has 18 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by seven different routes that together facilitate 493 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 593 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards, and cars remain the primary mode of transportation at 95%. On average, there are 2.0 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 21.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 70 trips per day, equating to approximately 27 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cockatoo is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Cockatoo faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very high at approximately 55% of the total population (~2,543 people). The most common medical conditions are mental health issues impacting 10.9% of residents and asthma affecting 9.5%. 66.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 13.0% of residents aged 65 and over (599 people), which is lower than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Cockatoo is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Cockatoo's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population comprised 87.5% citizens, 86.7% born in Australia, and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 29.5%.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%. Ancestry-wise, Australian (32.1%), English (29.6%), and Irish (7.9%) were the top groups, significantly higher than regional averages of 18.4%, 20.1%, and 5.3% respectively. Notably, Dutch (2.9%), Hungarian (0.5%), and Russian (0.5%) ethnicities were also overrepresented compared to regional figures of 1.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%.

Cockatoo's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Cockatoo's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, which is slightly below Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Cockatoo has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (13.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.4%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the percentage of residents aged 75-84 has increased from 2.3% to 4.0%, while the percentage of those aged 25-34 has decreased from 13.6% to 11.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Cockatoo's age profile. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 52%, adding 96 residents to reach a total of 281. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 70% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 15-24 and 0-4 age groups are projected to experience population declines.