Coolaroo

An assessment of population growth drivers in Coolaroo reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the population of Coolaroo is estimated at around 3,424, reflecting a 7.2% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,193 people. This increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3,335 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 47 validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density stands at 1,090 persons per square kilometer. Coolaroo's growth rate since the census is within 2.7 percentage points of the national average (9.9%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch projections for Coolaroo are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods.

Future population trends forecast a significant increase in the suburb's top quartile statistical areas, with an expected rise to 4,619 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 31.1% over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Coolaroo has seen around 13 new homes approved per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY21 and FY25, approximately 67 homes were approved, with a further six approved so far in FY26. The population has been declining recently, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New homes are being built at an average construction cost of $356,000. This financial year, $51.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Coolaroo has markedly lower building activity, recording 68.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 47.0% detached houses and 53.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 91.0% houses. This indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse, affordable housing options.

With around 502 people per dwelling approval, Coolaroo shows a developed market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Coolaroo is projected to add 1,064 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Coolaroo has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Time & Place Campbellfield Industrial Development, Meadow Heights Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Assembly Broadmeadows, and Upfield Corridor - Rail Extension to Roxburgh Park. 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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Employment conditions in Coolaroo face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Coolaroo has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate was 15.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.3%.

As of September 2025, 1,011 residents were employed, but the unemployment rate was high at 11.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.7%. Workforce participation was low at 44.3%. Only 13.0% of residents worked from home as per Census responses, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Key industries were health care & social assistance, construction, and transport, postal & warehousing.

Transport, postal & warehousing had a strong employment share of 2.0 times the regional level. Professional & technical employed only 4.8% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. There were 1.1 workers per resident, indicating Coolaroo functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.3%, labour force by 2.5%, and unemployment rose slightly by 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.0%, labour force expand by 3.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Coolaroo. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Coolaroo's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Coolaroo had a median taxpayer income of $39,604 and an average income of $47,950. Nationally, the averages were $57,688 (median) and $75,164 (average). By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $42,871 (median) and $51,906 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25%. According to the 2021 Census, Coolaroo's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 1st and 4th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 29.2% of locals earn $800 - 1,499, unlike surrounding regions where 32.8% earn $1,500 - 2,999. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile.

Coolaroo is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Coolaroo's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.4% houses and 8.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coolaroo stood at 37.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.6% and rented ones at 31.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,324, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Coolaroo was $335, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Coolaroo's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Coolaroo has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.4% of all households, including 33.0% couples with children, 15.9% couples without children, and 20.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 27.6%, with lone person households at 24.0% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Coolaroo faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.8%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 9.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 25.5% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 16.9%. Educational participation is high, with 31.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.0% in primary, 8.4% in secondary, and 4.9% in tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis in Coolaroo shows 43 active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 9 different routes that collectively facilitate 3,626 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 144 meters from the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, and most residents commute outward using their cars, which remain the dominant mode of transport at 80%. Fourteen percent of residents use trains for commuting. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling in Coolaroo.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 13.0% of residents work from home, which may be reflective of COVID-19 conditions at the time of the census. Service frequency across all routes averages 518 trips per day, equating to approximately 84 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Coolaroo is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Coolaroo faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantially higher than average, particularly among older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,571 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (9.5%) and mental health issues (7.9%), while 66.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among working-age residents are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.3%, with 695 people, compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Coolaroo's population is culturally diverse, with 49.1% born overseas and 63.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 39.9% of Coolaroo's population. Islam is overrepresented, making up 35.7%, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 5.6%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (42.3%), Australian (15.5%), and English (12.4%). Notably, Lebanese (7.0%) and Maltese (1.9%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8% and 1.1%, respectively. Vietnamese representation is also notable at 2.1%.

Coolaroo's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Coolaroo has a median age of 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure and closely aligning with Australia's median age of 38 years. The 75-84 age group is strongly represented in Coolaroo at 7.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent in Coolaroo at 12.9%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.1% to 13.8% of the population. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 14.6% to 12.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Coolaroo's age structure. The 65-74 group is projected to grow by 52%, adding 157 people and reaching a total of 462 from the current figure of 304. The 0-4 cohort is expected to grow modestly, increasing by 10% or 20 people.