Dandenong North

Dandenong North 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 Dandenong North is estimated at around 23,503 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 953 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 22,550. The change is inferred from the resident population of 23,319 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 71 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,495 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Dandenong North's growth rate of 4.2% since census positions it within 2.7 percentage points of the SA3 area (6.9%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 86.0% 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. Anticipating future population dynamics, lower quartile growth of statistical areas across the nation is anticipated, with the suburb expected to increase by 763 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 2.5% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Dandenong North, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Dandenong North averaged approximately 50 new dwelling approvals annually from statistical area data. Between Financial Year 21 and Financial Year 25, around 254 homes were approved, with an additional 15 in Financial Year 26 to date. The population has declined recently, yet development activity has been adequate relative to this decline, which is positive for buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost of $459,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating quality construction emphasis. This financial year, $4.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong North has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and places among the 26th percentile nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. This lower rate reflects market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 69.0% detached houses and 31.0% attached dwellings, with an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges, from spacious family homes to compact options.

This shift indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 625 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Population forecasts indicate Dandenong North will gain around 579 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Dandenong North 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 five projects that may impact the area. Key projects are Liege Avenue Childcare Centre, Dandenong Wellbeing Centre, RACV Noble Park Redevelopment, and Silverton Noble Park North. The following list details those likely to be 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.

Employment drivers in Dandenong North are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Dandenong North has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 8.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.8%. As of December 2025, 10,812 residents were employed, but the unemployment rate stood at 3.8%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%.

Workforce participation was lower at 60.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. About 17.7% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment industries were health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and construction, with a notable concentration in manufacturing at 1.9 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services had limited presence at 5.9%, compared to the regional average of 10.1%.

Over the year ending December 2025, employment increased by 3.8% while labour force grew by 4.6%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 2.4%, labour force expand by 2.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Dandenong North's employment could increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that income in Dandenong North is below the national average. The median assessed income is $45,085 and the average income stands at $51,866. 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 ending June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $48,805 (median) and $56,145 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 31st percentile ($1,436 weekly), while personal income sits at the 12th percentile. The earnings profile shows that the largest segment comprises 32.2% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (7,567 residents). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 30th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Dandenong North, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.5% houses and 14.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dandenong North was at 36.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.1% and rented ones at 28.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $341, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Dandenong North's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households compose 75.0% of all households, including 37.1% couples with children, 22.3% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.0%, with lone person households at 21.2% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Dandenong North shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 23.6%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 30.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (19.2%). Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.1% in primary, 8.5% in secondary, and 5.6% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Dandenong North has 104 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 different routes that collectively facilitate 1,667 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing 171 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential zone, most residents commute outward, with the car being the primary mode of transportation at 89%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 17.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 238 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop. A map accompanies the data, displaying the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

Dandenong North'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

Health data for Dandenong North indicates positive outcomes, with mortality rates and health conditions largely matching national benchmarks. Common health conditions are low among the general population but higher among older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is very low, at approximately 47% of the total population (~11,147 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (7.2%) and mental health issues (6.6%), while 72.0% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Under-65 residents have better-than-average health outcomes. Dandenong North has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over (20.6%, or 4,841 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.1%, but ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Dandenong North has one of the highest proportions of overseas-born residents in Australia, with 54.0% of its population born abroad. A significant 59.8% of Dandenong North's inhabitants speak a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Dandenong North, accounting for 49.3% of people.

However, Buddhism stands out as notably more prevalent in Dandenong North compared to Greater Melbourne, with 7.9% versus 4.2%. In terms of ancestry, 'Other' is the largest group at 27.9%, significantly higher than the regional average of 14.6%. Australian ancestry makes up 12.0%, lower than the regional average of 18.4%. English ancestry also falls below the regional average at 11.7% compared to 20.1%. Certain ethnic groups are notably overrepresented in Dandenong North: Serbian (3.2% vs 0.4%), Sri Lankan (2.7% vs 0.8%), and Hungarian (0.5% vs 0.3%).

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

The median age in Dandenong North is 38 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and equivalent to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong North has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (10.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.3%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 6.1% to 7.3%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 11.9% to 13.1%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 decreased from 14.9% to 13.3%. By 2041, Dandenong North's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 36%, reaching 2,331 people from 1,715. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 77% of the population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for those aged 0 to 4 and 15 to 24.