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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Deer Park has an estimated 18,532 residents, up from 18,145 at the 2021 Census — a change of 387 people, or 2.1%. That puts 2,160 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch evaluations combining regional ABS demographic updates with newly verified address additions since the Census, the suburb of Deer Park has a population assessed at approximately 18,532 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 387 residents (2.1%) from the 18,145 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. These findings are derived from an estimated resident tally of 18,512 determined via the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025), alongside 45 validated new addresses identified post-Census. Consequently, the suburb of Deer Park registers a density of 2,159 persons per square kilometer, placing it above the typical benchmark across nationwide locations evaluated by AreaSearch.
The post-Census expansion rate of 2.1% trails the wider SA3 area (2.2%) by just 0.1 percentage points, indicating resilient underlying momentum. Overall population gains in recent times have been predominantly underpinned by overseas arrivals, accounting for roughly 68.0% of net additions. SA2-level demographic projections released in 2024 by the ABS/Geoscience Australia (using 2022 as a base year) are incorporated by AreaSearch, with unrepresented SA2 zones modeled using the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections via a weighted population growth aggregation method. Age-specific growth distributions derived from these models are similarly applied across all locations for the period covering 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, the suburb of Deer Park is projected to experience population expansion tracking above the national median for statistical areas, with cumulative SA2-based projections indicating an increase of 3,283 persons by 2041, representing a net gain of 17.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
118 new dwellings have been approved in Deer Park over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 1.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 22 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 41% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 21, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Examining ABS residential approval figures distributed across statistical zones, AreaSearch indicates that the suburb of Deer Park records an average of roughly 23 approved dwellings per year, totaling approximately 118 approved homes over the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 through FY-25), with 21 permits issued to date in FY-25. Amid recent population decreases, residential building volume has generally satisfied local demand while providing ample options for purchasers, with newly constructed dwellings averaging an estimated construction cost of $507,000. Concurrently, commercial planning permits this financial year amount to $1.8 million, reflecting subdued commercial building activity.
Residential building volumes in the suburb of Deer Park sit notably below Greater Melbourne standards (lagging the regional per-capita rate by 59.0%). This restricted pipeline of new construction typically reinforces pricing resilience and buyer interest across pre-existing properties. Output also trails the national benchmark, highlighting established area dynamics and probable land supply constraints. Attached dwellings constitute 59.0% of new development activity compared to 41.0% for detached homes. This emphasis on medium-density typologies creates accessible entry-level options suited to downsizers, first-time purchasers, and investors. Such output diverges substantially from the existing residential landscape (which currently features 87.0% houses), reflecting a scarcity of development parcels while aligning with emerging affordability and lifestyle preferences. An intensity of roughly 883 people per approval further underscores a mature, established residential market. Long-term forecasts indicate the suburb of Deer Park will add 3,263 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release. If current construction rates continue unchanged, new dwelling delivery could fall behind population requirements, potentially heightening market competition and supporting upward pressure on home values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Deer Park
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 15 current infrastructure and development projects inside Deer Park, worth an estimated $1.65 billion. A further 64 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $10.5 billion. 14 are already under construction and 21 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Urban performance is significantly shaped by infrastructure upgrades, major capital works, and strategic planning schemes. AreaSearch has pinpointed 25 initiatives expected to influence the local area. Notable projects include Residential Development - Derrimut Gardens Estate, Deer Park Dome Redevelopment, Deer Park Estate, and Avondale Heights - Former TAFE Campus Redevelopment, with key details provided below for the most impactful works.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Amora Estate Cairnlea
Townhouse estate by Truesource featuring approximately 70 homes in a walkable location opposite Cairnlea Shopping Centre. Product mix includes 3 and 4 bedroom, double garage homes with contemporary finishes, engineered oak style flooring, and stone benchtops.
Deer Park Estate
A 1 billion AUD, 66-hectare industrial and logistics estate delivering up to 340,000sqm of prime warehouse space. Construction is underway with Asahi Beverages as the first anchor tenant. The precinct targets a 5 Star Green Star rating and features highbay warehousing, data centre potential, and strategic access to major transport routes.
Avondale Heights - Former TAFE Campus Redevelopment
Residential development of the former Kangan Batman TAFE campus site on Military Road. Joint venture between Development Victoria and Frasers Property Australia to deliver 135 contemporary townhouses. The site was purchased after the TAFE campus closed in 2005.
Station Street Commercial Precinct
Development application for a mixed-use commercial precinct along Station Street including retail spaces, cafes, professional services, and upper-level office accommodation. The project aims to create a vibrant local commercial centre.
Ballarat Road Maintenance and Upgrade
Comprehensive road maintenance and upgrade project along Ballarat Road improving traffic flow, safety, and infrastructure resilience. Includes pavement renewal, drainage improvements, and intersection upgrades in the Deer Park area to support growing traffic demands.
Deer Park BESS
Formerly known as the Melbourne Grid Battery, the Deer Park BESS is a 275MW/1100MWh market-facing grid battery connected to existing transmission infrastructure. Developed initially by Lumea and now under development with Akaysha Energy, it will provide up to 4 hours of energy storage to support Victoria's energy transition, optimize renewable energy, and ensure grid reliability.
Vincent Street Townhouses
Site with approved plans and permits for 20 townhouses on a 2,775 sqm land holding across four lots in the Residential Growth Zone. Currently offered for sale with the approved scheme; no active builder or developer publicly identified.
Residential Development - 38-48 Station Road, Deer Park
A residential development proposal for 55 townhouses at 38-48 Station Road, Deer Park. The development includes a mix of two and three-storey homes with associated car parking and landscaping. Currently in the approved planning stage.
8,891 residents of Deer Park are employed, from a labour force of 9,617. Unemployment sits at 7.6%, with participation at 63.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 15,711, about 85% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A solid industrial and manufacturing presence characterizes the local workforce in Deer Park, where the unemployment rate stands at 7.6% and annual job growth is estimated at 1.8% based on aggregated statistical area figures from AreaSearch. As of March 2026, employed locals number 8,891, though local unemployment exceeds Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8% by 2.8%, and the local labour participation rate of 63.2% trails the broader metropolitan mark of 70.1%. Census records show a moderate 17.3% of workers operated from home, an outcome potentially influenced by prevailing Covid-19 restrictions. Employment among residents is primarily concentrated within health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and transport, postal & warehousing.
The local labour force demonstrates a distinct concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, capturing a proportion 2.1 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 4.9% of local workers compared to 10.1% across Greater Melbourne. Comparing resident numbers to Census employment counts highlights a predominantly residential profile with relatively few jobs situated locally. AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM statistical data shows that across the 12 months leading to March 2026, employment grew by 1.8% alongside a 1.9% expansion in the labour pool, leaving the unemployment level virtually unchanged. Over the identical timeframe, Greater Melbourne recorded a 2.1% rise in employment and a 2.3% gain in total labour supply, accompanied by a 0.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. Potential workforce trends across Deer Park can also be evaluated against national employment forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. These five- and ten-year projections have been applied across the local occupational profile to model future trajectories. While nationwide employment is projected to expand 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, sectoral performance varies considerably. Mapping these industry-level projections against the local workforce mix suggests employment in Deer Park could rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.7% over ten years (representing a baseline weighted projection for illustrative purposes that excludes local population adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Deer Park is $1,456 a week (about $76,000 a year), with median personal income at $619 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $51,033 a year against an average of $59,925. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode figures aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate a median taxpayer income of $51,033 and an average of $59,925 in the suburb of Deer Park. These earnings trail the national benchmark as well as Greater Melbourne, which recorded a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from financial year 2023 onward, estimated earnings stand at roughly $55,942 for the median and $65,690 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places weekly personal earnings at the 14th percentile, while weekly household income of $1,456 positions the suburb at the 33rd percentile.
The single largest income band encompasses 34.1% of the population (6,319 people) within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, mirroring broader regional patterns where 32.8% fall into the identical tier. Severe mortgage and rental pressures leave households with only 82.6% of income uncommitted, ranking at the 31st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Deer Park had 5,894 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 1% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,689 a month. Rent absorbs 24.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals a local dwelling profile comprising 87.2% houses alongside 12.9% other dwellings (including semi-detached properties, units, and alternative formats), contrasting with the wider Melbourne metro split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Outright property ownership in Deer Park aligns with the metropolitan standard at 32.0%, while mortgaged properties account for 37.5% and rental tenure represents 30.5%. Typical monthly mortgage costs of $1,689 and median weekly rentals of $350 sit below Melbourne metro benchmarks of $2,000 and $390 respectively. Compared to broader Australian figures, local mortgage obligations remain under the national average of $1,863, with rents similarly tracking beneath the nationwide median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Deer Park counted 5,894 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 22% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the bulk of local living arrangements at 76.0%, featuring couples with children (36.9%), couples without children (21.5%), and single parent families (15.5%). The remaining 24.0% of households are non-family structures, led by single-person dwellings at 20.5% and group arrangements at 3.5%. The typical household size sits at 2.9 people, exceeding the 2.6 person average recorded across Greater Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.4% of adults in Deer Park hold a university qualification, including 17.0% with a bachelor degree and 4.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 18.3% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 1,227 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 975 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications present a notable divergence, with 23.4% of residents holding university degrees compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne, highlighting potential for focused educational programs. Bachelor level awards represent 17.0% of local attainment, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Meanwhile, vocational and technical credentials feature strongly, held by 28.6% of individuals aged 15+, consisting of certificates (18.3%) and advanced diplomas (10.3%). Formal study engagement is substantial across the community, with 33.0% of the population undertaking some level of education. This proportion includes 11.6% attending primary school, 7.8% enrolled in secondary education, and 5.1% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Deer Park reaches 70 stops on 16 routes, timetabled for about 4,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 290 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Deer Park's public transit network features 70 operational bus and rail stops serviced by 16 distinct routes, generating 4,941 passenger services each week. Local transit proximity is favorable, with dwellings typically positioned 291 meters from the nearest stop. Given the suburb's residential orientation, the majority of trips are outbound, with private vehicles serving as the primary mode of travel for 86% of commuters and rail capturing 8%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. In addition, 17.3% of workers performed their duties from home at the 2021 Census, a figure potentially elevated by COVID-19 settings.
Transit services maintain an average throughput of 705 trips per day across the network, representing approximately 70 weekly departures per transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
74.4% of residents in Deer Park report no long-term health condition. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
General health conditions across Deer Park track closely alongside broader Australian benchmarks, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and health metrics showing standard incidence rates of routine conditions across both younger and older demographics. Private health insurance coverage is comparatively limited, held by roughly 51% of the community (~9,371 people). This uptake trails Greater Melbourne at 56.7% as well as the nationwide average of 55.7%. Asthma and diabetes represent the most prevalent health challenges locally, reported by 6.8 and 6.3% of the community respectively, whereas 74.4% of residents reported having no diagnosed chronic medical conditions (compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne).
Health indicators among residents aged under 65 exceed typical benchmarks. Older residents aged 65 and over make up 16.6% of the population (3,076 people), tracking above the 15.1% proportion seen across Greater Melbourne, with senior health outcomes registering above average and matching general national distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
54.4% of Deer Park residents were born overseas and 63.4% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 95% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Vietnamese (12.2%) and Australian (10.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is exceptionally pronounced in Deer Park, where 54.4% of community members were born overseas and 63.4% speak a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 51.7% of the populace. Notably, Buddhism exhibits significant local representation at 10.8%, substantially exceeding the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 4.2%. Examining parental country of birth, the primary ancestry classifications in Deer Park include Other (representing 25.7% against the regional mark of 14.6%), Vietnamese (accounting for 12.2% compared to 1.9% across the region), and Australian (capturing 10.3% versus 18.4% regionally).
Furthermore, marked variations emerge across several other backgrounds, with Filipino heritage comprising 5.0% locally (versus 1.3% regionally), Maltese representing 4.5% (versus 1.1%), and Croatian accounting for 1.5% (versus 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Deer Park is 35, younger than 76% of areas nationally. 28.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Deer Park aligns closely with Greater Melbourne, showing a maximum variance of only 1.5 percentage points across cohorts. The estimated median age sits at 35, matching the 2021 Census figure and remaining 2 years younger than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 documented at that Census. Since that time, the proportion of retirees and seniors (65+) has risen from 14.4% to an estimated 16.6%. The senior cohort is also expected to deliver the largest volume of additions by 2041, expanding by 1,476 residents (48%) to reach 4,552.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Deer Park
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 15 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 45 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (18,145 at the 2021 Census → 18,532 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL20729). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.