Deer Park

Deer Park has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

By examining ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the estimated population of Deer Park as of November 2025 is around 18,577. This figure reflects an increase of 432 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,145. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 36 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 2,165 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Deer Park has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.1%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 68.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as 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 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb, with an expected increase of 3,341 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 18.0% in total over the 17 years.

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

Deer Park has seen approximately 24 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years ending June 30, 2021, totalling an estimated 120 homes. As of April 26, 2021, three approvals have been recorded in the current financial year. Despite a decrease in population during this period, development activity has been relatively adequate, which is positive for buyers. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $438,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.

In the current financial year, $1.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Deer Park records significantly lower building activity, at 56.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. This level is also below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and potential planning constraints. New building activity shows 33.0% detached dwellings and 67.0% medium to high-density housing. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points and suits downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix, which is currently 87.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.

With approximately 1025 people per dwelling approval, Deer Park reflects a highly mature market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Deer Park is expected to grow by 3,346 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Residential Development - Derrimut Gardens Estate, Deer Park Dome Redevelopment, Deer Park Estate, and Avondale Heights - Former TAFE Campus Redevelopment. The following list details those 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.

Deer Park shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Deer Park has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently represented. Its unemployment rate is 7.2%, indicating an estimated employment growth of 5.8% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, 9,080 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 2.6% above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Deer Park is lower at 54.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries for employment among residents include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and transport, postal & warehousing. Notably, transport, postal & warehousing employs a significant share of the workforce, at 2.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 4.9% of Deer Park's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 5.8%, while labour force grew by 5.7%, leaving unemployment broadly unchanged. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.5% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with a resultant rise in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer further insight into potential future demand within Deer Park. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with differing growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Deer Park's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.7% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Deer Park's median taxpayer income was $51,035 and average income was $59,928 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16%, estimated incomes would be approximately $57,241 (median) and $67,215 (average). Census data shows household income ranks at the 33rd percentile ($1,456 weekly), while personal income sits at the 14th percentile. Income distribution data indicates that 34.1% of Deer Park's population (6,334 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 32.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 31st percentile.

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

Deer Park's housing structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.2% houses and 12.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Melbourne metro's 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Deer Park stood at 32.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.5% and rented ones at 30.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,689, lower than Melbourne metro's $1,700. The median weekly rent was $350, slightly higher than Melbourne metro's $346. Nationally, Deer Park's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Deer Park has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 76.0% of all households, including 36.9% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 15.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.0%, with lone person households at 20.5% and group households making up 3.5%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

Educational outcomes in Deer Park fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area has university qualification rates of 23.4%, significantly lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 17.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 28.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 18.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.6% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education. Deer Park's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,227 students, serving typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 975) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with three primary and two secondary schools serving distinct age groups. School capacity is limited at 6.6 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.2, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Transport analysis shows 71 active stops operating in Deer Park, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 24 individual routes, collectively facilitating 7,423 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 292 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 1,060 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 104 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Deer Park is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Deer Park exhibits superior health outcomes with a low prevalence of common health conditions among its general population, nearing national averages even for older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 51% (~9,394 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Melbourne's 48.1%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (6.8%) and diabetes (6.3%), with 74.4% of residents reporting no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 73.5%. Deer Park has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 16.4% (3,046 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 17.9%, but health outcomes among this age group warrant more attention due to being above average.

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

Deer Park has one of the highest levels of cultural diversity in Australia, with 54.4% of its residents born overseas and 63.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Deer Park, accounting for 51.7% of the population. However, Buddhism is more prevalent in Deer Park compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 10.8% versus 12.5%.

The top three ancestry groups in Deer Park are Other (25.7%), Vietnamese (12.2%), and Australian (10.3%). Notably, Filipino (5.0%) and Maltese (4.5%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 3.7% and 4.6%, respectively, while Croatian is underrepresented at 1.5% versus the regional average of 2.2%.

Deer Park's population is younger than the national pattern

Deer Park's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, which is slightly below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Deer Park has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (9.2%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (12.1%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of residents aged 75-84 has increased from 4.4% to 5.6%, while the proportion of residents aged 5-14 has decreased from 13.7% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling indicates that Deer Park's age profile will significantly change. The 55-64 age group is projected to grow by 48%, adding 885 residents to reach a total of 2,743. Conversely, both the 35-44 and 0-4 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.