Doreen

Doreen lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of November 2025, Doreen's population is estimated at around 29,699. This reflects an increase of 2,577 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 27,122. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population being 29,395 as of June 2024, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 124 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 921 persons per square kilometer. Doreen's growth rate of 9.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 8.9%. Natural growth contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with overseas migration and interstate migration also being positive factors.

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, adjusted employing 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. Exceptional growth is predicted over the period, with the suburb expected to increase by 17,246 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 57.1% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Doreen among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers for Doreen shows approximately 139 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 697 homes. By FY26, 16 approvals have been recorded. On average, these approvals result in 5.2 new residents per year between FY21 and FY25. This demand exceeds supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction cost of new properties is $437,000, aligning with regional patterns. In FY26, commercial development approvals amount to $370,000, indicating limited commercial activity.

New developments consist of 93% standalone homes and 7% attached dwellings, maintaining Doreen's low-density character. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 446 people. By 2041, Doreen is projected to gain 16,950 residents. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects that could affect the region. Notable ones are the Precinct 2A Doreen Development Plan, Bridge Inn Road Development Sites in Mernda Precinct 2A, Laurimar Estate, and Bridge Inn Road Residential Development Site. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Doreen ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Doreen has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.5% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.1%. This is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of June 2025, 16,742 residents were in work. The unemployment rate was 2.1% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

Workforce participation was higher at 72.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries of employment among residents were health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction had an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level. Professional & technical employed just 6.1% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.1%, while labour force increased by 1.4%, resulting in a unemployment fall of 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5% and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer insight into potential future demand within Doreen. These projections suggest national employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.4% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Doreen's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that median income in Doreen is $58,036 and average income stands at $66,908. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's figures of a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Doreen would be approximately $65,093 (median) and $75,044 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows that incomes in Doreen cluster around the 73rd percentile nationally. Distribution data indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 41.9% of residents (12,443 people), aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort represents 32.8%. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 74th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Doreen's housing structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 94.6% houses and 5.4% other dwellings. In contrast, Melbourne metro had 0% houses and 0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Doreen was 19.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 59.1% and rented ones at 21.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average. Median weekly rent was $397, while Melbourne metro had no recorded figures for these metrics. Nationally, Doreen's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Doreen features high concentrations of family households, with a median household size of 3.0 people

Family households constitute 84.4% of all households, including 48.9% couples with children, 20.9% couples without children, and 13.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 15.6%, with lone person households at 14.2% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 3.0 people.

Doreen shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area has university qualification rates of 25.5%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 17.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.0%) and certificates (25.8%).

Educational participation is high at 34.5%, comprising primary education (13.6%), secondary education (9.1%), and tertiary education (3.9%). Doreen has a robust network of 8 schools educating approximately 5,221 students, with above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1058). The educational mix includes 4 primary and 4 K-12 schools, providing 17.6 school places per 100 residents to serve both local and surrounding communities. Note that where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Transport analysis indicates 90 active transport stops in Doreen, consisting of bus services only. These stops are served by four distinct routes, facilitating a total of 2,841 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents situated an average of 230 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 405 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 31 weekly trips per individual stop.

Doreen's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Doreen with younger cohorts seeing particularly low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 53% (~15,826 people) have private health cover, leading the average SA2 area rate. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 8.4% and 8.2% of residents respectively. About 74.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 0% across Greater Melbourne. Doreen has 10.1% (2,999 people) of its residents aged 65 and over, requiring more attention than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Doreen was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Doreen's population, born overseas, was 20.4%. 19.1% spoke a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion with 47.2%.

The 'Other' religious category comprised 1.9%, compared to none in Greater Melbourne. Ancestry-wise, Australian was highest at 26.1%, followed by English at 24.1% and Other at 9.1%. Notably, Macedonian ancestry was overrepresented at 1.6%, Italian at 7.0%, and Sri Lankan at 0.7%, compared to none in the region.

Doreen's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Doreen's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's average of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Doreen has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (17.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.4%). This 5-14 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 11.7% to 13.1%, while the 75 to 84 age group increased from 2.3% to 3.4%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 13.9% to 11.4%, and the 0 to 4 age group dropped from 8.5% to 7.3%. Population forecasts for Doreen in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the 45 to 54 age cohort projected to grow by 85%, adding 3,544 residents to reach a total of 7,732.