Fitzroy (Vic.)

Population growth drivers in Fitzroy are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Fitzroy (Vic.) is around 12,578, reflecting a 20.6% increase since the 2021 Census which reported 10,431 people. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of 11,984 residents in Jun 2024 and validation of 281 new addresses post-Census. The population density is approximately 8,920 persons per square kilometer, placing Fitzroy in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed around 87.0% of recent population gains. AreaSearch projects a significant increase by 2041, with Fitzroy expected to expand by 5,213 persons, reflecting a total gain of 36.7%.

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. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is forecast, with the area expected to expand by 5,213 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting recording a gain of 36.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Fitzroy has recorded around 77 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 387 homes. So far in FY-26, 40 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years (FY-21 to FY-25), an average of 1.6 new residents arrived per new home built. However, this figure has accelerated to 5.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply. New homes are being constructed at an average value of $484,000, indicating a focus on premium properties by developers.

Additionally, $35.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Fitzroy shows comparable development activity per person, maintaining market balance with the broader area. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years. New development consists of 1% detached houses and 99% attached dwellings, fostering higher-density living that creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

With around 116 people per approval, Fitzroy reflects a developing area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Fitzroy is expected to grow by 4,619 residents through to 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 41 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Brenan Place, Fitzroy Gasworks, Palladian (26-56 Queens Parade), and Fitzroy Fitzroy. The following list details those projects considered most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Fitzroy recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Fitzroy has an educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 8.9% as of December 2025, with estimated employment growth of 4.1% over the past year according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of December 2025, 7,736 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 4.2%, higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Fitzroy was 78.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. Census responses indicated that 53.5% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries were professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Fitzroy showed strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level, while construction employed just 3.6% of local workers compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%.

The area hosted more jobs than residents, with a worker-to-resident ratio of 1.5, functioning as an employment hub attracting workers from nearby areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.1% while the labour force grew by 4.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point increase in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Fitzroy's employment should increase by 7.5% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Fitzroy had a median taxpayer income of $66,739 and an average income of $96,670 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This places Fitzroy among the top percentile nationally, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 during the same period. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% suggest a median income of approximately $72,245 and an average income of $104,645 in Fitzroy. According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings in Fitzroy stood out at the 93rd percentile nationally, with weekly earnings of $1,265. Distribution data shows that 27.5% of residents (3,458 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, mirroring the broader area where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Economic strength is evident with 37.0% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 17.9% of income in Fitzroy, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 74th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Fitzroy features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Fitzroy, as per the latest Census, dwelling structures consisted of 3.2% houses and 96.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Melbourne metro's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fitzroy stood at 18.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.6% and rented ones at 60.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Fitzroy was $451, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Fitzroy's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Fitzroy features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 49.5% of all households, including 12.0% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 50.5%, with lone person households at 38.3% and group households comprising 12.2%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Fitzroy aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Fitzroy is notably high, with 61.8% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications. This compares to national figures of 30.4% for Australia and 33.4% for Victoria. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 37.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational pathways account for 16.0% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and over, with advanced diplomas making up 8.0% and certificates 8.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.5% in tertiary education, 5.3% in primary education, and 3.6% pursuing secondary education.

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

Fitzroy has 36 operational public transport stops offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are served by 33 unique routes, facilitating 14,675 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated highly, with residents typically situated 130 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. The car remains the primary mode of transport at 41%, followed by walking at 24% and cycling at 10%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.4 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a significant 53.5% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. On average, there are 2,096 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 407 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Fitzroy is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Fitzroy demonstrates superior health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and elderly cohorts exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the total population (8,161 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and 55.7% nationally.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, impacting 12.0 and 8.2% of residents respectively. 70.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. Fitzroy has 11.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,496 people), lower than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Fitzroy was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Fitzroy's population, as per the 2016 Census, had 25.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Overseas-born residents comprised 34.2%. Christianity was the dominant religion at 23.0%, while Judaism was present at 0.8%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

Ancestry-wise, English was the largest group at 23.5%, followed by Australian at 15.6% and Other at 12.9%. Notable ethnic group divergences included Irish at 11.7%, French at 0.9%, and Vietnamese at 2.8%, all higher than regional averages.

Fitzroy's population is younger than the national pattern

Fitzroy's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Fitzroy has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 at 30.6%, but fewer residents aged 5-14 at 5.3%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of Fitzroy's population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 29.5% to 30.6%, while the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 11.5% to 9.9%. By 2041, demographic forecasts indicate significant changes for Fitzroy's population. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 82%, adding 1,023 residents to reach a total of 2,269. In contrast, the 15-24 age group is expected to show minimal growth of just 8% (97 people).