Fitzroy (Vic.)

Population growth drivers in Fitzroy are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Fitzroy (Vic.) is around 12,476, reflecting a growth of 2,045 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS ERP estimate for surrounding areas applied to Fitzroy by AreaSearch in June 2024 indicated a resident population of 12,026. This increase includes an additional 281 validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density is 8,848 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. Fitzroy's growth rate of 19.6% since the 2021 Census exceeds both national (8.9%) and state averages, marking it as a region leader in population growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting through 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Fitzroy is forecasted to experience significant population increase, with an expected expansion of 5,220 persons by 2041. This reflects a total gain of 37.9% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Fitzroy recorded around 77 residential properties granted approval per year over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 387 homes. So far in FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents arrived per new home annually between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting supply and demand were well-balanced, creating stable market conditions. However, recent figures show this has accelerated to 5.8 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, indicating increasing demand and tightening supply. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $484,000.

This year, there have been $35.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Fitzroy shows comparable building activity per person, supporting market stability aligned with regional patterns. However, development activity has picked up recently. New development consists of 1.0% detached houses and 99.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a trend toward denser development that provides accessible entry options appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

Fitzroy shows characteristics of a growth area with around 116 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Fitzroy will gain 4,728 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 42 projects likely affecting the region. Notable projects include Fitzroy Gasworks, Palladian (26-56 Queens Parade), Fitzroy Fitzroy, and Liverpool St. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Fitzroy has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Fitzroy has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate was 9.2% as of an unspecified date, with estimated employment growth at 5.2% over the past year based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, there were 7,698 residents employed while the unemployment rate stood at 4.6%, which is 0% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Fitzroy was 69.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The leading employment industries among residents were professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Notably, the area showed strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction employed only 3.6% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. There were 1.5 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating that Fitzroy functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the 12-month period ending in June 2025, employment increased by 5.2% alongside labour force growth of 7.1%, resulting in a rise in unemployment by 1.7 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5%, labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.5 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Fitzroy's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.5% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, though it is important to note that this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

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

Fitzroy's median taxpayer income was $66,739, with an average of $96,670, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This places Fitzroy in the top percentile nationally, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated median income for September 2025 is approximately $74,854, with an average of $108,425. From 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 (3,430 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 weekly income bracket, mirroring the broader area where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Economic strength is evident through 37.0% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 17.9% of income, 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

Fitzroy's latest Census data showed 3.2% houses and 96.8% other dwellings, compared to Melbourne metro's 12.8% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fitzroy was 18.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.6% and rented dwellings at 60.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,326. Median weekly rent in Fitzroy was $451, equal to Melbourne metro's figure. Nationally, Fitzroy's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $451 compared to the national figure of $375.

Fitzroy features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 49.5% of all households, consisting of 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 aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

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 and above holding university qualifications. This compares to national figures of 30.4% and state figures of 33.4%. 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, with advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 8.0%.

Current educational participation is high at 27.8%, including 12.5% in tertiary education, 5.3% in primary education, and 3.6% pursuing secondary education. As of a recent report (date not specified), Fitzroy's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,008 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions with an ICSEA score of 1012, suggesting balanced educational opportunities. There are two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.1, lower than the regional average of 10.3, indicating some students may attend schools in neighboring areas.

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

Fitzroy has 36 active public transport stops offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are served by 35 unique routes, collectively facilitating 12,495 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 130 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 1,785 daily trips across all routes, equating to approximately 347 weekly trips per individual stop.

Fitzroy's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance throughout Fitzroy. Both young and old age cohorts showed low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover was found to be exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the total population (8,095 people), compared to 69.8% across Greater Melbourne.

This is higher than the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues and asthma, impacting 12.0 and 8.2% of residents respectively. Seventy-point-five percent (70.5%) declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 70.6%. As of a specific date (not specified), the area had 11.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,409 people). Health outcomes among seniors were above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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 showed high cultural diversity, with 25.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 34.2% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 23.0%. Judaism, however, showed notable representation at 0.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (23.5%), Australian (15.6%), and Other (12.9%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Irish was overrepresented at 11.7% in Fitzroy versus 11.3% regionally, French at 0.9% compared to 0.8%, and Vietnamese at 2.8% compared to 2.4%.

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. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Fitzroy has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (31.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.5%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national figure of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of Fitzroy's population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 29.5% to 31.1%, while the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 11.5% to 9.9%. By 2041, demographic forecasts predict significant changes in Fitzroy's population structure. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 84%, adding 1,038 residents to reach a total of 2,274. Conversely, the 15-24 age group is expected to show minimal growth of just 9%, with an increase of only 107 people.