Fitzroy (Vic.)

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Fitzroy (Vic.) is around 12,135. This figure reflects an increase of 1,704 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 10,431. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on examination of the ABS's ERP data release in June 2025 and additional validated new addresses, indicates this growth. This results in a density ratio of 8,606 persons per square kilometer, placing Fitzroy (Vic.) in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth rate of 16.3% since the 2021 Census exceeds both the state average of 9.3% and the national average, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving this growth.

AreaSearch projects future demographic shifts using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. 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. Based on these aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is forecasted to experience significant population increase, with an expected expansion of 4,808 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 39.6% in total over the 16 years.

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, shows Fitzroy recorded around 77 residential properties granted approval per year over the past 5 financial years ending FY-25. This totals an estimated 387 homes. So far in FY-26, 40 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents arrived per new home annually between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. However, this has accelerated to 5.8 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, suggesting increasing demand and tightening supply.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $484,000, reflecting a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $35.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Fitzroy shows comparable development activity per person, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. New development consists of 1.0% detached houses and 99.0% attached dwellings, promoting 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 4,808 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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 40 projects expected to influence this region. Notable initiatives include Fitzroy Gasworks, Palladian, Fabbrica, and Brenan Place. The following details projects likely to have the greatest impact.

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 a highly educated workforce, with the technology sector notably represented. Its unemployment rate was 8.9% in the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 4.1%. As of December 2025, 7,736 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, slightly above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation is high at 76.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A significant portion, 53.5% of residents, work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts may have influenced this figure. The leading employment industries are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Fitzroy has a strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction employs only 3.6% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. With a ratio of 1.5 workers per resident, as recorded in the Census, Fitzroy functions as an employment hub, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.1% and 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 smaller increase in unemployment rate of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Fitzroy. These projections estimate national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Fitzroy's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.5% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

The suburb of Fitzroy has a median taxpayer income of $66,739 and an average income of $96,670 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This places Fitzroy in the top percentile nationally when compared with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Fitzroy would be approximately $73,159 (median) and $105,970 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings in Fitzroy stand out at the 93rd percentile nationally with a weekly income of $1,265. Distribution data shows that 27.5% of residents (3,337 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 weekly income bracket, which is similar to the broader area where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Economic strength in Fitzroy 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 the suburb, however strong earnings still place disposable income at the 74th percentile nationally and 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 dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 3.2% houses and 96.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 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 $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $451 compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Fitzroy's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 versus Australia's 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 lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 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 comprise 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, 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

Fitzroy's educational attainment exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 61.8% possess university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (37.5%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational pathways account for 16.0%, with advanced diplomas at 8.0% and certificates at 8.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.8% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.5% in tertiary, 5.3% in primary, 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 active public transport stops, serving a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are covered by 33 different routes, collectively handling 14,675 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically living 130 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the primary mode of transport, used by 41% of residents, 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 high 53.5% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 2,096 trips per day, 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 (7,874 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 12.0% of residents and asthma impacting 8.2%. Notably, 70.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Under-65 population health outcomes are better than average. The area has 11.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,383 people), lower than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, closely aligned with national rankings for 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 was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 25.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 34.2% born overseas. Christianity was the main religion in Fitzroy, comprising 23.0% of its population. Judaism was notably overrepresented in Fitzroy compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.8% versus 1.0%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (23.5%), Australian (15.6%), and Other (12.9%). There were notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: Irish was overrepresented at 11.7% compared to 6.5% regionally, French at 0.9% versus 0.5%, and Vietnamese at 2.8% versus 1.9%.

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 average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Fitzroy has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (31.9%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.4%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the previous one, Fitzroy's median age decreased by 1.1 years to 34 from 35. The percentage of residents aged 25-34 increased from 29.5% to 31.9%, while the percentage of residents aged 45-54 decreased from 11.5% to 9.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Fitzroy, with the strongest projected growth in the 45-54 age group, which is expected to grow by 87%, adding 1,020 residents to reach a total of 2,198.