Glenroy (Vic.)

Glenroy lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Glenroy's population is estimated at around 25,466, reflecting an increase of 1,674 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS ERP estimate for the suburb was 23,792 in 2021. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of ABS data up to June 2024. Glenroy's population density is estimated at 2,762 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Over the past decade ending in 2021, Glenroy demonstrated a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%, outpacing its SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, it utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting with weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Future population dynamics predict exceptional growth for Glenroy by 2041, placing it in the top 10 percent of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 11,618 persons over this period, reflecting an increase of 45.6% in total population.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Glenroy among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Glenroy averaged approximately 179 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 896 homes were approved, with an additional 44 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, 0.8 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years.

This indicates that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new homes was $386,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In FY-26, Glenroy has recorded $65,000 in commercial development approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Glenroy has similar development levels per person, supporting market stability aligned with regional patterns. New development consists of 28.0% detached dwellings and 72.0% attached dwellings, reflecting a shift towards compact living which offers affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

This marks a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 58.0% houses. Glenroy has approximately 159 people per dwelling approval, indicating characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Glenroy is forecasted to gain around 11,617 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Glenroy 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 51 projects likely to impact the region. Notable projects include Glenroy Structure Plan, Banksia Gardens Social Housing Development, 71 May Street Townhouses, and 60 Daley Street Townhouses. 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.

Employment conditions in Glenroy remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Glenroy has an educated workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate is 4.8%, with estimated employment growth of 4.4% in the past year (AreaSearch).

As of June 2025, there are 14,214 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation is 60.0%, below Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Glenroy specializes in accommodation & food (1.4 times regional level), but has lower representation in professional & technical services (8.1% vs Greater Melbourne's 10.1%).

Local employment opportunities appear limited, with fewer Census working residents than locals. From June 2024 to June 2025, Glenroy's employment increased by 4.4%, labour force by 4.5%, keeping unemployment stable at 4.7%. Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 3.5% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment rising to 5.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, varying by industry sector. Applying these projections to Glenroy's mix suggests local employment could increase by 6.5% in five years and 13.5% in ten years (simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes).

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Glenroy's median income among taxpayers was $53,987 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $63,630 during the same period. For Greater Melbourne, these figures were $54,892 and $73,761 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest Glenroy's median income would be approximately $60,552, with an average of around $71,367, based on a 12.16% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Glenroy rank modestly, between the 40th and 44th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The income distribution shows that 33.5% of residents fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket (8,531 people), which is consistent with broader trends across the area at 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Glenroy, with only 82.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 43rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Glenroy displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Glenroy, as per the latest Census evaluation, 58.5% of dwellings were houses while 41.6% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metropolitan area had 62.8% houses and 37.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glenroy stood at 28.0%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 33.4% and rented ones making up 38.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Glenroy was $1,927, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Glenroy was recorded at $369, compared to Melbourne metro's $381. Nationally, Glenroy's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Glenroy features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.8% of all households, including 29.6% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.2%, with lone person households at 27.3% and group households comprising 5.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, aligning with Greater Melbourne's average.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates of 35.9% among residents aged 15+, exceeding both the SA4 region average of 27.7% and Australia's national average of 30.4%. The highest proportion of these qualifications are bachelor degrees at 22.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 27.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (15.9%).

Educational participation is high at 31.8%, comprising primary education (8.5%), tertiary education (7.3%), and secondary education (6.0%). Glenroy has a robust network of 9 schools serving approximately 2,109 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 983) indicating balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 4 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, and 3 K-12 schools. Note that for schools showing 'n/a' in enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Glenroy has 89 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 9 different routes, facilitating a total of 7,076 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 209 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency across all routes averages 1,010 trips per day, translating to roughly 79 weekly trips per individual stop.

Glenroy's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data shows Glenroy residents have relatively positive health outcomes.

The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among the general population but higher than the national average in older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 52% (~13,244 people) of Glenroy's total population has private health cover, slightly above the average SA2 area rate. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.6 and 6.9% of residents respectively. About 73.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.2% across Greater Melbourne. Glenroy has 13.5% (3,437 people) of its population aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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

Glenroy has a high level of cultural diversity, with 45.8% of its population born overseas and 52.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Glenroy, comprising 38.9% of the population. However, Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 20.4% of Glenroy's population versus 17.6%.

The top three ancestry groups in Glenroy are Other (26.7%), Australian (14.1%), and English (13.9%). Notably, Lebanese (5.0%) and Italian (9.3%) groups are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 4.2% and 12.9%, respectively. Maltese, however, is slightly underrepresented at 1.8%.

Glenroy hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Glenroy'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, Glenroy has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (22.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.7%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of Glenroy's population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 15.5% to 16.1%, while the proportion of residents aged 85 and above has declined from 3.5% to 2.8%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 suggest substantial demographic changes in Glenroy, with the strongest projected growth in the 45-54 age group, expected to increase by 70%, adding 1,888 residents and reaching a total of 4,588.