Hawthorn East

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

The estimated population of Hawthorn East, based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS data and validated addresses as of May 2026, is approximately 16,441. This figure represents a rise from the 2021 Census count of 14,834 people, marking an increase of 1,607 individuals (10.8%). AreaSearch's estimation, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and validation of additional addresses since the Census date, places Hawthorn East among the top 10% of national locations in terms of population density, with a ratio of 4,724 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's growth rate surpassed both its SA3 area (6.6%) and SA4 region, indicating it as a notable growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 91.0% to the overall population gains during recent periods in Hawthorn East, although natural growth and interstate migration also played positive roles. AreaSearch's projections for the suburb are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia figures released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. These projections indicate that Hawthorn East is expected to grow at a rate just below the national median until 2041, with an anticipated increase of 2,026 persons by then, reflecting a total growth of 12.3% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Hawthorn East recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Hawthorn East, the area has averaged approximately 59 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 295 homes. So far in the financial year 2026 (FY-26), 53 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, between FY-21 and FY-25, there has been an average of 1.8 people moving to the area for each dwelling built. However, recent data shows this figure has intensified to 19.2 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply in the area. The average expected construction cost value of new homes being built is $1,372,000, suggesting developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end developments.

In FY-26, $45.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Hawthorn East shows approximately 68% of the construction activity per person and places among the 30th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice, which supports interest in existing homes. The new development consists of 43.0% detached dwellings and 57.0% attached dwellings, with this focus on higher-density living creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. At around 548 people per approval, Hawthorn East indicates a mature market.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Hawthorn East is expected to grow by 2,024 residents through to 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Hawthorn East 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 28 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Camberwell Junction Activity Centre Development, Camberwell House, Nido Early School Hawthorn East, and Hawthorn East Main Drain Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Hawthorn East demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Hawthorn East has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% in the past year. Employment grew by 2.5%.

As of December 2025, 10,481 residents were employed at a 1.9% lower unemployment rate than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Workforce participation was 74.5%, slightly above Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A high 49.6% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors.

Hawthorn East specializes in professional & technical jobs with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level. Construction is under-represented at 5.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.6 at the Census, indicating above-normal local employment opportunities. In the year ending December 2025, employment increased by 2.5% and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%, but unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Hawthorn East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.8% over ten years.

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

The suburb of Hawthorn East had a median taxpayer income of $69,652 and an average income of $117,834 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are exceptionally high nationally, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $76,353 (median) and $129,170 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Hawthorn East rank highly nationally, between the 81st and 93rd percentiles. Distribution data shows that the largest segment comprises 29.3% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (4,817 residents), consistent with broader trends across the region showing 32.8% in the same category. Economic strength is evident through 38.5% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 81st percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

Hawthorn East's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 33.1% houses and 66.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hawthorn East was 30.2%, similar to Melbourne metro's figure. Dwellings were either mortgaged (28.8%) or rented (41.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Hawthorn East was $415, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Hawthorn East's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 60.4% of all households, including 25.8% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 6.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.6%, with lone person households at 33.2% and group households comprising 6.3%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Hawthorn East places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in Hawthorn East is notably high, with 61.6% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications. This compares to national figures of 30.4% and state figures of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 37.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 18.4% and graduate diplomas at 5.4%. Vocational pathways account for 16.6% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 8.9% and certificates at 7.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in tertiary education, 7.9% in primary education, and 7.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Hawthorn East has 23 active public transport stops, serving a mix of lightrail and buses. These stops are covered by 8 routes, facilitating 6,851 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 233 meters to the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, with most commuters traveling outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 71% of residents, while trains account for 14%, and walking for 7%. Vehicle ownership stands at 0.9 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

In 2021 Census data, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions, 49.6% of residents worked from home. The service frequency averages 978 trips daily across all routes, equating to around 297 weekly trips per individual stop.

Hawthorn East's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Hawthorn East's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 73% of Hawthorn East's total population (12,023 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%.

Nationally, the average is 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions in Hawthorn East are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.9% and 7.5% of residents respectively. Notably, 73.3% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents in the area have low chronic condition prevalence. Hawthorn East has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (16.3%, or 2,679 people) than Greater Melbourne (15.0%). Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Hawthorn East are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Hawthorn East's population showed high cultural diversity, with 31.7% born overseas and 25.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 38.5%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 2.4%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (22.7%), Australian (18.9%), and Chinese (10.0%). Notably, French (0.8% vs regional 0.5%), Greek (2.6% vs 2.7%), and Polish (0.9% vs 0.8%) showed variations in representation compared to the wider region.

Hawthorn East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Hawthorn East's median age is 36 years, nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years. This is modestly below Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Hawthorn East has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (21.5%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.8%). The 25-34 concentration in Hawthorn East is well above the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the latest data, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has grown from 19.7% to 21.5%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 13.2% to 14.9%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5 to 14 has declined from 10.7% to 8.8%, and those aged 45 to 54 have decreased from 12.7% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Hawthorn East's age profile will change significantly. The 65-74 age group is projected to grow by 33%, adding 418 residents and reaching a total of 1,684. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 52% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 5-14 and 15-24 age groups are projected to experience population declines.