Healesville

An assessment of population growth drivers in Healesville reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As per AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated since Feb 2026, the estimated population of Healesville is around 7,653. This figure represents an increase of 64 individuals, a 0.8% rise from the 2021 Census count of 7,589 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 7,590, based on their examination of ABS' latest ERP data release (June 2024) and an additional 73 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 54 persons per square kilometer. The primary driver for this growth was overseas migration.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by these data, they use the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Healesville is projected to increase its population by approximately 584 individuals, reflecting a total gain of around 6.8% over the 17-year period, aligning with Australian statistical area median demographic trends.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Healesville, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Healesville has averaged approximately 29 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY18 to FY22. This totals an estimated 146 homes. In the current financial year, FY26, 13 approvals have been recorded as of now. The population in Healesville has declined recently, but housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $634,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen $21.1 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Healesville shows comparable building activity per person, maintaining market balance consistent with the broader area.

New building activity comprises 77.0% detached dwellings and 23.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 354 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Healesville is projected to add 521 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Healesville has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Five projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: Maroondah Highway & Don Road Interchange Upgrade, Yarra Valley Railway Heritage Line Restoration, The Memo Healesville Redevelopment, and Healesville Sanctuary Precinct Redevelopment (Stage 2).

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

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

Healesville has a skilled workforce with the construction sector being notably represented. Its unemployment rate was 4.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.2%. As of December 2025, 3,668 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.2% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Healesville was 60.0%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 24.2% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing. Construction employment share is 1.5 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services have limited presence with 5.6% employment compared to 10.1% regionally. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. In the 12 months prior, employment increased by 1.2% alongside labour force growth of 1.2%, keeping unemployment relatively stable. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's employment growth of 2.4%, labour force expansion of 2.8%, and unemployment rise of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Healesville's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.0% in five years and 12.7% in ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The median taxpayer income in Healesville was $46,524 in financial year 2023. The average income was $59,297 during the same period. These figures are lower than the national averages. In Greater Melbourne, the median income was $57,688 and the average was $75,164 in financial year 2023. Based on an 8.25% growth from the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $50,362 (median) and $64,189 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Healesville rank modestly, between the 29th and 34th percentiles. Income brackets show that 31.7% of the population, which is 2,426 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range. This pattern is similar to the surrounding region where 32.8% occupy this income range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Healesville, with only 84.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 35th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Healesville is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Healesville's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.6% houses and 10.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Healesville was at 41.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.3% and rented ones at 17.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Healesville was recorded at $350, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Healesville's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Healesville has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.1% of all households, including 27.3% couples with children, 30.4% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 29.9%, with lone person households at 27.8% and group households at 2.0%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in Healesville fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 22.8%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 40.0% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 12.9% and certificates at 27.1%. Educational participation is high, with 26.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.4% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Healesville has 38 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three different routes that together facilitate 389 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically living 403 meters away from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to Healesville's predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 90% of residents, while walking accounts for 5%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 24.2% of Healesville's residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes is an average of 55 trips per day, which translates to approximately 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Healesville is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Healesville faces significant health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 50% of Healesville's total population (~3,850 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.8%) and mental health issues (9.9%). However, 61.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, lower than Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 27.9% of residents aged 65 and over (2,135 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally in line with national rankings.

Healesville ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Healesville, as per data, had a below-average cultural diversity level with 84.1% of its population born in Australia, 90.0% being citizens, and 95.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 37.1%. Buddhism, however, was overrepresented at 1.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.0%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, Dutch (2.8%) and Scottish (9.2%) were overrepresented in Healesville compared to regional averages of 1.2% and 5.6%, respectively.

Healesville hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Healesville is 46 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and also exceeds the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Healesville has a notably higher proportion of people aged 75-84 (11.0% locally) but fewer people aged 25-34 (8.1%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the percentage of people aged 75-84 increased from 8.3% to 11.0%, while those aged 35-44 grew from 11.5% to 12.9%. Conversely, the proportion of people aged 25-34 decreased from 10.2% to 8.1%, and the percentage of those aged 55-64 dropped from 14.9% to 13.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Healesville. The number of people aged 85 and above is projected to grow by 297 (95%), from 313 to 611. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 84% of the projected growth, while the 55-64 age group and those aged 15-24 are anticipated to experience population declines.