Healesville

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Healesville is around 7,772. This figure reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,589 people. The current estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and their analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, resulting in a resident population estimate of 7,754 plus an additional 78 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population growth rate of approximately 2.4% since the census places Healesville within 1.1 percentage points of its SA3 area's growth rate of 3.5%. This level of growth indicates competitive fundamentals for the suburb. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this population increase during recent periods.

AreaSearch is utilizing 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 employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Healesville is expected to experience population growth just below the Australian median for statistical areas. By 2041, the area's population is projected to increase by approximately 456 persons, reflecting a total gain of about 5.6% over the 16-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Healesville shows an average annual total of 29 new dwelling approvals over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 146 homes. In Financial Year 26, 22 approvals have been recorded so far. The population has declined recently, but housing supply remains adequate relative to demand, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost 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. Future projections estimate Healesville will add 438 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, 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 identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly. These include Maroondah Highway & Don Road Interchange Upgrade, Yarra Valley Railway Heritage Line Restoration, Healesville Sanctuary Precinct Redevelopment (Stage 2), and The Memo Healesville Redevelopment.

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The employment landscape in Healesville shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Healesville has a skilled workforce with the construction sector being notably represented. The unemployment rate was 4.8% in December 2025, matching Greater Melbourne's rate. Employment grew by 1.9% over the past year.

As of December 2025, 3,778 residents were employed. Workforce participation was lower at 60.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Approximately 24.2% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Major employment sectors included construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing.

Construction had an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Professional & technical services had a limited presence with 5.6% employment compared to 10.1% regionally. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census data comparison of working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 1.9%, labour force grew by 1.7%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 4.8%. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 2.4% and unemployment rise to 5.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Healesville's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Healesville suburb has a median taxpayer income of $46,524 and an average income of $59,297, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages, with Greater Melbourne's median income being $57,688 and average income at $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates project the median income to approximately $51,000 and average income to around $65,001 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in Healesville rank modestly, between the 29th and 34th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 31.7% of the population (2,463 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in surrounding regions where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, 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 structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.6% houses and 10.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Healesville stood at 41.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.3% and rented ones at 17.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,000. Weekly rent median was $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 account for the remaining 29.9%, with lone person households at 27.8% and group households comprising 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 prevalent, with 40.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (27.1%). Educational participation is high, with 26.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.4% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 3.3% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably 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 accessibility of these stops is rated as moderate, with residents on average living 403 meters away from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most people commute outwards. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 90% of residents, while walking accounts for 5%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 24.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 55 trips per day across all routes, equating 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 based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~3,910 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and 55.7% nationally.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.8%) and mental health issues (9.9%). 61.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Healesville has 27.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,106 people), higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Healesville's cultural diversity was found to be below average. As of the census, 84.1% of its population were born in Australia, with 90.0% being citizens and 95.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 37.1% of people in Healesville.

However, Buddhism showed significant overrepresentation, making up 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 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 notably higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and also exceeds the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the percentage of people aged 75-84 in Healesville is significantly higher at 10.5%, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 8.3%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of people aged 75 to 84 has increased from 8.3% to 10.5%, while the percentage of those aged 35 to 44 has risen from 11.5% to 12.7%. Conversely, the proportion of people aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 10.2% to 8.3%, and the percentage of those aged 55 to 64 has dropped from 14.9% to 13.7%. Population forecasts for Healesville in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the number of people aged 85 and above projected to grow by 281 individuals (an increase of 93%), from 303 to 585. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above accounting for 84% of the projected growth. Conversely, the populations in the 25-34 and 55-64 age groups are expected to decline.