Highett

Highett 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 May 2026, the estimated population of Highett is around 12,766, reflecting an increase of 750 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 12,016. This increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 12,745 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2025 and an additional 396 validated new addresses since the Census date. Highett's population density is 3,459 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade ending May 2026, Highett has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%, outpacing its SA4 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in Highett. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, Highett is forecasted to experience significant population increase in the top quartile of national areas, with an expected expansion of 3,126 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 24.3% in total over these 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Highett among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Highett averaged around 146 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 733 homes. So far in FY2025-26, 44 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.3 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY2020-21 and FY2025-25, indicating a balanced supply-demand market supporting stable conditions. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $620,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments.

This financial year has seen $10.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting balanced commercial development activity. New building activity comprises 16.0% detached houses and 84.0% attached dwellings, a shift from the area's current 53.0% houses, indicating decreasing developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring diverse housing options. Highett reflects a low density area with around 51 people per approval. By 2041, AreaSearch estimates Highett will grow by 3,105 residents.

With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth exceeding current forecasts.

Highett has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 15 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones are Sanctuary Sandringham, Suburban Rail Loop East - Cheltenham Station, Early 3191 Sandringham Townhouses, and Cycle Sandringham Infrastructure. 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.

Highett has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Highett has a highly educated workforce with professional services being well-represented. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate is 5.1%. Employment stability over the past year is relatively high.

Highett's unemployment rate is 0.4% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, but workforce participation is similar at 69.9%. According to Census responses, 44.2% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Highett specializes in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

However, transport, postal & warehousing has limited presence at 3.1% compared to the regional average of 5.2%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the Census working population count versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Highett's labour force decreased by 0.4%, alongside a 0.3% employment decline, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 2.4% and the labour force expand by 2.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Highett's employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Highett's employment mix.

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

The latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 indicates that Highett's median income among taxpayers is $64,613, with an average of $84,795. This places Highett among the highest income suburbs in Australia, compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Highett would be approximately $70,829 (median) and $92,952 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Highett rank highly nationally, between the 73rd and 81st percentiles. The income distribution reveals that the largest segment comprises 29.8% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (3,804 residents), similar to the surrounding region where 32.8% fall into this bracket. Notably, a significant 33.5% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting areas of prosperity that contribute to robust local economic activity. High housing costs consume 15.9% of income in Highett, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 73rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Highett displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Highett's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 53.3% houses and 46.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Highett's home ownership rate was 31.0%, similar to Melbourne metro, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.0% and rented ones at 28.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Highett was $2,300, above the Melbourne metro average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Highett was $430, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Highett's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 67.9 percent of all households, including 32.3 percent couples with children, 24.2 percent couples without children, and 10.5 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.1 percent, with lone person households at 29.6 percent and group households comprising 2.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Highett demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Highett is notably high, with 42.8% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications as of the latest data. This compares to national figures of 30.4% and state figures of 33.4% for Victoria. Bachelor degrees are most common at 28.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.2%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 27.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 12.5% and certificates for 14.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.5% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 5.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Highett has 54 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 17 different routes that together facilitate 3,181 weekly passenger trips. Highett's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 158 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Cars are the dominant mode of transportation, used by 82% of residents, while trains are used by 9%, and walking by 4%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.1, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of Highett residents work from home, with 44.2% doing so (this figure may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions). On average, there are 454 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 58 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Highett is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Highett demonstrates health outcomes that exceed averages, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Prevalence of common health conditions is low among Highett's general population, nearing national averages for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover rate is exceptionally high, at approximately 60% of the total population (7,692 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 8.0 and 7.9% of residents respectively. 71.0% of Highett residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Under-65 population exhibits better than average health outcomes. Highett has 17.0% of residents aged 65 and over (2,170 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

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

Highett's population was found to be more linguistically diverse than most local markets, with 21.4% speaking a language other than English at home as of 2016 Census data. Additionally, 31.2% of Highett residents were born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Highett, comprising 43.5% of its population.

However, Judaism was notably overrepresented, making up 2.0% of Highett's population compared to Melbourne's average of 1.0%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Highett were English at 25.1%, Australian at 21.0%, and Other at 9.7%. Some ethnic groups showed notable disparities: Polish was overrepresented at 1.5% compared to Melbourne's average of 0.8%, Russian was at 1.1% (vs regional average of 0.4%), and Hungarian at 0.5% (vs 0.3%).

Highett's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Highett has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's median age of 38. The 45-54 age cohort is notably over-represented in Highett at 15.0%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 12.7%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.9% to 11.4%, and the 75-84 cohort has grown from 5.0% to 6.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has declined from 12.1% to 11.0%. Demographic modeling indicates that Highett's age profile will significantly shift by 2041, with the 45-54 age cohort projected to expand by 595 people (31%), growing from 1,914 to 2,510.