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 Nov 2025, Highett's population is estimated at around 12,828 people. This reflects an increase of 6.8% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 12,016 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 12,780 residents based on latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024) and an additional 361 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,476 persons per square kilometer, placing Highett in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Highett has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%, outpacing its SA4 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses 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 from these aggregations 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 statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with an expected expansion of 3,450 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 25.3% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Highett shows around 136 new homes approved per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 682 homes from FY-21 to FY-25. So far in FY-26, 10 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1 person moves to the area for each dwelling built during this period.

New supply meets or exceeds demand, offering ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction value of new homes is $619,000. In FY-26, $6.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. New development consists of 20.0% detached dwellings and 80.0% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

This shift from the current housing mix (53.0% houses) addresses reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands. Highett has approximately 69 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects Highett to grow by 3,242 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Highett has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Sanctuary Sandringham, Suburban Rail Loop East - Cheltenham Station, Highett Common, and Early 3191 Sandringham Townhouses. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Highett has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 5.7%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, Highett has 7,176 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.6%. Workforce participation in Highett is 68.4%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The dominant employment sectors among Highett residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Highett shows strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing employs only 3.1% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 5.2%. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Highett's labour force increased by 1.4%, but employment declined by 0.9%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 2.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5% during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that Highett's employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against Highett's current employment mix.

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

Highett had a median taxpayer income of $64,696 and an average of $84,853 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. This is notably higher than Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $72,563 (median) and $95,171 (average), based on a 12.16% increase from the financial year 2022 Wage Price Index growth. Highett's household, family, and personal incomes ranked high nationally, between the 73rd and 81st percentiles according to the 2021 Census. Income distribution data showed that 29.8% of locals (3,822 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, similar to the metropolitan region where 32.8% occupied this category. A substantial proportion, 33.5%, earned above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the district. Highett residents allocated 15.9% of their income towards housing costs, yet their disposable income remained at the 73rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed 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). In comparison, Melbourne metro had no data for houses or other dwellings. Highett's home ownership rate was 31.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 41.0% and rented ones at 28.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Highett was $2,300, aligning with Melbourne metro's average. The median weekly rent figure in Highett was $430, while Melbourne metro had no data for this metric. 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 median household size of 2.4 people

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

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 and above holding university qualifications compared to the national average of 30.4% and the Victorian average of 33.4%. 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 holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (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. Highett has two schools serving its students: St Agnes' School and Sandringham College-Bluff Road 7-9 Campus, collectively enrolling 147 students. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1113. Educational provision is conventional, with one primary and one secondary institution. However, the low ratio of 1.1 school places per 100 residents suggests many local students attend schools outside Highett.

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

Highett has 53 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 16 routes, together facilitating 3,766 weekly passenger trips. Highett's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents usually located 158 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 538 trips per day across all routes, translating to roughly 71 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 quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Highett shows favourable health outcomes with a low prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 60% of Highett's total population of 7,732 have private health cover. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 8.0% and 7.9% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 71.0%, report being free from medical ailments compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 0%. Highett has a senior population of 16.7%, comprising 2,142 individuals aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors are favourable and align with the general population's health profile.

Highett was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Highett was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 21.4% speaking a language other than English at home as of 2016 Census data. 31.2% were born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 43.5%.

Judaism is overrepresented at 2.0%, compared to none in Greater Melbourne. Top ancestry groups are English (25.1%), Australian (21.0%), and Other (9.7%). Polish is notably overrepresented at 1.5% versus none regionally, Russian at 1.1%, and Hungarian at 0.5%.

Highett's median age exceeds the national pattern

Highett has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 45-54 age cohort is notably over-represented in Highett at 15.1%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 12.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.9% to 11.2% of Highett's population, whereas the 5-14 cohort has declined from 12.1% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Highett's age profile, with the 45-54 age group expected to expand by 624 people (32%), growing from 1,937 to 2,562 individuals.