Kealba

Kealba is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

The suburb of Kealba's population is estimated at around 3,147 as of Feb 2026. This reflects a decrease of 79 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,226 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and validation of two new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,356 persons per square kilometer, which is above average national levels assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 77.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made through 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. Demographic trends suggest lower quartile growth is anticipated, with the suburb expected to expand by 8 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.6% in total over the 17 years.

Residential dwelling approval activity has been practically non-existent in Kealba

Kealba has seen only one residential development approval in the past five years. This suggests that the area is largely built out with minimal vacant land for new developments. Established areas like Kealba often experience steady demand for existing properties due to limited new-build alternatives.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Kealba records markedly lower building activity. The limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties in such areas. This is also lower than national averages, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

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

Eight projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. These include Essendon Keilor College's East Keilor Campus project, Rosemont Townhomes development, the M80 Ring Road Upgrade from Sunshine Avenue to Calder Freeway in Keilor East, and the Keilor Downs Urban Design Framework initiative. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Kealba shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Kealba has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 6.1% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.9%. As of September 2025, 1,689 residents were in work, while the unemployment rate was 1.4% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation was lower at 67.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 23.6% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries of employment among residents were construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Kealba showed strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services were under-represented at 5.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 4.9% alongside labour force growth of 5.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Kealba. These projections estimated national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Kealba's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.5% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released on June 30th, 2023, Kealba had a median income among taxpayers of $54,458 with an average level standing at $65,578. This is just below the national average and compares to levels of $57,688 and $75,164 across Greater Melbourne respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $58,951 (median) and $70,988 (average) as of September 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, household income ranks at the 37th percentile ($1,542 weekly), while personal income sits at the 20th percentile. Distribution data shows that 32.3% of Kealba's population (1,016 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring regional levels where 32.8% occupy this bracket. After housing expenses, 85.9% of income remains for other expenses.

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

Kealba's dwelling structure in the latest Census showed 92.9% houses and 7.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kealba stood at 41.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.9% and rented ones at 18.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Kealba was $370, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Kealba's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,625 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $370 against the national figure of $375.

Kealba has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 76.7% of all households, broken down into 34.6% couples with children, 23.7% couples without children, and 17.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 23.3%, with lone person households at 20.7% and group households making up 1.9%. The median household size stands at 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Kealba aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 23.0%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 17.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 31.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 20.6%. Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.4% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 21 active transport stops operating in Kealba, consisting of buses. These stops are served by 4 individual routes, collectively providing 589 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 148 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most residents commute outward using cars as the dominant mode at 91%, while 5% use trains. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, some 23.6% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 84 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 28 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kealba's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Kealba's health metrics are close to national benchmarks, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among Kealba residents is somewhat typical of the general population, but higher than the nation's average among older cohorts.

Private health cover is held by approximately 53% of Kealba's total population (~1,660 people), slightly leading the average SA2 area rate of 50%. This compares to a rate of 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. The most common medical conditions in Kealba are asthma and arthritis, impacting 8.6% and 8.1% of residents respectively. A total of 68.4% of Kealba residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population in Kealba are broadly typical. The area has 21.3% of residents aged 65 and over (670 people), which is higher than the 15.1% figure for Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors in Kealba present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

Kealba is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Kealba's population has a high level of cultural diversity, with 38.8% born overseas and 46.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Kealba, accounting for 58.9% of its population. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent in Kealba compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 9.1% versus 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (15.4%), Other (13.3%), and English (12.7%), which is lower than the regional average of 20.1%. Notably, Croatian (2.9%) and Vietnamese (11.1%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Kealba compared to the regional averages of 0.7% and 1.9%, respectively. Maltese ethnicity also shows a higher representation in Kealba at 4.2%, versus the regional average of 1.1%.

Kealba's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Kealba is 39 years, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, which is close to the national average of 38 years. Comparing with Greater Melbourne, Kealba has a notably higher proportion of people aged 65-74 (13.0% locally) and a lower proportion of those aged 35-44 (13.3%). Post-2021 Census data shows the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 4.1% to 6.6%, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 11.9% to 13.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group declined from 12.3% to 11.4%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Kealba. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 43%, reaching 296 people from the current 207. This growth will be led by residents aged 65 and older, who are anticipated to represent 74% of the population increase. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.