Keysborough

Keysborough lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As per ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the suburb of Keysborough's estimated population is around 32,010 as of May 2026. This figure reflects a growth of 1,992 people (6.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 30,018. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 31,977 in June 2025 and an additional 327 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,475 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Keysborough has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

Following ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, AreaSearch expects Keysborough's population to increase by 7,519 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 23.4% over the 16 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Keysborough when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Keysborough has experienced around 136 dwellings receiving development approval each year. Approximately 681 homes have been approved over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, with an additional 23 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling built over these five years has resulted in approximately 2.7 new residents per year, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes being built is $688,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen around $3.5 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Keysborough has slightly more development activity, at 19.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The new building activity shows a skew towards compact living, with 34.0% detached houses and 66.0% medium and high-density housing.

This shift offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers, representing a notable change from the area's existing housing composition of 90.0% houses. With around 699 people per dwelling approval, Keysborough reflects a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate Keysborough will gain approximately 7,484 residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Keysborough 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 has identified 22 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Perry Road Construction and Widening - Stage 3, Keys Estate Keysborough, Keysborough Gardens Primary School Upgrade and Modernisation, and Keysborough Townhouses. 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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Keysborough ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Keysborough has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 3.8% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.2%. As of December 2025, 17,346 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.9% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, and workforce participation similar to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%.

Moderate home-based work was reported by 21.0% of residents in Census responses, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading employment industries were manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade, with a particularly strong specialization in manufacturing at 2.2 times the regional level. Conversely, education & training showed lower representation at 5.9% compared to the regional average of 9.2%. Local employment opportunities exist, but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 4.2%, labour force by 4.8%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.5 percentage points. Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4% during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Keysborough, with national employment forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Keysborough's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Keysborough is below the national average. The median assessed income is $51,155 and the average income stands at $61,282. In contrast, Greater Melbourne has a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Keysborough would be approximately $56,076 (median) and $67,177 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household income ranks at the 64th percentile ($1,991 weekly) and personal income sits at the 34th percentile. Income brackets indicate that 36.0% of the community earns between $1,500 - 2,999 (11,523 individuals), which is similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 32.8%. High housing costs consume 16.1% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 65th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Keysborough's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.5% houses and 10.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Keysborough stood at 32.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.1% and rented ones at 19.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Keysborough was $421, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Keysborough's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Keysborough features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 84.7% of all households, including 48.8% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 15.3%, with lone person households at 13.0% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 3.2 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Keysborough exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Keysborough trail regional benchmarks indicate that 28.9% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational pathways account for 24.3% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 14.1%. Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.8% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Keysborough has 117 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 15 different routes that together facilitate 2,440 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically living within 223 meters of the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from Keysborough, and cars remain the primary mode of transportation at a rate of 91%. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling in the area, which exceeds the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 21% of residents work from home; this figure may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 348 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 20 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

Keysborough's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Keysborough. AreaSearch's assessment found mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence to be low, particularly in younger cohorts with very low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover was relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~16,357 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. The most common medical conditions were asthma and diabetes, impacting 6.3 and 5.4% of residents respectively. 77.5% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 15.8% of residents aged 65 and over (5,057 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Keysborough has a population where 55.6% were born overseas and 63.5% speak a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Keysborough, comprising 37.4% of its population. Buddhism, however, is notably overrepresented with 20.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 4.2%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are 'Other' at 26.9%, Chinese at 16.1%, and Vietnamese at 9.8%. These percentages are substantially higher than their respective regional averages of 14.6%, 6.5%, and 1.9%. Additionally, Sri Lankan (2.6% vs 0.8%), Serbian (0.9% vs 0.4%), and Indian (6.2% vs 4.2%) groups are notably overrepresented in Keysborough compared to regional averages.

Keysborough's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

At 36 years, Keysborough's median age is nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, which is slightly below Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Keysborough has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 at 13.3%, but fewer residents aged 25-34 at 13.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 4.3% to 5.6% of Keysborough's population. Conversely, the 0-4 age cohort has decreased from 6.2% to 5.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Keysborough's age profile will change significantly. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 36%, adding 1,517 residents to reach a total of 5,775. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age cohort is expected to grow by a modest 3%, increasing by 44 people.