Kingsbury

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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, the suburb of Kingsbury's estimated population is around 4,165 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 705 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,460 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 4,112 residents following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 14 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,279 persons per square kilometer, placing Kingsbury in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Kingsbury's growth rate of 20.4% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, they utilise VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics predict exceptional growth, placing Kingsbury in the top 10 percent of Australian statistical areas, with an expected expansion of 2,845 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 67.0% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Kingsbury according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Kingsbury experienced approximately 14 dwelling approvals per year. Between Financial Year 2021 (FY-21) and FY-25, around 70 homes were approved, with none so far in FY-26. This results in an average of 2.8 new residents per year for each dwelling built over the past five years.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $317,000. In FY-26, there have been $4.6 million in commercial approvals, indicating Kingsbury's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Kingsbury has 51.0% lower building activity per person. Recent development consists solely of attached dwellings, a shift from the current 66.0% houses. This change suggests decreasing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With approximately 726 people per dwelling approval, Kingsbury reflects a mature market.

By 2041, AreaSearch estimates Kingsbury's population will grow by 2,792 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Hilton Garden Inn Bundoora, La Trobe University City of the Future, RMIT University Bundoora Campus Developments, and Polaris 3083 Master Planned Community. 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.

The employment environment in Kingsbury shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Kingsbury has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, with estimated employment growth of 2.0% over the past year (AreaSearch). As of December 2025, 2,455 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 1.8% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Kingsbury is 69.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. Home-based work accounts for a moderate 23.4% of jobs (Census). Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food. The area specializes in accommodation & food with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level, but has lower representation in professional & technical services at 7.9%.

Local employment opportunities seem limited, indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 2.0% alongside labour force growth of 1.9%, keeping unemployment relatively stable (AreaSearch). In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced higher employment and labour force growth with an increase in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kingsbury's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

The suburb of Kingsbury has a median taxpayer income of $45,660 and an average of $57,484 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages, with Greater Melbourne having a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $49,427 (median) and $62,226 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Kingsbury fall between the 13th and 28th percentiles nationally. The largest income segment comprises 31.8% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,324 residents), aligning with regional trends where this cohort also represents 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Kingsbury, with only 81.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 25th percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Kingsbury displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Kingsbury's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 66.1% houses and 33.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. In comparison, Melbourne metropolitan area had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kingsbury was 30.7%, similar to Melbourne metro's figure. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (23.5%) or rented (45.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Kingsbury was $1,733, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Kingsbury was $361, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Kingsbury's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Kingsbury features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 62.7% of all households, including 24.2% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 11.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for 37.3%, with lone person households at 28.4% and group households comprising 9.0%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 39.2% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA4 region rate of 32.8%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 21.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 25.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas comprise 10.3% and certificates make up 15.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 13.5% in tertiary education, 6.1% in primary education, and 4.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Kingsbury has 19 operational public transport stops, offering a mix of lightrail and bus services. These stops are served by four distinct routes, collectively facilitating 3,499 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed excellent, with residents typically residing 164 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 76%, followed by trains at 8% and buses at 6%. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 23.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 499 trips daily across all routes, equating to roughly 184 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kingsbury's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Kingsbury's health outcomes, based on AreaSearch's analysis, align with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are standard across age groups. Private health cover is lower than Melbourne's average at approximately 50% (~2,066 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%.

Nationally, the average is 55.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are most common, affecting 8.1 and 7.3% respectively. Around 71.8% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 14.8% aged 65 and over (616 people), with health rankings in line with the general population.

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

Kingsbury has high cultural diversity, with 49.4% speaking a language other than English at home and 49.7% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 41.8%. Buddhism is overrepresented at 5.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.

The top three ancestries are English (15.4%), Other (15.3%), and Australian (14.3%). Notably, Vietnamese (5.5%) and Macedonian (1.8%) are overrepresented, while Italian is slightly higher at 8.0% compared to regional figures.

Kingsbury hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Kingsbury's median age is 32 years, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Kingsbury has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (22.2%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (6.5%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is significantly above the national average of 12.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that younger residents have lowered the median age by 2.3 years to 32 years. Key changes include the growth of the 15-24 age group from 14.4% to 22.2%, and the increase of the 25-34 cohort from 23.1% to 25.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has declined from 11.5% to 7.9%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 8.2% to 5.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that Kingsbury's age profile will significantly change by 2041, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 cohort at 73%, adding 775 residents to reach a total of 1,833.