Mount Duneed

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

Mount Duneed's population is estimated at around 11,341 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 5,159 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,182 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 11,332 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 1,442 validated new addresses since the Census date. Mount Duneed's growth rate of 83.5% since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of Vic. (4.3%). Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 68.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. 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 the 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. Exceptional growth is predicted over the period, placing Mount Duneed in the top 10 percent of Australia's non-metropolitan areas. The suburb is expected to expand by 6,895 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 60.7% in total over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Mount Duneed was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Mount Duneed has recorded approximately 442 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 2,211 homes. As of FY-26278 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25 has resulted in 2.3 new residents per year, reflecting strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $412,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upscale properties.

In this financial year, $61.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Recent construction comprises 93.0% detached dwellings and 7.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The location has approximately 26 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Mount Duneed is forecasted to gain 6,886 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Mount Duneed has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 41 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Ashbury Estate, Armstrong Creek Town Centre, Armstrong Creek Mixed Use Precinct at 465 Surf Coast Highway, and Barwon Heads Road Upgrade. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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 exceptional employment performance in Mount Duneed places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Mount Duneed has a highly skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.8% as of December 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 8.1% over the past year. As of this date, 6,553 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 1.9 percentage points lower than Regional Vic.'s rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation in Mount Duneed stood at 76.3%, significantly higher than Regional Vic.'s 61.0%. According to Census responses, 23.5% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Mount Duneed had a particular specialization in education & training, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 1.2% compared to Regional Vic.'s 7.5%.

The resident-to-worker ratio was 1:1, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 8.1%, while labour force also increased by 8.1%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Regional Vic. experienced an employment decline of 0.6% and a labour force decline of 0.7%, with a slight drop in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Mount Duneed's employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

AreaSearch's data for Mount Duneed in financial year 2023 shows a median income of $69,958 and an average income of $87,372. This is higher than Regional Vic.'s median income of $50,954 and average income of $62,728. By March 2026, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $76,688 and the average income will be around $95,777, based on a 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Mount Duneed's incomes rank highly nationally, between the 81st and 82nd percentiles for households, families, and individuals. The predominant income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, with 41.3% of locals (4,683 people) falling into this category, similar to the metropolitan region's 30.3%. Housing costs consume 15.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 81st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Mount Duneed is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Mount Duneed, as per the latest Census, 97.3% of dwellings were houses, with 2.7% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Duneed stood at 21.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 55.5% and rented ones at 23.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,983, higher than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. The median weekly rent in Mount Duneed was recorded at $446, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Mount Duneed's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,983 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Mount Duneed features high concentrations of group households and family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.9% of all households, including 41.4% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 9.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.1%, with lone person households at 16.1% and group households comprising 5.0%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.

Mount Duneed shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Mount Duneed's residents aged 15 and above have a higher university qualification rate of 35.5% compared to the broader Victorian average of 21.7%. This is also higher than the SA4 region's average of 28.6%. The area's educational advantage includes a bachelor degree holder rate of 24.8%, postgraduate qualifications at 7.0%, and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 35.7% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 23.2%. Educational participation is high in Mount Duneed, with 32.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.0% in primary education, 6.6% in tertiary education, and 6.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Mount Duneed has 24 active public transport stops operating, offering a mix of train services. These stops are served by 18 different routes, collectively facilitating 1,738 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 376 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward, with cars being the dominant mode of transport at 95%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 23.5% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 248 trips per day, equating to approximately 72 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Duneed's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Mount Duneed. AreaSearch's assessment found low prevalence of common health conditions among both young and old age cohorts. The rate of private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 61% of the total population (6,947 people), compared to 50.5% across Regional Vic.

This is higher than the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area were asthma and mental health issues, impacting 9.0 and 8.9% of residents respectively. A total of 73.6% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Regional Vic. Working-age residents showed notably healthy outcomes with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 11.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,258 people), which is lower than the 23.9% in Regional Vic. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Mount Duneed records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Duneed's population showed higher-than-average cultural diversity, with 20.2% born overseas and 15.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 41.1%. The 'Other' religious category was overrepresented at 2.7%, compared to Regional Vic's 0.8%.

Top ancestry groups were English (27.3%), Australian (26.2%), and Irish (8.6%). Notably, Dutch (1.9%) Croatian (0.7%) and Polish (0.8%) ethnicities were more prevalent than regionally reported figures of 1.7%, 0.4% and 0.5% respectively.

Mount Duneed hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Mount Duneed is 32, which is notably under Regional Victoria's average of 43 and also substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Regional Victoria, Mount Duneed has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (19.3%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (7.4%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 grew from 2.2% to 3.2%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 0 to 4 declined from 9.5% to 8.7%. By 2041, Mount Duneed is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 group projected to grow by 77%, reaching 3,868 residents from a starting point of 2,188.