Oakleigh

Population growth drivers in Oakleigh are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The population of Oakleigh, as estimated by AreaSearch based on ABS updates and new addresses validated since Nov 2025, is around 9,240. This figure represents a growth of 798 people from the 2021 Census figure of 8,442, indicating a 9.5% increase over these four years. AreaSearch's estimation considers the resident population of 9,207, derived from the latest ERP data release by ABS in June 2024, and an additional 124 validated new addresses since the Census date. Oakleigh's population density stands at 2,595 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth rate of 9.5% since the 2021 census exceeds the national average of 8.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 91.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered SA2 areas and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 for non-covered areas, adjusting with weighted aggregation methods. By 2041, Oakleigh is projected to gain an additional 3,466 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 37.5% over the 17-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Oakleigh has averaged around 20 new dwelling approvals each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 100 homes were approved, with an additional 12 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 5.7 new residents have arrived per dwelling constructed over these years.

This demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average value of new dwellings developed is $585,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. In FY-26, there have been $2.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating Oakleigh's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Oakleigh has significantly less development activity, at 57.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties usually strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. However, development activity has picked up in recent periods. Relative to the national average, Oakleigh's development activity is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations.

New development consists of 43.0% detached dwellings and 57.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns, which are currently 62.0% houses. This shift suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 261 people per dwelling approval, Oakleigh shows a developing market. Future projections show Oakleigh adding 3,467 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Oakleigh 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 impacting the area. Notable projects include Suburban Rail Loop East, VicTrack Land Release - Oakleigh Station, Sandringham Line Service Improvements (part of Metro Tunnel Network Upgrades), and Station Quarter Oakleigh. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Oakleigh significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Oakleigh's workforce is highly educated with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.7% in the past year, showing a 4.0% employment growth.

As of June 2025, 5,565 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation was 66.2%, comparable to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key employment sectors included health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services, with notable concentration in education & training at 1.3 times the regional average. Transport, postal & warehousing had limited presence at 3.2% compared to the regional average of 5.2%.

The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.6, indicating above-average local employment opportunities. Between Jun-24 and Jul-25, employment increased by 4.0%, labour force grew by 4.3%, raising unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 3.5%, labour force grow by 4.0%, and unemployment increase by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's Sep-22 forecasts project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Oakleigh's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.7% in five years and 13.8% in ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Oakleigh's median income among taxpayers was $57,390 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $73,515 during the same period. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $64,369 (median) and $82,454 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Oakleigh cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that the largest segment comprises 29.9% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with 2,762 residents falling into this category. This is consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 32.8% in the same income bracket. High housing costs consume 15.6% of income in Oakleigh, however strong earnings still place disposable income at the 61st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

The latest Census evaluated Oakleigh's dwelling structures as 61.9% houses and 38.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 69.6% houses and 30.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Oakleigh was at 32.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.9% and rented ones at 35.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Oakleigh was $2,100, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,383. The median weekly rent figure in Oakleigh was $410, compared to Melbourne metro's $440. Nationally, Oakleigh's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,100 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $410 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 67.8% of all households, including 31.4% couples with children, 25.0% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.2%, with lone person households at 26.9% and group households comprising 5.4%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.7.

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

Educational attainment in Oakleigh is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 42% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 29.8% in the SA4 region and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.3%. Vocational pathways account for 23.5% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 12.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9% in tertiary education, 7.3% in primary education, and 6.4% pursuing secondary education. Oakleigh's three schools have a combined enrollment of 821 students as of the specified date. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1113. All three schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 8.9, below the regional average of 15.8, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Oakleigh has 63 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 32 different routes, facilitating 15,085 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance residents live from the nearest stop is 149 meters, indicating excellent accessibility.

On average, there are 2,155 trips daily across all routes, which amounts to around 239 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Oakleigh is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Oakleigh shows better-than-average health outcomes with a low prevalence of common health conditions among its general population.

However, this rate is higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 56% (~5,161 people) of Oakleigh's total population has private health cover, which is very high. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 8.0% and 6.7% of residents respectively. About 73.0% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 75.3% across Greater Melbourne. Oakleigh has 15.3% (1,413 people) of its population aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 17.5% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors in Oakleigh require more attention than those in the broader population.

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

Oakleigh has a high level of cultural diversity, with 40.2% of its population born overseas and 43.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Oakleigh, comprising 51.9% of its population. Judaism is overrepresented in Oakleigh compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.9% versus 0.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (16.5%), Australian (15.1%), and Greek (12.8%), the latter being substantially higher than the regional average of 5.6%. There are notable divergences in the representation of certain ethnic groups, with Russian at 0.6% versus 0.5% regionally, Sri Lankan at 0.8% versus 2.1%, and Italian at 5.8% versus 4.0%.

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

Oakleigh has a median age of 37, which matches Greater Melbourne's figure and is comparable to Australia's median age of 38. The 15-24 age group makes up 15.5% of Oakleigh's population, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage. The 5-14 age group comprises 9.0%, lower than the Greater Melbourne figure. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.4% to 15.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 13.9% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Oakleigh's age structure. Notably, the 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 41%, adding 672 people, reaching a total of 2,317 from its current figure of 1,644.