Oakleigh East

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

The estimated population of Oakleigh East as of May 2026 is around 7,281 people. This figure reflects an increase of 477 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,804 people. The current resident population estimate of 7,274 by AreaSearch was derived from examining the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and validating an additional 50 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 3,534 persons per square kilometer, placing Oakleigh East in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth rate of 7.0% since the census is within 2.3 percentage points of the state's growth rate of 9.3%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 91.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in Oakleigh East.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, making adjustments through 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 based on these aggregations. Considering projected demographic shifts, Oakleigh East is forecasted to experience significant population growth in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas. By 2041, the suburb's population is expected to increase by 2,478 persons, reflecting a total increase of 33.9% over the 16-year period based on aggregated SA2-level projections.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Oakleigh East recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Oakleigh East has experienced around 28 dwellings receiving development approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 142 homes. As of FY-26, 53 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, there is an average of 1.6 new residents per dwelling constructed, suggesting balanced supply and demand conditions. However, recent data shows this ratio has intensified to 5.2 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $585,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In FY-26, $2.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited commercial development focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Oakleigh East records about three-quarters the building activity per person and places among the 65th percentile of areas assessed nationally. Current new building activity shows 43.0% detached houses and 57.0% medium and high-density housing, indicating a shift towards denser development to provide accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This represents a notable change from the area's existing housing composition of 69.0% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and demand for more diverse, affordable housing options. With around 219 people per dwelling approval, Oakleigh East shows a developing market.

Population forecasts indicate Oakleigh East will gain 2,471 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified six projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Suburban Rail Loop East, 409 Clayton Road Mixed-Use Development, Caulfield to Rowville Trackless Rapid Transit, and Monash Medical Centre Tower Expansion Project. The following list details those projects deemed 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 analysis places Oakleigh East well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Oakleigh East has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.0% as of December 2025, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.1%.

As of December 2025, 4,405 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 1.8% below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation was 72.5%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A significant portion, 32.6%, of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns.

The leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. However, construction had lower representation at 7.4% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Employment opportunities locally might be limited as indicated by the working population count versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.1% while labour force increased by 4.3%, causing a slight rise in unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Oakleigh East'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.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Oakleigh East is above the national average. The median income is $54,537 and the average income is $69,861. In Greater Melbourne, the median income is $57,688 and the average income is $75,164. Based on a 9.62% growth in wages since financial year 2023, current estimates for Oakleigh East are approximately $59,783 (median) and $76,582 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Oakleigh East cluster around the 57th percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 35.3% of locals (2,570 people), falling within the $1,500 - 2,999 category. This is similar to the broader area where 32.8% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 61st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Oakleigh East displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Oakleigh East, as per the latest Census, consisted of 69.0% houses and 31.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Oakleigh East was at 31.6%, similar to Melbourne metro, with the rest mortgaged at 32.2% or rented at 36.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Oakleigh East was $2,300, above Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Oakleigh East was $425, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Oakleigh East's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,300 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Oakleigh East features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 70.9% of all households, including 32.6% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.1%, with lone person households at 20.3% and group households comprising 9.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

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

In Oakleigh East, residents aged 15 and above have a higher proportion of university qualifications than the broader SA4 region and Australia. Specifically, 43.8% of residents in Oakleigh East hold such qualifications, compared to 29.8% in the SA4 region and 30.4% nationally. This educational advantage is driven by Bachelor degrees (26.6%), postgraduate qualifications (14.5%), and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational pathways are also prevalent, with 23.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding advanced diplomas (9.8%) or certificates (13.3%).

Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 30.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.8% in tertiary education, 7.6% in primary education, and 5.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

Oakleigh East has 30 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 different routes that together facilitate 2,746 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average located just 192 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation for 81% of residents, while trains are used by 9%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 32.6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 392 trips per day, equating to approximately 91 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Oakleigh East 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 East exhibits above-average health outcomes according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average in older, at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 54% (~3,963 people) of Oakleigh East residents have private health cover, compared to Melbourne's overall rate of 56.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 7.1% and 5.7% of residents respectively. 75.8% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Oakleigh East has 14.6% (1,063 people) of residents aged 65 and over, which ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

Oakleigh East 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 East has a high level of cultural diversity, with 48.7% of its population born overseas and 54.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Oakleigh East, comprising 49.9% of the population. While this is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 46.1%, it is not as significantly overrepresented as Judaism, which makes up 0.8% of Oakleigh East's population compared to 1.0% regionally.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups in Oakleigh East are Other at 14.0%, Australian at 13.1%, and Chinese at 13.0%. However, the Australian figure is notably lower than the regional average of 18.4%, while the Chinese figure is substantially higher. There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Greek is overrepresented at 11.5% compared to the regional average of 2.7%, Sri Lankan at 1.6% versus 0.8%, and Italian at 8.7% compared to 5.2%.

Oakleigh East's population is younger than the national pattern

Oakleigh East's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Oakleigh East has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (21.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.2%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has grown from 13.0% to 14.8%, while those aged 25 to 34 increased from 19.7% to 21.4%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has declined from 12.5% to 10.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Oakleigh East, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 age group at 39%, adding 612 residents to reach a total of 2,171.