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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the Oakleigh East statistical area (Lv2) had an estimated population of around 7,395 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 591 people (8.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,804 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 7,284, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 44 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,589 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Oakleigh East has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 91.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising 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 from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas is forecast, with the Oakleigh East (SA2) expected to expand by 2,704 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 37.6% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates Oakleigh East averaged approximately 28 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 141 homes from FY-20 to FY-25. As of FY-26, 27 approvals have been recorded. Each year, around 3.3 people moved into the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting demand outstrips supply.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $585,000, indicating a focus on premium market segments. In FY-26, $2.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Oakleigh East records around three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 63rd percentile nationally. New building activity comprises 43.0% detached houses and 57.0% medium-high density housing, marking a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 69.0% houses. With approximately 227 people per dwelling approval, Oakleigh East exhibits a developing market.

Population forecasts suggest Oakleigh East will gain around 2,781 residents by 2041. If current development rates persist, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified six projects likely affecting the region. Key initiatives include Sandringham Line Service Improvements (part of Metro Tunnel Network Upgrades), Suburban Rail Loop East, 409 Clayton Road Mixed-Use Development, and Caulfield to Rowville Trackless Rapid Transit.

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

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

Oakleigh East has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.7%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.0%. As of September 2025, 4,455 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8% below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%.

Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. However, construction shows lower representation at 7.4% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Employment levels in Oakleigh East increased by 5.0% during the year to September 2025, while labour force increased by the same percentage, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from November 25 shows that Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs. The state's unemployment rate is 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Victoria's employment growth outpaces the national average of 0.14%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia offer insights into potential future demand within Oakleigh East. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Oakleigh East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

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 ending June 2023 shows that median income in Oakleigh East is $54,537 with an average of $69,861. This compares to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% from financial year ending June 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income in Oakleigh East would be approximately $59,036 and average income around $75,625. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Oakleigh East cluster around the 57th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 35.3% of locals (2,610 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the broader area where 32.8% occupy this range. Housing costs consume 16.6% of income in Oakleigh East, but strong earnings place disposable income 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 a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Oakleigh East, as evaluated at the latest Census held in 2016, comprised 69.0% houses and 31.0% other dwellings including semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Melbourne metropolitan area's figure of 69.6% houses and 30.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Oakleigh East stood at 31.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.2% and rented properties at 36.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,300 as of 2018, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,383. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure for Oakleigh East was recorded at $425 in 2019, compared to Melbourne metro's $440. Nationally, Oakleigh East's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863 as of 2018, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375 in 2019.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute 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 is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.7.

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

Educational attainment in Oakleigh East is notably high, with 43.8% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications as of the latest data. This exceeds both the SA4 region average of 29.8% and the national average of 30.4%. The area's educational advantage is reflected in its knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 26.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 14.5% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%.

Vocational pathways account for 23.1% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 13.3%. Educational participation is high, 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 deemed excellent, with residents on average being located just 192 meters from their nearest transport stop.

On a daily basis, these routes operate an average of 392 trips, which amounts to approximately 91 weekly trips per individual stop.

Oakleigh East's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Oakleigh East.

Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 54% (~4,025 people) have private health cover. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.1 and 5.7% of residents respectively. Around 75.8% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 75.3% across Greater Melbourne. Oakleigh East has 14.4% (1,064 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 17.5% in Greater Melbourne.

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 main religion in Oakleigh East, comprising 49.9% of its population. Judaism is overrepresented in Oakleigh East compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.8% of the population versus 0.4%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (14.0%), Australian (13.1%), and Chinese (13.0%), which is lower than the regional average of 21.4%. Notably, Greek ethnicity is overrepresented at 11.5% compared to the regional average of 5.6%, while Sri Lankan is slightly underrepresented at 1.6% versus 2.1%, and Italian is also overrepresented at 8.7% compared to the regional average of 4.0%.

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 (20.2%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has increased from 13.0% to 15.0%, while the proportion of those aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 12.5% to 11.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Oakleigh East. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 43%, adding 639 residents and reaching a total of 2,133.