Olinda (Vic.)

Olinda is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Olinda (Vic.) is around 1,741 people. This reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census figure of 1,773 people, indicating a change of -32 people (-1.8%). The current estimate was calculated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 82 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 64% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using 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. Future trends suggest lower quartile growth, with the suburb expected to increase by 11 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of approximately 0.6% over the 16-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Olinda is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Olinda has recorded just 1 dwelling approval over the past five years. The lack of development activity suggests an established suburb with limited new construction opportunities. This can support existing property values, though buyers should note that the market may be relatively stable with fewer transactions.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Olinda records markedly lower building activity. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. However, development activity has picked up in recent periods. Nationally, this level is likewise lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints.

Olinda has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects that may affect this region. Notable projects include Mount Dandenong Tourist Road Landslide Repair Works, Six Senses Resort And Spa At Burnham Beeches, Dandenong Ranges Environmental Protection Program, and Sherbrooke Children's Centre Services. 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.

AreaSearch assessment positions Olinda ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Olinda has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.4%, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7% over the past year (AreaSearch). As of December 2025, Olinda's unemployment rate is 1.3% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Olinda is 65.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 37.0% of residents work from home (considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts). Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Olinda shows strong specialization in education & training, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Finance & insurance employs only 1.9% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 4.9%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Olinda's employment increased by 0.7%, while labour force grew by 0.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points (AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data). In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Olinda's employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Olinda's employment mix.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023 shows Olinda had a median taxpayer income of $52,512 and an average of $73,141. These figures exceed Greater Melbourne's averages of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2023 to March 2026 (an estimated increase of 9.62%), Olinda's median income is approximately $57,564 and average income is around $80,177 as of March 2026. Census data from 2021 indicates that incomes in Olinda cluster around the 62nd percentile nationally. The dominant income bracket in Olinda is $1,500 - 2,999 per week, with 30.0% of residents (522 people) falling into this category. This aligns with the broader area where 32.8% of residents are in this bracket. Notably, 30.7% of Olinda's residents earn above $3,000 per week, suggesting strong economic capacity. After housing costs, 86.2% of income remains for other expenses. The SEIFA income ranking places Olinda in the 7th decile.

Olinda is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Olinda's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.4% houses and 0.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Olinda stood at 38.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.9% and rented ones at 12.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $398, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390 respectively. Nationally, Olinda's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Olinda has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 74.5% of all households, including 33.1% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 10.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 25.5%, with lone person households at 23.0% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Olinda shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

Educational attainment in Olinda is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. As of the latest data, 38.4% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 23.8% in the SA3 area and 30.4% nationally. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent, with 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 9.7% and graduate diplomas at 5.4%.

Trade and technical skills also feature prominently, with 34.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 15.2% and certificates at 19.7%. Educational participation is notably high in Olinda, with 28.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.2% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Olinda has 18 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by eight different routes, offering a total of 562 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents typically located 420 meters from the nearest stop. Most Olinda residents commute outward daily. Cars are the primary mode of transportation, used by 86% of residents, while walking accounts for 5%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.8, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 37.0% of Olinda residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. On average, there are 80 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 31 weekly trips per individual stop.

Olinda's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Olinda.

AreaSearch's assessment found very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~970 people). The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.3 and 9.0% of residents respectively. 68.0% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 23.6% of residents aged 65 and over (410 people), which is higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Olinda ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Olinda's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 80.5% of its population born in Australia, 88.9% being citizens, and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Olinda, comprising 31.3% of people. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.7%, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.0%), Australian (25.7%), and Scottish (9.6%). Notably, French (1.3%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.5%. Similarly, Russian (0.5%) and Polish (0.9%) had higher representation than their respective regional averages of 0.4% and 0.8%.

Olinda hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Olinda is 45 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Olinda has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (14.9%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.1%). This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Following the Census conducted in 2021, the percentage of Olinda's population aged 75 to 84 increased from 4.5% to 7.0%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 9.4% to 11.4%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group declined from 8.7% to 6.1%, and the 45 to 54 age group dropped from 17.0% to 15.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Olinda's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 164% (from 29 to 78 people), leading the demographic shift. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 74% of total population growth, reflecting Olinda's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 25 to 34 and 65 to 74 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers by 2041.