Pearcedale

Pearcedale 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 per ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Pearcedale's estimated population is around 4,061 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 194 people (5.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,867 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,048 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 24 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 120 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 79.0% 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, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted 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. Future population trends indicate an increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with the suburb expected to increase by 256 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 6.0% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Pearcedale according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Pearcedale shows approximately 16 residential properties granted approval annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 81 homes were approved, with an additional 4 approved so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, an average of 0.6 new residents arrived per new home, indicating that supply has met or exceeded demand.

The average development value for new dwellings is $542,000, suggesting a focus on premium market properties. This year, $1.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential nature.

All recent development has consisted of detached houses, maintaining Pearcedale's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers. With approximately 343 people per approval, Pearcedale is indeed a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Pearcedale is projected to gain around 243 residents by 2041. Current development rates suggest that new housing supply will comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Pearcedale has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely impacting the area: Western Port Highway Upgrade, Botanic Ridge Estate, 82 Edward Street Residential Development, and 46-48 Edward Street Townhouses are key projects, with the following list detailing 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.

The labour market in Pearcedale shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Pearcedale has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 3.1% as of December 2025. Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 4.6%.

Pearcedale's unemployment rate is below Greater Melbourne's, at 1.6% versus 4.8%, and workforce participation is similar to the region's at 71.3%. Approximately 20.3% of residents work from home, according to Census responses. Key industries include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction employment is particularly high, with a share 2.2 times the regional level.

Professional & technical jobs are less prevalent, at 5.0% compared to the regional 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.6%, while unemployment remained broadly flat. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 2.4% and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Pearcedale's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not consider localized population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that median income in Pearcedale is $51,668 and average income is $63,041. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% from July 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income in Pearcedale would be approximately $55,931 and average income would be around $68,242 by that date. Census data indicates household income ranks at the 65th percentile ($2,009 weekly) and personal income is at the 46th percentile. Income distribution shows that 35.2% of Pearcedale's population falls within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, consistent with broader trends in the area where 32.8% fall into this category. After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Pearcedale's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.5% houses and 2.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Pearcedale stood at 37.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 51.9% and rented ones at 10.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,020, exceeding the Melbourne metro average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Pearcedale was $400, slightly higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Pearcedale's mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Pearcedale features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 83.9% of all households, including 40.9% couples with children, 31.8% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 16.1%, with lone person households at 15.1% and group households comprising 1.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 14.8%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 10.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (31.9%). Educational participation is high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 9.6% in primary, 8.4% in secondary, and 3.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Pearcedale has 17 active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by two routes that collectively provide 403 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as limited, with residents typically located 617 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The car remains the dominant mode of transport at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 2.3 per dwelling, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 20.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 57 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 23 weekly trips per individual stop.

Pearcedale's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Pearcedale's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence data from March 2023. Common health conditions are prevalent across both young and old age groups, with asthma and arthritis being the most common, affecting approximately 9% and 8.5% of residents respectively.

Around 68.1% of residents reported no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. As of March 2023, private health cover stands at around 52% (~2,102 people), lower than the 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents show a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 19.3% of residents aged 65 and over (783 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

Pearcedale is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Pearcedale, surveyed between June 2016 and August 2016, had a culturally diverse population with 87.9% born in Australia and 92.3% being citizens. English was spoken exclusively at home by 95.7%. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 39.6% of people, while Judaism was underrepresented at 0.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

In terms of ancestry, English (33.0%) and Australian (32.3%) were prevalent, significantly higher than regional averages of 20.1% and 18.4% respectively. Scottish ancestry was also notable at 8.4%. Dutch ethnicity was overrepresented at 2.6%, compared to the region's 1.2%. Serbian and Hungarian ethnicities were also notably present at 0.7% and 0.4% respectively, higher than regional averages of 0.4% and 0.3%.

Pearcedale's median age exceeds the national pattern

Pearcedale's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and somewhat older than Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Pearcedale has a notably over-represented cohort of 55-64 year-olds at 14.7% locally, while the 25-34 year-old group is under-represented at 10.4%. Post-2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 4.5% to 6.6%, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 14.3% to 12.6%, and the 25 to 34 group has dropped from 11.7% to 10.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Pearcedale's age profile will change significantly. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 49%, adding 131 residents to reach 400. Residents aged 65 and older represent 85% of anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 55 to 64 cohorts.