Ravenhall

Based on demographic evaluations by AreaSearch utilizing ABS data and verified addresses, the suburb of Ravenhall has an estimated population of 2,636 as of May 2026. This indicates a rise of 341 individuals (14.9%) from the 2,295 residents counted during the 2021 Census. This calculation stems from an estimated resident count of 2,626 derived from the June 2025 ABS ERP release, supplemented by 134 validated new addresses since the Census. The suburb has a population density of 193 persons per square kilometer, offering ample room and development capacity. The 14.9% expansion rate since the 2021 census outpaced the state level of 9.3% and the national mark, establishing the suburb as a regional growth leader.

Building approval records from the ABS show the suburb of Ravenhall averages approximately 27 home approvals annually, accumulating to about 139 dwellings over the prior 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 23 approvals have been logged. With an average of 4.5 new residents per constructed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, demand is outstripping supply, which tends to elevate pricing and purchaser rivalry, while new homes average a construction cost of $373,000. Additionally, commercial development approvals total $15.1 million this financial year, pointing to steady business expansion. Compared to the wider Greater Melbourne region, residential building activity in the suburb of Ravenhall is significantly lower, tracking 52.0% under the regional per capita benchmark.

Local infrastructure projects and planning changes significantly impact area dynamics. In total, 8 major projects have been identified as likely to affect the local area. Key developments include the Derrimut Gardens Estate residential project, Derrimut Wetlands Park Development, A Palmer Parade in Derrimut, and Deer Park Estate, with relevant details provided below.

The local workforce exhibits diverse skills across sectors, though the unemployment rate stands at 52.2% based on aggregated statistics. In March 2026, 54 residents were employed, and the jobless rate was 47.4% higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, while participation rates are low at 4.6% compared to 70.2% regionally. According to Census data, 37.5% of employed residents worked from home, although this was likely influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns. The primary employment sectors for residents are other services, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and mining. The area shows a heavy concentration in other services, where the employment share is 27.8 times the regional proportion.

ATO figures from the 2023 financial year show that earnings in the suburb of Ravenhall are below the national benchmarks, with a median taxable income of $48,745 and an average of $55,481. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be around $53,434 for the median and $60,818 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places local household incomes at the 2nd percentile, while personal incomes reach the 58th percentile.

At the time of the latest Census, the local housing stock consisted of 100.0% detached houses and exactly zero apartments, townhouses, or other multi-dwelling formats, compared to the Melbourne metropolitan split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% alternative dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb of Ravenhall reached 100.0%, meaning no properties were mortgaged and no properties were rented. The median monthly mortgage cost was $2,492, which sits above the metropolitan average, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $1,500, compared to regional marks of $2,000 and $390. Globally, mortgage costs are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also above the national benchmark of $375.

Families make up 50.0% of local households, consisting of exactly zero couples with children, exactly zero couples without children, and exactly zero single-parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 50.0%, consisting of 100.0% single-person households and exactly zero group arrangements. The median household occupancy of 1.2 people is below the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in the area present challenges, with tertiary graduation rates at 15.1%, far below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees represent the highest attainment at 15.1%, with exactly zero postgraduate qualifications or graduate diplomas recorded. Vocational and technical training accounts for 12.3% of educational achievements for residents aged 15 and older, comprised of exactly zero advanced diplomas and 12.3% certificate level qualifications. Enrolment levels are very high, with 99.4% of residents registered in academic programs. This includes exactly zero primary students, exactly zero secondary students, and exactly zero tertiary students.

Public transit options include 9 active transport stops inside the local area, consisting of bus and rail connections. These stops are served by 8 separate routes, facilitating 2,589 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is limited, with residents living an average of 622 meters from the nearest stop. Commuters mostly travel outside the area, with private vehicles being the main travel method at 67%, while 33% of residents walk. Car ownership stands at 0.5 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average. Census data from 2021 shows 37.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Health metrics suggest notable difficulties in the area, based on mortality and chronic illness data across age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 49% of the population (~1,287 people) having private cover, compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical diagnoses were arthritis and asthma, affecting exactly zero residents, while 80.0% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and older make up 0.4% of the population (10 people), which is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 15.0%.

Culturally, the area has high diversity compared to other regions, with 23.1% of residents born outside Australia and 35.7% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 58.8% of the population. The most prominent deviation from regional averages is in the category of Other religions, representing 17.6% of the population, compared to 2.3% across Greater Melbourne. Regarding ancestry, the top three backgrounds are Other at 38.1% of the population, compared to the regional average of 14.6%, Australian at 23.8% of the population, compared to the regional average of 18.4%, and English at 23.8%.

The median age of 30 years is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, there is a high concentration of residents aged 35 - 44 (37.9%) but fewer aged 65 - 74 (0.3%). This 35 - 44 age bracket is higher than the national average of 14.3%. Since the 2021 Census, younger residents have lowered the median age by 2.8 years to 30. The 35 to 44 cohort grew from 28.1% to 37.9% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort rose from exactly zero to 4.5%.