Research

An assessment of population growth drivers in Research reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of the suburb of Research was around 2,833 as of May 2026. This showed an increase of 138 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,695. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,828 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2025, along with validation of 12 new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 272 persons per square kilometer. Research's population growth of 5.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area average of 1.8%. The primary driver was overseas migration, contributing approximately 61.0% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch uses 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 utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to these trends, a significant population increase is forecast for Research, with an expected expansion of 761 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 26.7% over the 16-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, research has averaged around 4 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 24 homes. So far in FY-26, 1 approval has been recorded. On average, 0.2 new residents per year have arrived per new home between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth. The average construction value of new properties is $772,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This financial year, $2.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Research shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person, placing it among the 23rd percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes. This level is similarly below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The estimated count of 700 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Looking ahead, Research is expected to grow by 756 residents through to 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.

Research has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified six projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Kangaroo Ground Landfill Rehabilitation, Eltham-Yarra Glen Road and Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Road Safety Improvements, Kangaroo Ground Cemetery Extension, and Kangaroo Ground intersection maintenance works. 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 analysis of employment trends sees Research performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Research has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, with an estimated employment growth of 1.3% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 1,674 residents employed, and the unemployment rate is 3.0% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation stands at 73.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Notably, 37.1% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. The area has a particularly notable concentration in construction, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Manufacturing, however, has limited presence with 4.7% employment compared to 7.2% regionally. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Based on AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS data aggregated from broader statistical areas during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.3% and labour force increased by 1.3%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 2.4%, the labour force grow by 2.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer further insight into potential future demand within Research. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Research's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Research has one of the highest income levels nationally, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for the financial year ending June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Research is $60,055, with an average income of $97,688. This compares to Greater Melbourne's figures of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $65,832 (median) and $107,086 (average), based on a 9.62% growth in wages since the financial year ending June 2023. The 2021 Census data shows that Research's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 82nd and 95th percentiles. In Research, 32.8% of individuals (929 people) fall within the $4000+ income range, unlike surrounding regions where 32.8% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. A substantial 48.0% of residents exceed $3,000 weekly in income, indicating strong purchasing power. After accounting for housing costs, Research's residents retain 90.4% of their income, reflecting robust purchasing power. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

In Research, as per the latest Census evaluation, 98.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 1.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This compares to Melbourne metro's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Research stood at 46.7%, while mortgaged dwellings accounted for 47.5% and rented dwellings made up 5.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,300, exceeding Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Research was $431, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Research's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 85.2% of all households, including 49.1% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 14.8%, with lone person households at 13.7% and group households comprising 1.0%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Research places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 36.6% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA4 region average of 32.8%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 23.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.1%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 31.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 11.0% and certificates for 20.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.9% in primary, 9.1% in secondary, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Research has 19 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 3 individual routes providing 947 weekly passenger trips combined. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 453 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transportation for these residents at 93%. Vehicle ownership averages 2.2 per dwelling in Research, which is above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 37.1% of residents work from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 135 trips per day, equating to approximately 49 weekly trips per individual stop.

Research's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Research shows excellent health outcomes in AreaSearch, based on assessments of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions have very low prevalence across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the total population (1,849 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 8.2 and 7.7% of residents respectively. 70.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Under-65 population health outcomes are better than average. The area has 20.8% of residents aged 65 and over (589 people), higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Research was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 85.7% of its population born in Australia between 2016-2021. Citizenship stood at 94.2%, with 93.2% speaking English only at home during this period. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 44.9% of Research's population from 2016 to 2021.

However, Judaism was notably overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%. In terms of ancestry, English comprised 28.1%, Australian 26.9%, and Irish 9.9% between 2016-2021, all substantially higher than regional averages of 20.1%, 18.4%, and 5.7% respectively. Dutch (2.4%) and Hungarian (0.4%) were also notably overrepresented compared to regional figures of 1.2% and 0.3%.

Research hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Research's median age is 44, surpassing Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and the national norm of 38. Notably, the 55-64 age group comprises 15.8% of Research's population, higher than Greater Melbourne's proportion. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort makes up only 6.3%. Post-2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group increased from 4.4% to 5.9%, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 14.1% to 15.4%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 15.1% to 13.4%, and the 25 to 34 group fell from 7.5% to 6.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Research's age profile. The 45 to 54 group is expected to grow by 34%, adding 130 people to reach 510 from the current 379. The 0 to 4 age group will see more modest growth of 8%, with an increase of just 10 residents.