Spotswood

Population growth drivers in Spotswood 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 suburb of Spotswood's population is estimated at around 3,272 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 452 people (16.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,820 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 2,933, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 536 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,035 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 16.0% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%), along with the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, 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. As we examine future population trends, an above median population growth of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch is projected, with the suburb expected to grow by 608 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 8.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Spotswood among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Spotswood shows an average of around 101 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 509 homes. In FY26 so far, 21 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to approximately 0.2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25. The average construction value of new dwellings is $420,000.

There has also been $17.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Spotswood records 280% more construction activity per person. New development consists of 11% detached houses and 89% attached dwellings, a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 66% houses. The location has approximately 55 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate Spotswood to add 269 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth beyond current forecasts.

Future projections show Spotswood adding 269 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Spotswood has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects that may impact this region. Notable ones are Newport Village, Better Places Spotswood & South Kingsville, South Kingsville Place, and the West Gate Tunnel Project. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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

Spotswood has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. The unemployment rate was 3.9% as of December 2025, below Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Employment grew by 3.1% in the past year.

Resident participation in the workforce is high at 84.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. Many residents work from home (45.7%). Key industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Public administration & safety has notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Retail trade shows lower representation at 8.1% versus the regional average of 9.8%. The worker-to-resident ratio is high at 0.7. Between December 2024 and 2025, employment increased by 3.1%, labour force grew by 4.2%, raising unemployment to 6.8%. Greater Melbourne recorded lower growth rates: employment up 2.4%, labour force up 2.8%, unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Spotswood's industry mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.8% in five years and 13.8% in ten years, though this is an illustrative extrapolation not accounting for population changes.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The suburb of Spotswood had one of the highest income levels in Australia according to AreaSearch aggregated ATO data for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $73,476 and the average income stood at $90,283, compared to Greater Melbourne's figures of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. By September 2025, estimates based on an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $79,538 (median) and $97,731 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Spotswood's incomes rank highly nationally, between the 89th and 92nd percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis shows that 29.1% of Spotswood residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (952 individuals), which is consistent with the metropolitan region's 32.8%. Notably, 41.4% earn above $3,000 weekly, reflecting areas of prosperity that drive local economic activity. In Spotswood, housing accounts for 14.6% of income. Residents' strong earnings place them within the 89th percentile for disposable income, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Spotswood displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Spotswood, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 65.7% houses and 34.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Spotswood was 27.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.4% and rented dwellings at 33.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,300, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000. Median weekly rent in Spotswood was $456, while Melbourne metro recorded $390. Nationally, Spotswood's median monthly mortgage repayment is higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Spotswood features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 71.9% of all households, consisting of 35.9% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 28.1%, with lone person households at 24.4% and group households comprising 3.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

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

Educational attainment in Spotswood significantly exceeds broader benchmarks. 44.7% of residents aged 15 years and over hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.0% in the SA4 region. This high level of educational attainment positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most common at 29.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.1%) and graduate diplomas (5.0%).

Trade and technical skills are also prominent, with 26.2% of residents aged 15 years and over holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (15.6%). Educational participation is notably high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.9% in primary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 18 active transport stops operating within Spotswood, consisting of a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 4 individual routes, collectively facilitating 2,875 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 168 meters from the nearest transport stop. As primarily residential, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode at 80%, with train at 12%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling.

Notably, 45.7% of residents work from home (2021 Census; potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions). Service frequency averages 410 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 159 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Spotswood's health outcomes show exceptional results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (2,041 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 8.0% of residents and asthma impacting 6.7%. A total of 73.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Spotswood has 13.0% of residents aged 65 and over (425 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, in line with the general population nationally.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Spotswood was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Spotswood's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 23.9% born overseas and 20.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Spotswood, comprising 42.2%. Judaism, however, was notably overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (22.1%), Australian (20.6%), and Irish (9.4%). Some ethnic groups showed significant disparities: Croatian was overrepresented at 1.9% versus the regional 0.7%, Serbian at 0.8% compared to 0.4%, and Maltese at 1.6% against 1.1%.

Spotswood's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Spotswood is close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, similar to the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Spotswood has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (16.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.4%). Between the 2021 Census and the latest data, the age group 15-24 grew from 8.0% to 10.2%, while the 65-74 cohort increased from 6.8% to 8.2%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group declined from 15.3% to 13.4%, and the 0-4 age group dropped from 7.3% to 6.0%. By the year 2041, Spotswood's population is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The 55-64 age group is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 373 people from 287. Meanwhile, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.