St Helena

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

The estimated population of the suburb of St Helena is around 3,035 as of February 2026, reflecting an increase of 145 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,890. This increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 3,025 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 65 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,850 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 70% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 adjusted employing weighted aggregation method for areas not covered by this data.

Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering these projections, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with an expected increase of 1,232 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a 40.3% increase in total population over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in St Helena, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows St Helena recorded around 8 residential properties granted approval annually over the past 5 financial years from FY21 to FY25, totalling an estimated 40 homes. So far in FY26, 3 approvals have been recorded. The average population growth per year for each dwelling built during this period was 0.2 people. This indicates that supply is meeting or surpassing demand, offering greater buyer choice and potential for population growth above projections.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $488,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY26, St Helena has recorded $1.2 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting its residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, St Helena records markedly lower building activity, which is 59.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, St Helena's building activity is also under the average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development in St Helena consists of 55.0% detached houses and 45.0% townhouses or apartments, showing an expanding range of medium-density options.

This creates a mix of opportunities across price brackets, from traditional family housing to more affordable compact alternatives. This is a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently 84.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. St Helena has approximately 328 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, St Helena is projected to add 1,222 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

St Helena has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Six projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly due to their influence on local infrastructure: St Helena Place, Nillumbik Play Space Renewal Projects, Hurstbridge Rail Line Upgrades (Watsonia-Eltham), and Nillumbik Waste Management Facility Upgrade. These projects are likely to be most relevant.

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St Helena ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

St Helena has a well-educated workforce. Professional services are strongly represented, with an unemployment rate of 2.1% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.3%.

The unemployment rate is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, standing at 2.7%. Workforce participation is somewhat lower, at 67.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 33.3% of residents work from home. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.

St Helena has particular employment specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. In contrast, accommodation & food employs just 3.9% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 6.4%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 1.3%, while labour force increased by 1.3%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In Greater Melbourne, employment rose by 2.4%, the labour force grew by 2.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within St Helena. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates varying significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to St Helena's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released on 1st July 2023 for financial year 2023, the suburb of St Helena's median income among taxpayers is $61,023. The average income is $75,433. Nationally, this is very high compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $66,057 (median) and $81,656 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in St Helena, between the 70th and 81st percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 28.9% of residents (877 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. St Helena demonstrates considerable affluence with 35.8% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 89.4% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

St Helena's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 84.0% houses and 16.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in St Helena stood at 42.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.4% and rented ones at 13.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, surpassing Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Weekly rent in the area was $163, lower than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, St Helena's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $163 against the national figure of $375.

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

Family households make up 78.9% of all households, consisting of 42.3% couples with children, 28.2% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.1%, with lone person households at 19.4% and group households comprising 0.5% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

St Helena demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational qualifications on St Helena trail regional benchmarks; 32.4% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to 41.2% in SA3 area. This gap indicates potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.3% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 32.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials; advanced diplomas account for 11.3% and certificates for 20.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.0% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 4.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 11 active stops operating within St Helena. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling 4 individual ones. They collectively facilitate 2,092 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 191 meters from the nearest stop. The area being primarily residential, most commutes are outward-bound, with car remaining the dominant mode at 92%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average.

Notably, 33.3% of residents work from home (as per the 2021 Census; this figure may reflect COVID-19 conditions). Service frequency averages 298 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 190 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in St Helena is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

St Helena demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 57% of the total population (~1,718 people). The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 9.8% and 7.6% of residents respectively. 67.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 25.4% of residents aged 65 and over (770 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, St Helena records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

St Helena's cultural diversity aligns with the broader area, as 81.6% were born in Australia, 91.5% are citizens, and 86.7% speak English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion on St Helena, with 53.5%, compared to 43.0% across Greater Melbourne. The top three ancestry groups in St Helena are English (26.2%), Australian (23.6%), and Italian (9.5%), all higher than regional averages of 20.1%, 18.4%, and 7.2% respectively.

Notably, Macedonian (1.6%) is overrepresented compared to the region's 0.7%, Maltese (1.9%) exceeds the regional average of 1.1%, and Hungarian (0.4%) slightly surpasses the regional figure of 0.3%.

St Helena hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in St Helena is 46 years, which exceeds Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and is also higher than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the 55-64 age cohort is notably over-represented in St Helena at 15.4%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 5.8%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.9% to 8.9% of the population, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 11.0% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 7.5% to 5.8%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for St Helena, with the 55 to 64 age cohort projected to expand by 222 people (48%) from 467 to 690.