Templestowe Lower

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

The population of Templestowe Lower is estimated at around 15,046 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 948 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,098. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 14,456 in June 2024, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 104 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,563 persons per square kilometer, placing Templestowe Lower in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 6.7% growth since the census is within 2.9 percentage points of the SA3 area (9.6%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses the 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 years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Templestowe Lower is expected to increase by 1,492 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 6.0% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Templestowe Lower when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Templestowe Lower has seen around 87 new homes approved each year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 439 homes from FY-21 to FY-25. As of FY-26, 31 approvals have been recorded. Over this period, an average of 0.4 new residents per new home has arrived annually, indicating supply meeting or surpassing demand and supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average construction value of new dwellings is $731,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, commercial approvals totalling $35.8 million have been registered, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Templestowe Lower maintains similar construction rates per person, supporting market stability in line with regional patterns. New building activity shows 30.0% standalone homes and 70.0% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a significant change from the current housing mix of 81.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.

With around 179 people per dwelling approval, Templestowe Lower shows characteristics of a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Templestowe Lower is projected to add 902 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes made to its local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 22 such projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable among these are Eastern Freeway Upgrades, Templestowe Road Duplication and Upgrade, North East Link - Doncaster Interchange Upgrades, and Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan Redevelopment. The following list details those projects considered most relevant.

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

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Templestowe Lower has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Templestowe Lower has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 4.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2% over the past year (AreaSearch aggregation). As of December 2025, there are 7,243 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, 0.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation in Templestowe Lower is at 62.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 37.7% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Retail trade particularly dominates with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level, while manufacturing is under-represented at 4.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 7.2%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 2.2% and labour force grew by 2.4%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 2.4%, labour force increase by 2.8%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industries. Applying these projections to Templestowe Lower's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Templestowe Lower had a median taxpayer income of $51,199 and an average income of $73,490 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is higher than the national averages of $57,688 for median income and $75,164 for average income. By September 2025, estimates based on an 8.25% increase from the financial year 2023 would be approximately $55,423 (median) and $79,553 (average). In Templestowe Lower, household income ranks at the 60th percentile ($1,920 weekly) and personal income at the 40th percentile according to Census 2021 data. The predominant income cohort is 29.3% of locals (4,408 people), earning between $1,500 and $2,999 per week. After housing expenses, 85.5% of income remains for other expenses. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

The latest Census evaluation of Templestowe Lower's dwelling structure showed 80.8% houses and 19.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Templestowe Lower was at 48.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.4% and rented ones at 18.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, exceeding Melbourne metro's average of $2,000, while the median weekly rent figure was $475, higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Templestowe Lower's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 78.8% of all households, including 39.3% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.2%, with lone person households at 19.4% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Templestowe Lower shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Templestowe Lower's educational attainment exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 40.5% have university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 24.4% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 13.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.4% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 5.4% in tertiary education.

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

Templestowe Lower has 61 operational public transport stops, serving a mix of bus routes. These routes total 20, facilitating 3,030 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents on average 209 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most commuters travel outward; cars remain primary at 88%, buses at 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling, exceeding regional norms. In 2021 Census data (possibly influenced by COVID-19), 37.7% of residents worked from home.

Daily service frequency across all routes averages 432 trips, equating to roughly 49 weekly trips per stop.

Templestowe Lower's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance throughout Templestowe Lower.

AreaSearch's assessment shows mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low, particularly among younger cohorts. Private health cover was found to be high at approximately 56% of the total population (around 8,403 people). The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis and asthma, affecting 7.7 and 6.2% of residents respectively. A total of 71.6% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. As of 2021, 23.7% of residents were aged 65 and over (3,565 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors in Templestowe Lower are above average but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

Templestowe Lower is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Templestowe Lower has a high level of cultural diversity, with 41.0% of its population born overseas and 46.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Templestowe Lower, making up 55.8% of the population. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 0.5% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (17.0%, substantially higher than the regional average of 6.5%), English (15.0%, notably lower than the regional average of 20.1%), and Australian (14.1%). Other notable divergences include Greek (9.5% versus 2.7%), Italian (9.7% versus 5.2%), and Macedonian (1.0% versus 0.7%) populations in Templestowe Lower compared to the regional averages.

Templestowe Lower hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Templestowe Lower is 45 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Templestowe Lower has a higher percentage of residents aged 75-84 (8.7%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.1%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 increased from 10.7% to 13.0%, while the 55-64 age group rose from 11.5% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 75-84 age group decreased from 10.0% to 8.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Templestowe Lower's age structure. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 40%, reaching 1,077 people from 767. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are projected to experience population declines.