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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Templestowe Lower is around 14,508. This reflects an increase of 410 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,098. The change is inferred from the resident population of 14,412 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025, and an additional 135 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,471 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as 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. Moving forward, demographic trends suggest that the suburb is expected to experience a population increase just below the median of Australian statistical areas by 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the area is expected to increase by 1,316 persons by 2041, reflecting an increase of 8.4% in total over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Templestowe Lower had approximately 87 new homes approved each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 439 homes. As of FY-26, 39 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.5 new residents arrived per new home annually between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that supply met or exceeded demand. The average construction value of new dwellings was $731,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment.

This financial year saw $35.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Templestowe Lower maintained similar construction rates per person, supporting market stability. New building activity comprised 30.0% standalone homes and 70.0% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift from the current 81.0% houses reflects reduced development sites and changing lifestyle demands. With around 180 people per dwelling approval, Templestowe Lower exhibits low density characteristics.

AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects an addition of 1,220 residents by 2041, suggesting that current development rates should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable 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 10% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 22 infrastructure projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Eastern Freeway Upgrades, Templestowe Road Duplication and Upgrade, North East Link - Doncaster Interchange Upgrades, and Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan Redevelopment. The following list details those likely to be 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.

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

Templestowe Lower has a highly educated workforce. Professional services are strongly represented. The unemployment rate was 4.6% as of the past year.

Employment grew by an estimated 2.1%. As of December 2025, 7,175 residents were in work with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, 0.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation was 61.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A high 37.7% of residents worked from home as per Census responses, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts.

Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Retail trade had an employment share 1.2 times the regional level. Manufacturing was under-represented with 4.9% compared to Greater Melbourne's 7.2%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population count. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 2.1%, labour force by 2.3%, resulting in unemployment rise of 0.2 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment rose by 2.4%, 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 that Templestowe Lower's employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The median taxpayer income in Templestowe Lower is $51,199, with an average of $73,490, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher than national averages, which stand at a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 in Greater Melbourne. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $56,124 (median) and $80,560 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census 2021 income data, household income ranks at the 60th percentile ($1,920 weekly), while personal income sits at the 40th percentile. Income analysis reveals that 29.3% of locals (4,250 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region showing 32.8% in the same category. After housing costs, 85.5% of income remains for other expenses. The area'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

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

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

Family households account for 78.8% of all households, including 39.3% that are couples with children, 27.0% that are couples without children, and 11.4% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.2%, with lone person households at 19.4% and group households comprising 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. 40.5% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 24.4%, 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 active public transport stops, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 20 different routes, offering a total of 3,030 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically residing 209 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most commuters travel outward; cars remain the primary mode at 88%, while buses account for 7%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 37.7% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 432 trips daily, equating to roughly 49 weekly trips per individual 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 low mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, particularly amongst younger cohorts. Approximately 56% (~8,102 people) have private health cover, which is high compared to other areas. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (7.7%) and asthma (6.2%). A total of 71.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, slightly lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 72.6%. Templestowe Lower has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 23.3% (3,380 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average but rank lower nationally than 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 dominant religion in Templestowe Lower, making up 55.8% of people. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 0.5% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (17.0%), English (15.0%), and Australian (14.1%). Notably, Greek (9.5%) and Italian (9.7%) are also overrepresented in Templestowe Lower compared to regional averages of 2.7% and 5.2%, respectively.

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 proportion of residents aged 75-84 (8.7%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.4%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 increased from 10.7% to 12.9%, while the proportion of those aged 75-84 decreased from 10.0% to 8.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Templestowe Lower's age structure. Notably, the population aged 45-54 is expected to grow by 16%, reaching 2,360 people from 2,031. Conversely, the populations aged 0-4 and 35-44 are projected to decline.