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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of February 2026, the estimated population of Templestowe Lower is around 15,046. This reflects an increase of 948 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,098. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 14,456 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 104 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,563 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Templestowe Lower's growth rate of 6.7% since census positions it within 2.9 percentage points of the SA3 area (9.6%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. 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, 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 released in 2023, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to increase its population by 1,476 persons to reach a total of 16,522 by 2041, reflecting an increase of 5.7% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Templestowe Lower has seen approximately 87 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 439 homes. As of FY26, 30 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.4 new residents arrive per year for each new home built between FY21 and FY25, suggesting supply meets or exceeds demand. The average construction value of new dwellings is $731,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment.

This financial year has seen $35.8 million in commercial approvals, reflecting robust local business investment. Templestowe Lower maintains similar construction rates per person compared to Greater Melbourne, supporting market stability. New building activity comprises 30% standalone homes and 70% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift from the current 81% houses reflects reduced development site availability and changing lifestyle demands. With around 179 people per dwelling approval, Templestowe Lower is classified as a low-density area.

Latest AreaSearch quarterly estimates project an addition of 853 residents by 2041, suggesting new housing supply should comfortably meet demand at current development rates.

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

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Eastern Freeway Upgrades, Templestowe Road Duplication and Upgrade, North East Link - Doncaster Interchange Upgrades, Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan Redevelopment. 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.

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

Templestowe Lower has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 4.4% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.0% over the past year (AreaSearch). The area had 7,228 residents in work at this time, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation was lower, at 61.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. A high proportion of residents worked from home, 37.7%, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered (Census responses). Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Retail trade was particularly strong, with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level, while manufacturing was under-represented at 4.9% compared to Greater Melbourne's 7.2%.

Employment opportunities appeared limited locally, as indicated by the working population vs resident population count (Census). Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 3.0%, labour force grew by 2.6%, and unemployment fell by 0.4 percentage points (AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data). In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 3.0%, labour force grow by 3.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points during the same period. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years (May-25 report). Applying these projections to Templestowe Lower's employment mix suggested 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 average. In Greater Melbourne, the median income was $57,688 with an average income of $75,164 during the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Templestowe Lower would be approximately $55,423 (median) and $79,553 (average) as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 data, household income ranks at the 60th percentile ($1,920 weekly), while personal income sits at the 40th percentile. Income analysis shows that 29.3% of locals (4,408 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, which is consistent with broader trends in the surrounding region showing 32.8% in the same category. 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

In Templestowe Lower, as per the latest Census data, 80.8% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 19.2% being semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This compares to Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Templestowe Lower stood at 48.5%, with mortgaged properties at 33.4% and rented dwellings at 18.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Weekly rent in Templestowe Lower averaged $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.

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 account for 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 is notably higher than national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 40.5% have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent 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% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 5.4% pursuing 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, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 20 different routes that together facilitate 3,030 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 209 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Car remains the primary mode of transport at 88%, while bus usage stands at 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 37.7% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 432 trips per day, equating to approximately 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 shows strong performance throughout Templestowe Lower.

AreaSearch's assessment found mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence to be low, particularly among younger cohorts. Private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~8,403 people). The most common medical conditions were arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.7 and 6.2% of residents respectively. 71.6% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Templestowe Lower has 23.6% of residents aged 65 and over (3,550 people), higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. 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 predominant religion in Templestowe Lower, comprising 55.8% of the population. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.5% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups in Templestowe Lower are Chinese (17.0%), English (15.0%), and Australian (14.1%). Notably, Greek (9.5%) and Italian (9.7%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 2.7% and 5.2%, respectively. Macedonian ethnicity is also slightly overrepresented at 1.0%.

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 median age 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 (9.1%). 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 cohort decreased from 10.0% to 8.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Templestowe Lower's age structure. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 43%, reaching 1,076 people from the current 752. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are projected to experience population declines.