Tootgarook

Population growth drivers in Tootgarook are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, AreaSearch estimates the population of the suburb of Tootgarook to be approximately 3,108. This figure is a decrease from the 2021 Census total of 3,178 people, marking a drop of 70 individuals (2.2%). The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, based on ERP data released by the ABS in June 2025 and validated new addresses since the Census date, is 3,106 people. This results in a population density ratio of around 890 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages observed across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary factor driving population growth in Tootgarook during recent periods.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections adjusted by weighted aggregation method for areas not covered by this data. Applying growth rates by age group from these aggregations across all areas, the suburb is projected to grow by 414 persons to reach an estimated population of approximately 3,522 people by the year 2041. This represents a total increase of 13.3% over the period from May 2026 to 2041.

The level of residential development activity in Tootgarook is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Tootgarook had virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years. Between FY-21 to FY-25, an estimated 4 homes were approved, with 0 so far in FY-26.

The population has declined over recent years, suggesting new supply has kept up with demand, offering good choice to buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,271,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Tootgarook has significantly less development activity, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. However, recent periods have seen some pickup in development activity, though it remains below average nationally. This reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists entirely of detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 2070 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

Tootgarook has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Rye Pier Reconstruction, Corridor Preservation For Melbourne Outer Metropolitan Ring Road/E6, Level Crossing Removal Project, and Additional VLocity Trains, with the following list highlighting those most pertinent.

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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Tootgarook faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Tootgarook has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 5.8% and estimated employment growth of 2.0% in the past year (AreaSearch). As of December 2025, 1,402 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.8%, above Greater Melbourne's 4.8%.

Workforce participation is lower at 56.4% compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 21.2% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors are construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction employs 1.8 times the regional average but professional & technical jobs are lower at 5.5%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparison of working population vs resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 2.0% while labour force grew by 1.1%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 2.4%, labour force grow by 2.8%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tootgarook's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.6% in five years and 13.4% in ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest data for financial year 2023 shows that in Tootgarook, median income is $39,932 and average income is $68,719. In Greater Melbourne, median income is $57,688 and average income is $75,164. By March 2026, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $43,773 and average income $75,330, based on a 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census indicates that incomes in Tootgarook fall between the 19th and 20th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 31.2% of locals (969 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, similar to metropolitan regions where 32.8% occupy this range. Housing affordability is severe in Tootgarook, with only 81.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 17th percentile nationally.

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

In Tootgarook, as per the latest Census evaluation, 97.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 3.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Melbourne metro's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tootgarook stood at 37.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.3% and rented ones at 29.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,788, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Tootgarook was $360, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Tootgarook's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Tootgarook features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 66.9% of all households, including 23.4% that are couples with children, 29.1% that are couples without children, and 13.0% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.1%, with lone person households at 30.7% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in Tootgarook fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.1%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15+, with 43.7% holding such qualifications; advanced diplomas account for 12.3% and certificates for 31.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Tootgarook has 28 operational public transport stops, all providing bus services. These stops are served by two distinct routes, facilitating a total of 306 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents situated an average of 397 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most Tootgarook residents commute outward, with cars being the prevalent mode of transportation at 97%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 21.2% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 43 trips daily, equating to roughly 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Tootgarook's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Tootgarook's health metrics align closely with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen at a standard level across both young and old age cohorts in Tootgarook.

Private health cover is found to be relatively high, with approximately 54% of the total population (~1,678 people) having it, compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (impacting 10.0% of residents) and arthritis (9.5%), while 63.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents show a higher than average prevalence of chronic health conditions. Tootgarook has 26.6% of residents aged 65 and over (826 people), which is higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.

Tootgarook ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tootgarook's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.8% of its population born in Australia, 90.6% being citizens, and 91.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Tootgarook, comprising 41.7% of people. However, Judaism was overrepresented, making up 0.3%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (30.9%), English (29.4%), and Irish (9.4%). Notably, Hungarian (0.4%) and Croatian (1.0%) groups were overrepresented compared to regional averages.

Tootgarook hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Tootgarook is 46 years, which is notably higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and also exceeds the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the cohort aged 75-84 is significantly over-represented in Tootgarook at 10.2%, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 10.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the percentage of the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 7.2% to 10.2%, while the 85+ cohort has increased from 2.5% to 3.6%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 13.8% to 12.8%. Population forecasts for Tootgarook in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow significantly by 183 people, increasing from 317 to 501, which represents a growth of 58%. This aging population trend is evident with those aged 65 and above comprising 84% of the projected growth. Conversely, the cohorts aged 25-34 and 15-24 are expected to experience population declines.