Tootgarook

Population growth drivers in Tootgarook are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the population of the suburb of Tootgarook is estimated at around 3,137 people. This reflects a decrease since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,178 people. The latest estimate of 3,101 residents was inferred from AreaSearch's analysis of ERP data released by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This equates to a density ratio of 898 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Tootgarook has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%, outpacing its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted employing 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, Tootgarook is expected to grow by 343 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 13.7% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Tootgarook according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Tootgarook has had minimal development with just 2 approvals between January 2016 and December 2021. This minimal development indicates a mature area where new housing opportunities are rare. While this can support property values through limited supply, it also suggests a stable, settled market with less turnover relative to Greater Melbourne.

Recent construction activity has intensified in the area, though it remains under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations.

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 undertakings, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are 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 outlining those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Tootgarook has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Tootgarook has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is particularly prominent, with an unemployment rate of 5.6% and estimated employment growth of 3.2% over the past year (AreaSearch). As of September 2025, there are 1,459 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 5.7%, which is 1.0% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation in Tootgarook lags at 56.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 21.2% of residents work from home. Key industries include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction employment levels are notably high, at 1.8 times the regional average, while professional & technical services are under-represented at 5.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 3.2% and labour force by 3.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points (AreaSearch). In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0%, labour force growth of 3.3%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tootgarook's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.4% over 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 postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Tootgarook's median income among taxpayers is $39,932 and the average is $68,719. These figures are slightly above national averages. In Greater Melbourne, the median income is $57,688 with an average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $43,226 (median) and $74,388 (average). According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Tootgarook fall between the 19th and 20th percentiles nationally. The data shows that 31.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually, consistent with broader trends across the region at 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures are 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

Tootgarook's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.0% houses and 3.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 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 $2,000. 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 are 66.9% of all households, including 23.4% couples with children, 29.1% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute 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%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.3%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high, with 27.5% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.0% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 3.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably 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 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two routes that together facilitate 306 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 397 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Tootgarook being primarily residential. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation, used by 97% of residents. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 21.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 43 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 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 present at a standard level across both young and old age cohorts in the area.

Private health cover is relatively high, with approximately 54% of the total population (~1693 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 10.0% and 9.5% of residents respectively. About 63.3% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.8% (966 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than 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 exhibited lower cultural diversity, with 84.8% born in Australia, 90.6% being citizens, and 91.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 41.7%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

In ancestry, Australian (30.9%), English (29.4%), and Irish (9.4%) were the top groups, all exceeding regional averages. Hungarian (0.4% vs 0.3%), Croatian (1.0% vs 0.7%), and Italian (5.9% vs 5.2%) were notably overrepresented.

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

Tootgarook's median age is 47 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group comprises 12.3% of Tootgarook's population, compared to Greater Melbourne's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 9.8%. This 75-84 concentration is above the national average of 6.1%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 7.2% to 12.3%, and the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 13.7% to 14.9%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.9% to 10.6%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.8% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Tootgarook's age profile. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 50%, adding 192 residents to reach 578. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 84% of population growth, indicating demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 cohorts.