Wantirna

Wantirna is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Wantirna is around 14,932. This figure reflects an increase of 695 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,237. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 14,308 in June 2024, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 292 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,823 persons per square kilometer, above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Wantirna's growth rate of 4.9% since the census is within 0.8 percentage points of the SA3 area (5.7%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was primarily responsible for population gains in 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. By 2041, the suburb of Wantirna is anticipated to expand by 588 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a decline of 0.3% in total over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Wantirna among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Wantirna recorded approximately 126 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years ending June 30, totalling an estimated 631 homes. As of July 19, FY-26 has seen 19 approvals. The population decline in recent years has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $568,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $63.5 million in commercial approvals, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Wantirna shows 96.0% higher building activity per person, offering buyers ample choice. New development comprises 18.0% detached dwellings and 82.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from the current 90.0% houses pattern. This trend may be due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Wantirna reflects a low density area with around 64 people per approval. Stable or declining population forecasts suggest less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers in the area.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, Wantirna may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 26 projects that could affect the area. Key projects include Wantirna Health Precinct West, Deakin University Burwood Campus Expansion, Oak Place by Stockland, and Vermont South Shopping Centre Precinct. 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.

Employment performance in Wantirna has been broadly consistent with national averages

Wantirna has a well-educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate was 3.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7%. As of September 2025, there were 7,229 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation was 63.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 31.3% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

Professional & technical services had lower representation at 8.4% versus the regional average of 10.1%. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally, with a count of Census working population vs resident population indicating this. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, while labour force increased by 0.8%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0% and 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 offer insight into potential future demand within Wantirna. These projections suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Wantirna's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

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

The suburb of Wantirna has a median taxpayer income of $50,102 and an average income of $64,185 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Melbourne's median income being $57,688 and average income $75,164. As of September 2025, current estimates project a median income of approximately $54,235 and an average income of $69,480 based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023. Census data indicates Wantirna's household income ranks at the 58th percentile ($1,886 weekly), while personal income is at the 41st percentile. Income analysis shows that the largest segment comprises 33.2% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (4,957 residents), which aligns with broader regional trends of 32.8% in the same category. After housing expenses, 85.0% of income remains for other expenses. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Wantirna's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.2% houses and 9.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wantirna stood at 40.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.0% and rented ones at 20.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, exceeding Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Wantirna was $428, higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Wantirna's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 81.1% of all households, including 41.5% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 18.9%, with lone person households at 17.1% and group households comprising 2.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 35.5% among residents aged 15+, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA3 area rate of 30.7%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 29.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas held by 12.3% and certificates by 17.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.0% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Analysis shows 45 active transport stops in Wantirna, served by 21 bus routes offering 4,564 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good transport access, typically living 253 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward using cars, which remain dominant at 90%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.6 per dwelling, above regional average. In 2021 Census data, 31.3% of residents worked from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 652 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 101 weekly trips per individual stop.

Service frequency averages 652 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 101 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wantirna's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Wantirna. Based on AreaSearch's assessment, mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover was approximately 52% of the total population (~7,798 people), leading that of the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.4% and 7.4% of residents respectively. 70.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes for the under-65 population were better than average. The area had 22.7% of residents aged 65 and over (3,389 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Wantirna has a high level of cultural diversity, with 41.0% of its population born overseas and 40.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wantirna, making up 43.8% of people. However, Buddhism is more prevalent in Wantirna compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 6.3% versus 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (19.3%), Chinese (18.7%), and Australian (17.8%). Notably, Sri Lankan, Hungarian, and Indian ethnicities have higher representations in Wantirna than the regional averages: Sri Lankan at 1.4% versus 0.8%, Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.3%, and Indian at 4.5% versus 4.2%.

Wantirna's median age exceeds the national pattern

Wantirna's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and somewhat older than Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Wantirna has a notably over-represented 65-74 age cohort (11.5%) and an under-represented 25-34 age group (8.8%). Post the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 5.8% to 8.3%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 10.7% to 12.5%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort declined from 10.7% to 8.8%, and the 0-4 group dropped from 5.4% to 4.3%. Demographic modeling indicates Wantirna's age profile will significantly shift by 2041. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 29%, adding 363 residents, reaching a total of 1,603. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 73% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 0-4 age cohorts.