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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Watsonia North has an estimated 3,785 residents. The population has thinned by an average 0.7% a year over five years, slower than 93% of areas nationally. That puts 2,610 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of wider ABS updates alongside address validation conducted since the Census, the suburb of Watsonia North is estimated to have a population of approximately 3,785 as of Aug 2026. This represents a contraction of 14 people (0.4%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 3,799 people. That adjustment stems from an Estimated Resident Population (ERP) figure of 3,784 derived by AreaSearch following the ABS June 2025 data release and post-Census address verification. With a population density of 2,610 persons per square kilometer, the locality sits in the upper quartile across Australia.
Net overseas migration served as the primary demographic driver, generating approximately 51.0% of recent population gains. Demographic projections for the suburb of Watsonia North draw on the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset based on 2022 figures, supplemented where necessary by 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections converted from LGA to SA2 level via weighted aggregation. Age-specific rates from these aggregations are applied across all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the suburb is slated for strong growth in the top quartile nationally, with aggregated SA2 modeling indicating an expansion of 1,206 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative increase of 31.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
In terms of residential planning and urban development, Watsonia North has recorded no residential building approvals across the preceding five years. This absence of new residential development indicates an established, built-out market with minimal scope for greenfield or infill additions, a dynamic that generally reinforces buyer demand and underpins pricing resilience across existing stock. Compared with Greater Melbourne, construction activity in Watsonia North remains substantially subdued. Limited additions to local dwelling supply help sustain pricing and demand for established residential assets. This volume is similarly lower than national benchmarks, underscoring the maturity of the local property market and the presence of urban development constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Watsonia North
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 58 current infrastructure and development projects close to Watsonia North, worth an estimated $14.5 billion. 11 are already under construction and 18 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional performance and property dynamics are substantially shaped by capital infrastructure works and public planning projects. AreaSearch has identified 3 major projects positioned to influence the locality, led by the Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Master Plan, Diamond Creek Township Streetscape Improvements, M80 Ring Road Completion, and Hurstbridge Rail Line Upgrades (Watsonia-Eltham).
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
106-126 Main Street Greensborough Affordable Housing
A 17-storey mixed-use development fast-tracked under the Victorian Government Development Facilitation Program. The project delivers 211 affordable dwellings, ground-level retail, and commercial spaces. Managed by HousingFirst, it features communal areas and improved pedestrian links near the Greensborough train station. While a planning permit (PA2503550) was issued by the Department of Transport and Planning, construction start dates are yet to be confirmed as of May 2026.
Diamond Creek Township Streetscape Improvements
Streetscape improvements throughout Diamond Creek township including tree planting, improved lighting, pedestrian infrastructure, and public realm enhancements to support local business and community amenity. Part of the Diamond Creek Major Activity Centre Structure Plan.
M80 Ring Road Completion
Final stage of the M80 Ring Road upgrade, completing the link between Plenty Road, Greensborough and the North East Link tunnels in Watsonia. The project delivers 14 km of new lanes, express lanes connecting to the North East Link, and major new interchanges at Plenty Road and Grimshaw Street. Key features include two landscaped bridges at Elder Street and Watsonia Road, a new accessible overpass at Macorna Street, and over 10 km of walking and cycling paths.It utilizes smart freeway technology and is designed to remove approximately 19,000 vehicles per day from local roads.
Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Master Plan
Master plan project providing long-term direction for community infrastructure delivery in Diamond Creek. Includes a Community Hub with a library, creative spaces, and a Neighbourhood House, plus an Aquatic, Health and Fitness Centre. Currently in Phase B.2b, targeting exhibition of the final Draft Master Plan between September 2025 and June 2026.
Hurstbridge Rail Line Upgrades (Watsonia-Eltham)
A major upgrade of the Hurstbridge line integrated with the North East Link project. Key milestones include the completion of Melbourne's third longest rail tunnel at Watsonia (500 metres) in late 2025 and the rebuilding of the Grimshaw Street Bridge. The project encompasses track duplication, new stations at Greensborough and Montmorency, and extensive signalling and power upgrades. Final finishing works and rail corridor improvements are continuing into mid-2026 to enhance service frequency and reliability for Melbourne's northeast.
St Helena Place
A master-planned residential community featuring approximately 240 homes in St Helena, combining quiet family living with connectivity to urban amenities, including quality schools, shopping centres, wildlife reserves, and parklands.
St Helena Place
Master planned community in Melbourne's north east delivering around 240 new homes with parks, wetlands and open space. First residents have moved in and sales are ongoing, with a site sales office operating at the address and staged construction continuing.
Mill Park Place Framework
The Mill Park Place Framework outlines a shared vision for the future development of Mill Park, guiding stakeholders including government bodies, developers, community groups, and residents. It focuses on key opportunities identified by the community to shape and improve local spaces, such as streets, public spaces, parks, community precincts, infrastructure, and built form, with changes introduced gradually over time. The framework aligns with Victorian State Government and City of Whittlesea policies, including the Plan for Victoria, Whittlesea 2040: A Place for All, and the Plenty Valley Structure Plan.It addresses opportunities and challenges under four themes: greener spaces, connected places, thriving community and culture, and land use and built form, with key directions and initiatives for implementation.
2,093 residents of Watsonia North are employed, from a labour force of 2,161. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, with participation at 68.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,888, about 76% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour force in Watsonia North is highly skilled, featuring strong participation in essential services, a jobless rate of just 3.1%, and an estimated annual employment rise of 1.4% according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. Across the suburb, 2,093 residents are employed as of March 2026, with unemployment sitting 1.6% below the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 4.8% and participation aligning closely with the metropolitan rate of 70.1%. At the Census, 33.9% of workers operated from home, though this figure reflects Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time. Resident employment centers predominantly on health care & social assistance, construction, alongside education & training.
Construction demonstrates a notable local concentration, employing residents at 1.3 times the regional average rate. Conversely, accommodation & food is comparatively under-represented at 4.0% of local workers relative to 6.4% across Greater Melbourne. Given the residential orientation of the suburb, local job opportunities within its borders appear limited when comparing Census workplace counts against resident numbers. Analysis of SALM and ABS figures aggregated by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12 months to March 2026, local employment grew by 1.4% against a labour force expansion of 2.4%, pushing unemployment up by 0.9 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.1% and workforce growth of 2.3%, yielding a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 project overall Australian employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Weighting these industry projections against Watsonia North's sectoral profile suggests local employment could increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this simple extrapolation does not incorporate localized population adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Watsonia North is $2,069 a week (about $108,000 a year), with median personal income at $830 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $55,975 a year against an average of $66,796. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode-level ATO tax statistics aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show Watsonia North taxpayers recorded a median income of $55,975 and an average income of $66,796, sitting slightly below national figures and comparing to $57,688 and $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated March 2026 figures stand at roughly $61,360 for median income and $73,222 for average income. In the 2021 Census, local personal, family, and household earnings placed near the 62nd percentile nationally. The predominant cohort earned between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, representing 32.1% of residents (1,214 residents), closely tracking the 32.8% regional proportion.
Top-tier earners making above $3,000 weekly accounted for 31.4%, highlighting solid household spending power. Residents retain 88.2% of their income after meeting housing payments, and the community ranks in the 7th decile on the SEIFA income scale.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Watsonia North had 1,368 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 12% rented and 46% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $401 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,050 a month. Rent absorbs 19.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the latest Census, the residential landscape of Watsonia North was comprised of 98.3% separate houses and 1.7% other dwellings including semi-detached dwellings and apartments, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across Melbourne metro. Outright home ownership stood well above metropolitan levels at 46.4%, while 41.2% of homes were mortgaged and 12.4% were tenanted. The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,050 compared to the Melbourne metro level of $2,000, and median weekly rent was $401 against $390 regionally. Both metrics exceed broader Australian figures, where the median mortgage sits at $1,863 and weekly rent stands at $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Watsonia North counted 1,368 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 76% of areas nationally, against 30% couples without children. 18% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households constitute 80.8% of local living arrangements, made up of couples with children (38.7%), couples without children (29.6%), and single parent families (10.9%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 19.2%, comprising single-person households at 17.6% and group households at 2.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, slightly above the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
32.1% of adults in Watsonia North hold a university qualification, including 20.7% with a bachelor degree and 7.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 76% of areas nationally. A further 20.0% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 563 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,078 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment among Watsonia North residents aged 15+ includes 32.1% holding tertiary degrees, trailing the SA3 area benchmark of 41.2%. Within this group, Bachelor degrees account for 20.7%, postgraduate qualifications comprise 7.6%, and graduate diplomas represent 3.8%. Technical and trade credentials are also widely held, with 31.3% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of 11.3% with advanced diplomas and 20.0% holding certificates. Formal study engagement is substantial across the suburb, with 25.7% of residents currently attending educational institutions. This encompasses 9.1% in primary school, 6.6% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Watsonia North reaches 22 stops on 3 routes, timetabled for about 1,700 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Watsonia North's public transit network features 22 active transit stops providing bus connections across 3 distinct routes, generating 1,705 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is rated as excellent, with typical resident walking distances to the closest stop averaging 199 meters. Private vehicles dominate outward commuting patterns, accounting for 88% of journeys compared to 6% by train. Household motor vehicle ownership stands at 1.6 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average, while 33.9% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, subject to COVID-19 lockdown circumstances. Transit services maintain an average frequency of 243 daily trips across the local network, providing approximately 77 weekly trips per transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.5% of residents in Watsonia North report no long-term health condition. 6.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Watsonia North exhibits favorable health outcomes across both younger and older cohorts based on AreaSearch metrics covering mortality and chronic illness prevalence. Membership in private health insurance covers approximately 53% of the resident base (~2,015 people), marginally leading the typical SA2 area while trailing Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most frequently reported chronic ailments locally, affecting 8.5% and 7.7% of the community respectively, while 68.5% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 72.6% regionally. The under-65 cohort demonstrates favorable health indicators. Residents aged 65 and over total 859 people or 22.7% of the local population, exceeding the 15.1% share recorded across Greater Melbourne, with senior health indicators remaining above average and tracking national trends for the general populace.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Watsonia North is largely Australian-born, at 77.3% of residents, with 20.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (22.6%) and English (20.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is pronounced in Watsonia North relative to many local markets, with 22.7% of residents born overseas and 20.8% speaking a language other than English in the home. Christianity represents the predominant religious affiliation, encompassing 56.0% of the local community compared with 43.0% throughout Greater Melbourne. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the leading ancestries reported in Watsonia North are Australian at 22.6%, English at 20.8%, and Italian at 10.5%, which is notably higher than the regional level of 5.2%. Other distinct community representations include Macedonian ancestry at 1.7% (compared to 0.7% regionally), Greek ancestry at 4.6% (against 2.7%), and Croatian ancestry at 1.1% (versus 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Watsonia North is 41. 21.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Watsonia North exhibits a more mature demographic structure than Greater Melbourne. As of August 2026, AreaSearch estimates that 22.7% of residents belong to the 65+ retiree and elderly cohort versus 15.1% across Greater Melbourne, whereas adults aged 25 - 44 account for 25.7% locally compared to 32.1% regionally. The estimated median age remains at 41, unchanged from the 2021 Census and 4 years above the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 37 recorded in that Census. The retiree and elderly segment has expanded from 20.7% at the Census to an estimated 22.7%, and is projected to deliver the largest demographic addition by 2041, increasing by 468 residents (54%) to reach 1,327.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Watsonia North
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,799 at the 2021 Census → 3,785 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL22722). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.