Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As per ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Yarra Glen's estimated population is around 3094 as of Feb 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 82 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3012. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3068, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 14 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 87 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Yarra Glen has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made 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. Future population trends anticipate lower quartile growth, with the area expected to increase by 84 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.9% in total over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Yarra Glen has experienced around 7 dwellings receiving development approval per year over the past 5 financial years ending June 2021. This totals an estimated 39 homes. So far in the financial year starting July 2021 (FY-26), 6 approvals have been recorded. The population has declined over recent years, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, creating a well-balanced market with good buyer choice.

New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $634,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. There have also been $2.8 million in commercial approvals this financial year, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Yarra Glen shows approximately 65% of the construction activity per person and places among the 28th percentile of areas assessed nationally, indicating more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. This level is similarly under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations.

Recent construction comprises 83.0% standalone homes and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 605 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Yarra Glen will gain 58 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Yarra Glen has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

No changes can significantly influence a region's performance like modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, or planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Yarra Valley Railway Heritage Line Restoration, North East Link - Connections, North East Link - Tolling Services Package, and North East Link - Early Works. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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The employment environment in Yarra Glen shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Yarra Glen has a skilled workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. The unemployment rate was 3.3% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.9%.

As of that date, 1,636 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.5% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation in Yarra Glen was 67.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. A moderate 23.4% of residents worked from home according to Census responses. Employment is concentrated in construction, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.

Construction employment levels are particularly high at 1.9 times the regional average. Professional & technical employment is limited at 5.3%, compared to the regional average of 10.1%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparing working population with resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in December 2025, employment increased by 1.9% alongside labour force increasing by 1.9%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, and an increase in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yarra Glen's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.3% over ten years.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Yarra Glen had median income among taxpayers of $55,211 and average income of $70,368. This is higher than national averages of $54,936 and $73,874 respectively. In Greater Melbourne, the figures stood at $57,688 and $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year ended June 2023, estimated median income for Yarra Glen as of September 2025 would be approximately $59,766, with average income around $76,173. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Yarra Glen are at the 55th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 35.6% of residents earn between $1,500 to $2,999 weekly (1,101 residents), similar to metropolitan region where this cohort represents 32.8%. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains for other expenses. Yarra Glen's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Yarra Glen's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.5% houses and 7.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yarra Glen stood at 39.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.4% and rented ones at 12.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $380 compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Yarra Glen's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 79.5% of all households, including 37.7% couples with children, 31.4% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 20.5%, with lone person households at 18.9% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Yarra Glen aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 19.6%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 42.5% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.8% and certificates at 29.7%. Educational participation is high, with 27.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.0% in primary, 7.5% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Yarra Glen has four active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by two different routes that together offer 174 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as moderate, with residents living an average of 446 meters away from the nearest stop. Most residents in this primarily residential area commute outwards, with cars being the dominant mode of transport at 96%. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 23.4% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 24 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 43 weekly trips per individual stop.

Yarra Glen'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 Yarra Glen. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be high at approximately 55% of the total population (~1,690 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. The most common medical conditions were arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.8 and 8.5% of residents respectively. 67.3% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 24.4% of residents aged 65 and over (754 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Yarra Glen is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Yarra Glen, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census in 2016, showed low cultural diversity with 87.3% of its population born in Australia and 92.6% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 97.8%. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 41.0% of residents.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 0.2% versus 1.0%. The top three ancestry groups were English (35.0%), Australian (29.7%), and Irish (9.0%), each substantially higher than regional averages. Notably, Dutch (2.9%) and Scottish (8.9%) ethnicities were overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.2% and 5.6%, respectively, while Italian ethnicity was slightly underrepresented at 3.0% versus the region's 5.2%.

Yarra Glen's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Yarra Glen is 42 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group constitutes 13.9% of the population in Yarra Glen, compared to a lower percentage in Greater Melbourne. Conversely, the 25-34 age group makes up 9.3% of the population in Yarra Glen, which is less than the percentage in Greater Melbourne. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has increased from 6.1% to 8.4%, and the 35-44 age group has risen from 11.4% to 13.0%. However, the 25-34 age group has decreased from 11.6% to 9.3%, and the 55-64 age group has fallen from 12.7% to 11.3%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Yarra Glen. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 33%, reaching a population of 346 from 259. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 80% of the total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 25-34 and 55-64 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.