Yarraville

Population growth drivers in Yarraville are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Yarraville's population is estimated at around 16,502 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 866 people (5.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,636 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 16,437 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 249 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,915 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 65.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the 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 from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, an above median population growth is projected for the Yarraville statistical area (Lv2), with the area expected to expand by 2,572 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 15.2% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Yarraville when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Yarraville has seen around 96 new homes approved each year. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY21 and FY25, approximately 483 homes were approved, with an additional 72 approved so far in FY26. On average, 0.3 new residents per year arrive for every new home built over these years, indicating that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $607,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This financial year has seen $13.8 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development compared to Greater Melbourne. Yarraville shows approximately half the construction activity per person and ranks among the 68th percentile nationally when assessed areas are considered. Recent construction comprises 38% detached houses and 62% medium and high-density housing, reflecting a shift from the current housing mix (currently 72% houses). With around 199 people per dwelling approval, Yarraville is characterized as a low density area.

Future projections estimate Yarraville will add 2509 residents by 2041 based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Yarraville has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Bradmill Yarraville, Yarraville Green, 295 Whitehall Street Heritage Redevelopment, and Stockland Haven. 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.

The labour market strength in Yarraville positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Yarraville has a highly educated workforce. The technology sector is notably represented.

As of September 2025, the unemployment rate was 2.5%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.4%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. In September 2025, 11,103 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Yarraville was 74.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%.

Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. Professional & technical employment has a share 1.3 times the regional level. However, construction shows lower representation at 7.1% versus the regional average of 9.7%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 5.4%, while labour force increased by 5.7%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 3.0% and a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years in Yarraville, based on industry-specific projections applied to its employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The suburb of Yarraville has one of the highest income levels in Australia, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for the financial year ending 30 June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Yarraville is $74,130, with an average income of $93,294. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's median and average incomes of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on the Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.25% from financial year 2023 to September 2025, estimated current incomes would be approximately $80,246 (median) and $100,991 (average). The 2021 Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Yarraville rank highly nationally, between the 90th and 93rd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 29.1% of residents earning between $1,500 to $2,999 weekly (4,802 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 32.8% in the same category. Notably, 42.3% earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating prosperity that contributes to local economic activity. In Yarraville, high housing costs consume 15.4% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 89th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Yarraville, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.7% houses and 28.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 49.7% houses and 50.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yarraville was at 27.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.1% and rented ones at 33.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,100. The median weekly rent in Yarraville was recorded as $462, compared to Melbourne metro's $376. Nationally, Yarraville's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Yarraville features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 69.3% of all households, including 33.2% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 30.7%, with lone person households at 25.5% and group households comprising 5.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.4.

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

Yarraville's residents aged 15+ have a higher university qualification rate at 48.6%, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 32.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 31.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.4%) and graduate diplomas (5.0%). Vocational pathways account for 22.8%, with advanced diplomas at 9.7% and certificates at 13.1%. Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.6% in primary, 6.5% in secondary, and 6.5% in tertiary education.

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

Yarraville has 89 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 11 different routes, together facilitating 5,868 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically residing 139 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 838 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 65 weekly trips per individual stop.

Yarraville's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Yarraville demonstrates strong health metrics with a low prevalence of common conditions among its general population, nearing national averages for older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 64% (10,490 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 57.3% and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 9.6 and 8.7% respectively.

71.4% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.7% in Greater Melbourne. The area has 11.1% residents aged 65 and over (1,831 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Yarraville was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Yarraville's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 25.5% born overseas and 20.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Yarraville, accounting for 36.8%. However, Judaism had an overrepresentation of 0.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 0.2%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (23.5%), Australian (20.6%), and Irish (10.1%). Notably, Polish was overrepresented at 1.2% (vs regional 0.9%), Macedonian at 1.5% (vs 1.0%), and Greek at 4.1% (vs 2.4%).

Yarraville's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Yarraville's median age is 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and remaining comparable to Australia's 38 years. The 35-44 age group constitutes 19.0%, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage. The 15-24 cohort stands at 10.3%, lower than the Greater Melbourne figure. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.0% to 10.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 12.4% to 11.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Yarraville's age structure. The 55-64 group is projected to grow by 43%, reaching 2,554 people from the current 1,782. Meanwhile, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.