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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Airport West has an estimated 8,803 residents, up from 8,173 at the 2021 Census — a change of 630 people, or 7.7%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years. 172 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 53.9% of that increase. That puts 2,366 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 investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Airport West stands at approximately 8,803 in May 2026. This represents a gain of 630 individuals (7.7%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 8,173 residents. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 8,783 alongside 172 validated new addresses identified after the Census. Consequently, the local density is 2,366 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the top fourth of all areas evaluated nationwide by AreaSearch. The local growth rate of 7.7% since the 2021 census outpaced the wider SA3 region (4.9%), indicating strong relative local expansion.
The primary catalyst for this growth was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 53.9% of the overall population rise during recent timeframes, though natural increase and interstate migration also made positive contributions. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are applied by AreaSearch to each SA2 region. For locations lacking this coverage, projections are derived from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA releases, scaled using weighted combinations of growth from LGA down to SA2 dimensions. The resulting age-specific growth trajectories are extended to cover the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic forecasts point to an expansion rate slightly below the national median, with the local population projected to increase by 860 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, translating to a 9.5% cumulative rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
376 new dwellings have been approved in Airport West over the past five years, an average of 75 a year. That places the area in the 69th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 9 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 63 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 33% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 123, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approximately 75 residential building approvals are granted in Airport West annually, with 376 dwellings approved during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 113 recorded in FY-26 so far. With an average influx of 1.1 new residents per approved dwelling annually over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, the local market indicates a healthy equilibrium between supply and demand, fostering stable dynamics, with newly approved homes carrying an average construction value of $357,000. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $10.6 million during the current financial year, pointing to steady development in the business sector.
Construction activity in Airport West runs somewhat high compared to Greater Melbourne, exceeding the regional average per capita by 31.0% over the 5 year period, which maintains options for buyers while reinforcing existing asset values. Residential approvals consist of 33.0% detached houses and 67.0% medium-to-high density formats like townhouses and apartments. This concentration of higher-density options delivers more accessible price points for buyers and draws interest from downsizers, property investors, and first-time buyers. This represents a marked departure from the historical housing stock, which currently stands at 63.0% houses, reflecting a scarcity of development sites and answering changing lifestyle preferences and budget constraints. The suburb currently records about 135 people per residential approval, indicating a growing market footprint. Demographic projections indicate that Airport West will add 840 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. At the current pace of construction, new housing additions should easily accommodate this growth, ensuring favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially underpinning expansion that outstrips current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Airport West
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 12 current infrastructure and development projects inside Airport West, worth an estimated $700 million. A further 53 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $30.9 billion. 14 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning decisions represent some of the most influential factors on local performance. In total, AreaSearch has tracked 12 projects that are expected to influence this suburb. Key developments include the Hart Precinct, Textron Aviation Hangar 83, Essendon Fields, and the Airport Toyota Expansion, with details provided below for the most significant projects.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Hart Industrial Precinct
A 30 hectare aviation, commercial and light industrial precinct in the north-east section of Essendon Fields. Stage 1 is over 60 percent complete, with more than 100000 square metres of total site area delivered and about 64000 square metres of development-ready land remaining. Operational facilities include Autex Acoustics at 121-131 Global Avenue, Modscape at 112-120 Global Avenue, Dutton Wholesale at 1 Challenger Court and temporary Modscape module storage at 117 Global Avenue. Civil infrastructure including the Global Avenue extension, services and stage 1 retarding basin is complete, while landscaping, boundary interface works and stage 2 retarding basin works are ongoing.Further warehouses and a cafe are planned subject to market demand.
17-25 Earl Street Airport West Development
Residential development project in Airport West on Earl Street. Part of ongoing residential densification in the Airport West area near transport links and Westfield shopping centre.
18-22 Howes Street Apartments by Artisan Architects
84-unit residential development featuring 1 and 2 bedroom apartments across two buildings of 5 and 6 storeys on a 1400sqm site. Designed by Artisan Architects with landscape design by Human Habitats. Includes 91 car parking spaces and mixed use office space. Development application has been granted, with completion estimated for early 2027.
12 Howes Street Airport West Apartments
30-unit residential apartment project at 12 Howes Street, Airport West. Proposal indicates a 4-storey, ~17 m building with rooftop terrace, approx. 30 car spaces and 5 bicycle spaces. Local government is Moonee Valley City Council.
19-21 Louis Street Airport West
Small-scale residential development in Airport West providing additional housing stock in established suburban area. Part of local planning to increase housing density near transport corridors.
Westfield Airport West Redevelopment & Upgrades
Completed redevelopment and upgrade works at Westfield Airport West, featuring a major new fresh food precinct (opened mid-2022) with expanded dining options and entry upgrades. The centre is anchored by Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Kmart, Target, and a Village Cinemas complex. Recent works focused on modernizing the retail mix and improving amenity.
Essendon Fields
A $500-million 20-year masterplan is underway to develop greenfield areas near Melbourne's CBD and Tullamarine airport. This plan includes road extensions, warehouses, amenities, and public spaces for the workforce.
11 Ian Crescent Townhouses by DKO Architecture
Boutique development of 10 architecturally designed townhouses by DKO Architecture on 2,559 sqm site. 3-bedroom residences with direct access to AJ Davis Reserve and parkland. Prices ranging from $990,000 to $1,030,000.
4,923 residents of Airport West are employed, from a labour force of 5,052. Unemployment sits at 2.6%, with participation at 69.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Airport West features a highly qualified labor force across various sectors, coupled with an unemployment rate of only 2.6% and consistent employment levels over the prior year. In March 2026, there were 4,923 employed residents, while the local unemployment rate was 2.2% lower than the 4.8% recorded across Greater Melbourne, with participation rates matching the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 70.2%. Census returns show that a substantial 30.9% of workers operated from home, though this figure should be viewed in light of Covid-19 restrictions. The dominant employment sectors for local residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The suburb exhibits a clear specialization in construction, where its share of employment is 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 6.8% of the workforce, below the Greater Melbourne figure of 10.1%. A ratio of 0.6 local jobs per resident at the time of the Census indicates a higher-than-average availability of local work opportunities. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS figures indicates that during the 12 months ending March 2026, employment grew by 0.1% while the overall labor force shrank by 0.6%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point decrease in the unemployment rate. This trend diverged from Greater Melbourne, which experienced a 2.1% rise in employment, a 2.3% increase in the labor force, and a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future demand trends in Airport West. These five and ten-year national growth forecasts have been applied to the local industry mix to model prospective trends. While overall national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these national industry rates to the local workforce composition suggests employment in Airport West could grow by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes that excludes local population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Airport West is $1,761 a week (about $92,000 a year), with median personal income at $883 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $64,747 a year against an average of $77,391. 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
Aggregated ATO data at the postcode level for the 2023 financial year indicates that the median taxpayer income in the Airport West SA2 was $64,747, with the average income recorded at $77,391. These figures are high on a national scale and compare to Greater Melbourne averages of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Adjusting for a 9.62% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $70,976 for the median and $84,836 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and individual incomes in Airport West sit around the 57th percentile nationally.
Income distribution figures show the largest single bracket contains 31.4% of residents (2,764 people) who earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider metro pattern where this group comprises 32.8% of taxpayers. Residential costs account for 15.4% of income, though solid earnings levels keep disposable incomes at the 52nd percentile, and the local SEIFA index places the area in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Airport West had 3,438 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 63% detached houses and 2% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $401 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,085 a month. Rent absorbs 22.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing profile at the latest Census consisted of 62.6% detached houses and 37.4% alternative dwellings, such as semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to the Melbourne metro distribution of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other options. Home ownership rates in Airport West were notably higher than the metro average at 39.0%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (32.4%) or occupied by tenants (28.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the Melbourne metro average at $2,085, and the median weekly rent stood at $401, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $2,000 and $390 respectively.
Nationally, mortgage costs in Airport West are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rent costs also exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Airport West counted 3,438 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,703 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 29% are couples with children, against 24% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 65.7%, which includes couples with children at 28.7%, couples without children at 23.7%, and single parent households at 11.9%. Non-family households account for the remaining 34.3%, with single person dwellings making up 31.4% and group living situations representing 2.8%. The average household size in the area is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
28.3% of adults in Airport West hold a university qualification, including 19.7% with a bachelor degree and 5.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 20.8% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,025 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,067 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 levels in Airport West sit below metropolitan averages, with 28.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne. This disparity suggests opportunities for further skills training and academic development. Among degree holders, Bachelor level qualifications are most common at 19.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.6% and graduate diplomas at 3.0%. Practical and vocational skills are well represented, with 31.8% of the population aged 15+ holding qualifications in these fields, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 20.8%. A significant 24.0% portion of the population is enrolled in formal education.
This group includes 7.9% attending primary schools, 5.7% in secondary schools, and 4.4% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Airport West reaches 57 stops on 13 routes, timetabled for about 8,200 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 1.2 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
An analysis of public transport options shows 57 active stops inside Airport West, including bus and lightrail options. These stops are served by 13 distinct routes that support a combined total of 8,212 passenger trips weekly. Transport access is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 201 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb, the majority of workers travel outside the area to work, with private cars remaining the primary choice for 88% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.2 cars per household.
A high proportion of residents (30.9%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic circumstances. Daily services average 1,173 trips across the network, which translates to roughly 144 weekly connections for each individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.5% of residents in Airport West report no long-term health condition. 7.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Airport West displays favorable overall health outcomes based on AreaSearch metrics covering mortality and chronic illness. The occurrence of major health issues is low across the general public, though it rises above national baselines when looking specifically at older, higher-risk groups, and the proportion of residents with private health insurance is high, representing about 58% of the local population (~5,105 people). The most prevalent health issues reported locally are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.0 and 7.5% of the population respectively, while 69.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne.
Residents under the age of 65 enjoy better health outcomes than average. The suburb has 19.0% of its population aged 65 and over (1,674 people), which exceeds the Greater Melbourne average of 15.0%. Health trends among seniors present some difficulties, ranking lower nationally than the younger demographics in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
25.9% of Airport West residents were born overseas and 26.9% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (18.6%) and English (17.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Airport West displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most Australian suburbs, with 25.9% of the population born outside Australia and 26.9% using a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 64.8% of local residents, compared to 43.0% recorded across Greater Melbourne. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest cohorts in Airport West are Australian at 18.6% of the population, English at 17.8%, and Italian at 17.8%, with the Italian representation being much higher than the metropolitan average of 5.2%. Other ethnic groups also show high concentrations: Maltese residents account for 3.0% of the local population (vs 1.1% across the region), Croatian residents represent 1.4% (vs 0.7%), and Greek residents make up 4.3% (vs 2.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Airport West is 39. 25.3% 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
The median age of 39 years in Airport West is slightly higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and close to the national median of 38. Compared to the Melbourne metropolitan area, the 75 - 84 age group is highly represented at 7.0% of the local population, while the 15 - 24 cohort is smaller at 9.4%. Post-2021 Census updates indicate that the 5 to 14 age bracket has increased from 10.0% to 11.2% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.6% to 11.2%. Projections for the year 2041 point to significant changes in the local age profile, led by a 20% expansion in the 55 to 64 group (adding 202 people) to reach 1,205 from 1,002.
Conversely, the cohorts aged 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Airport West
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 12 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 172 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (8,173 at the 2021 Census → 8,803 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 May 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 (210011226). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.