Altona

Population growth drivers in Altona are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Altona's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 14,497. This figure represents an increase of 941 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 13,556. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,428 in June 2025 and an additional 300 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 820 persons per square kilometer, which aligns with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Altona's growth rate of 6.9% since the 2021 census exceeds the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.8%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 74.6% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving the area's population growth.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting them using 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 project an above median growth for the area. Based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, Altona is expected to expand by 2,026 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 13.5% over the 16-year period.

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

Altona has received approximately 123 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 616 homes. As of FY-26, 60 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.6 new residents arrive per year for each new home built between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction value of these dwellings is $430,000.

In FY-26, commercial approvals amounting to $145.8 million have been registered. Altona's construction rates are similar to Greater Melbourne's on a per capita basis. Recent development comprises 30% standalone homes and 70% townhouses or apartments. This shift from the current housing composition of 64% houses indicates decreasing developable sites and changing lifestyle preferences. With around 146 people per dwelling approval, Altona exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

By 2041, AreaSearch estimates an increase of 1,957 residents in Altona. Current construction levels are expected to meet housing demand adequately, potentially enabling population growth beyond current forecasts.

Altona has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Twenty-three infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Notable projects include Maidstone Street Level Crossing Removal in Altona, Level Crossing Removal - Maidstone Street Altona, Altona / Racecourse Road Ford Crossing Rebuild, and Altona Pier Redevelopment. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Altona ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Altona has a well-educated workforce with professional services strongly represented. The unemployment rate was 2.4% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.0%. As of December 2025, 8,213 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.3%, below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation was on par with Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 40.1% of residents worked from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Altona had a particular specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance employed only 11.3% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 14.2%. The ratio of 0.6 workers per resident indicated higher than average local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.0%, and the labour force grew by 4.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections varied significantly. Applying these projections to Altona's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this was a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not consider localized population projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows median income in Altona SA2 was $67,816 and average income was $83,362. This compares to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from July 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $74,340 (median) and $91,381 (average). According to the 2021 Census, personal income ranked at the 72nd percentile ($945 weekly), while household income was at the 56th percentile. Income brackets show that 28.5% of individuals earned between $1,500 and $2,999 per week (4,131 individuals). After housing costs, 85.1% of income remained for other expenses. Altona SA2's SEIFA income ranking was in the 7th decile.

Altona displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Altona's latest Census data showed 63.9% houses and 36.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Altona was 38.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.1% and rented ones at 30.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,200, exceeding Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Altona was $390, aligning with Melbourne metro's figure of $390. Nationally, Altona's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Altona features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.2% of all households, including 28.7% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.8%, with lone person households at 30.6% and group households making up 2.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Altona 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 at 35.5% of residents aged 15+, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA4 region's rate of 32.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 29.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 18.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 26.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (9.7%), secondary education (6.3%), and tertiary education (4.8%).

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

Altona has 76 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 10 different routes that together facilitate 3,658 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 190 meters from the nearest stop. Most Altona residents commute outward due to its primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 82%, while train usage stands at 10%. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling in Altona, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 40.1% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 522 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 48 weekly trips per individual stop.

Altona's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Altona's health outcomes, as assessed by AreaSearch, show notable results with younger cohorts having a low prevalence of common health conditions. The private health cover rate stands at approximately 61%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (7.8%) and mental health issues (7.7%), with 69.0% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne.

The under-65 population has better than average health outcomes. Altona has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Altona's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 29.2% born overseas and 20.2% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Altona, accounting for 49.5% of its population. Islam, however, was more prevalent in Altona compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 2.0% versus 5.6%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (23.7%), Australian (20.1%), and Irish (8.8%). Notably, Maltese (4.5%) and Croatian (1.3%) populations were higher in Altona than regionally (1.1% and 0.7%, respectively), as was the Macedonian population at 0.9%.

Altona's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Altona is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 45-54 age group comprises 14.8% of Altona's population, compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 10.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 8.2% to 9.6%, and the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 11.6% to 10.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Altona. Notably, the 55-64 age group is expected to grow by 33%, reaching 2,283 people from 1,719. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.