Ardeer - Albion

An assessment of population growth drivers in Ardeer - Albion reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Ardeer-Albion's population is approximately 7,958 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 456 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,502. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 7,915 in June 2024 and an additional 100 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,733 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Ardeer-Albion's growth rate of 6.1% since the 2021 census exceeds that of the SA3 area at 2.6%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.3% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods 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 rate, with the area expected to grow by 1,785 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 21.8% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Ardeer - Albion according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Albion-Ardeer has seen approximately 47 dwellings granted development approval annually. Between Financial Year 21 and Financial Year 25, around 238 homes were approved, with an additional 17 approved in Financial Year 26 as of the present time. The population decline over recent years has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market offering good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $253,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In Financial Year 26, there have been approximately $15.1 million worth of commercial approvals, suggesting a balanced level of commercial development activity in the area. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Albion-Ardeer has seen around 105.0% more construction activity per person as of recent data. This increase in construction activity offers greater choice for buyers but has shown signs of easing recently. The new developments consist of approximately 22.0% standalone homes and 78.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of around 64.0% houses. This trend towards denser development provides accessible entry options appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

This change may be due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With approximately 225 people being approved per dwelling on average, Albion-Ardeer exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, it is projected that Albion-Ardeer will add around 1,735 residents by 2041. Development in the area appears to be keeping pace with this projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population continues to expand.

Ardeer - Albion has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects that could impact this area. Notable projects include Vietnamese Museum Australia, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Sunshine Superhub and Albion Station Upgrade, River Valley project. The following list details those likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Ardeer - Albion recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Albion-Ardeer has an educated workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate is 7.3%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.8% over the past year (ending September 2025).

As of this date, 4,320 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 7%. This rate is 2.7% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%, and workforce participation lags behind Greater Melbourne's by 6%. Employment in Albion-Ardeer is concentrated in health care & social assistance, transport, postal & warehousing, and construction sectors. The area specializes in transport, postal & warehousing employment, with a share 1.8 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical employment is limited at 6.4%, compared to the regional average of 10.1%. Over the year ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.8% while labour force grew by 5.4%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0% with a 0.3 percentage point increase in unemployment. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, and the state unemployment rate is 4.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia projects national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Albion-Ardeer's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The median taxpayer income in Ardeer - Albion SA2 was $47,951 and the average was $55,597 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is below the national average of $63,098. In Greater Melbourne, the median income was $54,892 and the average was $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $53,782 (median) and $62,358 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Ardeer - Albion rank modestly, between the 25th and 29th percentiles. The largest income segment comprises 30.0% earning $1,500 to $2,999 weekly, with 2,387 residents falling into this category. This is consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region where 32.8% fall into the same income bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Ardeer - Albion, with only 81.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 22nd percentile.

Ardeer - Albion displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Ardeer-Albion's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, was 63.7% houses and 36.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Melbourne metro had 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ardeer-Albion was 28.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.9% and rented at 42.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,700, aligning with Melbourne metro's average. Median weekly rent was $320, compared to Melbourne metro's $346. Nationally, Ardeer-Albion's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Ardeer - Albion features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 59.1% of all households, including 22.2% couples with children, 22.0% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 40.9%, with lone person households at 34.6% and group households making up 6.3%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than Greater Melbourne's average of 2.9.

The educational profile of Ardeer - Albion exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 31.2% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA3 area average of 23.9%. This reflects the community's emphasis on higher education, led by bachelor degrees at 19.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.6% and graduate diplomas at 3.0%. Trade and technical skills are prominently featured, with 29.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 17.7%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.7% in primary education, 6.6% in tertiary education, and 5.4% pursuing secondary education.

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

Ardeer-Albion has 34 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus routes. These stops are covered by 8 individual routes, collectively offering 3,938 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good accessibility to these stops, with an average distance of 208 meters to the nearest one.

The service frequency across all routes averages 562 trips per day, equating to approximately 115 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ardeer - Albion's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Ardeer-Albion residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population compared to national averages but higher among older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is very low, at approximately 48% (~3788 people), lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (8.1%) and arthritis (7.3%), while 72.2% report no medical ailments, slightly below Greater Melbourne's 73.5%. The area has 16.6% residents aged 65 and over (1324 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 17.9%, but seniors require more health attention due to presenting challenges.

Ardeer - Albion is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Ardeer-Albion is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country, with 51.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home as of 2016. Also by 2016, 50.1% of Ardeer-Albion's population was born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Ardeer-Albion, making up 44.1% of its people.

However, Buddhism comprises only 6.9%, lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 12.5%. The top three ancestry groups in Ardeer-Albion are Other at 21.9%, English at 15.1%, and Australian at 13.2%. Notably, Polish is overrepresented at 2.1% compared to the regional average of 1.1%, Vietnamese is underrepresented at 8.1% versus 15.7%, and Maltese is also underrepresented at 3.7% compared to 4.6%.

Ardeer - Albion's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

At 36 years, Ardeer-Albion's median age is nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, which is slightly below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Ardeer-Albion has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (20.0%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 17.0% to 18.1%, while the 75 to 84 age group increased from 4.8% to 5.9%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group has declined from 21.4% to 20.0%. Demographic projections suggest Ardeer-Albion's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to grow by 39%, adding 338 residents to reach a total of 1,218. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 age cohort is projected to grow by a modest 2%, with an increase of 16 people.