Ashwood - Chadstone
Statistical Area - sa2

Ashwood - Chadstone lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Ashwood-Chadstone's population was around 21,024 as of August 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 1,517 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 19,507. The change is inferred from ABS data: an estimated resident population of 20,947 in June 2024 and an additional 172 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,133 persons per square kilometer, placing Ashwood-Chadstone in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. Over the past decade, Ashwood-Chadstone has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, outpacing its SA3 area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting them employing weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on current demographic trends and latest population numbers, a significant increase in the top quartile nationally is forecast for Ashwood-Chadstone, with an expected expansion of 6,735 persons to 2041, recording a total gain of 31.7% over 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Ashwood - Chadstone when compared nationally

Ashwood - Chadstone has seen approximately 98 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 491 approvals across the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, with 12 approvals so far in FY26. On average, 1.4 new residents have arrived per new home annually over the past five financial years, indicating balanced supply and demand, though this has increased to 6.7 people per dwelling over the past two years, suggesting growing demand and tightening supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $783,000, reflecting developers' focus on the premium market. Commercial development approvals recorded in FY26 amount to $48.7 million, indicating robust local business investment.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Ashwood - Chadstone demonstrates comparable building activity per capita, maintaining market equilibrium with surrounding areas. Building activity consists of 56.0% standalone homes and 44.0% townhouses or apartments, offering a range of housing types from spacious family homes to more accessible compact options. With around 332 people expected per dwelling approval, Ashwood - Chadstone is experiencing population growth.

By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 6,658 residents. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Ashwood - Chadstone has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 19 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Ashburton Library and Community Centre, 65A Power Avenue Social Housing, Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre, and Burwood Brickworks Residential Development. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment conditions in Ashwood - Chadstone demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Ashwood-Chadstone has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 3.1% in the past year, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment grew by 4.3% annually to June 2025, with 12,251 residents employed and a participation rate similar to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Notably, professional & technical employment is high at 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, construction employment is low at 7.2% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%.

Local employment opportunities appear limited due to Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 4.3%, labour force by 4.4%, keeping unemployment stable at 1.6%. Statewide in Victoria as of Sep-25, employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. Nationally, employment is forecast to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ashwood-Chadstone's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

Ashwood-Chadstone's median income among taxpayers was $56,210 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $77,752 during the same period. This compares to Greater Melbourne's figures of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest median income would be approximately $61,893 and average income around $85,613, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11%. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Ashwood-Chadstone cluster at the 64th percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 28.3% of locals (5,949 people) fall into the $1,500-$2,999 income category. Across the region, 32.8% of individuals are in this same category. Economic strength is evident with 32.1% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000. This supports elevated consumer spending despite high housing costs consuming 17.5% of income. Strong earnings place disposable income at the 64th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Ashwood-Chadstone, as per the latest Census, consisted of 58.2% houses and 41.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 69.6% houses and 30.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashwood-Chadstone was 28.3%, with the rest either mortgaged (33.5%) or rented (38.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,383. The median weekly rent figure was $415, compared to Melbourne metro's $440. Nationally, Ashwood-Chadstone's 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 at $415.

Ashwood - Chadstone features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households compose 69.0% of all households, including 32.3% couples with children, 24.1% couples without children, and 11.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for 31.0%, with lone person households at 24.7% and group households comprising 6.2%. The median household size is 2.5 people, smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.7.

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

Educational attainment in Ashwood-Chadstone is higher than broader benchmarks. 47.3% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 29.8% in the SA4 region and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are most common at 29.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 22.2% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 10.4% and certificates 11.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.6% in tertiary education, 8.4% in primary education, and 6.9% pursuing secondary education. There are eight schools operating within Ashwood-Chadstone, educating approximately 2,242 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1078). The educational mix includes two primary, five secondary, and one K-12 school. School places per 100 residents (10.7) are below the regional average (15.8), with some students likely attending schools in adjacent areas. Note: for schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Transport analysis shows 65 active stops operating within Ashwood-Chadstone area, all of which are bus routes. These stops are served by 10 individual routes, collectively providing 3,375 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 256 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 482 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Ashwood - Chadstone is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Ashwood-Chadstone shows better-than-average health outcomes with a low prevalence of common health conditions among its general population, but higher than national averages for older and at-risk cohorts. Approximately 59% of Ashwood-Chadstone's total population (12,362 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 54.4%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 7.5% and 6.9% of residents respectively. 73.7% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 75.3% across Greater Melbourne. The area has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over (15.3%, or 3,210 people) than Greater Melbourne's 17.5%.

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

Ashwood-Chadstone has high cultural diversity, with 45.2% of its population born overseas and 44.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 43.3% of people in Ashwood-Chadstone. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.8% versus 0.4%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (16.8%), Chinese (15.9%, lower than the regional average of 21.4%), and Australian (15.0%). Other notable ethnic groups include Sri Lankan at 1.5% (vs 2.1% regionally), Greek at 5.3% (vs 5.6%), and Korean at 1.2% (vs 1.1%).

Ashwood - Chadstone's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

At 36 years, Ashwood-Chadstone's median age is nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37, which is modestly under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Ashwood-Chadstone has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (17.7%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (10.4%). Since the Census in 2021, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 12.2% to 13.2%, while the 5-14 age group has declined from 11.0% to 10.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that Ashwood-Chadstone's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the strongest projected growth in the 45-54 cohort, which is expected to increase by 44%, adding 1,113 residents to reach a total of 3,662.