Ashwood - Chadstone

Population growth drivers in Ashwood - Chadstone are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Ashwood - Chadstone's population was approximately 21,247 as of February 2026. This figure represents an increase of 1,740 people from the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,507. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,947 in June 2024 and an additional 138 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,166 persons per square kilometer, placing Ashwood - Chadstone in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, ending in February 2026, Ashwood - Chadstone has shown resilient growth patterns 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 is adopting 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 the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted 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. According to these projections, Ashwood - Chadstone is expected to experience significant population increase in the top quartile of national statistical areas, with an anticipated growth of 6,735 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 30.3% over the 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 over the past five financial years, totalling 491 homes. As of FY26, 41 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.4 new residents per year arrived with each new home built between FY21 and FY25, indicating balanced supply and demand. However, this has increased to 6.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing demand and tightening supply. New homes are being constructed at an average value of $458,000, slightly above the regional average.

In FY26, $48.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Ashwood-Chadstone maintains similar construction rates per person compared to Greater Melbourne, supporting market stability aligned with regional patterns. Recent construction consists of 56.0% detached dwellings and 44.0% attached dwellings, offering options across different price points.

The location has approximately 332 people per dwelling approval, leaving room for growth. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Ashwood-Chadstone is forecasted to gain 6,435 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Ashwood - Chadstone has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects that may impact the region. Notable ones include Ashburton Library and Community Centre, Suburban Rail Loop East, 65A Power Avenue Social Housing, and Ashwood Green. 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.

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

Ashwood-Chadstone has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 3.1%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.7%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.7%.

As of September 2025, 12,252 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.1% and workforce participation at 71.0%, on par with Greater Melbourne. Census responses indicate that 40.4% of residents work from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. The area has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, employing 1.3 times the regional level.

However, construction employs only 7.2% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.7%, labour force grew by 4.8%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged at 3.1%. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with unemployment rising to 5.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ashwood-Chadstone's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Ashwood - Chadstone SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $58,423 and an average level of $79,395. These figures are high nationally compared to Melbourne's median and average incomes of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated current median income is approximately $63,243 and average income is around $85,945 as of September 2025. Census 2021 data shows incomes in Ashwood - Chadstone cluster at the 64th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates that 28.3% (6,012 individuals) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, similar to regional levels where 32.8% fall within this range. A substantial proportion, 32.1%, have incomes above $3,000 per week, suggesting strong economic capacity in the area. High housing costs consume 17.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 64th percentile nationally. 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 data, consisted of 58.2% houses and 41.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashwood-Chadstone stood at 28.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.5% and rented ones at 38.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent was $415, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. 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.

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 the remaining 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 2.6.

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 notably high, with 47.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications as of 2021 data, compared to the SA4 region's 29.8% and Australia's 30.4%. This area has a significant educational advantage, led by bachelor degrees 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 at 10.4% and certificates at 11.8%. Educational participation is high, with 30.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data.

This includes 8.6% in tertiary education, 8.4% in primary education, and 6.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

Analysis of public transport in Ashwood-Chadstone shows 65 active transport stops operating within the area, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by nine individual routes that collectively provide 2,032 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 256 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The dominant mode of transportation is car at 82%, while 10% use the train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 40.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 290 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 31 weekly trips per individual stop.

Ashwood - Chadstone'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

AreaSearch's analysis shows Ashwood-Chadstone residents have mortality rates and health conditions largely matching national averages.

Common health conditions are low among the general population but higher in older, at-risk groups. Private health cover is high, with approximately 58% of the total population (~12,408 people). Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 7.5 and 6.9% of residents respectively. A majority (73.7%) report no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 15.8% of residents aged 65 and over (3,346 people), which is lower than the national average for this age group.

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 a high level of cultural diversity, with 44.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 45.2% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ashwood-Chadstone, comprising 43.3% of the population. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.8% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (16.8%), Chinese (15.9%), and Australian (15.0%). Notably, Sri Lankan, Greek, and Korean ethnicities are also overrepresented in Ashwood-Chadstone compared to the regional averages.

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

Ashwood-Chadstone has a median age of 36 years, nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and slightly below Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Ashwood-Chadstone has a higher proportion of 25-34 year-olds (17.2%) but fewer 5-14 year-olds (10.2%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.2% to 13.4%, while the 5-14 cohort has decreased from 11.0% to 10.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in Ashwood-Chadstone's age profile, with the strongest projected growth in the 45-54 cohort (43%), adding 1,097 residents to reach a total of 3,662.