Bayswater

Bayswater has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Bayswater's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 13,794. This figure represents an increase of 1,205 people from the 2021 Census total of 12,589, indicating a growth rate of 9.6%. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 13,305, with an additional 138 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This results in a population density ratio of 1,715 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Bayswater's growth rate exceeded that of both its SA4 region (4.9%) and SA3 area, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 80.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs the 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. According to population projections, Bayswater is expected to experience above median growth in national statistical areas, with an anticipated increase of 1,981 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers. This reflects a total increase of 10.8% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Bayswater when compared nationally

Bayswater has seen approximately 77 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25388 homes were approved, with a further 22 approved in FY26 as of present. The average increase in residents per year per dwelling constructed over these years has been around 0.9.

This suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice and supporting potential population growth beyond projections. The average construction value of new properties is $312,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $51.6 million, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Bayswater's construction activity is 32.0% higher per person over the past five years, maintaining good buyer choice and supporting existing property values. New developments consist of 36.0% detached houses and 64.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from current housing patterns, which are predominantly houses (62.0%).

This trend reflects diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Bayswater's population growth is reflected in its development approvals, with around 202 people per approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bayswater is projected to gain 1,492 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Bayswater has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 32 projects that may affect the area. Notable projects include 711-717 Mountain Highway Mixed Use Development, Marie Wallace Bayswater Oval Sportsfield Renewal, 58-60 Station Street Land Sale Development, and Knox Housing Targets. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Bayswater remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Bayswater's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.0% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.9%.

As of September 2025, 7,142 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 0.4% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Bayswater was lower at 66.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. Census data showed that 26.7% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment industries included health care & social assistance, construction, and manufacturing, with a notable specialization in manufacturing at 1.4 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services employed only 7.9% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. The area functioned as an employment hub with 1.1 workers per resident, attracting workers from nearby regions. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 1.9%, while labour force grew by 1.0%, leading to a decrease in unemployment of 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with an increase in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Bayswater's employment should grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Bayswater SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $57,417 and an average of $64,634. This is below the national average. In comparison, Greater Melbourne had a median income of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Bayswater would be approximately $62,154 (median) and $69,966 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Bayswater rank modestly, between the 42nd and 46th percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 36.0% of locals (4,965 people), falling within the $1,500 - 2,999 category, reflecting regional patterns where 32.8% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Bayswater, with only 82.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 40th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Bayswater, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 62.2% houses and 37.7% other dwellings. In Melbourne metro, it was 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bayswater stood at 28.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.2% and rented at 34.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bayswater was $1,827, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000. Median weekly rent in Bayswater was $376, while Melbourne metro recorded $390. Nationally, Bayswater's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Bayswater has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.9% of all households, including 28.8% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.1%, with lone person households at 28.3% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Bayswater performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Bayswater Trail has educational qualifications that compare to regional benchmarks. Specifically, 30.0% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. This difference suggests potential for educational development and skill enhancement. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.3% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 21.6%. Educational participation is high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.5% in primary education, 6.2% in secondary education, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bayswater has 67 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These are covered by 14 routes, offering a total of 3,339 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is deemed good, with residents on average 247 meters from the nearest stop. Most commuters travel outward daily. Cars remain the primary mode at 88%, while train usage stands at 7%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling.

In 2021 Census data, 26.7% of residents worked from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Daily service frequency averages 477 trips across all routes, translating to roughly 49 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bayswater's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Bayswater's health metrics are close to national benchmarks, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Private health cover rate is relatively low at approximately 51% of the total population (~7,062 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 9.1 and 8.5% of residents respectively. 67.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 18.2% of residents aged 65 and over (2,507 people), which is higher than the 14.9% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Bayswater was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bayswater's cultural diversity is notable, with 36.5% of its population born overseas and 32.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Bayswater, accounting for 41.7% of people, while Buddhism stands out at 4.2%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 4.2%. The top three ancestry groups are English (23.0%), Australian (20.7%), and Other (10.5%).

Notably, Hungarian (0.5%) is overrepresented in Bayswater compared to the regional average of 0.3%, Dutch (2.1% vs 1.2%), and Sri Lankan (0.9% vs 0.8%) populations also show significant divergences.

Bayswater's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Bayswater is 38 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and equivalent to the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Bayswater has a higher concentration of residents aged 75-84 (6.5%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (10.3%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 increased from 10.5% to 11.6%. Conversely, the population aged 25-34 decreased from 16.4% to 15.5%. By 2041, Bayswater's age composition is expected to change significantly. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 27%, reaching 2,122 people from 1,677. Meanwhile, both the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are expected to decrease in number.