Bentleigh - McKinnon

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

Bentleigh-McKinnon's population is approximately 27,015 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 2,119 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 24,896. The increase was inferred from the estimated resident population of 26,966 in June 2025 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 4,343 persons per square kilometer, placing Bentleigh-McKinnon among the top 10% of locations nationally assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 8.5% since the 2021 census exceeded its SA4 region's rate of 8.0%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.4% 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 employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 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 projections, Bentleigh-McKinnon is expected to experience above median population growth nationally, with an increase of 5,902 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 21.7% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Bentleigh - McKinnon among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Bentleigh-McKinnon has seen approximately 146 dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY2021 to FY2025734 homes were approved, with a further 79 approved in FY2026 as of now. On average, each dwelling built over these years has attracted around 2.2 new residents annually, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost for new dwellings is $448,000, which is moderately higher than regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. This financial year alone, $14.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, showing moderate levels of commercial development compared to Greater Melbourne. Bentleigh-McKinnon records 11.0% less building activity per person relative to the city and places among the 59th percentile nationally when assessed areas are considered. New developments consist of 30.0% detached houses and 70.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 58.0% houses), likely due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 252 people per dwelling approval, Bentleigh-McKinnon shows a developing market with approximately 5,853 residents expected to be added by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Bentleigh - McKinnon has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 50 such projects that could potentially impact the area. Notable among these are East Village Strategic Site - Assemble Build-to-Rent Precinct, Laurel, Bentleigh Club Redevelopment at Bentleigh (Bentleigh Club Redevelopment), Ormond Station Development (Ormond Place), and The Aston.

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.

The employment environment in Bentleigh - McKinnon shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Bentleigh-McKinnon has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.5% as of December 2021. Employment stability was maintained over the past year, with 15,080 residents employed and an unemployment rate 1.2% lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.7%.

Workforce participation matched Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Census data showed 45.7% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical (1.4 times the regional average), health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. Construction employment was lower at 7.2%, compared to the regional average of 9.7%.

Between December 2020 and November 2021, Bentleigh-McKinnon's labour force decreased by 0.3% while employment declined by 0.2%, reducing unemployment by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 2.4%, labour force grow by 2.8%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Bentleigh-McKinnon's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. Bentleigh - McKinnon SA2's median income among taxpayers was $64,205 with an average of $89,035. Nationally, these figures are extremely high. Greater Melbourne's median was $57,688 and average was $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Bentleigh - McKinnon as of March 2026 would be approximately $70,382 (median) and $97,600 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly in Bentleigh - McKinnon, between the 75th and 80th percentiles nationally. The largest income segment comprises 27.2% earning $1,500-$2,999 weekly (7,348 residents). Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 37.5% exceeding $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 15.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 79th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

In Bentleigh - McKinnon, as per the latest Census, 58.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 42.0% being semi-detached, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Melbourne metro's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bentleigh - McKinnon stood at 34.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.4% and rented ones at 29.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, surpassing Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Bentleigh - McKinnon was $491, higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, these figures translate to significantly higher mortgage repayments ($1,863) and rents ($375).

Bentleigh - McKinnon has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households compose 72.8% of all households, including 38.1% couples with children, 22.8% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 27.2%, with lone person households at 24.1% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with Greater Melbourne's average.

Bentleigh - McKinnon demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Bentleigh-McKinnon is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of the latest data, 48.1% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. The area's educational advantage is reflected in its high proportion of Bachelor degrees (30.7%), postgraduate qualifications (13.0%), and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational pathways are also significant, with advanced diplomas accounting for 11.1% and certificates for 11.4% among residents aged 15 and above.

Educational participation is high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bentleigh - McKinnon has 83 active public transport stops operating, serving a mix of bus routes. These routes total 15, providing 3,494 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 191 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode at 79%, while train usage stands at 12%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 45.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 499 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 42 weekly trips per stop.

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

Bentleigh-McKinnon's health outcomes show excellent results, with AreaSearch's assessment revealing low mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, especially among younger cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the total population (17,613 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 6.7% and 6.6% of residents respectively, while 74.4% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%.

Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 17.0% of residents aged 65 and over (4,603 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

Bentleigh - McKinnon 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

Bentleigh-McKinnon has high cultural diversity, with 32.5% speaking a language other than English at home and 38.0% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 40.5%. Judaism is overrepresented at 7.6%, higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 1.0%.

Top ancestry groups are English (20.2%), Australian (17.8%), and Other (12.4%). Polish (1.9% vs regional 0.8%), Russian (1.9% vs 0.4%), and Greek (4.2% vs 2.7%) are notably overrepresented.

Bentleigh - McKinnon's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Bentleigh-McKinnon has a median age of 40, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38. The 45-54 cohort is notably over-represented in Bentleigh-McKinnon at 14.5%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average. Conversely, the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 11.0%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 12.7% to 14.1% of the population, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 15.7% to 14.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Bentleigh-McKinnon's age profile. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to expand by 1,156 people (29%), growing from 3,927 to 5,084.