Bentleigh - McKinnon

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

Bentleigh-McKinnon's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 27,004. This figure represents an increase of 2,108 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 24,896. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 26,825 in June 2024 and an additional 316 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density of 4,341 persons per square kilometer, placing Bentleigh-McKinnon in the top 10% nationally. The area's 8.5% growth since 2021 exceeded its SA4 region's 7.1%, demonstrating strong growth leadership. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.9% of recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For uncovered areas, it employs 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. By 2041, Bentleigh-McKinnon is projected to gain 6,406 persons, reflecting a total growth of 23.1% over the 17-year period.

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

Bentleigh-McKinnon has seen approximately 146 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY2021 to FY2025734 homes received approvals, with a further 56 approved in FY2026 as of now. Each dwelling built over these years has attracted an average of 2.2 new residents annually, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

New homes are being constructed at an average cost of $448,000, which is moderately higher than regional levels, suggesting a focus on quality construction. In FY2026, commercial approvals totaling $14.3 million have been registered, reflecting moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Bentleigh-McKinnon has 10.0% less building activity per person and ranks at the 59th percentile nationally among assessed areas. New developments consist of 30.0% detached houses and 70.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 58.0% houses, likely due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. With around 252 people per dwelling approval, Bentleigh-McKinnon exhibits signs of a developing market.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to grow by 6,227 residents by 2041. If current construction levels continue, 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 50 projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives include East Village Strategic Site - Assemble Build-to-Rent Precinct, Laurel, Bentleigh Club Redevelopment in Bentleigh, Ormond Station Development at Ormond Place, and The Aston. 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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The labour market in Bentleigh - McKinnon demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Bentleigh-McKinnon has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. As of September 2025, unemployment stands at 3.7%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.7%.

Employment stability has prevailed over the past year. There are 15,121 employed residents, with a participation rate of 66.8%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Dominant sectors include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 7.2% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Local employment opportunities appear limited, indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, Bentleigh-McKinnon's employment increased by 0.1%, while labour force grew by 0.7%, raising unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 3.0%, labour force grow by 3.3%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bentleigh-McKinnon's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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 2022. Bentleigh - McKinnon SA2's median income among taxpayers was $61,416, with an average of $85,824. This is among the highest in Australia, compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $54,892 and average of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Bentleigh - McKinnon are approximately $68,884 (median) and $96,260 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census shows household, family and personal incomes in Bentleigh - McKinnon rank highly nationally, between the 75th and 80th percentiles. The earnings profile indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 27.2% of residents (7,345 people), aligning with regional levels where this cohort represents 32.8%. 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 and 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 evaluation, 58.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 42.0% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is in comparison to Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 47.8% houses and 52.1% 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 in the area was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,396. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $491, compared to Melbourne metro's $435. Nationally, Bentleigh - McKinnon's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Bentleigh - McKinnon has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 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 making up 3.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

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

Bentleigh-McKinnon residents aged 15+ have a higher proportion with university qualifications, at 48.1%, compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 30.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational pathways account for 22.5%, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 11.4%. Educational participation is high, with 32.1% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.8% in primary, 9.4% in secondary, and 7.2% in tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 80 active transport stops operating within Bentleigh-McKinnon. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. They are serviced by 14 individual routes, collectively providing 4,414 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 192 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 630 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bentleigh - McKinnon's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Bentleigh-McKinnon, with both young and elderly cohorts having low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 63% of the total population (17,093 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 6.7% of residents and asthma impacting 6.6%. A majority, 74.4%, report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 74.0%. The area has 16.7% (4,517 people) aged 65 and over, with seniors' health outcomes aligning closely with the general population's profile.

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 scores highly in cultural diversity, with 32.5% of its population 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%, lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 17.5%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (20.2%), Australian (17.8%), and Other (12.4%). Polish is notably overrepresented at 1.9% compared to the regional average of 3.1%. Russian also stands out at 1.9%, slightly below the regional average of 2.2%. Greek, however, is marginally underrepresented at 4.2% compared to the region's 4.6%.

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

Bentleigh-McKinnon has a median age of 40, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 37 and Australia's 38 years. The 45-54 age group is notably over-represented locally at 14.7%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average. Conversely, those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 10.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.7% to 14.0% of the population, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 15.7% to 14.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Bentleigh-McKinnon's age profile. The 45-54 age group is expected to expand by 30%, adding 1,190 people, growing from 3,961 to 5,152. Meanwhile, the 0-4 cohort is projected to grow modestly by 9% (108 people).