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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Blackburn has an estimated 23,859 residents, up from 22,106 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,753 people, or 7.9%. Growth has averaged 0.6% a year over five years. 557 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 93.1% of that increase. That puts 2,771 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research from AreaSearch, the resident count in Blackburn stands at approximately 23,859 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 1,753 people (7.9%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 22,106 people. Such growth is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population figure of 23,732 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 557 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With 2,771 persons per square kilometer, the locality's population density sits within the top quartile among nationally evaluated regions. Blackburn's 7.9% post-census gain trails the wider SA4 region (8.9%) by merely 1.0 percentage points, underscoring solid demographic expansion.
The local population influx has been underpinned predominantly by overseas migration, which generated roughly 93.1% of recent net additions. SA2 demographic modelling relies on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 using 2022 baseline figures, supplemented where necessary by 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections converted to the SA2 tier via weighted aggregation. These aggregated age-bracket growth trajectories are applied across regions spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, demographic gains are slated to track slightly beneath the Australian statistical area median, with the community projected to add 2,646 persons by 2041 relative to recent annual ERP data, amounting to a cumulative expansion of 10.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
626 new dwellings have been approved in Blackburn over the past five years, an average of 125 a year. That places the area in the 71st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 5 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 125 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 45% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building consents in Blackburn have averaged roughly 125 per year, accumulating to 626 homes throughout the preceding 5 financial years. Between FY-22 and FY-26, the arrival of 1.1 people per year for every completed residence indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics and an orderly marketplace. Furthermore, approved residences carry an average value of $661,000, pointing toward an emphasis on higher-tier construction by developers. In parallel, $136.4 million worth of commercial approvals during the current financial year highlights considerable commercial building activity. On a per-person comparison, Blackburn generates 19.0% less construction volume than Greater Melbourne, placing it within the 72nd percentile across the country.
Current development approvals are split between 45.0% detached houses and 55.0% townhouses or apartments. This pivot toward higher-density dwelling options offers relatively accessible price thresholds for first-time buyers, downsizers, and investors alike. Compared against the established residential fabric (presently 72.0% houses), this pattern underlines diminishing development land parcels, changing resident preferences, and the requirement for diversified housing stock. An intensity of roughly 164 people per approval characterizes Blackburn as an evolving community. Projections indicate that Blackburn's resident total will increase by 2,519 residents through to 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly figures. Existing construction activity appears well positioned to satisfy this emerging demand, fostering constructive purchasing conditions and potentially paving the way for expansion beyond baseline forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Blackburn
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 21 current infrastructure and development projects inside Blackburn, worth an estimated $16.1 billion. A further 141 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $146.8 billion. 37 are already under construction and 51 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure programs, major developments, and strategic planning exert a defining influence on neighborhood performance, with AreaSearch cataloguing 34 projects expected to affect the community. Prominent initiatives comprise 104 Main Street Blackburn Townhouses, Blackburn Activity Centre, 33 Esdale Street Townhouses, and Whitehorse Housing Target Implementation.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Koonung Creek Reserve Environmental & Infrastructure Upgrade (GC271)
The Koonung Creek Reserve Environmental & Infrastructure Upgrade is delivered under Planning Scheme Amendment GC271 as part of the Victorian Government's North East Link Program in partnership with Whitehorse City Council. The project delivers extensive wetland naturalisation, native corridor revegetation, modernised noise walls, and upgraded shared walking and cycling paths along the Koonung Creek Trail. Construction and landscape engineering works are actively underway.
104 Main Street Blackburn Townhouses
17 contemporary three and four-bedroom townhouses designed by DE atelier architects. Modern architectural approach with quality materials and finishes, featuring 1-2 garage parking spaces per residence on a 1,720sqm site. Pricing from $849,950 for a quality residential development in established Blackburn location.
77-79 Whitehorse Road Apartments
A 4-storey low-rise residential development delivering 49 modern apartments with a central Village Square landscaped garden and secure basement car parking in Blackburn.
Blackburn Activity Centre Housing Expansion & Planning Scheme Amendment
A major strategic activity centre expansion and rezoning framework under Victoria's Housing Target program, facilitating 4 to 6 storey medium-density residential developments, upgraded commercial streetscapes, and improved pedestrian connectivity across Blackburn North and surrounding transit catchments.
Blackburn Activity Centre
The Blackburn Activity Centre is a major urban renewal and transit-oriented development program led by the Victorian Government's Department of Transport and Planning in conjunction with Whitehorse City Council. As part of the Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program, it aims to increase housing density around Blackburn Railway Station, proposing developments up to 16 storeys in the core area. Phase 2 consultation on the draft planning controls and boundaries concluded in March 2026.
33 Esdale Street Townhouses
Construction of two double storey townhouses and associated tree removal in a family-friendly community.
20 Vine Street Blackburn Apartments
Proposed development of a 15-unit apartment complex in a four-storey building on a 732 sqm site in central Blackburn. The site has previously approved plans and permits for construction, currently marketed as a prime development opportunity near Blackburn Station and shopping village.
Blackburn Square
Comprehensive three-stage redevelopment of the former North Blackburn Shopping Centre, completed in October 2023 and rebranded as Blackburn Square. The modern community hub features three major supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi), a dining and takeaway precinct, lifestyle facilities including Jetts Fitness gym, Myhealth Medical Centre, Little Mandarin Yoga and Pilates, Goodstart Early Learning childcare, and Waterman Workspaces. Additional amenities include specialty retail stores, upgraded car parking, and sustainability initiatives such as solar power systems, recycled water, LED lighting, and a Container Deposit Recycle Station.
13,369 residents of Blackburn are employed, from a labour force of 14,010. Unemployment sits at 4.6%, with participation at 69.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 21,350, about 89% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Blackburn features an extensively qualified workforce with notable strength in professional services, alongside an unemployment rate of 4.6% and a 2.1% expansion in employment over the preceding twelve months. As of March 2026, employed locals number 13,369, with local joblessness sitting 0.2% below the Greater Melbourne figure of 4.8%, while participation aligns closely with Greater Melbourne's 70.1%. Census records indicated that 43.7% of working locals operated from home, an outcome influenced in part by Covid-19 restrictions. Local workers are concentrated across health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training fields.
Professional & technical activities represent a notable area of local specialization, holding an employment share 1.4 times greater than the regional benchmark. Conversely, construction accounts for only 6.9% of workers in the area, below the 9.7% observed across Greater Melbourne. Comparing the Census working population against resident workers suggests that this primarily residential locality provides a comparatively constrained volume of internal jobs. AreaSearch examination of ABS and SALM figures shows that over the 12-month period, a 2.1% rise in jobs alongside a 2.5% increase in the workforce led to a 0.4 percentage points rise in unemployment. Across Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 2.1% and the labour force rose by 2.3%, resulting in an unemployment uptick of 0.2 percentage points. Industry projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 outline prospective demand trends. Extrapolating these sector-level expectations across local industry distributions indicates potential employment gains for Blackburn of 7.1% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, compared to national baseline expansions of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (this represents an unweighted illustrative calculation that does not factor in local demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Blackburn is $2,050 a week (about $107,000 a year), with median personal income at $900 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $56,752 a year against an average of $78,656. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode records for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate elevated earning capacity in the Blackburn SA2 relative to national figures, featuring a median income of $56,752 and an average income of $78,656, compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Factoring in 9.62% Wage Price Index expansion since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of $62,212 (median) and $86,223 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the Census 2021 shows local personal, family, and household earnings align around the 67th percentile nationwide. The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly band is the most prevalent, accounting for 28.8% of residents (6,871 people), which corresponds with the surrounding region's 32.8%.
High earners are prominent, with 32.8% making over $3,000 weekly, driving healthy spending capacity. Shelter costs claim 14.2% of income, placing local disposable earnings in the 72nd percentile and securing an 8th decile SEIFA income position.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Blackburn had 8,259 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 72% detached houses and 9% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $420 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,300 a month. Rent absorbs 20.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing mix in Blackburn consisted of 71.6% houses and 28.4% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and other formats), contrasted with 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across Melbourne metro. Outright home ownership reached 39.8%, outpacing metropolitan levels, while mortgaged properties accounted for 35.3% and rental accommodations comprised 24.9%. Typical monthly mortgage commitments stood at $2,300, above the metropolitan figure of $2,000, while median weekly rent was $420 compared with $390 across Melbourne metro. In a nationwide context, Blackburn's mortgage repayments substantially exceed the Australian average of $1,863, with rental costs likewise exceeding the national mark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Blackburn counted 8,259 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 8,914 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 24% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 71.1% of all local households, breaking down into 36.7% couples with children, 24.4% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. The remaining 28.9% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person households at 25.2% and group households at 3.6%. The typical household size of 2.6 people aligns identically with the Greater Melbourne benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
48.1% of adults in Blackburn hold a university qualification, including 29.9% with a bachelor degree and 13.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 96% of areas nationally. A further 11.3% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 4,003 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,131 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Qualifications among Blackburn residents comfortably exceed state and national standards, with 48.1% of those aged 15+ possessing university credentials, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 33.4% in VIC. This high level of academic training underpins strong engagement in knowledge sectors. Bachelor degrees account for 29.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 13.4% and graduate diplomas at 4.8%. In addition, technical and vocational training accounts for 21.9% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, divided between certificates (11.3%) and advanced diplomas (10.6%). Engagement in learning is strong throughout the area, with 31.0% of the population currently participating in education.
This proportion includes 9.3% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 7.4% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Blackburn reaches 126 stops on 21 routes, timetabled for about 13,100 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.2 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Blackburn contains 126 active transport stops covering a network of bus routes. These transit points are linked by 21 individual routes generating 13,127 weekly passenger trips. Overall transport access is strong, with residents situated an average of 176 meters from their nearest transit node. The area functions primarily as a commuter suburb, with 79% using private vehicles and 11% commuting by train. Vehicle density averages 1.2 per dwelling, while 43.7% worked from home at the 2021 Census, subject to prevailing COVID-19 settings. Transit schedules provide an average frequency of 1,875 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 104 weekly trips per stop.
The corresponding map highlights the 100 nearest stops relative to the center of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.2% of residents in Blackburn report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 89% of areas nationally. 5.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of mortality rates and illness prevalence by AreaSearch highlights strong health metrics in Blackburn, characterized by low instances of common conditions among younger cohorts alongside high private health insurance coverage of approximately 58% of the population (~13,933 people). Asthma and mental health issues represent the primary chronic ailments locally, affecting 7.2 and 7.1% of residents respectively, whereas 72.2% of locals reported no long-term health conditions compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health levels are strong among the working-age population. Furthermore, residents aged 65 and over make up 18.3% of the community (4,373 people), surpassing the 15.1% recorded for Greater Melbourne, with senior health indicators remaining solid despite scoring lower nationally than the general resident base.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
34.5% of Blackburn residents were born overseas and 32.4% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 77% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (22.0%) and Australian (19.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Blackburn exhibits strong multicultural markers, with 34.5% of residents born abroad and 32.4% communicating in a language other than English at home. Christianity is the leading religious affiliation, accounting for 43.3% of the populace. Meanwhile, Buddhism represents 3.8% of local residents, compared to 4.2% across Greater Melbourne. Regarding parental lineage, the primary ancestries declared across Blackburn are English at 22.0%, Australian at 19.7%, and Chinese at 15.0%, the latter well above the regional benchmark of 6.5%. Other cultural backgrounds display distinct local variations, including Greek ancestry at 2.1% (vs 2.7% regionally), Korean at 0.6% (vs 0.3%), and Sri Lankan at 0.6% (vs 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Blackburn is 40. 27.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Blackburn align closely with Greater Melbourne patterns, showing a maximum variance of 5.5 percentage points across broad cohorts. The median age is estimated at 40 as at August 2026, matching the 2021 Census outcome and exceeding the Greater Melbourne 2021 Census figure of 37 by 3 years. Over recent years, the 5 to 14 age group contracted from 12.8% to an estimated 10.7%, whereas the 15 to 24 band expanded from 12.9% to 14.6%, reflecting natural cohort aging without substantial replacement by younger families. Looking toward 2041, seniors (65+) will drive most demographic growth, adding 1,462 residents (33%) to reach 5,835, while child and young adult populations are expected to reduce.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Blackburn
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 24 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 557 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (22,106 at the 2021 Census → 23,859 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (207031161). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.