Box Hill
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Box Hill's population is around 26,801 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 3,960 people (17.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 22,841 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 26,712 as of June 2024 and an additional 1,098 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,823 persons per square kilometer, placing Box Hill in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 17.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (8.1%) and the national average, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting with weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Considering projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national areas is forecast for Box Hill, with an expected growth of 10,068 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, recording a gain of 37.1% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Box Hill among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Box Hill has recorded approximately 401 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with around 2,005 homes approved over the past five financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, and an additional 15 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 1.6 new residents arrive per new home each year over the past five financial years. However, recent data shows this has increased to 15.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating the area's growing popularity and potential supply constraints. Development projects average around $705,000 in construction value, suggesting a focus on premium segment properties.

Additionally, $233.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Box Hill has 99.0% more development activity per person, offering buyers greater choice, although development activity has moderated in recent periods. This is well above the national average, indicating strong developer confidence in the area. New development consists of approximately 13.0% detached dwellings and 87.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 37.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 310 people per dwelling approval, Box Hill shows a developing market with future projections indicating an addition of approximately 9,935 residents by 2041. Current construction levels suggest that housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Future projections show Box Hill adding 9,935 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Box Hill has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 37 projects likely to impact the local area. Notable ones include SKY SQR, Wembley Hill Townhomes, Box Hill City Oval Redevelopment, and Box Hill Metropolitan Activity Centre - Public Realm. The following details projects expected to have significant relevance.

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

Box Hill has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Box Hill's workforce is highly educated with professional services being well-represented. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 5.2%, having grown by an estimated 4.0% over the previous year.

As of that date, 14,743 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.6% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Box Hill stood at 60.4%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and accommodation & food, with the latter being particularly notable at 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 6.9% compared to the regional average of 9.7%.

The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.9 in the Census year, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 4.0%, while labour force grew by 3.1%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 3.5% alongside a labour force expansion of 4.0%, leading to an increase in unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows that Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicate a projected growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Box Hill's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this extrapolation does not account for localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending 30 June 2022. Box Hill's median taxpayer income was $41,895, with an average of $59,399. Nationally, the averages were $54,892 and $73,761 respectively in Greater Melbourne. As of March 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% suggest median income of approximately $46,131 and average of $65,404. Box Hill's incomes from the 2021 Census ranked modestly between 25th and 32nd percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis showed 27.8% (7,450 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the regional average of 32.8%. Housing affordability was severe with only 78.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 24th percentile. Box Hill's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Box Hill, as per the latest Census report dated 2016, consisted of 37.2% houses and 62.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 60.2% houses and 39.8% other dwellings. As of this date, home ownership in Box Hill stood at 25.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.1% and rented ones at 49.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,088 as of June 2017, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,300. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure for Box Hill was $391 in June 2017, compared to Melbourne metro's $412. Nationally, Box Hill's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,088, while rents were at $391 as of June 2017, exceeding the Australian averages of $1,863 and $375 respectively.

Box Hill features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 60.9% of all households, including 24.3% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.1%, with lone person households at 30.4% and group households comprising 8.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

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

Box Hill's educational attainment exceeds broader benchmarks significantly. Among residents aged 15+, 48.2% possess university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. This advantage positions Box Hill well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 29.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 15.4%, and graduate diplomas at 3.5%.

Vocational pathways account for 21.1% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 9.4%. Educational participation is notably high, with 35.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.7% in tertiary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 6.7% pursuing primary education. Box Hill operates a robust network of six schools educating approximately 3,604 students. The educational mix includes two primary schools, three secondary schools, and one K-12 school. Box Hill demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement with an ICSEA score of 1126.

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

Transport analysis indicates 146 active transport stops operating within Box Hill. These include a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. There are 36 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 18,184 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 153 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 2,597 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 124 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Box Hill's health outcomes show excellent results, with younger age groups having a notably low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately half (50%) of Box Hill's total population (~13,266 people) has private health cover, compared to 56.0% in Greater Melbourne and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 6.5% of residents, while asthma impacts 5.4%, with 77.5% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 73.9% in Greater Melbourne.

The area has 14.7% (3,931 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Melbourne's 17.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Box Hill is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Box Hill, as per the 2016 Census, has a population where 55.3% speak languages other than English at home and 56.5% were born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 31.3%. Buddhism, however, shows an overrepresentation with 8.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 6.0%.

In terms of ancestry, Chinese is the most represented group at 32.7%, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's 22.0%. English and Australian follow at 16.4% and 13.0% respectively. Korean (1.2%), Vietnamese (1.6%) and Sri Lankan (0.6%) ethnicities are also notably present in Box Hill, differing from regional averages of 0.7%, 1.3% and 0.8% respectively.

Box Hill hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Box Hill's median age is 33, lower than Greater Melbourne's 37 and Australia's 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Box Hill has a higher proportion of 25-34 year-olds (22.5%) but fewer 5-14 year-olds (8.1%). This 25-34 concentration is well above the national figure of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 21.4% to 22.5%, while the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 16.4% to 17.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 12.1% to 11.2%. By 2041, forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Box Hill. The 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 37%, adding 2,226 residents to reach a total of 8,259.