Box Hill

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

Box Hill's population was approximately 27,174 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 4,333 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 22,841. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 26,708 in June 2024 and an additional 1,262 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,876 persons per square kilometer, placing Box Hill in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth of 19.0% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (8.3%) and the national average, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in Box Hill during recent periods.

AreaSearch is using 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 weighted aggregation methods to the SA2 level. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Box Hill is projected to have a population increase of 10,068 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 35.2% over the 17-year period.

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. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 2,005 homes were approved, with an additional 128 approved so far in FY-26. On average, over these five years, each dwelling constructed accommodated about 1.6 new residents annually. However, recent data shows this figure has increased to 15.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting Box Hill's growing popularity and potential supply constraints.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $308,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. This year alone, there have been $233.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Box Hill shows 99.0% higher development activity per person, offering buyers ample choice. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. Recent construction in Box Hill comprises 13.0% detached houses and 87.0% medium and high-density housing. This trend marks a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 37.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The location has approximately 310 people per dwelling approval, indicating room for growth.

Looking ahead, Box Hill is expected to grow by 9,562 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 35 projects that could affect the area. Notable ones include Wembley Hill Townhomes, Box Hill City Oval Redevelopment, Box Hill Metropolitan Activity Centre - Public Realm, and Golden Age Group Box Hill Office and Retail Tower. 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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Box Hill has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Box Hill has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 5.1% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.7%. There were 15,173 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 0.5% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Box Hill was lower at 60.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and accommodation & food.

The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels 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 is 0.9, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the past year, employment increased by 3.7% alongside a labour force increase of 3.3%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.3 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment grew by 3.0%, labour force expanded by 3.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Box Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Box Hill SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $41,895 and an average income of $59,399. Nationally, the averages were $54,892 and $73,761 respectively in Greater Melbourne. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $46,989 (median) and $66,622 (average), based on a 12.16% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census ranks Box Hill's household, family, and personal incomes modestly, between the 25th and 32nd percentiles. Income analysis reveals 27.8% of the population (7,554 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, similar to the regional average of 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 78.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 23rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places 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

Box Hill's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 37.2% houses and 62.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 60.2% houses and 39.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Box Hill was at 25.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.1% and rented dwellings at 49.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,088, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,300. Median weekly rent in Box Hill was $391, compared to Melbourne metro's $412. Nationally, Box Hill's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,088 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $391 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 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, smaller than Greater Melbourne's 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 has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 48.2% holding university qualifications. This figure is higher than the national average of 30.4% and the Victorian state average of 33.4%. The area's residents have a substantial educational advantage, which positions them favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification, held by 29.3% of residents in this age group, 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 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 11.7% and certificates accounting for 9.4%. Educational participation is notably high in Box Hill, with 35.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.7% in tertiary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 6.7% pursuing primary education.

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

Box Hill has 146 active public transport stops. These include train, light rail, and bus services. There are 36 individual routes operating in total.

Weekly passenger trips across all these routes amount to 18,184. Residents' access to transport is rated as excellent, with an average distance of 153 meters to the nearest stop. Daily service frequency averages 2,597 trips 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 notable results, with younger age groups having a low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 50% (~13,451 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Melbourne's 56.0%. Nationally, this figure is 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in Box Hill, affecting 6.5% and 5.4% of residents respectively. A total of 77.5% report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 73.9%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors (14.7%, or 3,986 people) than Greater Melbourne (17.7%). Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Box Hill warrant special attention.

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 has a high level of cultural diversity, with 55.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 56.5% born overseas as of the latest data. Christianity is the predominant religion in Box Hill, making up 31.3% of people, but Buddhism is more prevalent here compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 8.1% versus 6.0%. The top three ancestry groups in Box Hill are Chinese at 32.7%, English at 16.4%, and Australian at 13.0%.

Notably, Korean (1.2%), Sri Lankan (0.6%), and Vietnamese (1.6%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.7%, 0.8%, and 1.3% respectively.

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

Box Hill has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Box Hill has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (22.5%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.1%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national figure of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has increased from 21.4% to 22.5%, while those aged 15 to 24 have risen from 16.4% to 17.5%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 12.1% to 11.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Box Hill, with the strongest projected growth in the 25 to 34 age cohort (35%), adding 2,142 residents to reach a total of 8,259.