Brookfield
Statistical Area - sa2

Brookfield lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Brookfield's population was 9,829 as of Aug 2021. By Aug 2025, it increased to around 10,405, a rise of 576 people (5.9%). This growth is inferred from ABS data: Brookfield had an estimated resident population of 10,408 in June 2024 and there were 301 new addresses validated since the Census date. The population density was 973 persons per square kilometer, comparable to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over a decade (2011-2021), Brookfield's compound annual growth rate was 2.5%, outpacing metropolitan averages. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.6% of recent population gains.

Population projections show exceptional growth anticipated over the next 17 years, with Brookfield expected to increase by 4,408 persons to 2041, a gain of 42.4%.

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

Brookfield averaged approximately 62 new dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, with 312 homes approved between FY-21 and FY-25, and 6 so far in FY-26. Over the past five years, an average of 2 new residents per year per dwelling was recorded, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics.

The average construction cost value for new homes was $366,000, lower than regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brookfield had significantly reduced construction levels, 76.0% below the regional average per person, supporting stronger demand and values for established dwellings. New development consisted of 89.0% standalone homes and 11.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a focus on family homes. With around 189 people per dwelling approval, Brookfield exhibited characteristics of a low-density area.

By 2041, Brookfield is projected to grow by 4,411 residents. If current development rates persist, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Brookfield has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects expected to impact the region. Notable ones include Scenic Botanica Estate, Toolern Precinct Structure Plan, Fieldstone Way Reserve Upgrade, and Melton Line Upgrade & New Melton Station. The following list details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Brookfield recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Brookfield has a skilled workforce with construction being particularly prominent. Its unemployment rate was 8.1% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.9%.

As of June 2025, 4,963 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 3.5%, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Brookfield is lower at 60.4% compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries for employment among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and transport, postal & warehousing. Brookfield has a high specialization in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share of 2.3 times the regional level, while professional & technical services show lower representation at 4.0% compared to the regional average of 10.1%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the Census working population versus resident population count. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 3.9% while labour force rose by 5.8%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.6 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5%, labour force growth of 4.0%, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. State-level data for Victoria up to Sep-25 shows employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state's unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brookfield's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.1% over five years and 12.7% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Brookfield's median taxpayer income was $48,070 and average income was $54,260 in financial year 2022, according to AreaSearch aggregated ATO data. This is lower than the national average. In contrast, Greater Melbourne had a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761 in the same period. By March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $52,930 (median) and $59,746 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11%. According to 2021 Census figures, Brookfield's household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly, between the 28th and 43rd percentiles. Income distribution data shows that 36.8% (3,829 people) of locals fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to the broader area where 32.8% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Brookfield, with only 83.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 43rd percentile.

Brookfield is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Brookfield, as per the latest Census evaluation, 88.9% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 11.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Melbourne metro's 90.9% houses and 9.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brookfield stood at 25.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.3% and rented ones at 26.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,658, lower than Melbourne metro's $1,800. The median weekly rent figure in Brookfield was $350, similar to Melbourne metro's $351. Nationally, Brookfield's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,658 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $350 versus the national figure of $375.

Brookfield features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 79.8 percent of all households, including 43.2 percent couples with children, 21.5 percent couples without children, and 14.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 20.2 percent, with lone person households at 18.8 percent and group households comprising 1.4 percent of the total. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 3.0.

Educational attainment in Brookfield aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area has lower university qualification rates at 19.3% compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.6% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 25.0%. Educational participation is high, with 33.7% currently enrolled in formal education: 13.9% in primary, 8.9% in secondary, and 3.5% in tertiary education.

Brookfield's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,415 students. They operate under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1015) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes one primary school and two K-12 schools. Note that where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Brookfield has 24 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 1,808 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as moderate, with residents on average located 444 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes averages 258 trips per day, which translates to approximately 75 weekly trips per individual stop.

Brookfield's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Brookfield's health data shows relatively positive outcomes overall. The prevalence of common health conditions among its general population is quite low but higher than the national average for older and at-risk cohorts. Approximately 47% (~4,911 people) have private health cover, which is lower compared to Greater Melbourne's 50.8%.

Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%. Asthma and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions in Brookfield, affecting 8.0 and 7.9% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 71.9% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 73.7%. Brookfield has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 13.6% (1,414 people) than Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Health outcomes among these seniors present some challenges that require more attention than the broader population.

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

Brookfield has a high level of cultural diversity, with 35.2% of its population born overseas and 36.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Brookfield, accounting for 50.9% of the population. However, the most significant overrepresentation is seen in the 'Other' category, which comprises 7.2% of the population compared to Greater Melbourne's 5.6%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Brookfield are Other (20.8%), Australian (20.5%), and English (19.6%). There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Maltese is overrepresented at 3.9% compared to the regional figure of 5.1%, Samoan is overrepresented at 1.6% versus 1.0%, and Serbian is slightly underrepresented at 0.7% compared to the region's 0.8%.

Brookfield's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Brookfield's median age is 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brookfield has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (17.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (12.9%). This concentration of 5-14 year-olds is significantly higher than the national figure of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 3.4% to 4.8%, while the proportion of those aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 14.6% to 12.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic shifts in Brookfield, with the strongest projected growth occurring among residents aged 45 to 54, who are expected to grow by 66%, adding 749 residents and reaching a total of 1,885.