Brookfield

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Brookfield's population is around 10,408 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 579 people (5.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,829 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,408 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 301 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 973 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Brookfield has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 2.5% compound annual growth rate, outpacing Greater Melbourne. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 50.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of statistical areas across the nation, is predicted over the period with the area expected to expand by 4,408 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 42.4% in total over the 17 years.

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

Brookfield has seen around 62 new homes approved annually, with 312 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 14 so far in FY-26. Given an average of 2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand appear well-balanced, creating stable market conditions, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $240,000—below regional norms—reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers.

Relative to Greater Melbourne, Brookfield has significantly less development activity (76.0% below regional average per person). This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. New building activity shows 89.0% detached houses and 11.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 189 people per dwelling approval, Brookfield shows characteristics of a low density area.

Looking ahead, Brookfield is expected to grow by 4,408 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Brookfield has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 19 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Melton Line Upgrade, Scenic Botanica Estate, Toolern Precinct Structure Plan, and the Melton Level Crossing Removal Project, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The labour market performance in Brookfield lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Brookfield has a skilled workforce, with the construction sector a particular standout in terms of representation, an unemployment rate of 8.9%, and 2.2% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 4,913 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 4.2% above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation is somewhat below standard (69.0% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 17.0% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and transport, postal & warehousing. The area shows particularly strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share of 2.3 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 4.0% versus the regional average of 10.1%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 2.2% while the labour force increased by 4.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 2.0 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Brookfield. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Brookfield's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 12.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Brookfield SA2 shows a median taxpayer income of $50,230 and an average of $56,254 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. This is lower than average on a national basis, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $54,374 (median) and $60,895 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Brookfield, between the 28th and 43rd percentiles. The data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 36.8% of the community (3,830 individuals), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 32.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 42nd percentile.

Brookfield is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure within Brookfield, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 88.9% houses and 11.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Brookfield was lagging that of Melbourne metro, at 25.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (47.3%) or rented (26.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Melbourne metro average at $1,658, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390. Nationally, Brookfield's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 79.8% of all households, comprising 43.2% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 20.2%, with lone person households at 18.8% and group households comprising 1.4% of the total. The median household size of 3.1 people is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (19.3%) substantially below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 36.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (25.0%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.9% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 24 active transport stops operating within Brookfield, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 7 individual routes, collectively providing 1,094 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 443 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 92%, with 6% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. Some 17.0% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 156 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 45 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

Health data indicates relatively positive outcomes for Brookfield residents, with AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions showing results broadly in line with national benchmarks. The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among the general population, though higher than the national average across older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~4,943 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 8.0% and 7.9% of residents, respectively, while 71.9% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 14.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,484 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

Brookfield 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

Brookfield scores highly on cultural diversity, with 35.2% of its population born overseas and 36.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Brookfield is Christianity, which makes up 50.9% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Other, which comprises 7.2% of the population, compared to 2.3% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Brookfield are Other, comprising 20.8% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 14.6%, Australian, comprising 20.5% of the population, and English, comprising 19.6% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Maltese is notably overrepresented at 3.9% of Brookfield (vs 1.1% regionally), Samoan at 1.6% (vs 0.3%) and Serbian at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).

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

At 34 years, Brookfield's median age is somewhat lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and similarly considerably younger than Australia's 38 years. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Brookfield has a higher concentration of 5 - 14 residents (16.9%) but fewer 25 - 34 year-olds (12.4%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 3.4% to 5.4% of the population. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 14.6% to 12.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Brookfield. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 62%, adding 720 residents to reach 1,885.