Brunswick - South

Population growth drivers in Brunswick - South are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Brunswick - South's population was approximately 15,385 as of November 2025. This represents an increase of 2,402 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,983. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 15,190 in June 2024 and validated new addresses totalling 526 since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 5,635 persons per square kilometer, placing Brunswick - South among the top 10% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 18.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages, indicating strong population growth driven primarily by overseas migration contributing approximately 87.1% of overall gains. AreaSearch uses 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 with adjustments made through weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Brunswick - South is expected to experience significant growth, increasing by 9,226 persons to reach a total of 24,611 by 2041, reflecting an overall gain of 58.7% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Brunswick - South among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Brunswick South has seen approximately 303 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 1,518 homes were approved, with an additional 210 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 0.6 new residents have arrived per year for each new home over these five years, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand and supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average construction value of new properties has been around $441,000, slightly higher than the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This financial year, $8.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Brunswick South records 102% more development activity per person, providing ample buyer choice, although development activity has moderated recently. The new development consists of approximately 2% detached dwellings and 98% attached dwellings, reflecting a shift towards higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This change is notable compared to the current housing mix, which is around 28% houses. Brunswick South has an approval rate of approximately 64 people per approval, indicating a developing area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Brunswick South is expected to grow by about 9,031 residents through to 2041.

Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Brunswick - South has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely affecting the region. Notable projects include Brunswick Level Crossing Removal - Upfield Line (8 Crossings), Albert Street Stockland Development, Brunswick Established - 23 Hodgson Street, and Australian Liquorice Factory Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant.

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.

Brunswick - South has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Brunswick South has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate in September 2025 was 5.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 5.1% over the past year.

There are 10,714 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.9% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation is at 75.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries include professional & technical (with a share 1.7 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction employs only 4.3% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 9.7%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.6, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 5.1%, with a corresponding rise in labour force by 5.5%, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.0% and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. State-wide, Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year (adding 41,950 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts from May-25 project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brunswick South's industry mix suggests local employment could increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The median taxpayer income in Brunswick - South SA2 is $62,615, with an average of $78,646, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is notably higher than Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. By September 2025, based on a 12.16% increase in wages since financial year 2022, estimated incomes would be approximately $70,229 (median) and $88,209 (average). Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly in Brunswick - South, between the 74th and 88th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - $2,999 captures 33.2% of the community (5,107 individuals), similar to broader trends across the area showing 32.8% in the same category. Economic strength is evident with 32.5% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 16.8% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 73rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Brunswick - South features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Brunswick - South's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 27.8% houses and 72.2% other dwellings. In contrast, Melbourne metro had 46.2% houses and 53.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick - South was at 21.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.0% and rented ones at 51.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,018, below Melbourne metro's $2,149. Median weekly rent in the area was $450, compared to Melbourne metro's $418. Nationally, Brunswick - South's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 50.0% of all households, including 15.2% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 5.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 50.0%, with lone person households at 35.8% and group households comprising 14.2%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

The educational profile of Brunswick - South exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Brunswick South has a higher proportion of residents with university qualifications than national and state averages. Specifically, 61.5% of its residents aged 15 and above hold such qualifications, compared to the Australian average of 30.4% and the Victorian average of 33.4%. This educational advantage is reflected in the types of qualifications held: bachelor degrees are most common at 35.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (20.0%) and graduate diplomas (5.6%). Vocational pathways account for 16.8% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas making up 8.4% and certificates also accounting for 8.4%.

Educational participation in the area is notably high, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.6% in tertiary education, 4.3% in primary education, and 3.4% pursuing secondary education.

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

Brunswick - South has 68 active public transport stops. These are served by a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. There are 12 individual routes in total, providing 6,933 weekly passenger trips collectively.

The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 141 meters, indicating excellent transport accessibility. On average, there are 990 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 101 weekly trips per individual stop.

Brunswick - South'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

Brunswick - South residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population, although higher than national averages in older and at-risk groups.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 59% (9,138 people). Mental health issues and asthma are most common, affecting 14.4 and 9.2% respectively. 67.4% report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 68.5%. The area has 10.7% residents aged 65 and over (1,646 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 12.1%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Brunswick - South was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Brunswick-South has a higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets, with 31.4% of its population born overseas and 22.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Brunswick-South, making up 24.1% of its population. Judaism, however, is more prevalent in Brunswick-South compared to Greater Melbourne, with 0.4% versus 0.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.9%), Australian (18.0%), and Irish (11.3%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences: Italian is overrepresented at 6.9%, French at 0.8%, and Greek at 3.1% compared to regional percentages of 10.2%, 0.7%, and 5.1% respectively.

Brunswick - South hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Brunswick-South's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Brunswick-South has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (31.2%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (4.6%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has increased from 11.8% to 12.5%, while the proportion of residents aged 5 to 14 has decreased from 5.5% to 4.6%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Brunswick-South, with the strongest projected growth occurring among residents aged 25-34 (44%), adding 2,110 residents to reach a total of 6,908.