Brunswick West
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Brunswick West are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Aug 2025, Brunswick West's population is approximately 15,784. This figure represents an increase of 1,466 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,318. The growth was inferred from ABS estimates: 15,644 in June 2024 and an additional 142 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 4,963 persons per square kilometer, placing Brunswick West within the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. The area's 10.2% growth since the 2021 Census surpassed both national (8.6%) and state averages, indicating strong growth leadership. Overseas migration contributed approximately 89.7% of overall population gains in recent periods.

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, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Brunswick West is expected to experience significant growth by 2041, increasing by 8,163 persons and recording a total gain of 50.8% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Brunswick West when compared nationally

Brunswick West has seen approximately 81 new homes approved each year. Development approval data from the ABS shows 409 homes over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with 10 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 1.9 new residents arrive per new home annually over these five years. However, this figure has increased to 13.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing demand and decreasing supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost of $643,000, slightly above the regional average.

Commercial development approvals totalled $8.0 million in FY-26, suggesting limited commercial focus compared to Greater Melbourne, where development activity is 50% higher per person. Brunswick West's new building activity comprises 11% detached houses and 89% townhouses or apartments, differing significantly from the existing housing pattern of 38% houses. This trend may indicate decreasing developable land availability and increasing demand for affordable housing. With around 451 people per dwelling approval, Brunswick West exhibits a developed market. Future projections estimate an addition of 8,023 residents by 2041, which could potentially outpace current housing supply growth, intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Future projections show Brunswick West adding 8,023 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 26 projects that may affect this region. Notable initiatives include the Tram Power Substation at 320 Reynard Street, LIV Albert Fields by Mirvac and Milieu, development at 463-465 Victoria Street Townhouses, and Pentridge Prison Development. The following list outlines those most likely to be relevant.

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

The employment landscape in Brunswick West shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Brunswick West has an educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 7.1% as of June 2025, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.7%. There were 10,106 residents employed in June 2025, with a workforce participation rate of 72.0%, above Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Education & training has a particularly high employment share at 1.5 times the regional level.

Construction, however, is under-represented with only 5.8% of Brunswick West's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Employment opportunities may be limited locally due to its predominantly residential nature. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 5.7%, while labour force grew by 7.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5% and unemployment rise by 0.5%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections suggest Brunswick West's employment could increase by approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years based on its industry mix.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2022 shows median assessed income in Brunswick West is $59,451. Average income stands at $77,470. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's figures of a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% from July 1, 2022 to March 2025, current estimates would be approximately $65,461 (median) and $85,302 (average). From the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data, personal income ranks at the 79th percentile ($1,002 weekly), while household income sits at the 52nd percentile. The earnings profile shows that 32.3% of locals (5,098 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 category. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 52nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

As of the latest Census in Brunswick West, 38.1% of dwellings were houses while 61.9% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and others. This differs from Melbourne metro's figures which stood at 46.2% houses and 53.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick West was recorded at 23.9%, with mortgaged properties at 27.2% and rented dwellings at 48.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,149. The median weekly rent figure for Brunswick West was $365 compared to Melbourne metro's $418. Nationally, Brunswick West's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are lower at $375.

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

Family households account for 52.3% of all households, including 20.7% couples with children, 23.3% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 47.7%, with lone person households at 38.2% and group households comprising 9.5%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

Educational achievement in Brunswick West places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Brunswick West has an educational attainment rate of 52.0% among residents aged 15 and above, which exceeds the national average of 30.4% and the Victorian average of 33.4%. This high level of educational attainment is driven by a significant number of university qualifications held in the area, with bachelor degrees being the most common at 30.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 15.7%, and graduate diplomas at 5.4%. Vocational pathways also contribute to this figure, accounting for 20.9% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 9.1% and certificates comprising 11.8%. Educational participation in Brunswick West is notably high, with 28.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes a substantial number pursuing tertiary education (10.7%), as well as those engaged in primary (6.4%) and secondary (4.5%) education. The area's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,455 students. Brunswick West demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) score of 1144. Education provision in the area is balanced, with four primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Brunswick West has 78 active public transport stops. These include lightrail and bus services. There are 12 routes serving these stops, which together facilitate 5,779 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 119 meters to the nearest stop. All routes combined see 825 daily trips, equating to about 74 weekly trips per individual stop.

Brunswick West'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 West residents exhibited relatively positive health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population.

However, this rate was higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover was exceptionally high, at approximately 59% (9,280 people). The most prevalent medical conditions were mental health issues and asthma, affecting 12.8% and 8.9% of residents respectively. A total of 67.9% reported no medical ailments, compared to 68.5% in Greater Melbourne. The area had 12.1% (1,901 people) aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors required more attention than the broader population.

Brunswick West 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

Brunswick West had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 31.1% of its residents born overseas and 28.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Brunswick West was Christianity, comprising 35.9% of the population. However, Judaism was notably overrepresented, making up 0.3% compared to the same percentage across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (20.1%), Australian (17.5%), and Other (12.4%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Italian was overrepresented at 9.2%, Greek at 4.7%, and Lebanese at 1.1%.

Brunswick West's population is younger than the national pattern

Brunswick West's median age of 35 years is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38. The age group of 25-34 makes up 25.0% of the population, higher than Greater Melbourne but lower than the national average of 14.5%. The 5-14 age group constitutes 7.7%, which is less prevalent compared to Greater Melbourne. Between 2021 and present day, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.0% to 12.9%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 11.8% to 10.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate that the 25-34 age cohort will increase significantly, adding 1,530 people (a 39% rise) from 3,950 to 5,481.