Bundoora - West
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Bundoora - West reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Bundoora - West's population is around 6780 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 594 people, a 9.6% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6186 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 6742 in June 2024 and an additional 63 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2648 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Bundoora - West's growth exceeded the national average of 8.9%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 88.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to demographic trends, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the area expected to increase by 2894 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 42.1% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Bundoora - West according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Bundoora - West has averaged approximately 21 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 106 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. Each year, an average of 2.5 new residents per dwelling is gained. The average construction cost value for new homes is $178,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

In FY-26, there have been $12.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. When compared to Greater Melbourne, Bundoora - West has markedly lower building activity, at 77.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. Recent construction comprises 38.0% standalone homes and 62.0% medium and high-density housing, shifting from the area's existing housing composition of 79.0% houses. Bundoora - West has around 826 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. By 2041, it is expected to grow by 2,856 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Looking ahead, Bundoora - West is expected to grow by 2,856 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Bundoora - West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones are The Belmont Collection, M80 Ring Road Completion, Research and Development Centre, and Mill Park Secondary College Performing Arts Centre. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch analysis indicates Bundoora - West maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Bundoora - West has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.2%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.5%. As of June 2025, 3,521 residents are employed while the area's unemployment rate is 1.4% below Greater Melbourne's. Workforce participation in Bundoora - West lags behind Greater Melbourne's at 56.8%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction, with a particularly strong specialization in retail trade at 1.2 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services show lower representation at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparisons between working population and resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.5% while labour force grew by 1.4%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate of 1.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5%, labour force growth of 4.0%, and an increase in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Bundoora - West's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

Bundoora - West had a median taxpayer income of $45,068 and an average of $56,128 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Melbourne having a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $50,548 and the average around $62,953, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022. Census data indicates that incomes in Bundoora - West fall between the 17th and 30th percentiles nationally. The income band of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 32.2% of the community (2,183 individuals), similar to regional levels at 32.8%. Housing affordability is severe, with only 83.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 30th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Bundoora - West, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.6% houses and 21.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 87.2% houses and 12.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bundoora - West was at 42.2%, with the rest being mortgaged (27.9%) or rented (29.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $380, compared to Melbourne metro's $371. Nationally, Bundoora - West's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,900 against Australia's average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Bundoora - West features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 67.6 percent of all households, including 26.7 percent couples with children, 27.5 percent couples without children, and 11.8 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.4 percent, with lone person households at 26.2 percent and group households comprising 6.1 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.9.

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

Educational qualifications in Bundoora - West trail show that 30.5% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to 37.0% in Greater Melbourne. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 9.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 28.5% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (17.7%). Current educational participation is high, with 26.6% of residents enrolled in formal education, including 7.5% in tertiary, 6.7% in primary, and 5.0% in secondary education.

The area has three schools with a combined enrollment of 1,133 students as of the latest data. Bundoora - West demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1063. It includes two primary and one K-12 school, indicating it serves as an educational center for the broader region, with a school capacity of 16.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.1.

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

The analysis indicates 17 active transport stops operating within Bundoora - West. These include a mix of light rail and bus services. Five individual routes service these stops, collectively providing 3,212 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 328 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 458 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 188 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Bundoora - West are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Bundoora - West shows below-average health outcomes, with common conditions more prevalent than average among both younger and older residents. Approximately 48% of the population has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.8% of residents) and mental health issues (7.6%). Comparatively, 69.1% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly less than Greater Melbourne's 74.0%. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 22.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 13.2%.

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

Bundoora-West has a high cultural diversity with 45.6% of its population born overseas and 49.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 54.5%. Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 4.7% versus 9.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Australian (14.1%), English (13.3%), and Other (12.8%). Notable ethnic group divergences include Macedonian at 3.8% (versus 4.6% regionally), Greek at 6.5% (versus 4.1%), and Croatian at 1.8% (versus 0.7%).

Bundoora - West's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Bundoora-West is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the cohort aged 75-84 is over-represented at 8.6% locally, while those aged 5-14 are under-represented at 8.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 11.3% to 14.0%, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 11.1% to 9.4% and the 65-74 group has dropped from 12.0% to 10.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Bundoora-West, with the 25-34 age group set to grow by 33%, reaching 1,590 people from 1,192.