Burnside
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Burnside's population is around 6,579 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 779 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,800 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,449 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 179 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,580 persons per square kilometer. Burnside's growth of 13.4% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (8.6%). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 48.1% during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered, AreaSearch is utilising 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 are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the area expected to increase by 3,602 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 52.8% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Burnside among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Burnside has recorded approximately 69 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 349 homes have been approved, with an additional 13 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 2.6 people per year have moved to the area for each new home constructed during this period, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $573,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. In FY26, there have been $8.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Burnside shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 55.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. However, developer confidence in the area is strong, reflected by the national average level being well above average.

Recent development has been entirely comprised of detached houses, preserving Burnside's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 117 people per dwelling approval, Burnside shows characteristics of a growth area. Future projections estimate that Burnside will add approximately 3,472 residents by the year 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, though increasing competition among buyers can be expected as the population expands.

Burnside has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include Amora Estate Cairnlea, Cairnlea Remediation Project, Taylors Creek Residential Estate, and Western Freeway Upgrade from Melton to Caroline Springs. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Burnside remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Burnside has a skilled labour force with diverse industry representation. Its unemployment rate is 4.9%, having grown by 5.3% over the past year as of June 2025.

There are 3,326 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 5.2%. The workforce participation rate is 59.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing. Burnside specializes in the latter, with an employment share twice the regional level.

However, professional & technical services have limited presence at 5.4% compared to the regional 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.3%, labour force by 5.8%, leading to a 0.4% rise in unemployment. Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia projects national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industries. Applying these projections to Burnside's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Burnside had a median taxpayer income of $45,747 and an average of $53,731 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. This was lower than national averages, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since the financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $51,310 (median) and $60,265 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household income ranked at the 57th percentile ($1,871 weekly), while personal income was at the 24th percentile. Income analysis showed that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominated with 34.9% of residents (2,296 people), aligning with regional levels where this cohort also represented 32.8%. High housing costs consumed 16.7% of income, but strong earnings still placed disposable income at the 57th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

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

In Burnside, as per the latest Census, 85.3% of dwellings were houses, with 14.7% being other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Melbourne metro's 90.9% houses and 9.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burnside stood at 31.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 58.4% and rented ones at 10.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $1,800. The median weekly rent in Burnside was $400, compared to Melbourne metro's $351. Nationally, Burnside's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 80.9% of all households, including couples with children (51.5%), couples without children (18.6%), and single parent families (9.9%). Non-family households account for the remaining 19.1%, composed of lone person households at 18.0% and group households at 1.1%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 3.0.

Burnside performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate is 25.0%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 18.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 30.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (19.3%). Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 11.7% in primary, 9.7% in secondary, and 5.3% in tertiary education.

Burnside Primary School serves the area, enrolling 405 students, and offers typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1034) with balanced educational opportunities. It focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. Local school capacity is limited at 6.2 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.3, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Burnside has 20 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three different routes that together facilitate 1,499 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transport in Burnside is rated as good, with residents on average located 210 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 214 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 74 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Burnside is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Burnside demonstrates a lower prevalence of common health conditions among its general population compared to national averages, with arthritis and asthma being the most common at 7.2 and 6.9%, respectively. However, only approximately 47% of Burnside's total population (~3092 people) have private health cover, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's 50.8%. Nationally, the average is 55.3%.

A higher proportion of residents, 73.3%, report being completely clear of medical ailments compared to Greater Melbourne at 73.7%. Burnside has a larger senior population aged 65 and over at 16.3% (1071 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Health outcomes among seniors in Burnside require more attention than the broader population, presenting some challenges.

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

Burnside's population is culturally diverse, with 49.3% born overseas and 56.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 60.5%. Buddhism is overrepresented, comprising 5.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 2.8%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (23.0%), Australian (12.1%), and English (10.3%). Filipino (8.3%), Maltese (5.9%), and Serbian (1.6%) ethnicities are notably overrepresented in Burnside compared to regional averages.

Burnside's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Burnside has a median age of 37, which matches Greater Melbourne and is comparable to Australia's median age of 38. The 15-24 age group is strongly represented at 15.7%, higher than Greater Melbourne's figure. However, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent in Burnside at 11.2%. Since 2021, there has been an increase in the 15-24 age group from 12.9% to 15.7%, while the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 12.4% to 11.2%. The 55-64 age group has also dropped, from 11.2% in 2021 to 10.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Burnside's age structure. Notably, the 15-24 group is projected to grow by 62%, adding 637 people and reaching a total of 1,670 from its current figure of 1,032.