Burnside Heights

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Burnside Heights' population is around 6524 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 147 people (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6377 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6499 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 8 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3262 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 62.8% 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. As we examine future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas is forecast, with the area expected to grow by 1729 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 26.1% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Burnside Heights is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Burnside Heights has seen approximately three new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, with 17 homes approved between FY21 and FY25. One home has been approved so far in FY26. The population has fallen during this period, suggesting that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good options for buyers.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $376,000. This financial year has seen $400,000 in commercial development approvals, indicating the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Burnside Heights shows significantly reduced construction activity, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. However, building activity has increased recently. Nationally, new building activity is higher than in Burnside Heights, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. Currently, 33.0% of new dwellings are detached houses, while 67.0% are medium or high-density housing. This shift towards denser development offers accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers, marking a departure from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 91.0% houses.

Burnside Heights reflects a highly mature market with around 1219 people per dwelling approval. By 2041, Burnside Heights is projected to grow by 1,704 residents (AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Burnside Heights has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the region. Key projects are Kings Park Reserve Sports Facilities Upgrades, Taylors Creek Residential Estate, Aspire Community, and Modeina Estate. The following list outlines 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Burnside Heights well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Burnside Heights has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.7%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.3%.

As of September 2025, 3668 residents are employed and the unemployment rate is 1.0% below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation in Burnside Heights is 77.9%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 26.0% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing.

The area has strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share twice the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 7.7% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.3%, labour force grew by 5.5%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia for May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burnside Heights' employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Burnside Heights SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $57,685 with the average level standing at $66,919. This is comparable to national averages and Greater Melbourne levels of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $62,444 (median) and $72,440 (average) as of September 2025. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from 2021, household incomes rank at the 80th percentile with weekly earnings of $2,246, while personal income ranks lower at the 49th percentile. Income analysis shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 39.6% of residents (2,583 people), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 32.8% in the same category. Economic strength is evident through 31.6% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 16.3% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 79th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Burnside Heights' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.6% houses and 9.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). In contrast, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burnside Heights was at 18.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 63.5% and rented ones at 17.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $411, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Burnside Heights' mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 93.2% of all households, including 66.3% couples with children, 13.4% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 6.8%, with lone person households at 5.4% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 3.6 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Burnside Heights shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile is notable regionally with university qualification rates at 34.2% of residents aged 15+, exceeding the SA3 area average of 24.3% and Australia's rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are prevalent at 23.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 25.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificates at 15.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 38.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 16.7% in primary education, 9.9% in secondary education, and 4.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Burnside Heights has 14 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by three different routes that together facilitate 918 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically residing 230 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily due to its residential nature. Car remains the primary mode of transport used at 90%, while train use stands at 7%. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, a significant 26% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 131 trips daily across all routes, which translates to roughly 65 weekly trips per individual stop.

Burnside Heights's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance throughout Burnside Heights, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Prevalence of common health conditions was low among the general population, nearing the nation's average for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover rate was approximately 52% of the total population (~3,399 people), slightly lagging the average SA2 area's 56.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions were asthma and diabetes, affecting 6.5 and 4.2% of residents respectively. A total of 81.4% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. The area has 8.9% of residents aged 65 and over (577 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors were above average but ranked lower nationally than the broader population.

Burnside Heights 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 Heights has a population where 49.9% were born overseas, and 61.9% speak a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Burnside Heights, with 48.8%. However, Buddhism is notably higher here at 7.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (25.1%), Indian (10.3%), and Australian (9.8%). Notably, Maltese (5.8%) and Spanish (1.3%) are overrepresented in Burnside Heights compared to regional averages of 1.1% and 0.4%, respectively. Vietnamese is also significantly higher at 7.9%.

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

Burnside Heights has a median age of 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 years and the national average of 38 years. The 5-14 age group constitutes 19.1% of the population in Burnside Heights, compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 8.9%. This concentration of the 5-14 age group is well above the national average of 12.1%. Between 2021 and present, residents have aged on average by 1.7 years, with the median age rising from 33 to 35 years. During this period, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 12.3% to 16.1%, while the 45 to 54 cohort increased from 12.8% to 15.1%. Conversely, the 35 to 44 cohort has declined from 22.6% to 18.1%, and the 5 to 14 group has dropped from 21.7% to 19.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Burnside Heights, with the 15 to 24 cohort projected to grow by 37%, adding 393 residents to reach a total of 1,445. In contrast, both the 5 to 14 and 35 to 44 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.