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

Burnside Heights' population, according to AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 6,524 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 147 people, a rise of 2.3%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,377. The growth was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 6,499 in June 2024 and an additional 7 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,262 persons per square kilometer, placing Burnside Heights in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch adopts 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 utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to the SA2 level. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest a significant increase in Burnside Heights' top quartile of Australian statistical areas, with an expected growth of 1,729 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 26.1% 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 seventeen homes approved between FY21 and FY25, and one so far in FY26. The population has decreased during this period, suggesting that new supply has kept pace with demand, providing good options for buyers. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $376,000.

This financial year has seen $400,000 in commercial development approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Burnside Heights shows significantly lower construction activity, which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. However, building activity has increased recently. Nationally, new building activity is also lower than average, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints. New developments consist of 33.0% detached houses and 67.0% medium to high-density housing, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This shift from the area's existing housing (91.0% houses) suggests decreasing developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring diverse housing options. With around 1219 people per dwelling approval, Burnside Heights reflects a highly mature market.

By 2041, Burnside Heights is expected to grow by 1704 residents. At current development rates, 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 that are expected to impact the region. Notable ones include Kings Park Reserve Sports Facilities Upgrades, Taylors Creek Residential Estate, Aspire Community, and Modeina Estate. The following list provides details on those most likely to be 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 strong professional services representation, an unemployment rate of 3.7% as of September 2025, and estimated employment growth of 5.3% over the past year. The area's unemployment rate is 1.0% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%, and workforce participation is higher at 78.9%. Home workership was high at 26.0% according to Census responses, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing, with the latter showing strong specialization at twice the regional level. However, professional & technical services have lower representation at 7.7%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.3% while labour force grew by 5.5%, causing unemployment to rise slightly by 0.2 percentage points.

In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 3.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest total employment could expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burnside Heights' employment mix indicates local employment should increase by approximately 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though these are simplified extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Burnside Heights SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $57,685 and an average income of $66,919. These figures are comparable to national averages. In Greater Melbourne, the median was $57,688 and the average was $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth, current estimates for Burnside Heights as of September 2025 would be approximately $62,444 (median) and $72,440 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household incomes ranked at the 80th percentile ($2,246 weekly), while personal income ranked at the 49th percentile. Income analysis showed that 39.6% of residents (2,583 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, consistent with broader regional trends. Economic strength was evident with 31.6% of households earning over $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consumed 16.3% of income, but disposable income remained at the 79th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed 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 were 90.6% houses and 9.4% other types at the latest Census. In Melbourne metro, this was 67.9% houses and 32.1% others. Home ownership in Burnside Heights was 18.7%, with mortgages at 63.5% and rentals at 17.8%. Median monthly mortgage repayments were $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while median weekly rents were $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 comprise 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 making up 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+, surpassing the SA3 area average of 24.3% and Australia's rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most 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 active public transport stops. These are served by three different bus routes, offering a total of 918 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents living an average of 230 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily. Car use dominates at 90%, while train use stands at 7%. On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 26% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 131 trips per day, resulting in approximately 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 across Burnside Heights. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were found to be low among the general population, nearing national averages even among older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover was present in approximately 52% of the total population (~3,399 people), slightly lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 56.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions were asthma and diabetes, affecting 6.5 and 4.2% of residents respectively. A higher proportion, 81.4%, reported being completely clear of medical ailments compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Burnside Heights has a lower percentage of seniors aged 65 and over at 8.1% (525 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 14.9%. Health outcomes among seniors, while above average, rank lower nationally than those of 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, with 61.9% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Burnside Heights, comprising 48.8%, while Buddhism stands at 7.4%, higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 4.2%. The top three ancestry groups are Other (25.1%), Indian (10.3%), and Australian (9.8%).

Notably, Maltese representation is 5.8% compared to the regional average of 1.1%, Spanish at 1.3% versus 0.4%, and Vietnamese at 7.9% against a regional average of 1.9%.

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

Burnside Heights has a median age of 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's national median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Burnside Heights has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (20.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.1%). This concentration of residents aged 5-14 is significantly higher than the national average of 12.2%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, residents have aged by an average of 1.3 years, with the median age rising from 33 to 34 years. Specifically, the percentage of residents aged 15-24 has increased from 12.3% to 15.3%, while the percentage of residents aged 45-54 has risen from 12.8% to 14.9%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 35-44 has decreased from 22.6% to 19.0%, and the percentage of residents aged 5-14 has dropped from 21.7% to 20.1%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Burnside Heights, with the strongest projected growth occurring in the 15-24 age group, which is expected to increase by 44%, adding 444 residents to reach a total of 1,445. Meanwhile, both the 5-14 and 35-44 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.