Burwood East

Burwood East has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Burwood East's population is 12,348 as of November 2025. This is an increase of 1,673 people from the 2021 Census figure of 10,675. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 12,366 in June 2024 and 480 new addresses validated since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,898 persons per square kilometer, placing Burwood East in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The area's growth rate of 15.7% since the 2021 census exceeds both the SA4 region (8.3%) and national averages. Overseas migration contributed approximately 74.4% of population gains recently, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 for areas not covered by this data. Applying growth rates by age group across all areas until 2041 indicates a significant population increase is forecasted, with Burwood East expected to grow by 3,457 persons to reach 16,805 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 28.1% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Burwood East among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Burwood East has averaged approximately 127 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 639 homes. As of FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling has added about 2.2 new residents per year over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), indicating healthy demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average construction cost of $339,000.

This year, there have been $18.5 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Burwood East has seen slightly more development, with 35.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values, although construction activity has eased recently. The level of development is substantially higher than the national average, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists of 26.0% standalone homes and 74.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 74.0% houses). This trend towards denser development provides accessible entry options and appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

With around 313 people per dwelling approval, Burwood East shows a developing market. Population forecasts indicate that Burwood East will gain approximately 3,475 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

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

Area infrastructure performance is significantly influenced by changes to local projects and initiatives. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Tally Ho Major Activity Centre Structure Plan, SRL East - Works Package F - Stations - Glen Waverley to Box Hill, East Burwood Reserve Master Plan, Mirrabooka Reserve Pavilion Redevelopment. The following list details 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.

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

Burwood East has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 4.6% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.1%. In September 2025, 6,409 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate aligning with Greater Melbourne's 4.7%, but workforce participation lagged at 57.8% compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and professional & technical services. The area showed notable concentration in accommodation & food services, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction had lower representation at 7.1% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Employment opportunities exist locally, but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 3.1% while labour force grew by 3.2%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0%, with unemployment rising slightly to 4.7%. State-level data from November 25 showed Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Burwood East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, assuming constant population growth for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Burwood East SA2 had an income level below the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. The median income among taxpayers was $45,312 and the average income stood at $60,119, compared to Greater Melbourne's figures of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $50,822 (median) and $67,429 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household income ranked at the 42nd percentile ($1,610 weekly), while personal income sat at the 23rd percentile. The largest segment comprised 30.2% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (3,729 residents), aligning with the metropolitan region where this cohort likewise represented 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 83.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 42nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

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

Burwood East's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.9% houses and 26.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Melbourne metro's 60.2% houses and 39.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burwood East stood at 44.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (29.2%) or rented (26.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,147, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,300. The median weekly rent figure was $439, compared to Melbourne metro's $412. Nationally, Burwood East's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,147 versus the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Burwood East features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 72.3% of all households, including 33.7% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.7%, with lone person households at 22.5% and group households comprising 5.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

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

Burwood East's educational attainment is notably higher than national and state averages. As of 2021, 42.5% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational pathways account for 22.6% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 11.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.2% in tertiary education, 7.2% in primary education, and 6.1% pursuing secondary education.

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

The transport analysis indicates that there are 64 active transport stops in operation within Burwood East. These comprise a mix of light rail and bus services. A total of 15 individual routes serve these stops, collectively facilitating 4,296 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to public transport is rated as good, with residents typically residing approximately 224 meters from the nearest transport stop. The service frequency averages 613 trips per day across all routes, which equates to roughly 67 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Burwood East is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Burwood East shows superior health outcomes for both young and elderly populations, with low prevalence of common conditions. Approximately 50% (~6,112 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Melbourne's 56.0% and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (7.2%) and asthma (6.2%), with 73.6% reporting no medical ailments, similar to Greater Melbourne's 73.9%.

The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.4% (2,768 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 17.7%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Burwood East has a high level of cultural diversity, with 56.5% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 53.5% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Burwood East, accounting for 43.5% of the population. Notably, Buddhism is more prevalent in Burwood East at 8.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 6.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (25.3%), English (13.5%), and Other (11.9%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Greek is overrepresented at 7.8% in Burwood East, compared to the regional average of 3.0%, Sri Lankan at 1.5% versus 0.8%, and Vietnamese at 2.1% against Greater Melbourne's 1.3%.

Burwood East's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Burwood East has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Greater Melbourne average, Burwood East has an over-representation of the 75-84 age cohort (8.6% locally) and an under-representation of the 5-14 age group (9.2%). Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 14.9% to 16.5%, while the 15-24 cohort has risen from 12.5% to 13.6%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 12.8% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Burwood East's age profile will change significantly, with the 85+ age cohort projected to grow dramatically by 603 people (108%), from 560 to 1,164.