Burwood (Vic.)

Population growth drivers in Burwood are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

According to assessments conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Burwood is approximately 15,525 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 3,189 residents (25.9%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 12,336 people. This shift is deduced using the ABS estimated resident population of 15,480 as of June 2025 alongside an extra 172 validated new addresses recorded since the Census date. Such a population size results in a density of 3,080 persons per square kilometer, putting the locality in the top quartile of all Australian areas evaluated by AreaSearch. The 25.9% expansion rate since the 2021 census outstripped both the wider SA4 region (8.9%) and the state, establishing the suburb as a primary driver of regional expansion. Overseas migration was the main catalyst for this population increase, accounting for roughly 98.4% of total population growth in recent times.

Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a base year of 2022, are utilized by AreaSearch for individual SA2 districts. In instances where SA2 regions lack this coverage, the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are applied, adjusted via a weighted aggregation process mapping LGA population trends to SA2 divisions. Age group growth rates derived from these aggregations are also extended to all locations for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic forecasts indicate substantial expansion within the upper quartile of nationwide statistical zones, with the suburb anticipated to add 4,414 people by 2041 according to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a cumulative increase of 28.1% over the 16 years.

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

Annual residential building approvals in Burwood average approximately 74, totaling 372 dwelling approvals during the previous 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) with an additional 111 registered during FY-26 to date. With an average of 5.4 incoming residents per completed dwelling annually over the prior 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), construction rates fall short of demand, typically driving up values and intensifiying market competition, while the expected construction cost of new homes averages $453,000, representing a premium over the regional baseline that points to high-quality builds. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $62.6 million in the current financial year, indicating strong corporate investment in the area.

The rate of per-capita residential approvals in Burwood is roughly two-thirds of the Greater Melbourne level, ranking at the 55th percentile across Australia. Recent construction data highlights that 34.0% of approvals are for detached houses, whereas 66.0% are for attached designs. This focus on higher-density options provides budget-friendly options for first-time buyers, downsizers, and investors. This represents a major shift from the existing housing stock where houses make up 55.0%, showing constraints on vacant land and evolving homebuyer preferences. With approximately 290 residents for each new dwelling approval, the local real estate sector continues to mature.

Demographic projections suggest the local population will expand by 4,369 citizens up to 2041 according to recent quarterly assessments from AreaSearch. Under current construction trajectories, residential development may not keep pace with this influx, which could intensify demand and put upward pressure on property valuations.

Burwood has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure, key developments, and urban planning policies are crucial factors in regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 16 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Principal works comprise the 145-155 Burwood Highway Development, the Suburban Rail Loop East - Burwood Station, the 133 Burwood Highway Development, and the Warrigal Road Cycling Infrastructure, with the following index highlighting the most significant undertakings.

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 reveals Burwood recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with a strong concentration of professionals, a jobless rate of 5.5%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.9% over the prior year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 8,470, while the local unemployment rate stood 0.7% higher than the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 4.8%, and the participation rate of 63.9% was notably lower than the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census figures indicate that 33.7% of the employed population worked remotely from home, a figure that may reflect pandemic-related restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, retail trade, along with education & training. Accommodation & food services displays a notable concentration, with a workforce share that is 1.5 times the broader regional average. In contrast, the construction sector accounts for a relatively low 6.2% of local jobs compared to 9.7% across the region. At the time of the Census, there were 0.6 employed individuals for every resident, pointing to a relatively strong local labor market.

AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, local employment expanded by 1.9% and the labor force grew by 2.6%, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point rise in the jobless rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Melbourne recorded a 2.1% increase in jobs, a 2.3% rise in the labor force, and a 0.2 percentage point uptick in unemployment. National occupational projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide an indication of future employment trends in the suburb. These projections, modeling five and ten-year horizons, have been aligned with the local industry distribution. On a national level, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors will experience varied trajectories. Aligning these national patterns with the local workforce composition suggests job numbers could grow by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation that does not integrate local population dynamics.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to the most recent ATO postcode statistics for the financial year 2023, taxpayers in the Burwood SA2 earn a median income of $46,183 and an average of $66,071. These figures sit slightly below national averages, and compare to a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 in Greater Melbourne. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since the financial year 2023, local earnings are estimated at roughly $50,626 for the median and $72,427 for the average as of March 2026. In the Census, individual weekly earnings placed at the 17th percentile ($637 weekly), whereas household incomes ranked higher at the 39th percentile. The dominant household weekly income range is $1,500 - 2,999, which accounts for 27.6% of residents (4,284 people), comparable to the regional rate of 32.8%. Residents experience notable housing affordability constraints, retaining 79.5% of their income, which corresponds to the 35th percentile, while the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 7th decile for income.

Burwood displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

At the most recent Census, the housing distribution in Burwood consisted of 55.4% detached homes and 44.6% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Melbourne. Home ownership rates matched the Melbourne metropolitan level of 31.4%, with mortgaged properties representing 27.2% and rented properties accounting for 41.4% of the market. Median monthly home loan repayments were significantly higher than the metropolitan average at $2,457, and the median weekly rent stood at $401, compared to Melbourne metro figures of $2,000 and $390, respectively. Nationally, local mortgage costs exceed the Australian benchmark of $1,863, while local rents also surpass the nationwide average of $375.

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

Families constitute the majority of local living arrangements at 60.5%, consisting of couples with children at 25.4%, childless couples at 22.5%, and single parent households at 10.6%. The remaining 39.5% are non-family arrangements, including single-person households at 29.6% and shared group households at 9.9% of all homes. The typical household size of 2.4 residents is slightly below the Greater Melbourne median of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Burwood places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Academic achievements in Burwood are considerably higher than standard rates, with 47.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree compared to 30.4% across Australia and 33.4% in VIC. This strong educational profile supports engagement in the professional and knowledge sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the most common qualification at 28.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 15.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.4%. Vocational and technical training accounts for 20.8% of qualifications for residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificate courses at 10.0%.

A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 37.7% of residents currently attending an educational institution. This includes 18.2% studying at the tertiary level, 7.0% enrolled in high schools, and 6.1% attending primary schools.

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

A review of local transit options shows 75 active public transport stops in Burwood, providing access to lightrail and bus networks. The transit network consists of 16 separate routes, which support 8,591 weekly passenger trips. Public transport access is solid, with a typical distance of 204 meters from homes to the closest stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, the majority of workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary transport mode at 74%, followed by 8% utilizing trains, and 7% using buses. Household car ownership stands at an average of 1.1 vehicles per household, which is below the metropolitan standard. A notable 33.7% of working residents performed their duties from home, as recorded in the 2021 Census, which could be associated with COVID-19 pandemic settings.

On average, local transit routes run 1,227 trips daily, which translates to roughly 114 weekly services per stop.

Burwood's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Data on health trends indicates strong outcomes in Burwood, as measured by AreaSearch's analysis of mortality statistics and chronic illnesses, with younger age groups showing particularly low rates of typical medical conditions. Private health insurance membership stands slightly below the standard SA2 benchmark at roughly 52% of residents (~8,057 people), compared to 56.7% throughout Greater Melbourne.

The most frequently reported medical diagnoses locally are mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 7.4 and 6.1% of citizens, respectively. Meanwhile, 74.4% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Residents aged 65 and over make up 13.3% of the community (2,069 people), which is below the metropolitan rate of 15.0%. Elderly residents experience favorable health status overall, although their national standing is lower than that of the younger local demographic.

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

Cultural diversity is a prominent feature of Burwood, where 49.0% of residents speak a non-English language at home and 50.7% were born in another country. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 39.2% of the local population. Notably, Buddhism shows a strong relative concentration at 7.3% of residents, compared to 4.2% throughout metropolitan Melbourne.

Regarding ancestral background, the three most common heritages in Burwood are Chinese, representing 21.1% of the population, which is well above the regional benchmark of 6.5%, followed by English at 16.4%, and Australian at 14.7%. Significant variations also appear in other backgrounds: Sri Lankan ancestry accounts for 1.7% of the local population (compared to 0.8% across the region), Greek heritage is at 3.7% (vs 2.7%), and Indian background represents 5.9% (vs 4.2%).

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

With a median age of 30 years, Burwood has a significantly younger population profile than the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 37 and the national median of 38. Compared to the metropolitan area, the suburb shows a higher concentration of individuals aged 15 - 24 (28.7%) and a smaller share of children aged 5 - 14 (6.2%). The representation of the 15 - 24 demographic is substantially higher than the national average of 12.7%. Since the 2021 Census, an influx of younger residents has reduced the median age by 2.9 years to 30. Specific demographic shifts show the 15 to 24 age group expanding from 21.1% to 28.7% of the population, while the 25 to 34 age bracket rose from 19.3% to 22.5%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort shrank from 10.8% to 8.3%, and the 5 to 14 group fell from 8.4% to 6.2%. Long-term projections for 2041 anticipate notable demographic shifts, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to expand the most at 41%, growing by 1,417 people to reach 4,908.